Chapter 26: The Ash Solstice: Book 1 - The Sun Curdled

A Man Outside – Market DistrictEstimated 2 days after the Ash EventA man looks over a notice board that is slowly becoming a monument of despair. The old notices from another life have almost vanished beneath damp and ash. Lost pets. Festival announcements. Market prices. Births. None of them matter anymore.Carefully... he presses his notice against the wood. The hammer barely makes a sound as he drives the nail home. For two days he has been leaving blue arrows through the streets.If his boy is still alive...he will know which way to go.A child’s face.Crudely sketched in charcoal.MISSING LEO VANCEAge 5If found, follow the blue arrows.The Cathedral gates are sealed.He steps back and studies the drawing. The charcoal barely resembles his son; the eyes are wrong; the smile isn’t wide enough.But... it is Leo.His jaw tightens. His fist slams into the notice board.Thud.Pain shoots through his hand. He doesn’t notice. Another sound answers him.Somewhere... down the alley behind him.He freezes.Slowly... he turns his head.Then, without another glance at the poster... he disappears into the falling ash.