Deireadh

The world shook.

If only for a moment...

A clouded mind woken in the brink of a world unforgiving of the unpreparedness of actions.

"Grab what is important." I hear the voice, but I only discern the irreverence of what that is considered. What would that be entailed in your opinion or better yet, mine?

Another shudder.

The cold creeps into my body. Something is afoot. But I grab, searching for what I know is essential. But through shoddy eyes, I keep grasping at straws.

"Do you need any help? I've got the last of the valuables." He looks down at me, the lines of worry trace his face better than any map I have ever seen.

"No. I think that I have everything I need." I look down at my barren hands and look up to him with an expectation of disappointment.

He sets the money, cards and a picture down.

"Moriah, there has to be more that you need."

I watch his confusion as it drapes along the shaking tapestry. His voice has changed from one fear to a new one. A frozen one. Where the earth does not move.

He looks away, breathes a breath that is slightly worse than the scorched dawn of obliterated hope.

"You aren't coming are you?" It's a question that needs no actual response.

But as a resolve, I still nod.

"I love you." He nods, also. An indication that my actions are not purely out of fear or selfishness. And instead, he hands me the knife.

"Keep it close, I fear there is danger afoot. I'd have been your protector, but I can only do so much." His eyes search mine to question my choice.

I shake it silently while the tears come forth. "I'll be ok, run away with the others."

He agrees and suddenly in this shaking house he is gone.

I'm alone.

The rumble grows louder. A spark of the anticipation of what is to begin, or hopefully, beginning of the end.