The midnight pages

The river grew faster as night fell, the current rushing like a relentless beast. Arin and Lila clung tightly to the raft, their makeshift poles scraping against rocks as they navigated the treacherous waters. The cool night air was filled with the roar of the river, the occasional snap of a branch, and the distant call of nocturnal creatures.

"Hold on!" Arin shouted as the raft veered sharply to the left, narrowly avoiding a jagged outcrop. Lila gasped but kept her grip, her knuckles white as she helped guide their unsteady vessel.

"Are we close?" she asked, her voice barely audible over the rushing water.

Arin squinted into the darkness ahead, where faint lights flickered. "Almost! Just hold on a little longer!"

The lantern they had brought swung precariously from the raft's edge, casting eerie, shifting shadows on the surrounding forest. Arin's mind raced as he replayed the vision from the book: the dam collapsing, the torrent of water, the terrified faces of the villagers. He couldn't let it happen.

As they rounded a bend, the river calmed slightly, allowing Arin and Lila a moment to catch their breath. The town's lights were clearer now, twinkling like stars against the dark landscape.

"We're going to make it," Lila said, her voice filled with cautious hope.

But just as she spoke, a deep rumble shook the ground beneath them. The sound reverberated through the air, growing louder with each passing second.

"What is that?" Lila asked, her eyes wide with fear.

Arin's heart sank. He didn't need to guess. The dam was breaking.

"We're out of time!" he shouted, digging his pole into the water to propel the raft faster. "We have to warn them now!"

The rumbling grew into a deafening roar as the river swelled, its once-steady flow transforming into a wild torrent. Waves crashed against the raft, drenching Arin and Lila as they struggled to maintain control.

"Arin!" Lila screamed as the raft jolted violently, nearly tipping over.

"I've got it!" Arin yelled, his arms straining as he fought to keep them on course. His mind raced for a plan. The river was carrying them too quickly, and they wouldn't make it to the town in time if they stayed on the raft.

Then he saw it—a narrow path along the riverbank, illuminated by the moonlight.

"We need to get to the shore!" Arin said, pointing toward the path.

"How?" Lila asked, panic lacing her voice.

Arin gritted his teeth. "Jump!"

Without giving himself time to think, he leaped from the raft, landing with a splash in the frigid water. The current threatened to sweep him away, but he clawed his way toward the bank, his muscles burning with the effort.

"Lila, come on!" he called, coughing as water splashed into his face.

Lila hesitated for only a moment before following his lead, her small frame disappearing into the waves. Arin reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her onto the shore just as the raft was swept away by the raging river.

They lay on the damp ground, gasping for air. The roar of the water was deafening now, and in the distance, they could see the outline of the dam, its structure buckling under the pressure.

"We have to run," Arin said, pushing himself to his feet.

Lila nodded, her face pale but determined. Together, they sprinted along the narrow path, their feet pounding against the earth. The town loomed closer with each step, its peaceful silence oblivious to the impending disaster.

When they reached the outskirts, Arin shouted at the top of his lungs, "The dam is breaking! Everyone needs to get to higher ground!"

Villagers emerged from their homes, their faces filled with confusion and alarm.

"What's he saying?" one man asked.

"The dam's collapsing!" Lila echoed, her voice shaking. "You have to move—now!"

The urgency in their voices spurred the villagers into action. Some began running toward the hills, while others hesitated, uncertain of what to do.

Arin grabbed the arm of an older man who appeared to be a leader. "You have to warn everyone! Get them to safety!"

The man stared at him for a moment, then nodded grimly. "Sound the bells!" he called to a nearby boy, who dashed off toward the town square.

Within minutes, the air was filled with the loud, resonant clang of the warning bells. Villagers poured into the streets, carrying children and belongings as they fled toward the hills.

Arin and Lila joined the exodus, their legs aching as they climbed to higher ground. Behind them, the dam gave one final, thunderous groan before shattering.

A wall of water surged down the valley, consuming everything in its path. Arin's heart clenched as he watched the torrent engulf the lower parts of the town. But most of the villagers had made it to safety, their figures huddled together on the hilltops.

When the floodwaters finally settled, the town was left in ruins. Yet, thanks to Arin and Lila's bravery, countless lives had been saved.

As dawn broke over the devastated valley, Arin sat on a rock, the book clutched tightly in his hands. He glanced at Lila, who gave him a tired but encouraging smile.

"You did it," she said softly.

"We did it," Arin corrected, his voice filled with quiet resolve.

The Midnight Pages had tested him once again, and he had risen to the challenge. But as he stared at the blank page in the book, he couldn't help but wonder: what would tomorrow's message bring?