The cool night air helped to ease the tension in Serenity's muscles. She and Justin had been traveling for weeks, now, and she was nearing her limits. The close calls, the terror, and the lack of food were all taking their toll on her mind and body. If this city turned them away, as all of the others had, she wasn't sure she could continue on.
"Come on," encouraged Justin, "I can see people ahead. We need to get to safety before daybreak."
Serenity took a moment to tighten the laces on her boots before scrambling along behind her husband. The Dark Ones were beginning to emerge and Justin, no doubt, wanted to take advantage of the peace they spread as they ambled through the city streets. After all, a calm city mayor was more likely to grant them a place within the stone walls of the old church.
Justin led as they picked their way through the ruined city streets, their pace slowing the closer they became to the city's heavily damaged center. It seemed the creatures had learned that the densely populated city center made for the best hunting ground.
As the couple made their way down a narrow alleyway, a figure moved into their path. Even if the leathery, ebony-colored skin hadn't given away his identity, the glowing yellow eyes made it clear that they were now face to face with a Dark One.
"What do we do?" Serenity whispered, watching the Dark One carefully. "Should we backtrack and find another way?"
As if in response, the Dark One slowly raised an arm and gestured toward a doorway that Serenity hadn't noticed. The doorway sat halfway between Justin and the Dark One and was covered by an old lace curtain.
"I guess we go that way," Justin answered, grabbing Serenity's hand tightly.
This freewrite is part 2 of an ongoing story. If you would like to read more, use the links below to navigate.
As always, thanks go out to @mariannewest for providing today's prompt. If you would like to see her original post, you can find it here.
Image sourced from Pixabay.
