The Forgotten City

Chapter 11

Within 5 minutes we had grabbed our packs and are waiting for Professor Williams to meet us down in the parking lot. Just as the professor makes it to us a low humming emanates from the main part of town.

Dark fog slithers it's tendrils slowly consuming the road to the diner and cafe.

"RUN!" shouts Ian. He grabs my hand and jerks me behind him.

No one questions his authority, we just take off running. My legs start burning right away, but I pay them no mind, as I pump them to keep up with Ian. Ian's tight grip on me keeps me right by his side.

"Where is the noise coming from?" shouts Sara.

The rumbling starts getting louder. It almost seems to be chasing us, following us. The rumbling accompanies the sounds of scared voices; voices calling out for help; voices telling us to run!

I am convinced if I stop and turn around to face the sound, I would see the souls of hundreds of people lost in the fog. But I can't help them. They are just lost. Lost like my parents. Lost like Jason. I can't save them, but I can save my friends and myself. So I keep running.

"I have no idea. But if I were to guess, it would be the dark mist that has this whole city surrounded," huffs Professor Williams.

A loud, predatory growl emanates from the mist. What feels like heavy foot falls of some unseen beast starts shaking the ground.

"What are we gonna do?" pants Tiffany.

"Don't worry, Tiffany," replies Professor Williams. He grabs Tiffany's hand and squeezes it. "We are all going to get out of here. Then we need to contact the authorities and tell them what happened in this town."

I peak over my shoulder. While the black mass is slow, it is slowly catching up to us. I swear I see a lion's face, as tall as a building, forming in the fog. "Guys. We need to move faster!" I shout.

"Don't have to tell me twice!" puffs Sara as she sprints past everyone.

"Come on, baby. We gotta move faster!" Ian encourages me.

"I'm trying," I pant. "Don't leave me!"

"Never gonna happen. We are gonna get the hell outta here, and start our own happily ever after. I'm gonna buy a ranch, we're gonna get married, and have 5 kids. It will be perfect. I promise!" Ian winks, pulling at me to keep me by his side.

Tiffany screams as she trips and falls on all fours.

My heart stops. There is no way I am losing any one else I love!

"Tiff!" I yell over her shoulder, as Ian isn't going to let me stop for my best friend.

Professor Williams is right there taking her into his arms. "You're going to be fine! Come on, Tiffany. Let's get out of here." With his arms around Tiffany, they run and catch up with me and Ian.

A low vibration shaking below our feet makes it hard to run. The road starts to split apart. Rocks and trees start sliding across the road. We can't get traction on the ground under our feet. Professor Williams trips and pushes Tiffany forward. "Go!" he shouts as the blackness engulfs him.

"NO!" screams Tiffany.

"Don't look back, Tiff! We need to keep going!" encourages Ian.

"We are going to make it, Tiff!" I grab my best friend's hand, pulling her with all her might. "I can't do this without you!"

Tears streak down Tiffany's face, but she faces forward, with determination and runs for all she was worth.

We are almost at the end of town with the blackness at their heels, Ian pushes me with all his might. Turning around, I stare at Ian in horror as the blackness enshrouds him. "I love you," he whispers as he disappears into nothingness.

Tiffany pulls me along with her, making it past the Forgotten City limits sign, where Tiffany lets me go.

I crumple to the ground. How could this happen? He was right there. His hand was in mine. Why? Why didn't he just run with me. Why couldn't I have the fairy tale he had promised to me? Silent sobs wrack my body. Pain far worse than any I had yet to experience tore my heart in two. Darkness overwhelmed me.

Black fog consumes my mind.