Pillars of Glass Read online

  “Thanks for the car bud.” Ryan said putting his arm around his friend. “I see we picked up a few more stragglers.”

  “They were hiding in one of the transports, I couldn’t just leave them there.” Alex replied between the heavy breaths. “It won’t matter once we get across the bridge. Nearly every kid is from the other side of the straight anyways. I’m just worried about the people in Aurorae. What will happen when a bunch of kids with guns enters the city?”

  “Hopefully not stop and ask us what the hell is going on.” Ryan said with a chuckle in his voice. “They are heading to the theater and parking on one of the side streets,’ He said pointing to the transport driving off into the outskirts of town. “What’s your next move going to be?”

  Alex looked semi confused at his friend.

  “You know, incase they attack the city as well.”

  “That thought really hadn’t occurred to me. I guess they wouldn’t have dropped in the vehicles if they weren’t planning on laying siege. Unless they’re heading to the Capital.”

  There was a moment’s pause as the two friends neared the outer structures of the city, and turned onto the main highway through town. Highway 1 connected capital city to capital city over the pillar and through the heart of both of the boarders. Alex could see the large gatehouse of the bridge on the horizon, he was halfway through a sigh of relief when the thought choked him, the men would still be following them.

  “Ryan, they’re coming here. One of the first things that they did during the Great War, was secure the major supply routes and bridges.” Alex pointed at the gatehouse in the distance. “The city wouldn’t be able to assemble a response force in time and definitely not one big enough to fight off the fire power and long siege. Eventually they would be pushed back into the river. The only way for these people to survive is to get them across the bridge.”

  “Well shit,” The inflection in Ryan’s voice was an obvious building block into his next question, which in fact was just a repetition of the one most recently asked. “What are we going to do?”

  Looking up at the street signs, Alex saw they were at seventh and stopped. He looked behind him to see the long column of kids running up and circling around him out of breath. He saw the people in the streets, civilians, that were looking on in awe, wondering what all these children were doing out of school and armed. Every second he stood by was one wasted. The main goal was still the same, saving lives was all that was important. He looked into the eyes of those around him stopping when he met his brothers, exhausted looking right back at him. That’s when he made the decision.

  “We have to split up and save as many people as we can. Take one of the rifles from the others and direct them to get to the transport and load up as many people as they can and take them across the bridge, have everyone else they see along the way follow them.” He looked at the kids and spoke very plain. “Do not stop for anyone do you all hear me? Do not stop for anyone.”

  Ryan took the two rifles nearest him. “You two do what he says, that’s an order.” Speaking louder he addressed everyone else. “Alright everyone follow these two they’ll get you to where you need to go safely. The rest of Company 202 is going to stay here and buy you guys a little more time. Get a move on!”

  With that the group splintered off and headed down seventh to spread the word and get across the bridge.

  The quickly assembled juggernaut moved into the western edge of the city behind them, backing Alex and what was left of his classmates into the buildings populating the western bank of the Straight of Light. Living near this city for several years and learning everything he could about the town, Alex quickly got the attention of the older members of Company 202 to move along the main road towards the straight until they reach the second aqueduct and then turn south and look for the large cathedral. There they would establish a post and set up a radio a top of the steeple.

  As Alex took off back to the west, towards the teeth of the beast, Ryan called after him “Where are you going? We need you to lead!”

  “Ryan, get them to the church. I am going get as many of these people to believe me and spread the word as I can. Hopefully I can steal a bus and get them to the church. Tell anyone you see to evacuate over the bridge into Vanahei. If they had no reservations about killing one of us, they will kill any civilian.”

  Just then, the monster showed its reach. Artillery started impacting the skyline, streaking across the mid-day sky as meteors do at night. The rain of rubble scattered the youth as they found cover and waited for the next volley. The consistent pounding shook loose the civilians from the walls, shrieking and running like mice from a hungry cat. Ryan shouted as best he could to his classmates directing them to follow his lead. As they started to scamper, the shells, were now falling between the buildings, into the vermin running for their lives. The impact stirred the sky as a murky bottom churns up a fresh spring.

  Alex watched as all those around him began to drop coughing from the dust as the smaller pebbles scratched his face and bare skin. He could see the tail end of the group, his brother Aaron at the back pushing them on. He waved them on pointing which way to follow as a plume of red smoke started to rise above the skyline. Ryan had been smart and dropped a flare to help guide through the onslaught. Aaron started to jog alongside his classmates as they passed him, waiting for his brother to pat him on the back, signaling he was the last in the run.

  “Aaron catch up with Ryan and take as many civilians as you can, we may not know them but we are responsible for the preservation of life. We can’t save the many, but I’ll be damned if I can’t save the few.”

  “Al, be careful, this isn’t like a dust storm back home.”

  “Just get to the cathedral. I’ll be right behind you. Get a radio to the steeple and find the emergency over ride channel, if I don’t make it back in fifteen minutes, warn as many people as you can.”

  Alex broke off down an alley way as the volleys became less frequent and like a pause between movements, in this symphony of terror, a steady thunder rose in its place. He ran a few blocks telling as many people as he could to follow him to safety. A few men and women followed him for a few twists and turns and into a small building, as he broke down the front door. It was a hunting store.

  A man spoke up, “What is going on?”

  Alex jumped over the counter and started tossing small arms to the people waiting for a reply until another man spoke.

  “I don’t have a Hunting licenses and will be arrested if I have one of these.” This caused Alex to chuckle for a small moment before replying.

  “I was a student at the boarding school when just now a bunch of men airdropped in and began opening fire on the barracks and mess hall. I rounded up as many of my classmates as I could and we started marching this way to warn you all. We have a small base set up at the cathedral and I need as many of these rifles and small weapons to help save people.” He continued loading a shot gun and placing it in a large duffle bag.

  “Who’s invading? Is it the Vanahei again? I never thought I would see the day where they would attack again and try to take control of every grain of sand on the planet. Are they trying to take control of the pillar?” a woman asked the worry hanging heavy in her voice.

  Alex took a deep breath and looked into the eyes of those around him. “I wish I knew, but I will promise you this, whoever it is, and as long as I live I will fight against them. Even if it’s my own flesh and blood.”

  The civilians saw a lingering stillness in Alex’s eyes to know that this was no prank, that whatever was happening, this fracas was real and if they wanted to survive, they either had to join him. A few of the men grabbed what weapons they could and loaded a few duffle bags they found lying around the store, and held onto a few of the ones they seemed to be more comfortable and familiar with. A boy no older than ten years old looked at him, the fear was evident. Alex finished loading a shotgun and grabbed a small caliber handgun loading it with a few bullets an
d bent down to the level of the child, holding his mothers had.

  “It’s ok if you’re scared, my little brother is only a few years older than you, and he’s out there fighting too.” Alex looked at the mother who was more terrified than her son, “I’m not going to ask you to hurt anyone, all I want you to do is protect your mother for me. My mom is at our home a hundred miles away, and I wish someone was there to protect her. Can you do that?”

  The boy bit his lower lip and slowly shook his head in agreement. Alex gave the gun to his mother and showed her where the safety was. “Stay close to me ma’am, if you see something, let me know. That goes for you too little guy, don’t be afraid to let me know, I’m here to make sure you get home safe.”

  Alex took a quick look around and saw that they were ready to leave. He grabbed his rifle off the counter and turned the safety off. “Ok people, I will leave first and make sure it is clear, then we are going to go out to our right and march down to Elmhurst and turn left towards the river, from there we should be able to see the bell towers and have a clear path to the church. We need to stay in two columns, and move quickly. I want the women and children in the middle. So form up now and come out after a five count, Understand?” The ragged group looked like a bunch of first years given their first marching orders. Confused to the point where they could comprehend the fact that they had live weapons and needed to stay in formation. Alex smiled in an attempt to give them confidence. “Don’t worry, we’ll all make it there alive, Let’s move.”

  Moving to the doorway, Alex peered through the scope on the rifle and quickly looked on the rooftops across the way and down both directions of the street. He slowly moved up the road keeping his right side close to the buildings, staying underneath the awnings of each shop. Waiting another two counts he turned back to see the columns look up the road at him, as a rabbit looks before leaving its hole. With a nod and a motion of Alex’s hand they moved quickly and fairly organized up the road to him, as he looked at the roof tops and road behind them. They caught up to him and he motioned them past, until he reached the little boy and his mother, he turned and started running with them, smiling at the two of them.

  The gunfire was somewhere behind them, off in the distance but still loud enough for the civilians to jump. Alex made his way to the front and motioned for them to make the turn and there it was only a quarter mile in front of them, their temporary salvation. Alex could see people running into the church and several armed men outside attempting to secure the area. Ryan had made good on his orders, and hopefully Aaron did as well. The group picked up their pace quickly made it to the perimeter around the building where Ryan was waiting, he smiled and motioned the people past

  “Go ahead folks, get inside.” The little boy waved to Alex and the mother hugged him kissing him on the cheek and gave him back the small weapon. Smiling he nodded at them.

  “I see you found a small militia on your way here.” Ryan said laughing.

  “Just make sure they find a safe spot, my brother here yet? Do we have radio communication with anyone?” Alex was anxious with the pace of his speech. Ryan put up his hand as if to slow him down.

  “Yeah he’s here, he found a few civilians too. He is making his way up the tower to set up radio as we speak.” The two of them looked up to the tower and saw a small antenna sticking out. “What do we do now?”

  Alex looked around to see how many men were outside of the church and the buildings around it.

  “Lets put a few men in the buildings around the road here in case any convoy comes this way. Tighten down the parameter and man the windows here, I’m going to the tower to establish communications. Send someone to find a way for these people to get to the river and out of harm’s way.”

  “And what about us, is this really our fight?”

  Alex looked at the ground and pondered for a moment, “I don’t know who’s fight it is, Ryan. But for now let’s get these people out of here and figure out the rest later.”

  “Just not too much later, we’re just a bunch of kids, not solders.” Ryan said with a chuckle as he moved to the parameter “Beta Group on me.”

  Turning to walk into the church Alex swung his rifle over his shoulder and stopped as he crossed the threshold. There were over a hundred people looking at him, assuming he was the man with all the answers.

  “People please stay away from the windows and move towards one of the back areas of the church, I’m going to radio for help and have someone look for a path for you all to get to the river, hopefully there will be help waiting.”

  A woman holding a small baby to her breast called out to him, asking him the most basic and dreaded question “Excuse me young man, but what is going on? Who is starting this war, and why are they killing unarmed people?”

  The small mob echoed the wonder with their gasps and vocalized the agreement. Alex tried to calm them. “Ma’am I wish I had answers for you but the fact is that right now I don’t. I have no idea what is going on and I have no idea if we are going to leave this church alive. What I do know is that my classmates and I will fight to keep you all alive for as long as we can. I know we are young, but unless anyone else here knows something I don’t at the moment, I really need you to believe that I know what I’m doing.”

  Distraught, that’s what they were, and their emotions hung in the bellowing archways. The mob looked within itself for answers but found it as empty as the hearts of those mowing down the women and children in the streets just outside their hideaway. A few of the men nodded to one another and approached Alex, the man from the gun store spoke as their representative.

  “Alex, right?” He said hesitantly.

  “Yes, and your name sir?”

  “I’m Thom, Is there anything we can do?”

  After thinking a moment, Alex answered. “Actually, did any of you attend the school or have a hunting license?” the men were silent. “No matter, here’s what we need to do. Arm the men and those strong enough to carry a weapon from the duffle bag we brought from the store. Then moved everyone to one of the chapels and look for a rear exit, that will be your escape should something happen to us before any help arrives. Bring me one of those scoped rifles before you lock the doorway behind you all.”

  “Ok, we’ll start moving the women first and then I’ll bring you one of the rifles.” Alex nodded to them and Thom stuck out his hand and Alex gave it a shake. The men ran over and started herding the rest of the civilians together and moving towards one of the rear chapels. Thom was approached by one of the children; Alex recognized him as the small boy from the shop and wondered about their conversation. Thom pointed to Alex and gave the small boy the rifle. Briskly, the small boy went towards Alex holding the rifle in front of him. Smiling, the two youths met and Alex gently took the weapon away with one hand and placed it on the floor, putting the other into his fatigues as they knelt down to the boy’s eye level once again. Removing his hand slowly, he placed his hand between then and opened it revealing a small object.

  “This was something my grandfather gave me a long time ago.” He nodded for him to take it. “It’s for good luck, and he told me as long as I had it in my pocket, I would always be safe. I want you to have it and keep it with you always. If you want, someday you can give it back to me but for now don’t worry; you’ll always be safe with it.”

  Looking at in amazement, the little boy could hardly utter his gratitude. “Th-ank you sir. I’ll keep it safe for you.”

  He turned and ran back to his mother who was watching from afar. They smiled and waved to one another as Alex picked up the rifle and started for the stairway.

  Alex was relieved to see his younger brother and a few others working feverishly to adjust the radio they constructed to try and inform every one of the events transpiring only a few blocks away from the church. Looking out from the tower, Alex could see the majority of the city and its current state. Black plumes were scattered like pieces of glass chalice after dropping it on a marble floor. Th
e largest of them all was to the North West, the direction they had come from, the direction of the school. He decided at wasn’t the moment to dwell and relax about what had already happened, but to keep his thoughts focused on the people in the bowels of the sanctuary below him and getting them to safety. He could see the main highway clearly. It was littered with the traffic of people and vehicles attempting to cross the bridge and move east out of the city. Further to the west, he could hear and see the troops and a few transports barricading the streets and forcing civilians to flee in one direction, but kept their distance and did not pursue them as they ran for the bridge.

  “Al, it’s ready.” Aaron had the receiver in his hand and tapped his brother’s shoulder with it.

  Alex forced a smile and took the receiver. “Aaron, take the rest of the guys back down to the chapel area, there is a group of people I want you to protect them and I’ll be down there after I’m finished up here. Ryan is securing the area as best he can. Do not open fire, no one knows we are here and I want to keep it that way for as long as possible.”

  “Alright, I’ll see ya down there.” Aaron moved quickly to the stairwell.

  Taking a deep breath Alex looked out at the road once again trying to think of what to say, pushed the record and loop button on the radio and lifted the transmitter to his mouth. “Attention, Attention. This is a Mayday call on all open radio signals. The city of Aurorae is under attack; civilians are fleeing over the bridge into Anderhill. They are being pursued by men with firearms and militarized vehicles. The boarding school has also been over ran and many of the students have been…At current they are looking to take control of the city and not cross over into Anderhill. Repeat this is a Mayday call, from the Cathedral in Aurorae, The city is under attack and there are about one hundred forty civilians here seeking aid. Hundreds more are dead or injured and many people are attempting to cross the bridge over into Anderhill. Please help. Anyone respond.”