And What I Found There - Book Two

19. Looks a Lot Like a Tragedy Now

Honestly, Ghost Hills strikes me as the kinda place one shouldn't get lost in. But damn. For the life of me, I totally can't remember where I came from! I slow down to a miserable walk, sucking wind like I don't normally do and clutching my aching side. The eerie glowing fog is back, so it's not as dark as a crypt but still, it's too dark for comfort. And cold. God, it's cold.

I'm covered in dirt and blood and slime and webs and really wish I could change into something warmer but I'm too nervous to summon any magic right now. I mean, what if I run into more Myx? Or something worse? I'll need my magic to defend myself and I'm terrified of the thought of running out of power.

Suddenly a feather drifts down in front of me. Huh? I hold out my hand and watch it fall into my palm, the feather is bloody and there's a ragged clump of flesh dangling from the mangy feather.

I scream and drop it, doing a jittery jive of disgust as I rub my hand off madly on my skirt.

 Abruptly a whole flock of birds dive from the trees and fly into my face. I scream as they attack me, ripping and tearing my clothes into ribbons with their talons and beaks. All these birds look like they've been hit by cars and have been brought back to life!

I summon magic to my hands and a huge bubble of bright white light explodes in front of me.

The birds screech as they're hurled through the air and I take off running, this kills my side with the busted ribs, but I don't stop. I duck under another massive root but now suddenly the ground dips and I slip. I'm sent rolling over the pebble covered ground.

I'm panting with desperate pain as I wobblily force myself up to my knees. My hair is a ragged mess, my skin is torn, and blood is covering me. My dress is reduced to ripped threads, and I feel like I'm going to vomit. My cracked rib sends waves of agony coursing through me. I gingerly brush my fingertips over my forehead and whimper at the stinging pain. I pull my hand back and look at my fingers, the blood that comes off my head is dried and dirty. Lovely. I feel like hell, and I look like a reanimated zombie. Can this night get any better?

I wearily pull myself up to my feet but the pain that radiates from my injured side suddenly sears gruelingly, making me scream. It feels like a branding iron is being poked into my side. Stupid, broken rib! I clutch my side and, wincing, lower myself back to the ground. I need a little break, just long enough to catch my breath, that's all...

A hissing sound makes my heart skip a few beats and my blood feels like it has frozen in my veins like ice water.

I slowly stand and turn on shaky heels. My mouth drops open as I see a Myx crawl out from underneath a root base. Its lipless smile seemingly widens as its glowing pale green eyes land on me. It hisses again and creepily half-crawls half-hops down the slight embankment on all fours to stand only a few yards away from me. It slowly stands. The zombie's chest rises and falls quickly as the breeze blows right through me and into it.

I quickly take off my cross necklace and hold it in front of me as I take a step closer to the Myx, tempted to see if crosses have the same effect on all Dark creatures as they do Vampires.

I wave it at the Myx. No reaction. I hear another hissing sound behind me and, instinctively, I spin around to look. There are four more of them behind -

Ow!

I'm jumped from behind. The Myx lands on my back as I twist around and bites my flailing arm. The other four rush me and I am mobbed and taken to the ground under the snarling bodies that are trying to eat my flesh off my bones.