Death of the Body (Crossing Death) Read Online Free Page A

immediately broke through the wall of protection that fear and tension had created for me. I looked down at my hands and saw the ash; the vision of the tree being consumed in brilliant orange flames caused my eyes to flood. “The fire followed me back,” I managed to choke out between sobs. It felt good to finally let the terror I had experienced shake my body as tears rolled out of me.
    Joshua pulled me into his cloak and embraced me. “That is terrible, just terrible.” He got down on his knees so he could look into my eyes. “Listen to me,” he said, pulling Ralph and Hailey into the folds of his cloak as well, “we don’t have time for tears. I need you to be strong for a little while longer. I had hoped that you would get back faster.”
    He turned to all three of us and spoke louder so Hailey and Ralph could hear. “The kingdom of men has taken the town. Those who attacked us intend on inhabiting our village. They consider it secure and believe they hold the only key to the gates.” He didn’t need to tell us that not even magic could get us through the walls. The city was protected so a person could enter only through the gate. “These men are returning to inhabit the city with their first round of villagers.”
    Joshua’s expression was full of sorrow. He glanced behind himself nervously. “They are just over the hill now; we don’t have time to escape.”
    I heard Hailey let out a breath she had been holding. “What do we do? Why did we come back? You should have run and met us on the road.”
    Joshua reached into his robes and produced a large golden key.
    “I’m searching for anyone that is left. I have a key to the city. Right now, we have to hide. Edmund, take Hailey and Ralph. Run home as quickly as you can. Clean up; get on a change of clothes. I suggest you not look around your house too carefully—these men have left their possessions everywhere. Find your clothes, get changed, and hide down in the cellar.”
    “Why would they do this?” I asked. “They’ve always stayed to themselves.”
    Joshua didn’t answer the question. “Go. Hide down in the cellar.”
    It dawned on me that he wouldn’t be coming with us. “Clothes? Why? Where is everyone else?”
    The look on my face must have given me away, because Joshua added, “Just trust me, Edmund. Someone has to slow them down to give you time to hide. I’ll come for you and we’ll all leave together, but we’ll need to blend in. Looking like this will give you away.” He tousled my hair and smirked.
    “If they find us, are they going to kill us?” I asked slowly.
    Joshua ignored my question again. “Stay in the cellar until sunset. I will find you after dark when it’s easier for me to move around undetected. Now, Hailey, Ralph, go.” He handed me the key and patted me lightly on the shoulder before turning back up the hill.
    On the other side, our enemies were advancing.
    I stood for a moment, frozen in fear and confusion. I watched Joshua’s black cloak dance with the movement of his steady feet. Somehow focusing on something that simple and insignificant was all that my mind wanted to do. But I knew I couldn’t give into the terror I felt rising from the darkness inside me. Instead, I forced myself to turn toward the city, clutching the key to the gate.
    Hailey and Ralph were on each other’s heels. The moment I started picking up my feet, adrenaline shot through me like a bolt of lightning. I ran fast and hard, making it to the gate a few lengths behind Ralph. The sun touched the horizon as the heavy iron bars swung open.
    We were met by familiar cobblestone streets and intricate brick buildings that made up the frame of our town. There were still roses blooming along trellises and ivy clinging to the buildings. I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pain as I saw the beauty of what my people had built here.
    The town was quiet and empty now. There were no people to greet us, no mothers and fathers bustling about, and