A Temple in the Dark
The wind was howling and the rain fell in tiny pin pricks against my skin. The darkness was so complete, I couldn't even make out where I was. Lightning flashed across the sky so bright I was flash blindedfor a moment before plunging back into the inky blackness.
A hand grabbed mine and I let out a little yelp.
"Will!" I heard Faith's voice call my name over the wind. "Where's Rue?"
"I'm here!" Rue's voice answered from somewhere just in front of us.
"We're coming to you." I called out as Faith and I began shuffling slowly through the darkness. Another bolt of lightning lit up the sky and I could see her right in front of me.
I grabbed her hand with my free one as if she might simply disappear if I didn't hold on.
"Where the hell are we?" I called out.
"I don't know," Rue replied, "I don't even know how we got here. What I do know, is there is some sort of building up ahead. I could see it in the lightning flash."
"We need to get out of this rain, let's head that way." Faith began shuffling us forward, using the lightning to see the small path ahead.
We stumbled and crept along the path, using the lightning as our only source of light.
When we finally reached the stairs, we paused to stare up at the building. A stone, square building with large Roman pillars along the front that looked like the ruins of some ancient temple.
"I don't think we're in Kansas anymore..." I muttered.
"It's our only choice for shelter." Faith sighed.
"Said every horror movie victim ever." I retorted.
"Solutions? Alternatives?" She looked at me expectantly.
I looked around and shook my head.
"Then start climbin'." She headed up the slippery stone steps with a grim look on her slim face.
I glanced at Rue who shrugged and began to make her way up the stairs after her sister.
Not wanting to be left alone in the storm, I swallowed back my fear and climbed.
The rain made for slow going up the smooth stone steps, and the wind whipped around us seemingly from all directions.
As we got closer to the top, I could see that the building was lit from the inside. The flicker of light appeared to be from a fire inside.
Rue paused for a moment shaking with cold and exhaustion. Her blond hair plastered to her face in clumps.
"I need a minute." She panted. I stopped with her grateful for the break.
"We need to get inside baby." Faith soothed her.
"I know. I just gotta catch my breath a minute."
"I want to keep going. Catch up.when you can." Faith turned and began to climb again.
"Can you keep going? It isn't much further?" I patted Rue on the shoulder. Faith was slim and athletic, while the two of us were thicker and not used to this much exercise.
"Go catch up with her," Rue ordered, "I don't want her going in there alone."
I nodded and gave a weak smile that she probably couldn't see anyway and began making my way to the top after Faith.
