Hush

Jack: Hunted

'Well, well, well, look what we have here.' Fenn practically purred in amusement, staring down at Jack who had been succumbing to his inner demons piece by piece, weighed down so heavy in his thoughts that he was now on the ground, crushing Hush between his legs and chest as he held his arms around his knees as though trying to hold himself together.

'How...interesting.' Fenn observed, 'to see the boy that is supposedly going to save Enchanten at the mercy of nothing but his own mind.'

Around him, within the shadows of the encroaching forest came a rustling, and a murmur of collective laughs. 'I almost feel sorry for you,' he looked around as though making sure they were alone. 'Get up.' He said now with a bite in his voice.

Jack looked up, his dark brown eyes heavy in grief stared up at the Shygurn, his warrior prowess imposing in comparison to Jack's small stature. If he was wanting a fight, Jack would have to fight smart, but Jack didn't want to fight any more, he was tired and emotionally spent, he shook his head in response.

'Leave me alone.' Jack whispered returning his face to his knees. 'I don't care what you think, I just want to go home, I hate this stupid place.' He said quietly. 'I hate all of the lies it puts in my head, all the voices.'

There was a moments pause before Fenn replied with a derisive snort. 'You think those are lies?' more laughter from the surrounding trees. Fenn laughing the loudest, but it abruptly stopped.

'I am not playing around now, boy,' his voice low and threatening. 'Get up.' He motioned upwards with his hand and Jack found himself forced to his feet by some unknown power that smothered him in that moment. Surprised and caught off guard by what had just happened, Jack dropped Hush to the ground and looked startled at Fenn standing out of reach to hit, and to out of reach to surprise charge him like the officer back in the other place.

'What do you want with me?' Jack asked, his attention shifting only slightly to see Hush become animated and push himself to his feet beside Jack, his claws already long and razor sharp, his fang like teeth vicious looking. He was ready to fight, Jack noticed, and in noticing his friend ready to fight by his side, he sought confidence from him.

'I want you to give me that toy.' Fenn shrugged, 'I want you to give me it, then I want you out of this world and never to come back.' He stepped closer, his eyes glowering at Jack with rage. 'Our seer foreseen you coming, a saviour.' He played with the dagger at his hilt. 'We have no need of a saviour. Enchanten belongs to the Shygurn, and no puny human kid is going to save the winged creators from anything.' He laughed again.

'I wouldn't save you even if you paid me.' Jack shot back, his voice sounding older, his entire demeanor changed, no longer was he the huddled child crying into a teddy, he was an adult with a thousand mile stare going right through Fenn, and surrounding him, unbeknownst to Fenn, dark tendrils caressed Jack's bare arms, giving him a cold, and malicious confidence that even Hush, his protector from such things, felt its power and had to stop himself from staggering away from it.

'Oh,' Fenn replied. 'I wouldn't dream of paying you, in fact, since you don't seem willing to part with your toy, I'm here to take it by force.' He unsheathed the dagger and gave Jack an animalistic smile.

Jack glanced at the blade and frowned, hiding a smile he looked back at Fenn. 'Why don't you use your pretty little chicken wings to come at me.' He taunted.

The offence was clear on Fenn's face, but quickly concealed with a blank stare. 'I am a hunter, I like to get my hands dirty, so how about this kid, I give you the count of ten to run before I hunt you down, oh and try not to ruin that red tunic, it was once mine.'