Writing Prompt entry

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A shaft of living light crept over the rubble. Small glints bounced off of the walls of the blasted alleyway. The beams lingered for what seemed like an eternity, then melted into shadow again. After a pause, a small form crept from the rubble and hurriedly dropped down a manhole. She turned to see the frowning face of her brother in the darkness.

“They're scanning the whole area, I TOLD you to stay here. Why did you run off?”

“Aw Pete, I just wanted to see...”

“There isn't anything to see. We just wait until he comes back. He promised to be back, he'll be back…” He began mumbling to himself and led his sister down the tunnels to a hole in the wall. They clambered inside and settled into a large circle on the floor. They had been hiding down here for what seemed like an eternity. Pete pulled out a bag of yellowish powder and filled in the scuffed marks. They would be safe if they stay here. The dark was beginning to feel almost comforting, and he was getting used to the smell. Either way it was better than being out THERE.

Sometimes he'd completely forget the before times, before the angels came down, only to have it slink into his dreams.

He remembered the grownups getting very excited about some guy on TV. Something big was happening. He was stuffed into his Sunday best and hurried to some big building. It was hot and loud and some guy was up front talking about sin and war and a lot of things he didn't understand.

A big screen lowered from the ceiling and projected a bowed, thin man walking to a podium. His eyes were tired and glowed like dying embers. His cheeks were streaked with tears. When he spoke, it choked out the sound and invaded the mind of every soul. His was the only voice for those few moments. “I'm sorry. I tried to stop it. I can't save you all, but I will try to do something…HE is coming. Seek the darkness, and for pity's sake RUN.”

The Tired Man's eyes twisted in agony, and he disappeared in a pillar of flame. A great roar poured from the sky.

Things blurred after that. A great shout went up, and the room became a madhouse. Crying, Screaming, and light… so much light. Pete held firmly to his sister's arm, and they ran. The stampede forced the children into the night. The sky was lit with a thousand glowing forms that descended swiftly and shot back into the air, each carrying the limp form of...

The boy fell to his knees and vomited. The world spun and flecks of something wet began to sprinkle down onto the shrieking masses.

A familiar voice shot through his mind,“This way! Close your eyes and run to my voice.”

Pete whirled about, scanning the writhing crowds for who spoke, he faltered and the wrold seemed to stretch and spin.

“Come on kid, RUN!”

The world rushed back and he threw himself toward the sound.

The voice led them to a manhole where a handful of others were already prying at the lid.

“Down here!” The children half ran half fell down the ladder. Small hands grasped for each other in the darkness, eyes shut and trusting the only sound that wasn't screaming. The voice was clearer here, and they felt a warmth pulling them further down.

Some of the children started to fall back as the shock of what was happening began to set in. Pete dared to open his eyes to the inky darkness and glanced back to see… Outlines?

A fierce light began emanating down the tunnel behind them. The light spread like tendrils, searching and feeling every surface. To his horror, he spotted the huddled form of a straggler slumped on the floor. The light grew brighter and the shimmering form of a winged… something, floated down through the ceiling. He wanted to cry out, warn them… But he felt The Voice choke him off. Just as the Light touched the child, it coiled around the form and SNAPPED.

And it was dark again.

This was the last straw. They couldn't move anymore. They sat there, shaking and clutching each other while the shrieks of the chosen echoed down the tunnels.

The Tired Man had come to find them the next morning. The children were exhausted and reeling from shock. The Man gave them little bags of stinking yellow powder, water and a little card with a drawing on it.

“I will come for each of you, kids. Things are pretty busy right now, but I am taking everyone down to a safe place. I will do my best but I need you to try hard too. Don't let the light find you, and if you feel it near, draw this picture with this powder and sit in the middle. It will keep you safe. Don't worry, I will always find you.”

And with that he was gone
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Pete let out a deep breath. It had been ages since that day, and sometimes he wondered what it was all about. None of the children they started out with were around anymore. Some wandered off. Some couldn't stomach the “food” they'd find, they didn't last long. But rats were plentiful and he was getting pretty good at catching them. His sister was safe as long as she stuck with him but she was too young, and getting too outgoing, and those things were still out there, hungry as ever.

He rubbed in the lines of the massive pentagram, and prayed The Tired Man would find them soon.