Taken

Chapter 6 (Part 2)

Despite not catching sight of any of them, I couldn't take a proper breath until I was hidden under the shadows past the treeline. The next thought was ruined midway through by another shout airing in the distance behind me. Too close for my comfort.

Wincing as a branch cracked under my foot, I ventures into the darkness that was spotted with patches of moonlight that managed to make its way through the canopy of leaves above. It filtered down to reach the dying vegetation that filled the forest floor and announced my rushed escape to whoever was near.

Or whatever

Keeping a hand out in front of me as a precaution, I maneuvered my way through the trees. The thick trunks were easy to avoid, but the barren bushes hidden between ones filled with leaves and wayward branches were another story that had me pinning a protective arm to my injured side. I tightened my grip, hugging myself as I ran through the darkness I could barely see in. Fallen leaves crunched beneath my feet as my feet pounded over the uneven ground.

My pace only slowed once the noises behind me grew silent, distance giving me a sense of comfort. But I didn't stop to rest or catch my breath. I had to keep going. The wooded area they had brought me to was large, but if I kept walking I would eventually come across a road or a house.

"You."

My heart leaped into my throat as I turned around. Calvin stood before me with clenched teeth that were bared in a snarl and a large sword in his hand that appeared to be made from ice. Dark liquid was splashed across his cheek and coated the edge of the sword. I stumbled back a step, trying to blink past the illusion of darkness to see the blade that had my legs shaking.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" He hissed stepping forward to grab me with a slight limp.

I leaped back, dodging his hand but tripping on a rock to fall on my behind. The landing jarred my teeth and had pain bolting through my side while adding more bruises to my exhausted body.

A low growl of annoyance sounded from him as he lunged for me again. His hand firmly banded around my bicep, making me wince as he gripped the bruise Tor had left. The wince turned into a cry as he jerked me to my feet.

"I don't have time for this. I need to get back to-"

A loud clicking screech sounded, cutting him off. It was right beside us, prompting my eyes to clench shut and my hands to slam over my ears in fear they would bleed if left uncovered. I was jerked forward, falling to my knees when Calvin's grip was ripped from my arm with a pained shout.

A thump sounded as he landed on the ground, drawing my eyes. They widened at what they found. Standing over him where he was sprawled on the ground was a tall... creature. Though it was twice the height of Calvin, its hunched body was thin and spindly. The skin stretched over its protruding bones was dark and helped the towering being hide among trees. But its head... the white bone that caught the moonlight had my mouth dropping open in horror. The squeak of fear that escaped had the skull with antlers turning its empty eyes toward me.

Another clicking screech sounded from its open jaw before it stared toward me.

I wanted to run, cry, and scream, but I was bolted to the ground on my knees. My muscles were frozen and stiff while a part of me refused to believe this was real. It couldn't be.

But it was.

The lumbering creature swept one of its long arms at me, forcing me to tumble out of the way or be shredded by the thin long nails aiming for me. I barely made it, getting nicked on the arm as I crashed to the ground before scrambling to my feet to run. I didn't dare look back at the angry shriek that sounded or the pounding steps that followed after me.