Gone

Chapter Seventeen: Bloody Styx and Stones

Not much blood was left by our lovely escapie. At first I didn't even recognize it as blood as it was too dark and sticky, more like maple syrup than a bodily fluid being pumped through a heart. If their bodies even used it anymore, I admit that I was quite curious about these supernatural beings, though was now cautious more than ever. When the trail eventually halted for bit, Matt made us inspect our flare guns and passed us new ammunition for them, (if I can even call it that) and once we were loaded, we continued to pursue it after Alice found some dripping from the trees. Matt commented a profanity and explained that it meant it was above ground now and will be harder to look for. This was also dangerous as now it had the advantage over us, instead of vice versa, and this also means either Matt's punch wasn't enough, or it could heal.

After following the trail that grew smaller and smaller with each drop of blood for two hours, it ceased all together. The only remains of the trail lead deeper through the forest.

"Damn it all," Matt called out in anger, he kept searching before collapsing on his knees and looking ahead after finding nothing, "it's gone to the mountains. Trying to find it there is not only dangerous, but extremely difficult. It's probably going to dwell in the caves, and that's not going to bode well for any of us." With a heavy sigh, Matt got up and popped his back, along with his arms and shoulders.

Trying to lighten the mood I put a hand on his shoulder and said with a grin, "look on the brightside, we get to go back to your precious Apple Juice." He smiled then chuckled a bit and layed on his back now.

"Look at you, mister positive mood all of a sudden," Alice said to me in a sassy tone, I rolled my eyes and grinned a little myself. "Well I have to be, otherwise his negative and your powers would make me obsolete."

"Tch, that's a lie. You're very important to both of us, right Bones?" Alice let herself relax once Matt asked and she nodded in agreement as she sat herself down on a rather large rock.

"Absolutely."

There was a nice quiet moment that the three of us shared, just sitting around this little edge of woods, not worrying about where to go for the moment. I didn't use this time to gather up my thoughts for once, I just enjoyed the silence with my friends. Huh, it's been a while since I could say that. The moment was ruined when a high pitched, blood curling scream that brought us back to reality.

Matt was the first one onto his feet as he made his way to the source of the noise, Alice and I trailing behind him. The scream didn't sound like the Wendigo, and according to Matt it's injury was no longer an issue for mobility. I tried to push back the other thought, but it managed to crawl into my head anyway. A new victim. The idea of someone being attacked because of us sending that creature out of it's home made me shiver with disgust. Matt called out for us to stop and I almost fell over myself when he did, lost in my own thoughts. Alice caught me by my shirt collar and yanked me up on my feet.

"Focus on the task at hand, not the results," she spoke softly and gave me a gentle look. I almost forgot her ability, so I was a little confused before finally catching on that she was talking about my thoughts.

"I'm fine, Alice... Just a little exhausted from all these revelations," I admitted "though I appreciate your concern."

I looked up and wished to God I hadn't. What I saw could never be erased from my mind. My eyes locked with that of a little girl, who's head was being hung up by her own intestines upon a grey tree. The look of horror and sadness captured in her final moments, burned into my brain. I couldn't look away, I couldn't move in general, I was paralysed at the the sheer sight of her alone. It was only when Matt and Alice had put their hands on me did I come back to reality. The rest of the area was no better. Her remains were littered about everywhere, they were so damaged and torn up that you wouldn't have even guessed that they were once what made up a young girl. Unlike the gore mess we saw in the caves, it was bright outside, and everything was clearly identifiable, making this sight all the more horrifying. I closed my eyes and everything blacked out for a moment. Everything, but those eyes.