8. Chapter Eight
Chapter eight
Brooklyn
My head feels like it’s going to explode and the ringing in my ears doesn't help with the migraine that’s pressing against my skull.
My body feels like it’s been trampled on and every bone has been shattered.
I try to open my eyes but it’s as if sand has been caked in deep.
The vile smell of rotting flesh invades my senses, causing me to gag.
I don’t try to open my eyes again because, honestly, I’m terrified to see what’s on the other side.
Maybe hell? Is that where we go when these demonic creatures suck your soul out of your body?
Hell smells like shit and someone needs to tell them to get an air freshener or something.
I tend to think of humor in shitty situations.
Is it smart? Probably not. I should be more worried about what’s happening around me than trying to make light of the situation.
The memories of what occurred come flooding back to the front.
The most horrifying creature invaded my personal space as their warm, disgusting breath skates across my skin.
I’ll never forget the rubber like skin, sharp claws, red eyes, and horns that purged out of its skull.
It was a nightmare that you pray to never come true, but there it was, right in front of me.
I was not prepared for the hidden creatures that stalk this world. At this point, maybe vampires and werewolves are actually real and not just stories you read in books. I’d much rather have my blood sucked and feel the sudden arousal you get than the stench of decay and broken body parts.
Wait, I wonder if that’s true? What the fuck am I thinking? Instead of being present, trying to get out of here, I think about blood sucking and being horny. At least my last thoughts will be decent.
“I know you’re awake, little one. You can’t escape your fate.” The grating voice causes the hair on the back of my neck to stand up.
My eyes slowly open as I blink away the blurriness.
The same creature that threw me around like a rag doll, stands mere inches from my face.
His nostrils flare as he tilts his head to the side at an uncomfortable angle as he pins me with his unblinking stare.
I try to shift my body away from him but I’m bound with some sort of black magic binding.
As he rises from his crouched position, movement catches my eye from behind him. There are about ten hooded creatures moving into a position, which appears to be a circle. Taking in my surroundings, I realize that I’m dead center in this circle they are creating, sitting upon a huge flat stone.
Markings adorn the surface that I don’t recognize but the senses of evil radiate from them. I’m tethered to a wooden stake, no doubt about to be the sacrifice for their ritual.
Panic surges through my bones as the stories come forth of the curse of the Salem Witches. What I can’t understand is why my family?
“Why are you doing this? What did we ever do to you to deserve this?” My voice cracks, making me sound weak. Well, considering how fucked up I am, I guess that’s true.
The creature cackles in response as it glides back and forth in front of me. The hooded begin to whisper but in a language I can’t understand, as if they're summoning something. Dark magic seeps from their pores, causing my skin to crawl.
“There’s nothing that you particularly did, little one.
You’re collateral that was promised to us because of what your ancestors did.
I feel pity for you. Why must you pay for their choices?
Alas, a soul is a soul, and yours will make a great addition.
” It comes towards me again with extended talons.
I hold my breath as the tip of the talon comes inches from my face before it travels down to my chest and pricks my skin.
I can feel blood bubbling up to the surface and a slight sting from the needle-like puncture.
The way it speaks about my family is appalling.
I can’t imagine any of the women in my family making a poor decision to hurt another.
They were kind and loving and only wanted to help the community to live in love and light.
“My family escaped the purging that happened in Salem. They were not the enemy. They lived peaceful lives, helping those around them. The real enemies are the fuckers who killed innocents and ruined lives. This is so fucked up,” I spit back defending my family.
“Wrong, child! If it wasn’t for your family dipping into business that wasn’t theirs, that purge wouldn’t have occurred.
They recognized another coven's dark magic and aimed to destroy them. They nearly did as they killed the leader but two of the members survived and sought vengeance. As the two stayed hidden, they created spells, causing mayhem to occur within the town to turn on their beloved witches. A hex was placed upon your family line and a deal with the devil was made. We survive off souls, so we didn’t hesitate to follow through with the promise our maker had made.
” The creature recites the story as if it has been repeated over and over again for centuries.
He speaks like my family is a disgusting piece of shit but, in reality, it’s the witches who performed the dark arts.
My family only wanted to protect the people.
But in the end, the very community they loved turned on them due to a fucking spell.
The community was so blinded to realize that my family helped the people get over illnesses, injuries, and protection.
“You can tell those witches to eat shit. You’re not getting my soul. I would rather die before you have the chance to take it,” I scream at them, like I’m in any position to fight. My blood’s boiling but, even with the amount of rage inside, it can’t break the hold they have on me.
“You’re right on one thing, little one. You’ll die tonight and we’ll enjoy sucking your delicious life out of you,” he teases with a smile that’s horrifying.
With all the strength I can muster, my leg kicks out and slams into his chest, causing him to fly backwards.
He wasn’t ready for the impact and he lands on the ground with an earth-shattering thud.
A growl vibrates, shaking the earth as he gets up and lunges at me with ungodly speed.
His talons wrap around my neck, cutting off my air supply.
I gasp, trying to suck in air but my sight begins to dim.
He lets go of my throat and a sharp talon cuts down my arm, causing radiating pain to spread across my body. Blood starts to drip down my arm and splash onto the stone. The markings start to glow as more of my blood spills upon it, activating the beginning of my death.
“You taste so rich and innocent. It’s a shame we have to spill your blood for sacrifice. I would much rather drink you dry.” The creature licks its talons and purrs with satisfaction. “I wonder if your little guard dogs had a chance to taste you.”
Lightning and thunder cracks above us and the earth begins to shake like an earthquake trying to take down everything in its path. The air becomes chilling and a faint howl carries in the sudden breeze.
Those howls take me back to when I was being chased the first time. Maybe the wolves don’t serve these disgusting beings but are a warning for the three delicious men I left behind. Maybe, just maybe, they’re signaling my location.
Looking up into the sky, clouds part letting the full moon shine through. I breathe in the rays, taking in its strength. As the chaos unfolds around me, I center myself and set my intentions. Taking a deep breath and closing my eyes, I recite my affirmation for protection as I’m helpless and bound.
“By the light that surrounds me, I’m safe and free.
With love as my armor, no harm shall come to me.
In the shadows that linger, I stand strong and bright.
Protected and guided, I embrace the light.
Negative forces, you can not draw near. With this shield of protection, I cast out all fear…
” As I chant the affirmation, from the Moon School, a dagger like penetration is stabbed into my upper shoulder.
My eyes open wide and I look down to a dagger embedded in my skin. The creature curses as he had missed my heart due to the shaking world below us. The pain is nothing that I have ever felt before. The dagger is laced with something dark and it burns causing me to scream in agony.
“Your spells won’t work here. Nothing is going to save you, not even mother nature who’s trying to interfere with our ritual. You will die tonight,” he seethes as he yanks the dagger out from my shoulder.
As the pain heightens, I think about the three demons who claimed to be mine.
I know they’re looking for me and if I’m honest with myself, I hope they are.
I should have never ran away from the cottage.
I stepped into my own undoing instead of being obedient when they told me to stay put.
I should have believed them when they advised me they were my protectors.
My soul aches for them. I now know that they were my survival, my saviors, and I didn’t give into what my heart wanted. I hope they find me before it’s too late. Even if the last of my light begins to dull, they’re the faces I want to see before I’m taken into the abyss.
“You’re wrong. Are you forgetting about the three demons you’re terrified of? The ones where you wouldn’t dare to cross but as a coward, lure me out so you didn’t have to face them yourself. I might die tonight, but so will you, you piece of shit,” I growl at the creature with pride.
“You forget, I’m already dead,” it responds as the circle of hooded beings begin to close in.
I’m suffocating by the energy they’re propelling and they aren’t even toughing me. I thrash in my restraint causing my injured shoulder to sear in blinding pain. I’d rather get slammed against a tree over and over again than feel the burning, tainted sensation cascading through my body.
The chants around me begin to grow louder and louder as the circle closes in.
I can feel claws wrap around my insides as if it’s holding onto my soul, trying to pull it forth.
I recite the affirmations over and over again, hoping that the goddess answers my pleas.
It’s a tug of war between my soul and the creatures inside me that causes my head to spin.
I can feel my body weakening from the internal battle and physical damage I have endured. Trying to hold on, I fight back with all the will I have to live and survive this nightmare. I’m losing this battle as I can feel myself start to slip and my body begins to convulse.
Beads of sweat run down my forehead as I try to resist the magic that consumes the fibers under my skin. Alas, the little energy I have left slowly depletes. Someone help me. Please. I don’t want to die.
The earth shakes again with rage, trying to shake off the creatures who aren’t meant for this world. My eyes shutter open to the creature stumbling backwards and the circle breaks an inch. The tug loosens, enabling me to scream for the very ones I doubted.
“CAYSON!” I scream out begging he can hear me. “brYDEN! KALLEN!”
Wolves ascend from behind the treeline with their ears set back and the fur on their backs standing straight up.
Their sharp teeth shine in the light as drool drips down their snout.
Slowly, they circle around, stalking their prey but they don’t advance.
They’re waiting for permission to attack as three dark clouds follow them, beginning to take their form.
This is going to be a bloody war and I’ve never felt so relieved.