GENESIS

CHAPTER 8: ENEMIES

The sky was very grey today, so it's probably going to rain. My head was drowsy and I was walking weirdly the whole day. Sasha and Mizuki were hanging out in the grass in the morning when it started pouring and they took their playing inside. Everyone else was sharpening their weapons or playing poker. That idea was Noah's, since he's the daredevil here apparently. No one really talked, I guess. The only noise you could hear was the clock ticking and the tea kettle hissing. I suddenly had deja vu.

Animals squeaked and clattered from the back, and I heard steam whistling from a kettle. She smiled and laughed in her wheezy voice. It reminded me of the steaming kettle in her kitchen.

I shook myself and sweat beaded my forehead. More memories flashed through my mind. I heaved the boxes into the cupboard, straining. I breathed out heavily, my back bending over. I picked up some clothes and they crumpled up under my tight grip. My head started hurting.

My mother. She was young here, sitting on the old family couch and sewing something. Young me sat in her lap, and was smiling like I never imagined I could. Her hands were fiddling with mother's dress ribbons. The moment froze. It fast-forwarded, and a new scene played in my head.

Mother and Father silent. Young me watching from the corner of the wall. Then she slapped him. I watched in horror, tears streaming down my face.

I yelled out. Everyone looked at me. I was shocked at the voice coming from me. I never knew I could do that without a tongue. My hands covered my mouth, and I felt something dribble down. When I looked down, blood covered my fingertips. My eyes flickered, and I ran towards the door. When I got outside, I spat out all the blood. I needed to be alone right now.

The wind whistled quietly. The trees swayed. No birds or anything. I just sat there, feeling more alone than ever. I noticed something, though. If you listened close enough, you could hear something trickling. It sounded like water, but it didn't feel right. Like the world was arranged wrong at this very moment. I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. A white hooded creature with a white mask was drinking something from a high place. It noticed me staring and started in surprise. I lifted my hands in a non-threatening way. They inched closer to me, and I had my inner demon ready, just in case. I wasn't going to get kidnapped again. They had a bow on their back, and I thought that was worrying, until you realise how dangerous this world has become. They suddenly called out. I was a warble, very high-pitched but didn't sound like their real voice. Loud rustling came from all around her. At least twenty more people with white hoods and masks came out of the trees, bows firing. I took cover, keeping low to the ground. The door of the cabin swung open, and Ria stood at the front of the formation, knives and guns pointing at the others. They didn't fall back.

'Aurora,' Said the leader of the creatures, 'Don't you... recognise me?'They uncovered their hood, and I saw someone I really wish wasn't here. Alisa. No one is more serious than that elf. Her ears were still adorned with green and red jewels and her blond hair straighter than someone's paralized spine. When her gaze met mine, it sent chills running through my veins.

Ria flicked her hair and said, 'You really have a knack for making enemies'. I knew that, but I couldn't help it when I was made to do that.

'Stop jabbering and let's get this over with.'Alisa murmured, and undid her sleeves, pulling out an arrow. That was weird. Why not get one from her quiver? Then I noticed it was different from the other ones. It had dark black goop dripping from the tip, like it was covered in...

'EVERYONE, GET DOWN!' I signed out with a yell, and they all bobbed to the wet ground. When the arrow sprung on the ground, everything evaporated in smoke. The cabin wobbled and the trees bent. It felt like we were having hallucinations. Her laughter rang in our ears.

'Stop struggling! This is a poisonous fog, and if you inhale it, it's very likely that you'll be seeing this and have ringing in your ears for the rest of your life.'Alisa sneered. We couldn't see her, but we heard her voice. There was nothing we could do. We were going to be stuck like this forever! I nearly cried when something hit me inside with a pang. My demon! It couldn't be affected by this! If we could all find each other first, though... Something grasped me from behind. I turned to see Noah and Ria, but they looked inverted. I nearly laughed, but I knew this wasn't a good time.

They gave me a mask and I quickly put it on. I was finally able to breathe but didn't bother asking where they got them from. I saw a small figure in front of me and instantly knew it was Sasha and Mizuki huddling together. I scooped them up and put them on my back. Noah suddenly gestured at me and took the kids. It looked like it was no trouble carrying them. I never knew he was this strong. Focus, Aurora. Noah ran off and got the kids to safety. I stood still and breathed out. I inhaled again and mustered the strength, summoning my inner demon. The air hissed as it spread. Red and black appeared in front of me and I looked at it with worry. Then it unleashed its power and slashed its claws against the hallucinations.