Ashes (Of the Earth Series)

Chapter 5.1 - Grappling with Ghosts

Fear engulfed me as I felt something vile latch onto my body. I struggled madly, punching and kicking with every last ounce of energy I had. Desperation pulsed through me as my eyes met those of the creature's, a deep and sinister shade of blue, the same blue that I'd seen pulsating on that creature on the girl's neck. "I am not going to end up like her," I thought.

Unable to move, constrained within its grasp, I did the only thing I could. In a final effort of desperation, my face contorted in rage as I lunged at the creature once with a guttural yell, sinking my teeth into the horrific being and tasting its foul blood.

"Ah! Mother fucker!" The creature screamed in pain and stumbled backward. I lunged again and it dodged away, its grip tightening on me.

"Alec! Dude! What the fuck? You bit me, you fucking prick!" The creature swung a fist at me, connecting with my face with a sickening thud. My head snapped back as I reeled backwards, unsteady on my feet, the world around me spinning.

It grabbed me and shook me and I snarled again, struggling to pull away.

"Alec, calm down! Alec!" It shouted before delivering a sharp slap to my face. I fell to the ground and felt my head slam into the wall, and finally, the pain brought the world back into focus, my senses returning to me.

I peered up at the creature again, and slowly the horrifying features melted away to reveal none other than Michael - his shirt now stained with blood where I had bitten him moments ago, color blooming across the white fabric. He held the wound tenderly, his expression furious.

Michael stepped closer but I held out my hands and scooted back, shaking my head. I bit my lip hard until I tasted blood and and whimpered softly. "No. Stay away." My whole body shook with fear as I backed away from him and stood, pressing against the wall.

Michael's expression changed from one of fear, anger and pain, to one of confusion and genuine concern. He knelt down. "Alec? Hey? I've never seen ya like this."

"Stay away," I repeated, my voice hoarse.

"Alec, it's me, I would never hurt ya. Well, I mean, I punched ya in the face, but what the fuck is this...?" My body began to shake uncontrollably as his words hung in the air. Abruptly Michael disregarded my warning, taking deliberate steps forward and capturing my hands within his own and pulled me to my feet.

"No, please, please don't, don't, please," I repeated, my voice strained.

Michael pulled my arms to the side, setting them on his shoulders and spread his own wide in an invitation for an embrace.

When I didn't move or react, he slowly moved closer, pulling me into a hug and squeezing my body against his own as I continued to fight off the urge to break free.

I shut my eyes shut tightly, feeling like I was melting into Michael's embrace. My heart raced as he rubbed circles on my back and whispered soothing words into my ear. I closed my eyes tightly, feeling like I was melting into Michael's embrace as every breath gradually brought more relief into my mind that it was finally over – that I was safe now.

I lowered my head and placed my face against Michael's chest and sobbed uncontrollably. With every shred of strength left in my body, I returned his embrace and tightened my grip around him until the shakes subsided. "Oh my god, oh my god. Michael. I was so scared."

Michael cradled the back of my head and held it into his shoulder. "What happened in there, bub?" He whispered softly into my ear, refusing to let go even as I involuntarily convulsed and trembled.

My body removed from a fight or flight state, I found myself no longer able to speak, my frame twitching as I clung to Michael like a lifeline, tears streaming down my face as the horror of what I had witnessed replayed in my mind. My breaths came in ragged gasps, and I could feel the pulse of Michael's heartbeat against my cheek.