Evil with a D

Chapter 22

Image: Aaron
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A small groan slipped Stay's lips, though it only made the ache in her throat worse. Her very breathing made her throat feel raw and gritty. Reaching up she touched her neck, wincing as pain started where she touched. Her eyes started to flutter, squinting against the harsh light surrounding her. Pushing herself into a sitting position, Stacy raised her hand as she tried to block the sun and take in her surroundings. She scrambled to her feet when she found herself in a desert. Red sand lay for miles all around her, mountains peaked in the distance though obviously far from where she stood.

She could already feel the heat of the sun overhead, sweat breaking out and finding it harder to breath with each second. Unsure of what do to or where to go she wondered if it would be better to walk or stay. With the sun breathing on her as it did she knew she couldn't possibly stay. She turned in a slow circle, taking a moment to decide before she took a breath and started walking. 

It felt like hours later when she stopped, dizzy from the heat and still struggling to breath. She didn't dare crouch or sit though, not wanting to worry over if she'd ever get up again. Squinting she almost started cussing aloud when she realized the mountains she'd been aiming for didn't seem any closer than they had been before. She might have even cried if she'd had the water in her body to spare. Movement in front of and to her right caught her attention. A small whimper of left her when she saw a form huddle on the ground some yards away. She turned and stumbled forward, unable to find her voice to call out to the person with how dry and cottony her mouth felt. Maybe they had water though or a camp nearby.

Her steps slowed though as she grew nearer, a frown forming. At first she thought they were dead. The person's body was so thin that the leather like skin had pulled taunt over their bones making them look more skeleton than human. Stacy pulled up short with a gasp when it turned, hallowed black eyes meeting hers. Its face wasn't much better than its body, nose missing and leaving two holes where it should've been. As it stood and turned, Stacy's eyes instantly fell do the long clawed fingers that clicked as it took a step toward her. It's mouth opened revealing sharp, shark like teeth as a hissing sound left it. Stay's eyes darted to the ground, hands going to her mouth when she spotted the torn and mangled body of a person where the creature had been crouching.

When it took another step toward her she stumbled back, turning to run with the last of her strength. Gods above what had she stumbled into? Her hands flew to her ears when the creature let out a high pitched screeching sound. It didn't take long for others in the distance to reply. There were more?! Stacy didn't bother looking over her shoulder, not wanting to risk tripping. Though she knew already she wasn't going to get away. She could hear the pounding of its feet on the hard ground behind her. Could hear the creature catching up to her in her weakened state. The closer it got the sooner she knew she was to death.

A hoarse cry of pain left her when she felt it's claws slash her back. She stumbled forward, losing her balance and crashed into the ground her enough to slide a bit on the sand. The tan of blood hit her nose as she lay stunned, a strangled yell leaving her when a hand wrapped around her ankle and dragged her back a couple feet. She struggled onto her back, ignoring the sting as she faced the creature. When it lunged forward she kicked at its face with her free foot, taking some satisfaction when it stumbled back and released her. It was a short lived victory though, one that had the creature rushing at her with its claws aimed for the kill.

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Greg stumbled through the portal in his rush to get through, slamming the door behind him. He didn't even bother to look around him as he rushed toward the nearest castle exit. He froze, throwing himself against the wall by the doors to the throne room. He stood stunned for a moment before leaning to peek inside, frowning as he watched the demon nobles of the kingdom laugh and mingle while Demetrious watched from the throne on the dais. A throne where Lucas should have sat.