Paths That Lead Home (LotR F.F.)

Chapter 3: So That's a Wraith...

Cathy's POV

Have you ever been so scared or so full of anxiety or stress that it numbs you and gives everyone around you the illusion that you have your life together when really you are slowly dying and going crazy on the inside? Well, since Strider found us, I've been exactly like that. I don't think that I have ever been so scared, so stressed, so full of anxiety my entire life! So the others kind of looked to me, since I saw that they had full-fledge fear on their faces, even Abby's, whereas my face probably looked like I saw this as another day at the office.

Well, hate to be the bearer of bad news, guys, but I'm scared shitless.

I hate horror movies, but funny enough, I don't mind watching the movies that have ghosts and monsters in them. The movies where a sadistic guy tortures and hunts down people for fun scare me since there is a possibility of that actually happening to me than encountering a ghost or monster. Those things don't exist so why should I worry about it. Now, I feel like I am in a horror movie and that the ghosts and monsters were one hundred percent real. My anxiety and fear were practically flying off the charts. I just hated that I didn't have anything to defend myself with. The hobbits have their swords (I've been referring them as hobbits since I'm pretty sure they are like what Bilbo Baggins was in the Hobbit), Abby has her gun, and I have nothing. Zip. Nada. I don't even think me talking will get me out of this.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Abby raise her gun. I know she has never shot anyone before, only targets at the shooting range. I wonder what's going through her mind.

I also just love how the only time Strider leaves us, we get ambushed by five guys in black cloaks called 'Ring-wraiths'. Everything in my body told me they weren't human, and I believed it. When I saw them from our little camp, I felt like I was looking into dark shadows. And that was from looking at them from a distance. When they came up onto the top of the watchtower, it was like I was looking into eternal darkness.

I began shaking as they came closer. They walked slowly as if they were savoring the pathetic look our group had. I looked around for any escape, but realized with a sickening feeling, that we were trapped. The other Ring-wraiths appeared and they advanced towards us. A coldness swept over me, and I began to think we are all going to die. They raised their swords, readying to skewer us. From the corner of my eye, Abby's hands were shaking violently.

"I'm with Pittsburgh PD," she yelled, trying to sound bold and confident. "Stand down." The Wraiths kept coming forward. "If you take another step closer, I will shoot." They continued advancing.

Sam jumped in front of Frodo, brandishing his sword. "Back you devils!" His sword clashed with one of the wraith's before it swatted Sam away like he was a fly. The little hobbit went flying and smashed into one of the stone columns. Pippin and Merry suddenly jumped in front of Frodo before they were swatted away as well.

Abby stepped forward, her gun raised. "Don't make me shoot you." Her voice was shaking as hard as her hand. The wraith closest to her raised his hand, and Abby pulled the trigger. A loud bang rang through my ears as the bullet hit the wraith's side. It flinched, but I think it was only from the impact. The wraith screeched and swatted her away and she went flying and landed at the base of a column and didn't move.

"Abby!" I cried, before turning back to the wraiths who were now advancing on Frodo and I. I can feel their attention focused on Frodo. Something about him was special, or something if the wraiths want him. I glanced down and saw one of the hobbits' swords lying on the ground. They must have dropped it when they got knocked out of the way. I reached for it and raised it. It didn't feel right in my hands, but I know it's better than nothing. I stepped in front of Frodo and raised my sword.