Reign of Fire: Rising from the Ashes

Chapter Ten- Marco Polo

Holly sat up quickly in bed; her stomach hurting like hell- there was only one cause for something like that. Turning to look at the clock she noticed the time- 7 o'clock.

"Shit!" She threw herself off the cot, pulling on some jeans and her boots. Once dressed she shoved her gun into her waistband and braced herself at the window, searching the sky for any sign. Nothing. Launching herself our of her room she sprinted down towards the kitchen and dining hall- everyone would be up by now, maybe not some of the kids, but enough people to start getting everyone in the basements.

Slamming open the door to the dining room she skidded to a stop, all eyes turning to face her.

"Everyone to the basement now- GO!" She roared, they didn't need to hear any more- a dragon.

The castle became a blur as adults and children were hustled down towards safety. Holly watched them file down, helping Quinn count those who had gone past.

"Creedy!" Quinn shouted over the din, "He must be still asleep!"

Holly felt panic enter her veins, "I'll go, you get everyone in." Quinn nodded as she headed back up the stairs.

The floorboards creaked under her as she jogged to his room; opening his door with force she abruptly halted and choked back a sob at what she saw. Lying tangled in the sheets Creedy propped himself up on his elbows, as his face revealed the shock of Holly walking in. Lying underneath him, Kayleigh turned her head at the interruption. Glancing away from the couple Holly calmed her breathing, hurt swelling inside her. Snapping her attention as her original reason for coming re-entered her mind.

"Sorry to interrupt but you two might wanna get dressed and down into the basement. Unless you don't mind being scorched to death in the throes of passion." She snarled turning on her heel and making her way towards the entrance.

Creedy was mortified; he stumbled as he dressed- Kayleigh less so. The last thing he wanted was for Holly to see them together that must have hurt a lot. The pained expression told him that much. Shaking his head he knew he had to keep his mind focused, Kayleigh grabbed onto his arm, tears welling up in her eyes, she must be terrified.

"Its all right lass, come on". Kayleigh nodded and followed, for once her fear was real. She didn't want to die but at least she would be with Creedy.

Holly didn't know what to think; which wasn't a good thing when you're about to deal with a problem like the she was about to face. Grabbing the shotgun she had strategically hidden in the Hall she ran outside and to the bike that Creedy had not finished fixing. She just hoped it would last as long as she needed it too. The engine sprang to life and Holly released her breath. Eddie was at the gate, opening one of the doors for her as she travelled towards it at 60 mph.

"Get inside!" She shouted at him, he nodded in reply as she made her way across the bumpy terrain of the moor. She could see it now; if she didn't act quickly it would reach the crops and destroy them. Kicking the back of the bike out, she headed up the hill, the bikes engine straining. She turned once more to see the dragon finally notice her; she inhaled sharply when she saw it. It was bigger than many of the ones she dealt with, but still smaller than a bull. It looked well fed too, which meant that it was not weak like the last- this one would be harder to kill. The shotgun, which was hung from her back, beat heavily against the scars making her wince. The dragon was catching up quicker than any had before- the sudden realisation that she was possibly facing her death hitting home. The bike was losing pace, smoke beginning to come from the engine. The ridge she was riding along wasn't one you'd want to be on at that moment, to the left was a large ravine- the rocks and boulders at the bottom, which meant being shredded. To the right a steep slope which was a better option.

The bike was really beginning to lag, the dragon getting closer every second. As soon as it was close enough to burn her, it didn't. Instead flying in front of her, the dragon swiped at the bike with it's tail sending it down the ravine- Holly with it.

The rocks sliced into her skin, as slid down the steep side. The dragon had disappeared but she knew what it was doing- it's making sport of me. Her blood began to pound in her head as she counted the seconds until it came back. The gun strap had broken during the descent but it was still close enough for her to inch painfully towards it. Just as her hand reached the gun, a large shadow fell across her. The smell of burning fuel and blood assaulting her senses; this is it. I'm actually gonna die this time. She closed her eyes and waited. Nothing happened. Opening them she saw the dragon standing in front of, it's head cocked to one side; its eyes glinted as if the creature was mocking her. Laughing Holly smirked at the dragon in light of the odd and morbid situation.

"Of course, this is too easy for you isn't it. You want me to run, well sorry to disappoint you but I don't think I can. Well I'll tell you this much, I never thought I'd play Marco Polo with a dragon. Go on now, be a good sport and say Marco…"

Stretching her fingers around the shotgun, she flipped it quickly into her grasp and fire off shot after shot. The first entered the eye of the cocky dragon, the next right behind it. The last shot sealed it's fate, and it screamed in agony, as the last shot entered it's mouth, the pellets from the cartridge lodging in the soft tissue of its palette and lastly, into it's brain.

It had always been her favourite method, not that messy, it didn't take much effort, was reliable and of course, completely and utterly dangerous. Not that she could be overly confident herself, on several occasions she had just avoided death- and it was the cause of many of her loathsome scars.

"Would you look at that...Polo."

She sat further upright, cringing at the pain that flooded her- no adrenaline this time then. Glancing around she let everything sink in. The bike was trashed; a ball of flame and rising smoke, the dragon lay as it had fallen. Her Colt revolver was still tucked in her waistline and would more than likely leave a hefty bruise. She stood and for the first time in a while, smiled with satisfaction. Limping awkwardly over to the dragon she waited with baited breath- you can never be sure if they are dead, and for once she wasn't confident about her shot. She poked at the carcass with the shotgun butt, expecting something and yet nothing. No movement.

"Sorry friend, but you did ruin my bike." She pulled out a retractable blade from her boot and set to work gauging out a tooth. This was something she hadn't done in a long time either. Turning from the body she made her up the slope, struggling with the pain that filled her entire being.

Eddie hadn't gone to the shelter like Holly said to. Fear prevented him from going anywhere. He saw the entire thing, as the dragon noticed Holly and turn back to hunt her down. He saw her and the bike be thrown over the ridge, the loud explosion and plume of smoke, the dragon circle before heading down- then the scream. It was a loud piercing scream of terror and pain. He shuddered at the thought of what had happened to her, suddenly finding the strength to move he ran to the castle, hastily making his way down to the basement- they needed to know.

He would admit that he wasn't sure about her. She was so different, so quiet and observant. If he was honest he thought that she might try something, he could not trust her. Unlike the new refugees she was an ice queen, she acted as if she was superior and that was enough to raise his defences. But now, she had died for them. She had done that to protect them- even if he didn't like who she had been he could at least respect her.

He opened the heavy door weakly. His strength had been sapped due to shock. Stepping inside he looked at all the expectant faces- a mix of fear and confusion at seeing him. His kids ran to him hugging him tightly. For a strong man like Eddie, it was a surprise to them all too see him weep as he did.

"Eddie?" Quinn asked. Eddie looked at him.

"What's happened?"

"It's Holly. She, she- it got her." A collection of audible gasps and curses filled the silence. Kids burst into tears, many an adult hugging the children cried too- albeit silently. Alex was pale, shaking her head in disbelief. Creedy went white too, tears welling in his eyes. No one noticed Kayleigh smile.

Quinn stood up, pulling Alex with him.

"What do you mean?" he had to make sure they hadn't got their wires crossed.

"She's dead. It followed her up onto the big hill, when she got to the top it swiped her with It's tail and her and the bike…went into the ravine. I saw the explosion of the bike, and then the dragon went down too…I heard her scream. Oh God it was the most terrifying sound!" Eddie sobbed into the arms of his eldest son.

After a while the sobs died down to leave the basement in silence. Quinn opened the door fully leaning on it

"Come on, let's go check out the damage."

Holly slowly made her way back over the hill, her back and sides throbbing. The fall had cut her flesh into ribbons, and made it hard for her to walk.

None of them noticed her when she disappeared from view behind the wall as she came down the hill slope. Many had come out into the grounds, warily checking the sky for the dragon. The smoke could still be seen from the other side of the hill where they presumed she had died. Alex held onto Quinn who stood at the front of the group with Creedy beside him. Kayleigh stayed back with her friends, inwardly gleeful at Holly's demise, one less obstacle in my way!

Creedy was distraught, his face tear stained and frozen with grief. One half of the gate creaked open; Quinn immediately put his hand on Creedy's shoulder. The blood soaked visage of Holly slowly walked towards them; it was a mix of her own and the dragons. The Shotgun was held limply in her right hand, her left closed around something small. Her posture was slumped and she stumbled slightly from her weakened state.

"Oh my God Holly!" Alex shouted. She ran towards her but stopped feet away when Holly looked at her with cold eyes.

"You didn't think I was dead did you?" Many nodded in response. Holly merely chuckled.

"What happened? Are you Ok? Look at the state of you!" She shrugged off Alex's touch and continued to walk through the group to the castle. She threw something white at Quinn who caught it- a dragon tooth.

"Don't say I don't get you anything." She joked; everyone else was still in shock.

"Lass let me help you" Creedy soothed as he watched her limp painfully up the steps. She brushed him off also. Like she wanted his help after all that had happened.

"Holly…"

"Leave me the Hell alone!" She shouted, pushing herself faster up the stairs as she headed for her room.

Kayleigh had a face of thunder when she saw Holly turn up alive, so much for clearing the way. It was only when she saw Holly reject Creedy's help that things started to look up again, and she smiled genuinely; only not for the same reason as everyone else.