Counting Crows

V; FIVE FOR TRICKS

January 4th, 113 AS

--

I was only given two weeks. Two weeks to grieve. Then, life went back to normal.

Father started wearing brighter colors, as did the rest of the Crawfords. But, it didn't feel right. Percy deserved more than fourteen days.

I was still dressed in black, against Father's will. He told me that the mourning was over, but it wasn't for me. I lost four people.

Kalon and Ione weren't people, but they felt like it. They felt like my real family.

Despite the frigid weather, I went to the graveyard everyday. Father, also, didn't approve of my frequent visits.

Secretly, I hoped that one day the cold would get to me, just like it did to Elysium. I would be found icy blue and rigid with death. It wasn't a pretty thought, but I knew that it would be the only way to see Percy again.

I trekked through the thick, packable snow. With every step freezing water squished out of my boot. Gusts of wind sent deep shivers down my spine. They whipped my face bright red and made my eyes water, but I kept going.

Soon enough, stone slabs started to poke through the white death.

I carefully trudge through the snow, trying to not lose my shoe. Soon enough, I came to their headstones. They were just slabs now, their bodies wouldn't be buried here until the dirt softened.

Balls of glossy black feathers appeared over the edge of the next row. There were five of them. Their eyes glistened with malice as they hopped closer to their gravestones.

I took a step back as my heart raced. They were here for something sinister, something evil.

Five for tricks.

They were going to play a trick on me. A sinister trick from the look in their eye and the way they came towards me.

My heart was in my stomach and I couldn't hear anything other than my heart pounding against my chest. A crow locked eyes with me, and hopped onto Percy's grave. Then, it let out a horrible, blood -curdling screech.

I threw my hands over my ears and ran. Tears ran down my face as I sprinted home. The wild crows were everywhere, reminding me of what I did. They wanted me to pay for killing Ione. Maybe I deserved it.

I stopped dead in my tracks. Standing in the middle of the path was Percy. Something is wrong with him. I couldn't put my finger on it.

"Percy?" I asked, sobbing. "You're dead."

He walks toward me, a large grin on his face. It was a little too wide.

"I didn't die, Corby. That was a dream. I've been looking all over for you."

I hesitated as he walked closer. "Where have you been, then?"

"We were at the Golding estate, healing."

This wasn't my Percy. I knew it wasn't. But, I wanted it to be. Maybe if I pretend it's him, then I'll be happy. But, I know I won't. I won't ever be happy again.

"Come here, Corb, let's go home."

"You're not Percy." I say, starting to back away from him. "This is a trick."

"You could've had me again, Corby, but you had to ruin it?" Percy grabs his face and rips it off. He keeps pulling his skin off until there is none left. "Good luck sleeping tonight, Corby." His jaw unhinges and a black liquid starts oozing out. The thick liquid drips onto the snow, melting it.

I ran past him towards the Crawford estate. Everywhere I look, I can see him. He's following me, leaving a trail of black liquid in his wake.

It's not real.

The crows are just playing a trick.

It'll all be back to normal at home.

I turned the corner and the Manor came into view. Standing underneath the stone archway, covered in sharp icicles, was Percy. He waved at me, his bulging eyes staring into my soul.

Percy was not going away.

I turned on my heels and ran. There was only one more place to go. Snow kicked up behind me as I ran through the forest. I saw occasional glimpses of Percy, but I ignored it.

The tall trees loomed over me as I neared my destination. Their branches hung low from the weight of the snow. Percy hid in them, waiting for me. Our trips out here were the same, I would run ahead and climb a branch, only to pounce on him when he passed it. But, this was different. He was not my Percy. My Percy died two weeks ago. This was a trick devised by the wild crows.

Soon, the Madlock Manor came into view. I ran onto the porch. Morana was there, walking out of the door.

"Corby?" She asks. "Why are you crying?" Percy stood behind her, his grotesque hands ready to wrap around her fragile neck.

"Behind you!" I screamed. She looked behind her and he vanished. Morana looked back at me, worried. She grabbed my hand and led me inside.

"Come here, Corby." She sat me down in front of the fire. I gave her my coat. "I'll get Mom."

She walked out of the common room and down the hall. I looked around the room, I knew he was going to appear somewhere.

After a few minutes of frantically looking around, I settled down. If he was going to be here, then he would already be here.

I looked back at the flickering fire. Its heat spread through my bones. Finally, peace was brought into this messy world, and I was at the center of it.

I took in a deep breath, taking in the smell of the hickory wood. My eyes shut, calming myself.

It's okay. It was just a trick. The crows just played a horribly cruel trick on you, but it's alright.

A bony hand wraps around my ankle and pulls me down. I opened my eyes and saw Percy. He was black, burnt to a crisp. Pieces of his muscle melted off and fell into the fire below.

"Hello, Corby." His hand tightened around my ankle and he pulled. I kicked, trying to get him away from me. But, it was no use. He was much stronger than me.

Percy pulled me across the floor, causing splinters to embed themselves deep into my skin.

My ears rang and my heart pounded deep in my chest. This was going to be the end of me. I would be dragged into the fire, dying at a young age of ten.

I deserved it. My carelessness caused Ione to die, and I let Percy die. The crows are attracted to me, they want to cause me pain, and they knew he was my world.

"You deserve this." Percy says as the flames start to lick my leg. I scream. A pair of hands pull me away from the fire. I look up, my watery eyes making it harder to see. Mom pulled me close as she stared into the fire. Her mouth is moving, but all I hear is ringing.

Then, everything goes dark.

Mom told me someone had disturbed Percy's body, that's why he came back to haunt me. But, I know it was the crows. They were the one that caused him to come back. They tried to kill me.

The wild crows want me dead. Maybe they will succeed one day.