It\'s short, I know, but there\'ll be more. Oh, and I\'d like to introduce myself *bows* I\'m am a newbie to PS, and must group myself with many who are waiting to make their first character. However, I have been reading these forums for the past two days and have found all the info I need on what the problem is, how long I will most likely have to wait, and much more, so I have no questions as of now. But, I wanted to contribute in some way, and felt that adding a short story may be one of them. It doesn\'t have a PS theme I\'m sorry to say, but that\'s understandable considering I have yet to play ^_^
Enjoy!
Tears made trails in the girl\'s dirt streaked face as she ran through the dark trees, her breath coming in short, terrified puffs. Her clothing was torn asunder from the branches that sliced at her delicate skin, and her bare feet had bleeding blisters. What she was heading for was just up ahead, and only her desperation kept her running at the speed she was.
A light flashed through the trees, and she glanced around frantically, praying that he would not catch her before she got to her target.
Suddenly, the trees opened, and she saw what she had been aiming for. The tears came harder as she looked upon the abandoned temple. No one had been here in centuries, but she had known where it was located from the rumors in the village.
Stopping before she reached the clearing, she examined the sky, but saw nothing. She gathered up courage and strength, and then bolted out under the clear night sky, her heart drumming against her ribs.
Seventy, fifty, thirty feet until she would reach the front door, and then it appeared.
?Lana!?
She heard the mocking voice from above her head. Ten feet.
?That decrepit building won\'t save you, Lana!?
She heard giggling, and her hand was on the doorknob. Pain! It burst through her spine like a million daggers.
?Bingo!?
She looked back at the silver hover car flying above the temple. White teeth flashed in a terrifying grin above the rifle. Blood coursed down her legs as she stood, trying to overcome the paralyzing torture.
Finally, she threw open the door and ran down the rotting seats, falling to her knees before the Holy Mary.
?Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death...? Lana fiercely whispered the prayer into the stale air of the church, closing her eyes and throwing all of her faith into the repeated words.
The pain in her back slowly faded away as well as the fatigue in her limbs. More tears than ever rolled down her cheeks, but she could no longer hear the humming of the hover car outside. And when smoke started to fill the temple, and she heard the laughing crackle that indicated fire, she threw herself onto the shrine, yelling, ?Holy Mary! Mother of God! Pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our DEATH!?
She fumbled at her pocket, pulling out the rosary that was the focus point of her troubles. Never would she let it fall into the hands of that maniac while she lived. The gem set into it felt silky hot under her fingers as she repeated the prayer at the top of her lungs.
Still, her eyes were closed, sweat covering her entire body. She coughed as smoke filled her lungs, but did not waver from her prayers. And when the flames licked her toes, she did not open her eyes, and instead bared the pain until her entire body was being scorched.
She collapsed, one hand holding the foot of the Holy Mary, and the other grasping the rosary. The pain lifted, and abruptly she felt cold, her last words ringing into other worlds.
?Pray...for...us...?
Far away, worlds apart from the poor girl; Lana, icy blue eyes opened out of a nightmare. The demon\'s hand reached for the sword by his bed, chanting the spell for teleportation.
And not so far away, in the same world, another girl froze in the middle of a chore, three words echoing through her head.
?Brother??
