Counting Crows

VIII; SEVEN IN THE GARDEN BRINGS PAIN

September 21st, 127 AS

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The path home was haunting. Arachmoor has its fair share of horror, but this was nothing compared to how it normally feels.

I just have to make it to the house, then I'll be safe. The thought of home didn't settle my nerves like it usually does. Something was off and the town was trying to warn me.

That was the thing that haunted most people at night. The town was alive. It was a living and breathing organism, maybe not in the practical sense, but it was alive. It warned people of incoming dangers, even if they didn't know what it meant. The town looked after the people and we looked after the town. It was a perfect symbiotic relationship, like a bee and a flower. The bee takes nectar from the flower for honey, but in return the bee spreads the flower's pollen, creating more flowers for the bees to make honey from.

The town was watching over me from something, but I don't know what. Usually it's nothing, just a minor thing that doesn't ruin your day, or life. I can't be sure of that with the curse. It looms over my head like a guillotine, ready to cut my head off in one fell swoop.

Through the thick fog I couldn't see much. Just the area a little over an arms length away. My lantern couldn't cut through it either. My only hope for survival was listening in case a beast charged after me in this thick fog, hoping for an easy meal.

Freshly fallen leaves littered the wet ground. They weren't crunchy with decay just yet, the sudden downpour over the past few days didn't help either. So, here they sat, soaked and rotting, soon to become the dirt that feeds the trees they were ripped from.

"Corbin?" A voice asks. I look ahead of me and see a light starting to emerge from the thick fog. Kalonice breaks through the fog, looking distraught. Her hair is a mess as she clutches her stomach, slightly swollen with a child. She was only three months along, it wasn't quite noticeable, yet.

"Kalonice, it's not safe to be out here." I rest my hands gently on her stomach, worried for their safety.

"You were taking too long to get home, Tempesta and I were worried. But, it's happening." She grabs my hand and drags me down the path. Kalonice pulls my arm as we run back to the house, her grip is deathly tight and there is a certain fear glimmering in her eyes. She is scared of something.

My heart throbs as it bangs against my chest. Kalonice isn't the type to get worked up over a small thing. That's why my heart is pounding and my hands are clammy. Whatever was worrying her and Tempesta must not be good, especially today.

We ran onto the porch, where Tempesta was waiting, impatiently tapping her foot. Kalonice runs inside as Tempesta grabs my sleeve.

"They're still there. I've tried scaring them away, but they're relentless, Uncle. I don't understand why they won't leave you alone!" Her eyes are glossy, tears bound to fall at any moment. I stroke her cheek as a stray tear falls.

"Don't worry, it won't happen again." She pulls away from me, a flash of anger on her face.

"It's happened four times, Uncle!" Tears are falling down her face, leaving little trails in their wake. "They're here to collect their bounty and they won't leave until it happens. You know that, but you want to pretend like everything is going to be fine. It's not fine, Uncle!"

"Calm down, Temp. It'll be fine."

"No, I can't hear her scream again. It makes my blood run ice cold everytime I hear it in my nightmare. This needs to stop!"

"I need to go, Temp. The scream haunts me too, but I need you to be ready, alright?"

She wipes her tears away then nods. I run to the back door, where Kalonice stands. Her golden eyes are staring up at them.