Sanctum (The After Light Saga) by Cameo Renae

on her lips .
    Pike quickly showed her how to use her weapon, and made sure she knew exactly what to do before he handed it to her. “Like I said, just stay behind me. If anything gets past me, use it,” Pike reassured her, and she nodded. He gave her a side hug and kissed her forehead.
    Their affection made me smile. The monsters lurking in the darkness couldn’t kill our desire to live, to love. This was our planet. It wasn’t our fault it was dead. We were survivors, and ready to do whatever it took to save her. The small patch of grass was proof she was giving us signs. Mother earth was ready.
    The sun had appeared again from behind the cloud, but in about ten minutes, it would take its brilliance and leave us in the darkness.
    I was surpris ed the Arvies hadn’t attacked yet. They didn’t seem as aggressive as the Arvies in the bigger city. The ones we’d previously encountered attacked us in broad daylight. Maybe these were just waiting, knowing they could attack us soon.
    We quic kly made our way toward the center of town. Most of the buildings were not suitable for shelter. All of the windows were broken, doors were ripped off their hinges, and the structures didn’t look sound.
    “Look, ” Dr. Lee announced, pointing ahead. “Sanctuary.”
    That was the first time I’d heard him speak this whole trip. We all followed his finger, and saw a large round dome, with a long silver cross, attached to its roof. It looked like it was a few blocks away, dead center of the town. It was odd, like the structure was out of place. It was almost too exquisite to be out here in a desolate town. Resembling a mini cathedral, it also had a very dark and eerie presence.
    “ We need to hurry. We need to get there,” the pilot urged. “The sun is almost gone.” He started to take off, running at a fast pace toward the sanctuary, pulling away from the rest of us.
    “ Wait,” I yelled. “You need to get back with the rest of the group.” But he didn’t stop. He ran faster, getting further and further away from us.
    I had a feeling, deep in the pit of my gut; something bad was about to happen. I could almost see it happening in my mind’s eye. Complete horror.
    “Sir, st op! Please. Come back! We have to stay together,” I pleaded again. My words were useless.
    A crippling pain shot through my brain. The pressure was extreme, like a vice grip tightening around my skull, almost to the point of exploding. I nearly stumbled, but took a deep breath and focused ahead. The last rays of the sun were just beginning to disappear, as we rushed toward the sanctuary.
    O ut of the darkness, an Arvy revealed itself. Its hideous form, pale and hunched, slowly stalked toward the pilot.
    The pilot was running so fast, he tripped and stumbled to the ground. Frozen with fear, he just laid there, as dozens of glowing eyes surrounded him. Finally, he scrambled to his feet and reached for his gun. His hands were trembling so horribly, he missed every shot. Then, an Arvy jumped at his arm, sending his gun flying to the ground.
    “Help! Help me!” he screamed. “Help me!”
    “We’re coming!” I yelled back. We were trying to reach him as quickly as we could, but as we came closer, more Arvies started to crawl from the darkness. A white flash grabbed the pilot and threw him to the ground. It happened so fast, I couldn’t get a shot off. I aimed, but it was too risky. The pilot and the Arvy were wrestling on the ground. I wasn’t about to risk the chance of possibly injuring or killing the pilot.
    “Help! Get him off me,” the pilot screamed.
    His horrifying cries made my insides turn. I had to help. I ran forward , ahead of the group.
    “Abi , no .” Finn grabbed my arm.
    “I have to.” I shook his grip away, and headed toward them. But Finn was right at my side. I knew he wouldn’t let me go alone.
    “Don’t go too far. We still need to protect the group,” he said.
    I nodded. He was right. Sometimes I just did things