The Tomb
Aidan Heusz
I gazed down at the valley, watching the sunlight stream down to illuminate the tomb. Hefting my backpack over one shoulder, I gave myself a few seconds to contemplate the beauty of the scene before trudging downwards through the cloying dust and razor-edged wind.
I was the only one left. One by one, my companions had died or ran off. Not even Amarellye had survived; torn apart by the jackal-headed colossus before my eyes. I could still hear her screams.
But now, here I was, the tomb we had struggled so hard to find. With my mind, I pictured my companions beside me, elated that our search was over. Amarellye would be less vocal about it, instead gracing me with the small smile that lit up her tanned face and dark hair.
The tomb’s beauty was impossible to deny, even with my heart aching from loneliness. That contents of the tomb would be mine alone, but material wealth was nothing when all those you cared for were unable to share it with you.
Then the entrance loomed before me, dark and foreboding, inviting me to step through. I did so gladly, for the journey had been long and hot under the desert sun. Amarellye smiled again and joined me, before I remembered I was alone in the darkness. Amarellye faded like the memory she was.
Shaking my head, I trudged on through the tomb, leaving the past behind. Nothing stopped me. I was never slowed, never hindered for what seemed liked hours I worked in silence, not thinking beyond the next step.
Another door loomed before me, and Amarellye and I stopped. We looked at each other and we both knew that what we sought lay beyond this door.
Suddenly, it seemed so pointless. I looked at Amarellye, and knew that she was thinking the same thing, I laid down, closed my eyes, and let my form slip away.
I gazed down at the valley, watching the sunlight stream down to illuminate the tomb. Hefting my backpack over one shoulder, I gave myself a few seconds to contemplate the beauty of the scene before trudging downwards through the cloying dust and razor-edged wind.
I was the only one left. One by one, my companions had died or ran off. Not even Amarellye had survived; torn apart by the jackal-headed colossus before my eyes. I could still hear her screams.
But now, here I was, the tomb we had struggled so hard to find. With my mind, I pictured my companions beside me, elated that our search was over. Amarellye would be less vocal about it, instead gracing me with the small smile that lit up her tanned face and dark hair.
The tomb’s beauty was impossible to deny, even with my heart aching from loneliness. That contents of the tomb would be mine alone, but material wealth was nothing when all those you cared for were unable to share it with you.
Then the entrance loomed before me, dark and foreboding, inviting me to step through. I did so gladly, for the journey had been long and hot under the desert sun. Amarellye smiled again and joined me, before I remembered I was alone in the darkness. Amarellye faded like the memory she was.
Shaking my head, I trudged on through the tomb, leaving the past behind. Nothing stopped me. I was never slowed, never hindered for what seemed liked hours I worked in silence, not thinking beyond the next step.
Another door loomed before me, and Amarellye and I stopped. We looked at each other and we both knew that what we sought lay beyond this door.
Suddenly, it seemed so pointless. I looked at Amarellye, and knew that she was thinking the same thing, I laid down, closed my eyes, and let my form slip away.
