They Were Born Upon Ashes by Kenneth Champion Read Free Book Online Page A

skinny man, an equally short, skinny woman, a young boy around the age of seven, and a baby that was being held by its mother.
    “Go away,” said the man.
    “Please help me; I have nowhere to go,” said Penny.
    “That is not of our concern,” said the man.
    “I am from Vincot. I do not have family here. I do not know anybody here.”
    “I do not know you; even if I did, I would not open my doors to you,” said the man.
    “There are thousands of inmates running free as we speak,” said Penny. “These are murders, thieves, and rapists. If you turn me away I know my fate tonight will not be favorable.”
    The man sighed and said, “A girl as pretty as you with nowhere to go will most certainly end up in harm’s way tonight.”
    Penny turned back and saw the hoards of people running down the street screaming in fear.
    The man sighed, then said, “You can stay tonight, but only tonight.”
    Penny walked into the home and the door slammed behind her. The man quickly locked his door. There were five locks above the door handle. The man twisted each one. Penny realized that all four members of the family were still wearing their white gloves. They had opted to not take them off in the courtyard like she saw so many others do. The man finished turning the last lock and then he turned around to face Penny.
    The home was very small, much smaller than the home Penny had grown up in. Hers was two stories, made wholly of wood, and felt spacious. This home was small, about the size of her own bedroom. There were four stone walls and a low stone roof above them. The walls were decorated with pots, pans, blankets, and clothing. Everything was cluttered. There was one bed in the left corner and another smaller bed in the right corner. There was a table to eat at and a fire pit to cook over.
    “You look to be human; is that right?” asked the man.
    “Yes, I am human,” said Penny.
    The man gave a slight smile in response.
    “Thank you for allowing me to be here. Words cannot describe how thankful I am.”
    “What is your name?” asked the woman.
    “My name is Penny Goldstem of Vincot. Do you mind me asking what yours are?”
    “My name is Hudson,” said the man. “This is my wife Claire. My son is named Robert and our baby girl is named Tina.”
    “Glad to meet you all,” said Penny.
    She looked at her hand and she noticed that she could not stop it from shaking.
    “Would you like a cup of tea?” asked Claire.
    “Please,” said Penny.
    Claire guided her to the table and had her sit down. Hudson followed suit and sat across Penny. He held his baby girl while his wife prepared tea for them all.
    “I cannot believe what just happened,” said Penny. “This is absolutely terrible. The fate of so many innocent lives has been thrown up into the air.”
    “The city will never be the same,” said Hudson while shaking his head. “Hentrio will never be the same. All of our futures have never been more uncertain. One minute everything is fine. It is just a normal day, and the next minute everything you know has been taken from you.”
    “What brought you to Genold City?” asked Claire.
    “The man I love came here to meet with the king. He actually probably just got here earlier today. I had just arrived here today as well. He did not know that I was coming. He did not want me here because he wasn’t certain he could keep me safe. I decided to come regardless. I felt a need to be by his side, so here I am.”
    “Wait,” said Hudson. “Wait a minute, this man you love came here to meet with the king on the day all hell broke loose in our city. I do not find that to be a coincidence.”
    “No, he would never do something to harm the king,” said Penny. “I know him; he would not hurt...”
    Penny stopped herself mid sentence and thought for a moment.
    He was in the arena. He killed to not be killed himself. Could he have been a part of all of this? Is that why he wanted me to stay in Vincot? No...no it can’t