A Witch's Tale

Chapter 2

Running through the town did nothing but earn her disgusted looks, and fringe her nerves. Taliana was nowhere to be found amongst these people. Even when she tried asking the town folk if they had seen her, they all just scorned her. They either turned from her or laughed that they wouldn't associate themselves with such filth. Talking to people was more trouble than it was worth. She didn't know why she even tried. They didn't care. No one cared about them. Malanishka would have to find her sister on her own.

The only place left was the beach and the docks. Her lungs burned from all the careless running, but she couldn't stop now. Whatever was causing her mother such distress, and Malanishka's sudden anxieties, was tied to whatever her sister was doing. The sound of the ocean's waves soon came into earshot, but she didn't slow. The beach's sand seemed to absorb the slamming of her feet as she ran across it. It felt almost clumsy, but she couldn't help it, she was desperate.

When her sister came into view, she could barely believe it. It felt like she was searching for her for hours. Hell, she might have been, seeing as the sun was beginning to set. Malanishka almost yelled out her sister's name, but stopped mid-run, another person coming into view. Her pace slowed, but never stopped. Who was that with her sister? It looked like they were embracing each other. Was this why Taliana brought up the subject of getting married so suddenly? Mishka was close enough to hear their conversation, if they were having any, by the time the man saw her and motioned Taliana towards her. Mishka froze at her sister's smile. Her soul felt like it was being ripped apart at the seams, yet her sister seemed happy. What was going on?

"Mishka!" Her sister called out with that huge smile painted on her face. "I have someone I'd like you to meet." Malanishka took a weary step forward. "Don't be afraid. He's not going to hurt you." She giggled before adding on. "He's my fiancé. Mishka, this is Andrew. He's offered us a new home. On an island! Isn't that exciting? Mishka, you don't have to worry about the villagers anymore." Her sister seemed so happy, but why did his smile seem so sickening?

"This is your sister?" He asked with that disgusting grin. Malanishka took a full step back. Something wasn't right. How could her sister not sense that she was in danger? Every instinct in her body told her to run, but she couldn't, not without Taliana. She told her mother that she would bring her sister back, and that's what she planned to do.

"Tala, I think it's time to go home now." Mishka couldn't recall ever using such a serious tone in her life, not that she spoke much at all.

"Not you too." Tala groaned. "Did mom tell you to come get me?"

"Mishka, don't you want to come live with us, away from this smelly fisherman's town? There can't be much for you here, huh?" He tried to hold out his hand for her but it just caused her to take another step back. The hairs on the back of her neck straightened, and a shiver ran down her spine.

"We should really go back home. Tala, please, let's go back to mama." Mishka begged, inching away from him slowly, fighting the urge to run away as fast as she could.

Taliana sighed and rolled her eyes, but eventually gave in. "Alright, I'll go talk to mom. Andrew, I'll be back in a little bit okay?" She smiled sweetly just to have a look of twisted amusement come from her supposed fiancé's face.

"Sorry darling, I don't think I can do that." He mused.

"What are you talking about? I'll be right back." She told him again, this time a little more annoyed with him. She didn't get it. She didn't get the jeopardy they were in. This human was dangerous. Why didn't Taliana understand?

"The ship will be leaving soon, and we have no time to waste, darling." The word was more like a sick joke than a term of endearment.

"Tala, run!" Malanishka screamed the warning picking up the first hard object her hands could find in the sand beneath her. She threw whatever it was straight at the man, making contact on the side of his face. It wasn't much but it was enough to distract him so Taliana could run.