---

Home

Rayna Rayna leapt from the roof the building just as it collapsed into itself. The fire had consumed it, as it had much of the town. The villagers screamed. For help, for salvation, for a quick death, though it all sounded the same to her. The sweat poured down her forehead and into her eyes. They stung with its salty consistency. She coughed and gasped for air as the wind shifted and blew the smoke from the broken house into her mouth and lungs. She knelt down, seeking cooler, more pure air. “Rayna!” Forest yelled, his voice hoarse from giving orders their students, “They’re gathering the survivors just out side of town!” She looked at the man, he was dusty and covered in soot. The black substance accentuated the crow’s feet in his eyes, the age in his face. How much longer would he last in his battle? She quickly jumped far away from the smoke that began to surround her and closer to him. “We must hurry,” she reminded him, “the executions will begin soon.” “Executions?” Forest repeated astonished. His face turned pale. “M-my family is there.” Rayna placed her hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eye. “Be strong my friend, there will be no need to worry if we go now.” Forest nodded his head in reply and recomposed himself. His strong figure and stern face replaced their older seeming counterparts. This was the man she knew. Together they left for the east side of the village. Screams, screeches and taunts could be heard from far away. They were probably torturing the poor people, Rayna thought. Her mind flashed back to the last time this exact same thing happened. She could still hear the sons of the village being put to death, as though they were real again. But weren’t they? Yes, they were, the screams were getting louder. They were too late.