It was about noon. and Montag could see the plumes of fume lifting like chimneys. The silence left by the blast. the silence felt back at the cantonment. still remained. Montag knew that they’d be needed in happening and assisting any subsisters of the detonation. if there were any. Everything was gone. All that was left was debris on the exterior of the former metropolis. and chiefly dust in the Centre. What should hold been there: skyscrapers. hotels. fire Stationss. were no longer a sight of the metropolis. merely a immense sweep of dust and dust. a complete foreigner universe.
As they followed the river closer to the metropolis. ideas of drifting down the river. the mechanical hound and doors opening on the count of 10s crossed Montag’s head. He wasn’t certain the hound could last such a blast. but that minor insecurity was plenty. He didn’t want to hold another brush with such a machine. As the group got near to the metropolis. they realised shortly that they were merely walking aimlessly. with no clear intent.
Granger was ever one measure in front of Montag. and Montag’s ideas were cluttered with infantile ideas: ‘That’s where my old house used to be’ and ‘That’s where I foremost encountered the mechanical hound’ and ‘That’s where I jumped in the river’ . Still though. the silence remained. and the sweep of dust triggered a new epoch. one of soundless recollection and idea. The group wondered how many metropoliss across the state have been reduced to merely rubble. Montag and his comrades walked onwards and finally began to try to unclutter some of the debris.
They didn’t know what they may happen. but they thought that there may be some subsisters. It was rare to happen subsisters in the debris after minor temblors. the group had read books. and so they knew this fact. but they looked never-the-less. The group continued seeking for subsisters. burying the dead. and sometimes coming across tatterdemalion remains of old books. which they took with them as they scavenged the land. They were besides looking for nutrient. but this is the thing that had non changed since they were outside the metropolis.
Finally they came across another group of people in the distance. at first merely a aggregation of pillars to the bare oculus. and so they came closer. Montag started towards them. so hesitated. so continued towards them. Granger was this clip one measure behind Montag. and the group was all of a sudden wholly traveling towards the columns. like walking towards the ruin of an ancient temple. However. the ruins around them were non ancient. they were merely a few hours old. if non merely a twenty-four hours. the group had lost path of clip. lost in the debris with the metropolis.
As Montag walked. he thought about the metropolis. now burnt beyond acknowledgment. He thought of the Phoenix. which burns itself. Burnt to ashes. and so born from the ashes. Montag once more looked around at the ashes of the metropolis. Then he broke the silence. ‘Burnt to ashes. and so born from the ashes. ’ he mumbled softly under his breath. The others heard him nevertheless ; they were in a shade town after all. ‘Speak up. Montag. ’ replied Granger. shaken from his ideas by the sudden noise. ‘I said: ‘Burnt to ashes. and so born from the ashes’ . There was no answer. for the group in front of them turned and came towards them.
The two organic structures came together. silent. Most people had seen images of Montag during him being chased out of the metropolis. and would most probably be afraid. but alternatively they stood. gazing into Montag and the book people’s eyes. Montag was the lone 1 with a expression of acknowledgment on his face. He noticed two familiar faces. ‘I suspect you and us are the lone 1s left in the metropolis. ’ said one. stepping frontward. I’m Joe ; this is Clarisse. Faber. Mark. Ellie…’ Montag about gasped out loud. but he had misheard: Ellie. so close to Millie. ‘I ne’er thought I’d see you two once more. ’ Montag interrupted all of a sudden. interrupting out of his ideas. ‘Ditto. ’ Faber replied. Clarisse nodding besides. ‘Can we salvage the re-union for later? ’ said the leader. Joe.
‘Yes. we’re the same. we’re all people exiled from our places as a consequence of a corrupt universe. but we’ve got to acquire out and get down looking for more subsisters ; hopefully we can salve some stuff and physique shelters for the dark. ‘Good thought. ’ said Granger. The group was about to put off. but there was a moan. and all of a sudden. the mechanical hound was in front. mangled and twisted. but merely as truly scaring as earlier. ‘Run. ’ said Montag. softly at first. ‘Run! ’ They all turned in unison and dashed. the hound giving pursuit. The sounds of their footfalls were the lone sounds they could hear. perchance the lone sound in many stat mis in any way. The hound was soundless. and this provided a false sense of safety. Granger slowed and turned. the hound pounced on his leg. the needle protracting.
Montag had a expression of horror as he ran back to his friend. no sooner than they had all set off. and kicked the animal with his heavy boots. The same boots he had worn as a fireman. he hadn’t even noticed. The hound was destroyed. but as for Granger. Montag wasn’t sure. Granger fell back. seizing his leg. Montag caught him. Granger was still witting. The hound couldn’t have injected sufficiency of its deadly cocktail. Granger gasped for air. ‘Hold on Granger. ’ said Montag in despair. Granger’s eyes closed. and his organic structure went hitch.
Montag checked for a pulsation. There was nil. Montag attempted to resuscitate him. Still there was nil. Montag continued. desperate this clip. Then. Granger choked on the air. and his eyes flickered unfastened like an old. deceasing parlor wall. Montag took a speedy glimpse around him at all the parlor walls now reduced to dust. The full event had been every bit speedy as a few seconds. but it felt similar yearss. ‘Burnt to ashes. and so born from the ashes. ’ he thought. The two groups walked onwards. looking at the ruins. thought of the revolution.
