The Spirit's Demon.

Chapter Three.

/   /   H E M M I N G W A Y   /   /

- 8 : 3 0 P M -

"Are you okay?" the green eyed man asked in a serious tone. His face still unrecognizable in my horrified state but even though I couldn't make out the strong details of his face I couldn't help but feel like I knew him. "Who are you?"

"What was that thing?" I tremble.

Ignoring my questions, he grabbed my arms and pulled me onto weak knees that swayed unsteadily when weight was applied. "Are you injured, did the Clary bite or scratch you in any way --Did it!?!" His green eyes were fierce, scaring me a little.

"I don't think so."

"Yes or no --this could mean your life!?!"

"No it just grabbed my leg." I point to the leg. Once I said that the guy grabbed my right leg and set it on his knee before rolling up my pants, the cold air causing immediate goosebumps across my skin. "Nothing... it didn't poison you."

"Poison?"

"Yes Clary's are extremely venomous."

"What's that?" I asked but he didn't even get a chance to answer my question when a voice echoed through the enclosed space of the alleyway. "Hey what's going on out here!?!" immediately at the introduction of this third person the man in front of me got an upset look on his face.

"Shit!" He muttered while looking past me, turning my head as well I saw the form of another young man. He was standing in the building's threshold, an ugly orange glow of light illuminating behind him as he peered out.

"Hey you!!" the guy's eyes suddenly fell upon us. "You get away from that girl you bastard!!" He suddenly started running in our direction, white apron blowing in the wind. "Get outta here!!" the guy yelled again, this time making me turn back to the man I previously was with but when I turned around he wasn't there. Vanishing into thin air as if he was never real.

How did he disappear like that?

I stared bewildered at the man's speed, I didn't even notice him leave. "Hey are you okay? Did he hurt you?" turning back to face the butcher boy, the distance between us had now been closed and he was standing right next to me, face contorted with concern.

Now that he was closer I could see that his apron was dirty, covered in smudges of blood and other liquids. The apron also read 'LOUIE'S' in red font. I immediately knew the place, it was a family owned butchery and restaurant at the beginning of the alleyway facing the main road. It was less than thirty feet from where I was currently.

Wow I was really only thirty feet from freedom.

From safety.

Thirty feet, it all felt so much further in the moment. When that monster had me in its grasp it felt like I was being pulled straight into the depths of hell --like the ground had opened and swallowed me whole. "Yo kid are you okay." the butcher interrupted my thoughts, his looked deeply concerned even through his tough guy appearance, confirming that at least one person had heard my cries for help.

He even came quickly at that but if he heard my screams and came as soon as he heard them then he must've seen the huge monster dead less than ten feet from me or at least the man who was here when he yelled.

How was he keeping his composure?

How was he not freaking out like I was?

I studied the man more but his features didn't look the slightest bit scared --he just looked confused. Maybe he didn't see it? Maybe he only saw the guy and thought I was simply being mugged.