Chapter Two

Heading up the stairs into the tower Casper was the first to reach the top. The tower wasn't what he expected. The tower from the outside looked tiny once inside though he realized it was a lot bigger. In one corner there was crossbow and in the other rifle. There were also a couple flashlights and candles.

"When the snow falls blankets and heaters are brought up as well. Winter gear is provided."

Casper nodded his head in understanding as he continued to look around.  A telescope sat on the edge looking out at the darkness. "Is it always this dark?"

"Yes. It is always this inky blackness, never any light. Not even when the sun is up."

"So what are we guarding against?"

"Well I am not sure." Zeal replied. He often thought the same thing. All the stories never made any sense. In his four years of being a guard he had seen nothing but the darkness.

Casper set his gear down and went over to the telescope. Looking through the telescope didn't make the darkness any less dark. Any less bleak. "Have you seen anything?"

Zeal shook his head before he realized Casper wasn't looking at him. "Not a thing."

"So what do we do?" Casper asked stepping back from the telescope.

"We sit here watching for something."

"For eight hours?"

Hahaha "no more like twelve."

Casper stood still staring at Zeal. "Twelve hours of sitting here?"

"I don't sit the whole time. I am allowed to walk ten feet either side of the tower. The day shift isn't allowed to leave. Because it is dark we can't see far."

"What about lights?"

"Not allowed"

"Why not?"

"Can't draw attention to ourselves."

Casper nodded. The last rays of the sun dipping lower into the darkness. The sounds of the birds and animals below began to fade. The stillness of the darkness made everything seem quieter than it was or maybe it was the height.

"Anymore questions?" Zeal asked Casper.

"Not right now." Casper answered honestly. He had several questions just didn't know which one needed the most answers. He wanted to know if the boy infront of him believed in the stories of old or not. It was a topic he really didn't want talk about.

~~~

The wall surrounding the town pulsed and hummed as the person stood at the small crack. Once again the person placed their hand on the tiny opening.
The person wasn't sure exactly what would happen if the crack grew bigger.

Would all remain the same? Would the darkness consume Zarkaria? Would light enter the darkness?

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