The Bitter End
Page 18
Ben turned and started to run.
He scrambled through the tunnels, waded through the water that had already started to fill them and made it back to the bottom floor where the prison cells were. He didn't see anyone in the holes and made it to the door, breathless and wet but grateful to be alive.
The village couldn't be saved. Those who had been turned fell dead alongside their queen. A ceremony was held. Ben tried to remember his mother as she had been when he was younger, not as the woman who had been losing her mind and not as the woman who had handed him over to Nicholas.
The village couldn't be saved. The water had sunk into the tunnels built beneath the dam, the decaying boats had sunk to the exposed river bed. Using the Robinson Crusoe they saved what they could which was more than enough for the hundred survivors.
The village couldn't be saved. They made a new life together, boats on the river never staying anywhere for more than a single night.
Ben climbed on deck and saw Zack and Adam working the tiller between them. One reached up to move it while the other gave instructions for which way they should turn. Ben smiled at them and sat beside Mary.
She took his hand and smiled at him. The wind had made her cheeks red and he leaned towards her and kissed him. The village couldn't be saved but perhaps the world could.
THE END
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About the author
James Loscombe was born in Crawley in 1983 and now lives in Reading with his wife Tamzin and son Jude. He was first published in 2012. You can find out more about the author on his website at www.jamesloscombe.net where you will also find news about upcoming releases.
Table of Contents
Escape
Arrival
Love
Death
Fight
After