Read Dr. Creasy's new short story, "Elimelech ben Ezra" - 11/2/09 4:51pm

Jerusalem, ninth of Av (28 August A.D. 70), two hours after sunset

    Jerusalem burned.  
    Elimelech ben Ezra, his breast heaving and legs aching, ran like his life depended
on it, down through the Kidron Valley and up the steep grade of the Mount of Olives. 
Dashing from tree to tree, shadow to shadow, his hands clasping his ears in a futile
attempt to shut out the clash of weapons, the screams of the dying, and the cacophony of
pitched battle. Thick, acrid smoke, like a living, evil thing, clutched at him, smothering
him, stinging his nostrils, choking his lungs and making his world spin.  His stomach
turned and black bile rose in his throat.  He could run no more.  Collapsing in the shadow
of an ancient olive tree, he desperately pressed into its hollow, hiding like a terrified,
pursued animal.  He wept.  Hot, bitter tears streamed down his soot-blackened face, and
great sobs wracked his thin, trembling frame. 
    Three hundred twenty yards to his west, in the heart of Jerusalem, the temple
mount blazed, flames boiling up from its base, licking into the black sky, consuming the
sixteen-story edifice like a ravenous beast... Click here to read the full story