The wind blew ferociously causing the blinding rain to hit hard against my face. I squinted my eyes as I pulled the strings to tighten the hood on my polyester jacket.
“Tomas!” I yelled from atop the temple ruins which offered no protection from the ravaging thunderstorm. We were separated running from multiple strikes of lightning. Our hopes of shelter diminished when I watched our small tent blow away, mimicking the tree limbs that found security by holding on to their trunks.
“Tomas!” I yelled once more. He turned back towards me and threw his hands up, admitting defeat by the elements. He pulled his coat together and ran through the landscape towards me.
A loud growling noise came from amidst the greenery. I watched as Tomas’s body was violently pulled down and drug through the vegetation. The tall perfectly green grass appeared to roll across the land until I no longer had a visual.
I grabbed hold to the rock siding and threw myself over the ledge landing on both legs, my knees feeling the impact. I was afraid but had to attempt a rescue.
A giant creature, the color of clay emerged from the field. I noticed the horns embedded in his forehead and black upside down crucifix between them, before I realized he had Tomas clinched between his teeth. He was headed my direction.
I ran back towards the stone temple and hid behind a concrete column. He swung his head from side to side, releasing his grip and tossing Tomas to me. He was still alive. He crawled over to me, bloody and out of breath. “It’s the devils game. He wants us to escape but the wages of sin is death.” He barely got his words out.
There was no reason for me to be here in Greece exploring ancient artifacts with Tomas. I realized at that moment just how much my husband and family back home meant to me. I looked down at Tomas’ torn body and I remembered I could win. I could still win at this deadly competition. I fell to my knees and began to pray.
Leesa Writes 