Witch Hunt

Running

I was running. I didn't know where I was all I knew was I had to keep going. I entered the woods and hopped fallen trees trying to escape them. I don't know how they knew but someone saw and told them. They meant to kill us. My little sister was running not to far behind me desperately trying to keep up.

"Come on" I shouted.

"But Alex I can't! My legs are about to give out."

I halted to a stop and grab Lacy by her waist to pick her up and started running again. You're probably wondering why the hell we are being chased for, and by who.

Witch hunters. God I hated the term... witch. It sounded so evil and ancient. Warlock was an even dumber title. We preferred sorcerers, and that is what me and my sister are.

Everyone thought that sorcery was over, that it didn't exist. That would be the effect from the hunters, they've made us almost extinct.Almost.

I've had my suspicions about several people but for sure I know about my family and my best friend, Brett. He moved a long time ago when Witch hunters got a little too close for comfort.

Now it was our turn to move away, to escape and stay low. But first we have to find the safe house in these woods to even have a chance.

I've been to the safe place once before, it is hidden in a tree up on a hill. Only a sorcerer can open it, and by open it I mean awaken the gate keeper. To awaken her you put your hand on the tree and if allowed one of the trees branches turns into a woman. You can tell she is still part of the tree because she has a tint of green to her skin and dark bark colored hair. She will climb down and wave her hand allowing you to enter.

Sometimes if there is a sense of great danger she will awaken immediately so the entrance is already open when a sorcerer gets there. At this moment, that did not work in our favor.

When we reached the tree the keeper was already awaken however, a hunter reached her first. Holding a knife to her throats they stood in front of the tree.

"Huh, a guy witch. Haven't seen that in a long time. Generally it's troublesome girls who mess around with that magic crap." The hunter said.

"Let her go. Take me but let them go. I'm the more powerful one." I replied. The hunter was much taller than me, a rough face and crooked teeth. He snared back at me, "You know I can't do that, all witches must be executed." He paused, " even those who aren't true witches but help them." He stayed while tightening his grip on the keeper.

I had had enough of this pleading, guess I have to put some fear in him. You see sorcerers don't just use a bunch of silly spells, we have true magic and are very underestimated.

"Well I tried to be peaceful." I spoke to him.

I flicked my hand and my purple magic showed as it hit the man and knocked the knife out of his hand. I brought the knife to my hand and walked to the hunter who laid on the ground. Now it was his time to plea.

I heard a screech. It was my sister who was grabbed and had a magic restraining charm on her, the other hunters had caught up.

"Drop it!" One of them yelled at me.

I made no move to release the weapon. I might be a strong sorcerer but I had no chance against seven hunters. I was shot. Not by a gun but by a dart, meant to block my power and paralyze me. It didn't do that good of a job paralyzingly me but it did stop my magic.

They rushed at us. I was easily taken down by two with no magic however, the keeper flew up into her tree. Way to leave us I thought.

Then I heard her call something, it sounded more like a curse than anything in a language I did not know.

The hunters looked confused but continued to try and get her. Then it seemed like time slowed almost to a stop. A haze of red, seemingly pure power, radiated down. It hit the ground and expanded, although it did not effect me I can't say the same for the hunters.

All at once they collapsed. The red power faded away, I looked up to see the keeper floating down. She landed with grace and met my confused gaze.

"That wasn't me if that's what your thinking." She stated

"Then what was that? That was power like I've never seen before." I replied.

"You will know eventually, when you need that power to protect you." After she said this she handed me a piece of paper. "Only open it when you have no way out"

Then she was gone. The entrance to the safe house opened, I took my sister's hand and we stepped inside.