Chariots of Heaven by R.T. Edwins

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  The walk back to the settlement took quite some time as Kira’s legs protested with each step. She wanted nothing more than to lie down and rest, but her task wasn’t completed yet. Somewhere inside that settlement her sister was waiting for her, hopefully still alive. She had to be alive, there was no other option. All of this couldn’t have been for nothing.

  As she approached the exterior wall, everything started to go fuzzy. She tried to blink it away but as she did, stars appeared in front of her eyes. Swinging her hands at them she tried to swat them away, but they wouldn’t leave. Stumbling over a rock, she collapsed to the ground with a thud. Everything went dark for a moment, and with great satisfaction she embraced the sweet nothingness. Just as she started to slip away something called to her.

  “Kira!”

  She was imagining things; she had to be. The exhaustion had finally gotten to her and she could no longer focus.

  “Kira!!”

  Clenching her teeth she fought the darkness. She fought the fatigue. Opening her eyes, she moved her arm under her and pushed herself off of the ground. Picking herself up took all of her strength but she knew she had to press on.

  “Kira!” a voice called out from her left. Kira turned her head, causing everything to swim again. She had to be imagining things; had to be hallucinating. Running towards her was the image of a young girl with long blonde hair, dressed in a white and green gown. The gown was no longer as pristine as it had once been, now that it was covered in soot and ash.

  “Kaya?” Kira managed, swaying as she tried to focus on the image before her.

  “I knew you were alive! I knew you’d come for me!” the girl before her cried out, running up to her and embracing her in a tight hug.

  “How? Where did you come from?” Kira asked vaguely, certain that this was a hallucination.

  “I found her.” Another, taller figure approached behind the blonde girl. Kira tried to look up at the figure but could no longer keep her balance. Crumpling to the ground she closed her eyes and gave in to the nothingness.