Run! #57

Rolling to your feet, you sprint as fast as you can, across camp and into the darkness.
You’re young, you’re fast and you’re not wearing armor to slow you down!
…what you don’t anticipate in your panic, however, is your eyesight.
Dashing immediately from firelight into darkness didn’t allow your sight to adjust…and you trip over a shrub, falling forward. You stumble, trying to catch yourself—but your head finds something to steady you first:
A tree.
Knocked senseless, you collapse.
…the sound of footsteps close behind.
You hear Dorbane call your name, then his war shout. The screams of Valda aren’t far behind. You look about, but your eyes won’t focus.
A large shadow blots out the firelight in the distance.
You feel a sharp pain in your head and all goes black.
….you awake to the sound of water. Oars. Rowing.
“Lake Mead is one of our natural beauties,” says Gunther. “It’s the one place I can come to find peace and quiet.”
You try to move, but you can’t. You’re tied too firmly with ropes. Bound with the unconscious bodies of Valda and Dorbane.
“You won’t get away with this,” you spit.
Gunther smiles. “You know, everyone told me I was just a millers boy—that I would never amount to anything but grinding flour.” He stops rowing. “But that goes to show the narrow thinking minds of todays society. They just don’t see using talents outside their station.”
Reaching over, he pats a large circular stone by your feet.
“But see here—a mill stone can be used for more than just grinding flour.”
Your stomach sinks as you connect the dots.
“Oh yes,” he whispers, “I do think he’s figured it out.”
Looping the thick rope through the mill stone, the soldier smiles.
“I’m glad we had this little chat.”
With a grunt, he shoves the stone into the water, the length of rope disappearing behind it. Gunther leans against the opposite side of the boat and gives you a final wink.
“I’d hold my breath if I were you.”
You and your friends are yanked into the depths of the ice cold lake and plummet to the bottom, where you are held fast.
You struggle, holding your breath for as long as you can, but it’s no use.
THE END