24th August - 3pm.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogFrHh9Efd
The sky was falling. The large rocks had stopped falling, and for a moment all seemed calm. It almost seemed as if it was all over. And then the ash began to fall more heavily, like huge teardrops from the weeping eyes of the gods. The sun was still covered, and it seemed that nothing would penetrate the thick veil of darkness. Fallen oil lamps littered the cobbles and even through her sandals, Livia could feel the sharpened points of their shards as she ran through the streets. She was one of the few running towards the inner city. Many of the citizens she passed were heading either to the city gates or to the docks, carrying their most important possessions and leaving everything else behind. Market vendors had abandoned their wares and the poor and dishonest alike were looting their stalls and taking anything their hands could salvage. Bakers had left their ovens, the loaves still inside, and even the prostitutes in the brothel had closed their doors and were no longer allowing any more customers inside.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErPhy4rtwy
Livia dodged upturned carts and empty barrels that had been left in the street, weaving through the crowds of people moving in the opposite direction to her. She looked around frantically, in the darkness and disorientation, she had made a right turn instead of a left and was now in the unfamiliar parts of Pompeii that she did not recognise. The ash was falling thickly; street signs were unrecognisable.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf46bCP0baD
All she knew was that this was the poor area. Where, had she visited on any other day, the poor would line the streets with their backs against the wall, hands outstretched and begging for coins. There were no grand staircases here, no large columns to hold up their roofs, no fires burning eternally in great bronze dishes beside their front doors. No great artwork was there on their walls, no fountains or pools or long benches for one to recline one whilst eating fresh grapes. And yet there was a dignity here that Livia could not find in the parties and gatherings of the upper classes of society. Here there was pride, not snobbery. There was a sense of community, not competition between neighbouring families. She stopped in the middle of a deserted, darkened street to attempt to find her bearings. She could see faintly the top of the Temple of Apollo ahead of her and slightly to the right. The home of Ariadne’s family was not far from the Temple, being only a few streets away from it. Livia’s spirits picked up a little, at least now she had some idea of which direction to take.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ54rxfn8oDP
She reached the Temple with ease. The footpaths leading to it were well walked by the feet of the downtrodden, and they were all empty. She followed in the footsteps of those wanting forgiveness and salvation, and was surprised to see that a large crowd had formed already outside the steps of the Temple. The fires that were never permitted to die were still burning furiously, bright beacons in the darkness leading all pious souls in the city to the Temple to pray once more for the mercy of the gods. Livia was shocked at how many people had remained in the city. She had struggled against the current of people leaving and had quite forgotten that it was only a small portion that had packed everything up and left as soon as the ash covered the sun.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDm0OHBg1xr
In the square before the Temple, there was no rapid movement like there was in the streets elsewhere. Here, people stood motionlessly, or kneeled on the floor beneath the mighty stone statue of Apollo himself. The contrast was striking and unsettling. Whilst only streets away citizens of Pompeii were running and hurrying to leave the city, here they remained silent, except for the whispered murmuring of their prayers. The ash that fell from the sky landed almost serenely, coating the clothes of the people gathered before the columns of the temple and turning them grey. It was almost as if they had turned to statues themselves.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKcWHhudG3
Instead of running, Livia walked past the scene at the Temple. She prayed as she went, looking up to Apollo with wide, hopeful eyes. She believed in all her heart that the gods were only giving them a warning and would not truly harm them. And yet, something in her gut urged her deeply to run as fast as her legs could carry her and get as far away from Pompeii as possible.
Ariadne’s father was a Censor. He was tasked with collecting taxes and maintaining the balance between citizen and senator which was not always easy. As a result, he was paid well, almost as well as Livia’s father Lucius. If one were to add his large income to the inheritance of both himself and his wife, one would find he was one of the wealthiest men in Pompeii - and so, of course, he had a home to match his status. The house he had built for his family was lavish and no expense had been spared. The columns on either side of the large bronze door had bulls and other animals carved at the top and the gardens were meticulously cared for and trimmed. Inside, beautiful frescoes lined the walls, depicting scenes from the landscape around Pompeii.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOYS8ujy3x
Livia knocked on the bronze door with the heavy knocker in the shape of the head of a horse. A slave opened the door tentatively. She opened the door just a crack, just enough to see who it was that was calling when the city was in such disarray. Her look of apprehension and fear changed to relief when she recognised Livia standing on the doorstep. She ushered her in, shutting the door quickly behind her.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0efYaVjFT
Ariadne was descending the large marble staircase opposite the door as Livia entered.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9dqTSVfqa
“Livia, you cannot comprehend how relieved I am to see you!” She said, pulling her friend into a tight embrace. “Should you not be with your father and your mother?”854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnPhjRKGQB
Livia shook her head.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3A90LnhcA
“I intend to go straight home after visiting you, but I do not wish to linger long in the city. Maxentius was right, you should leave. We should all leave.”854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvZWQU7EHa
Ariadne nodded. Her eyes betrayed her caution. She was wary of leaving.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKSax0KwlY
“My family will not leave with us. They say they must stay here. I do not want to leave them.”854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI8MyEoWDf
Livia patted her friends arm gently.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNViNxccwWs
“They will all be fine. I am fearful of your…condition. You of all people should leave here. God knows the bad airs that are falling from the sky.” Livia said quietly. “They could harm the child.” She whispered.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcMzV3uMHf
This, it seemed, was Ariadne’s deciding factor. When forced to consider another life besides her own, she no longer cared about the dangers of leaving Pompeii. Her maternal instincts were already strong, and Livia saw that her desire to protect her child was already stronger than anything else, stronger even than her love for her family.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROa2whsPxc
“You will leave with us?” Ariadne asked, taking Livia’s hands into her own. Livia nodded.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOXfaMck51
“I shall return later tonight.” Livia said softly. Ariadne nodded, watching as her friend left as quickly as she had came.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroD0TpbDpo
Livia returned to the gladiatorial garrison. Marcus was waiting for her. He took her into his arms the moment she crossed the threshold.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61BlW6QLfL
“You should have waited inside. It is dangerous out here.” She said softly. He stayed silent, his eyes turned towards the sky. It was the middle of the afternoon, only five o'clock, and yet no light was there reaching the streets of Pompeii.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxK7P2nuGYF
“Ariadne, is she well?” He asked after his brief period of silence. Livia remained wrapped in his embrace, her head resting on his shoulder.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKU4iB2ekY
“She is leaving with us. I told her we would get her later tonight.” She said, raising her head to look into his eyes. “Is that enough time?”854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKT0RxGco2
“It should be, Gods willing.” He muttered. 854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHBjoC9MS9
10pm854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bVO5ieh1u
The ash cloud had finally begun to clear. Livia had returned home and was met with the realisation that her father had not even noticed her absence. He had drunk two more bottles of wine in order to allay his nerves and her mother’s feeble excuses concerning his daughter's whereabouts had been enough to suffice in his drunken stupor. Her mother breathed an audible sigh of relief when Livia entered. She pulled her into a hug.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1jUvaebyQ
“I was so worried!”854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKXd2RsBBKF
“I had to see Ariadne.” Livia whispered. Her mother nodded. “I think we should leave, mother.” She said quietly. She knew her father would never agree to it, but he was so drunk already that all they would have to do was tell him they were going to go to the temple to pray and he would come along and be none the wiser until they were miles and miles away.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYe5d9TM5JK
Her mother objected.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkFZhVBEKba
“No. We cannot leave. And besides, the cloud is clearing. I do believe I can even see some stars.” She said gazing out of the window.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3a4m4VuwFI
It was true. The black cloud that had blocked the sun was disappearing and small specks of light were appearing - the lights of far off stars bringing the people of Pompeii small rays of hope.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlluEbIJvp
“I believe the threat has quite passed.” Aemilia said optimistically. She smiled at her daughter before turning back to the window. “It was a warning, that is all. A warning.”854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPmKBwzCIW
“I still wish to leave mother. Ariadne is leaving, and I want to go with her.” Livia admitted. Her mother nodded stiffly.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYw4HsfkwXu
“Then if you must go, at least wait until the morning. It will be safer.”854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuiTFNii5R
Livia nodded. She left the room quickly, and caught the arm of one of the servants before she climbed the staircase.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClVWew2Q3j
“I need you to deliver two notes for me. One to the residence of my close friend Ariadne, and the other to the gladiator’s garrison.”854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNMMh7GLK0
“The garrison, ma’am?” The servant asked with his eyebrows raised.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8BbUJxMSz
“Yes. You will deliver it to a Roman, a man named Marcus.”854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6rhhmVyYs
The servant nodded. Livia climbed the stairs two at a time and wrote her notes, informing both parties that they would leave the city in the morning. The servant delivered them quickly - the streets were empty - and when he returned, brought with him replies. Ariadne had agreed that leaving in the morning was far safer and a much better idea, and Marcus had sent a reply back in his untidy scrawl. He said he would do whatever she wished, and would call for her at precisely 8am, when the sun was almost full in the sky. Livia had smiled, believing that they were no longer in any danger. She snuffed out her candle and got under her sheets. She slept easily, her dreams secure and safe and above all, free from ash and darkness.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD2MtNxGPo
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7:30am
First there was a shaking. The earth began to tremble, almost in fear and anticipation. The sun had only recently risen, but the birds all immediately ceased to sing. Quickly they spread their wings and left the vicinity, wanting to be nowhere near the mountain.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCxLpIQtnl
And then the very sides of the mountain seemed to collapse. A perfect storm of rocks and mud and debris and destruction and heat came rushing to the ground, falling at an alarming pace.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj93V3QGuiK
Herculaneum was hit first. Sleeping in their beds, they had little chance against the anger of the mountain. They were killed almost instantaneously. The heat alone killed them; their brains boiled in their skulls. And then, for one small, blissful moment, it stopped.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ELSwJpQV3
Silence.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tZxLEOyZx
And then it rumbled and began again. And this time it wouldn’t stop at Herculaneum. It was heading for Pompeii.854Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4R4W3S7ZI
