And then, they were two...

I ran outside desperately ignoring the burning sensation of the air entering my lungs not used to physical training as the smell of burn was spreading everywhere.

Burning.

Bingo was still there.

I immediately turned around and headed to the hedge of the garden, but I was pulled from behind by the man.

"Are you insane?! Why are getting back?" the man shouted in my ears, but that only turned my concern in fury. I tried wringgled myself free from him and shouted back that he better let me go, but he kept dragging me in the opposite way. The burning smell was getting stronger and the idea that I would soon smell the burnt hairs sent shiver down my my spine. I tried in one last desperate attempt to wringle free from his grip, and after a couple of seconds I was once more running toward the house.

"Just get lost douchbag! My dog is still there!" I screamed, hoping to get to the man's nerve as some sort of stupid revenge. I expected him to drag me back again or hear him run away and say something mean to me, but my ears were met with awkward silence instead, and for the second time today, I was feeling that there was something odd.

"There are no dogs in there. There is no one anymore. The house was abandoned a long time ago, young man."

My legs froze. I never thought that the scariest thing I could ever hear in my life were those three sentences. Time became awfully slow, and that's when I started noticing some important details. The roar coming from afar wasn't from climatic origins, but rather from a human hoard of people whose approach was making the ground shake in a barely noticeable way. But the most obvious thing was the house on which my eyes were locked. The walls were stained in grey and black mold, and some windows already lost their panes while others had them attached by miracle on a corner of the frame. It was exactly as he said. It was a liveless home abandoned a long time ago, an unliveable home.

What happened?

How long have I been sleeping?

Where is everybody?

Is everybody dead?

Another arrow landed right in front of me and snapped me out from my thoughts. Without giving it a second thought, I turned around and followed the man who was still waiting for me.

I'm grateful for that because my brain was in too much of a shock and if he wasn't there, I would have probably remained frozen in front of the house, not knowing what to do next. He was also kind enough to talk to me in between two breaths to reassure me. That's when I learned his name. Or should I say names... I just memorized the first one, Lucius, because it's the same name of one of Harry Potter's characters; and it's the easiest to pronounce. I wonder what kind of parent would give such a name to their children. I mean, he looks in his forties so I don't think they knew Harry Potter, but I bet he had a hard time a school. Kids love to make fun of names. I knw it from experience...

Right, I shouldn't be thinking about these kind of things while I'm running for my life, but right now anything that could distract my anxiety is welcome.

Lucius also rambled other things, but I didn't have the time to grasp much except that he wasn't from "this time" and that he came from "East Anglia" - isn't it a region of England? - and that he was used to this kind of things.

My theory of him being delusional is getting strong foudations now, but he really isn't ill-intentioned - at least, from what I can tell - so I guess it's safe to stuck with him for the time being. Because we have a bunch of bad people chasing after us... I couldn't even dare to look at them, I just keep praying in my head that they somehow disappear as soon as possible otherwise I feel like my heart is going to EXPLODE! Their screams became distinct from the roar of thunder that was coming right in front of us. I suddenly feel calm as if its roaring which was now covering those savages screams was bringing order and tranquility. I spoke too soon... Arrows of fire are showering all around us like in a movie. But this time, it's not just the adrenaline that I'm feeling.

Is it because death has never been so close? A stamina I didn't know I had arises in me, and me and Lucius are finally on the same pace. These crazy people are getting closer and I'm amazed how none of their arrows is touching us. How is that even possible?! Am I losing my mind? Maybe I'm still dreaming. Yes, that must be it.

I can feel two fresh droplets on my face and wind arising.

We finally get to the crossroad, and there I see a woman running barefoot coming towards us. My heart skips a beat. It's one of the employee of the local library. I was out of breath, but I still wanted to get her attention and I waved a hand calling her out. Finally... There's someone I'm at least a little familiar with. I think she hears me because she turned around. Good, the more we are the better. We're getting close to her, and I turned my head to Lucius to tell him that I know her, but I hear a scream and I see the lady with an arrow planted in chest falling on the asphalt as flames eat her. As we get close to her, I can see her livid face and I understand we can't do anything anymore.

Luciuis doesn't slow down and keeps running. I just follow him, swearing to myself not to look behind. It must be a dream. It has to be a dream. Otherwise, I'm really screwed...

The wind suddenly stops blowing and the air changes. The arrows stop falling and are instead replaced by rain drops, while the wild screams that were following us fade away.

The rain is pouring down and I am all soacked and heavy, and I feel myself slow down a little. But Lucius pushs me gently from the back, and I try to keep the same pace. I don't know what got me to trust this stranger, but if this is a dream then I can make an exeption.

I don't hear that bunch of mad dogs, I guess they are scared of rain. I always thought I had better never find myself in these kinds of situation because I wouldn't have survived for sure, but I just proved myself wrong. My chest tightens as the image of the library employee appears in front of my eyes. It felt so real that I want to cry my heart out. I suddenly realize I don't know her name. I never looked at the name tag. It doesn't matter anymore, but the fact that I can't put a name on her face saddens me. It's like I didn't care. We just passed by her like we didn't care.

I fall on my knees. Cramps are eating my flesh. I feel so sad and tired. If it's just a dream, then I will get back somehow. But it feels so real... My tears mix with the raindrops, and I can't make the difference between the two anymore.