The Hunted

Chapter 16

Faith ran as fast as her feet would take her. She jumped over logs, ducked under trees, and of course occasionally tripped over herself in the process. The screams stopped, but she soon spotted the small shack in which they came from. 'What the hell are you doing?' She asked herself while ducked behind a nearby tree. She realized that running off deeper into the woods towards the sounds of screaming wasn't the brightest idea, but what was she supposed to do? Ignore the sounds? Deathly silence was all she heard as she peaked her head out from behind the tree. There she saw a small old shack. She took a deep breath as she slowly crept her way towards it. She gasped at what she saw as she looked through the shack window. She could only described the scene to be like something out of Hansel and Gretel.
A old woman with wicked gray hair stood beside the window. Her face however was a lot more concerning. She not only had wrinkles but her entire face was deformed in some way. Dark witch she concluded. Is this what her mother, and Clare were worried that she would become? Faith looked past her and another small gasp escaped her lips. There were wooden cages in the back of the shack. Two small children in one, and what looked like to be there parents in another. Just then the woman noticed Faith in the window. Faith quickly put her fingers to her lips, motioning the mother to be silent as she figured out a plan. Her magic was out of the question since she had absolutely no clue how to use, let alone control it. The woman then pointed to the table where her husbands weapon laid.. his sword.

Faith smiled. That's it
Faith was suddenly so thankful for her father, and the years he spent teaching her the art of fencing. If he only knew how much it would come in handy now. She took one last deep breath before she quietly made her way inside the shack. She tip toad her way in, and held her breath as she did. The place reeked, the stench no doubt coming from the creppy old Witch.

Faith hid beside the door as the Witch suddenly turned around. "Shh." She yelled across the room at the whimpering children. She then ransacked her closets, pulling out multiple items which Faith knew were used for spells, though she didn't know what kind. "I'll get to you soon enough." She finished evilly.

Faith decided it was now or never, so while the Witches back was turned she gripped her sword tightly, then began to walk towards the confined family. The witch started to laugh, but it sounded more like a horrible screeching noise. It reminded Faith of nails on a chalkboard. "Did you really think it would be that easy?" The witch spoke with her back still turned. "I could smell your delicious fear from outside, Deary." She pointed out. She turned around to face Faith.

Faith lifted her sword ready to strike at any given opportunity. "Well, well, haven't we got a brave little dove," the Witch spoke to the rest of her victims. "You will make a excellent sacrifice," She spoke as she stepped closer to Faith who were frozen with fear. She tried to move, but found herself paralyzed in place.
"Don't worry dove, this will only hurt.. alot." She finished with the most horrendous giggle. The Witch then lifted her hand to Faiths head and held it there.

Faith shut her eyes in fear, awaiting the Pain. She felt she deserved it over how pathetic she was handling the whole situation. She came to save these people, but now she would be just another victim.

After a few moments the Witch grew confused. "What? How?" She yelled angered.

Faith then realized that the Witch was powerless against her. Her own power of deflection must have been contradicting whatever the witch was trying to do. Faith smiled as she felt her body able to move again.

she snatched the confused hags hand away from her, then shoved the Witch to the floor. The Witch then began to claw her way towards Faith.
In one swift motion Faith plunged the sword into her chest, then pulled it out. The Witch looked at Her own chest, then placed her hand on the black blood that was now pouring down from it. She glanced up one last time as she struggled for Air. "How?" She whispered before her eyes closed for the last time and collapsed to the floor.