Earth and Sky

Chapter 11

Araquiel

I run into the forest, trying to get away from him. The ruthless murderer, the one who wants me dead the most.

'I should have never tried to run away!'

I see the fate that lies before me and wipe away the tears streaming down my face.

I no longer here noises behind me and turn around. Big mistake. I tumble to the ground, bleeding and aching all over my body. I don't have the will to get up. I'm fighting against death. I think of my friends and family, there love and kindness, and try crawling away. Eventually I find myself upright, limping away. The forest is the quietest I've ever heard it. And that scares me most. Where are the pixies? The animals? The only thing that guides me is a small sliver of the moon. A branch cracks behind me and I burst into a run again.

I quickly turn and the terrain becomes unfamiliar. But I can't go back, he is there. I'm all alone, most likely about to die. Once again I curse my stupidness before remembering something- I too have a weapon. I halt and reach into my stocking. Comfort surrounds me as I feel the cold, sturdy handle of the knife. I turn back and take large strides in the direction I just came from. Determination washes over me and I raise my knife as he walks around the corner. Fully dressed in black, his hood covering his face. He stops and takes in my defiant pose. His mouth twists into a cruel smirk. He jumps towards me and knocks me onto the ground. I get my knees under him and push him off of my body. He circles me, occasionally stomping onto the ground to see if I will jump. I don't. I will fight to live, because even though this is a game to him, it's my life. He reaches into his dark black coat and pulls out a dark black dagger. He runs towards me and swings his blade, but I'm just as quick, bringing up my knife just in time to stop the edge from penetrating my skull. The clash of steel echoes throughout the night as we start our dangerous dance. I jump out of his reach and am immediately on the defense.

He chuckle. "Well haven't you been a bad little princess. Evading capture and death. Do you think you are some sort of hero?"

He falls to the ground and kicks his legs at me. Thankfully, I jump over them in time.

He continues his monologue. "You are nothing. You once were great, now you are a project, some unfinished work."

This time he lunges at me and captures me in his arms. He leans in close.

"And your about to be finished my dear."

I elbow him in the ribs and elude his grasp. I slash my knife at his face and skin the edge of his cheek. Dark red liquid seeps from the open wound but he doesn't wipe it away. Fury is evident in his eyes but he waves it off.

Caught up in my success of marking him, I lower my defenses. In the split second in which I release the breath I've been holding, he is upon me again. He firmly clasps my knife hand, forcing me to relinquish my hold on the knife. It clatters to the ground and I look upon it, now entirely helpless. But now it is going according to his plan. He snakes his other hand around my waist and forces me into a reluctant dip.

"Its time to wake up, my darling."

*******************

I burst upright screaming my head off. I can still feel that man's hands on my body. I shiver as I recall the nightmare. My worst fears came true tonight. Death, being at somebody else's mercy. Not having any control over what you can do. I gaze over at Cyanide who is studying me. I fix my dress and get out of my blankets. Awkwardly since my arms and legs are still tied up.

"Good morning Cyanide. Would you please undo my bonds? I wish to get as far away from here as we can if possible."

"Of course my lady. But where you are going is father then you expect. Today, you are going to join Mother Earth and your ancestors."