We join the story just as Clemens has fled Caecilius's house, having seen him die, and having been ordered to find his son Quintus.
curro; vix spirare possum; dum fugio de moribundo oppido cor meum pulsat; clamores tussesque audire possum, sed praetermitto omnes: unum enim opum habeo – mihi Quintum servandum est.
fortasse Quintus superfuit…
ubi ille est? in oppido, tutusve alibi – num est mortuus?
pavore nomen eius clamo – primum Quintum modo, tum Quintum Caecilium Iucundum; sed nomen eius cum nominibus clamatis aliis miscet; pulvis praeterea in faucis haeret et meam vocem sistet. pulmones ardent; multa longe durare non possum.
eum subito video – Quintus! – oculesne me decipunt? eorum ocules, pulvere rubres ac lacrimis profusis, me conspecto illuminant; clamorem levationis emitto, etiamsi nondum servamur.
'pater meus!' clamat. 'ubi est pater meus?' ac clamanto ego respondere non possum. meam faciem videt cadere; paene procubat exanimatus; sed recipit vires, et, ut mons formidolosum fremitum emittit, meam manum prendit ac currimus.
I ran; I could scarcely breathe; my heart pounded as I fled the dying town; I could hear shouts and coughing, but I ignored them all: for I had but one task – I had to save Quintus.
Perhaps Quintus has survived...
Where was he? In the town, or safe elsewhere – surely he had not perished? In panic I shouted his name – at first just Quintus, then Quintus Caecilius Iucundus; but his name mingled with names shouted by others; and the ash stuck in my throat and halted my speech. My lungs burned; I could not go on much longer.
Then I saw him – Quintus – did my eyes deceive me? His eyes, red with the dust and with the tears that he had spilled, lit up on seeing me; I let out a cry of relief, even though we were not saved yet.
'My father!' he cried; 'where is my father?' And to this I could not reply. He saw my face fall; he very nearly collapsed; but he regained his forces, and, as the mountain let out a terrifying roar, he clutched my hand and we ran.
Sorry it was a bit short! Please let me know if you want me to continue, and do please point out any mistakes in the Latin.