The Other Earth by Derek Schumacher (ebook reader 7 inch TXT) 📖

As he continued to sprint past everything, he noticed the thicker trees and sloped, rocky area. He was nearing the slope, he could feel it. Once he saw that inclined ground, he would know that he was there, that he had made it to safety, at least for a moment. In reality, no place was safe anywhere near the forest. The entire place would be ignited before too long. And then what? Would Marcus have to hold out and wait? Or would Neil come for him, too?

Marcus once again began to think about the words his father spoke to him all those years ago. He still wants to deny it, but with the evidence all around him, it seemed to be true. Why his brother of all people? He never thought that it could have gotten this bad, but now, he knows.

Then, in the far distance, he could see it. The sloped, inclined plain of ground, and in the background, the mountain. He was so close now, he felt like he could practically touch the mountain. And in a short while, he would.

As he began to climb up the slope, he heard the roaring of the flames off in the distance. He had been able to gain a decent amount of ground away from the fire, giving him so time to recover, for a moment at least. And in this time, he began to wonder to himself. Was Neil really going to try and kill him?

He was his brother after all, certainly he would enough of a sense of reason to stop himself from killing his own family. Marcus hoped that this would be the case, that his father would be wrong, that it wouldn't be as bad as it seemed. Deep down, Neil must still be in there somewhere. Maybe he just needs some provoking to come out. Everything might just come out alright.

But, there still wasn't a way to stop the fire. It would spread and spread until everything would be destroyed. So, even if he is able to help Neil, they both would still be in a great deal of trouble because of the flames. The only place Marcus figured might just be out of reach of the fire would be the mountain. How would he be able to climb all the way up there? He guessed the best way to find out would be to try it.

Eventually the man made it to the top of the slope, and set foot next to the lake. The water was still and calm no longer, and was rushing to the sides, almost as if it was in a panic, afraid of what might come to be of it. If the fire did overtake everything around it, it might evaporate, all of it. There would be nothing left of the beautiful mountain lake.

Just as Marcus sat down to catch his breath, he began to hear the screaming of the fire closing in on him. The man sighed, and got back to his feet, setting his eyes upon the giant mountain in the distance. This hunk of rock was his best bet to escape the fire alive. Even though there were plenty of ways getting up there that could result in his death, it was his only option. He would need plenty of luck on his side.

Marcus began to make his way towards the mountain, peering behind him to see the flames creep up the slope, and begin to devour the surrounding forests. The view of the destruction was terrifying, enough for a man surrounded by flames to break into a cold sweat. The ashes and embers began to circulate in the air, floating up and around almost everywhere. It was practically the end of the world, and in the case of the Other Earth, it was, literally.

But, just before it reached the end of the lake, he noticed something laying the on the ground. It looked as if it were a makeshift axe of some sort, melted together with some type of metal. It was crude, but could be useful. Marcus quickly picked it up and kept it in his off hand, and began once again on the race to the mountain, him versus the fire.

The man watched as the mountain began to close into his view. He tried to speed up, desperately wanting to get ahead of the fire, so that he could have a chance to begin climbing without the pressure of the fire almost on top of him. Step after step, he felt closer to the possibility of survival. He might just make it out of this one.

Upon reaching the mountain, he began his ascent immediatly. He wasn't sure exactly what he would do to make it all the way up. But, then he remembered something. Marcus looked down at the axe in his hand, and nodded to himself. It might not be the most beautiful or well made axe, but he bet that it would be possible to use it as a climbing tool. Hacking the axe into the stone, he used his upperbody strength to pull himself over the rocks.

He looked up, and stared at the peak region. It was so far above him, but it wasn't impossible to reach. Especially now that he can use the axe to his advantage, he might just be able to pull away with this one. Just barely.

As Marcus began to climb once again, he heard the falling of trees and the crackling of flames. He turned around and his heart sank. The fire was gaining on him quicker than he had hoped, and was nearly at the base of the mountain. There was still plants and grass sticking out of the base area, which meant that the fire could still spread up the mountain. The only place that would be safe was the highest areas of the rock.

Slamming the axe into the mountain again and again, the man tried his best to climb up the side of the huge monument of nature's creation. Even though he was trying to move as fast and safe as he could, the fire was almost reaching him, and began to creep so close that it practically was touching his boots.

Marcus used his muscles to go use, whenever he didn't need to use the axe as much, he could use his raw strength to pull himself up past rocks and stones. His suit was relatively tight, and didn't allow for much to escape, so sweat drenched his face, practically soaking his entire body in it. And it didn't smell like roses, he could vouch for that.

Almost a quarter of the way to the peak, Marcus felt something touch his foot. When he looked down, his eyes grew to practically twice their size. And as he looked, he then felt the pain. His entire boot had caught on fire, and was searing the material away in no time at all. The man tried to move as fast as he could, kicking his foot all that he could in an attempt to put out the fire. As it ate through each layer, he felt it grow closer and closer to his flesh. It was terrifying, knowing that if the fire was not put out, his foot might become charred and useless.

It took a few minutes, but the fire was eventually put out on his foot. But only a layer or two remained intact. It was an incredibly close call, and Marcus was lucky that he didn't lose his foot. He pull himself up another few sets of stones, pulling up on the axe. He glanced downwards as he ascended, watching the flames creep higher and higher.

Then it hit him, he didn't need to make it to the peak. Around half way should be enough, since the grass and shrubs end there, which meant if he rose a few layers above that, he should be perfectly fine, since the fire won't have anything to spread to, leaving it where it was. He figured that if he wanted, he could still make it to the top of the mountain. Without the pressure of the fire, why not?

After a good fifteen minutes or more, Marcus realized that the vegetation had stopped. He was out of the fire's range, but he decided to continue to climb. He wanted to make it to the summit, to be able to at least say that he made it. And, if anyone wanted to come rescue him, it would be easier to spot.

Step by step, he would slowly continue to drive upwards. His hands became sore and raw, but it didn't matter. He was going to make it all the way, no matter what. Sweat was pouring from his face, his eyes bloodshot from the constant burning of sweat in them. It hurt to continue going, but it would be worth it all the more once he made it to the end. Because then he could rest at the highest part of the entire mountain. He'd be like the king of the world. Except his world was burning to the ground, which was unfortunate to say the least.

The man continued upwards, and began to see snow forming all around him. With that, he also noticed that the air had become thinner, and also much, much colder. The suit wasn't made to insulate much, so Marcus's body had begun to get incredibly cold. He ignored it of course, as it would only set him back from the summit. He was getting so much closer, he just felt it in his bones. Or maybe that was his body becoming inflicted with frostbite. Either one worked for him.

Marcus used the axe to sink into the snow, being able to pull himself upwards with each pocket he found. It was slippery at the top parts, but it was much more beautiful. The white combined with the clouds surrounding him was something to see. He knew that at the peak there was a large open area, as it was visible from down below. It was just barely able to be seen, an outcove on the other side of the mountain. This was the goal that he wanted to reach.

Finally, with one last swing of the axe, and one more pulling of his body upwards, Marcus rolled himself into the outcove. He was exhausted, cold, and worn out in all different kinds of ways. But he had made it, all the way to the top. He felt proud of himself, for that he did something he never thought in his entire lifetime he would do. But, most of it was done because of the fire.

But that fire was halfway down the mountain, so he was plenty safe. Now he could rest, and await someone's rescue. Speaking of people, he wondered what Neil was doing right now. Probably going out to find more shades to slaughter, or more trees to burn. Marcus layed back on the stone, and put his head down, looking at the ceiling. It was finally time to rest. He closed his eyes for a moment and smiled. He was going to make it after all.

Good Evening,