Forsaken (The Night Children, Volume 1)

Chapter 5

                                                             Chapter 5

                                                                 Astra

As they closed in on me, my heart hammered against my chest as my mind tried to think of something… anything, to get me out of this situation. Please, I prayed in my mind. Please don’t let me die today. I don’t want to die. I don’t. I can’t.

I won’t.

I quickly picked up a heavy branch from the forest floor and swung it wildly at the creature closest to me. Instead of doing any damage, it passed right through him.

“Good try, my dear,” it said in a cold voice. “But a silly branch can’t harm us.”

“No,” a vaguely familiar voice said from the darkness behind the line of trees. “But I have something that might.” Gaidrian stepped out of the shadows dressed in an all-black ensemble, consisting of a form-fitting black leather tank top that showed off nicely toned arms, black cargo pants, and heavy looking combat boots. His arms were marked with strange scars and there was an odd looking sword hanging from a belt on his hips.

“Oppressor,” the monsters hissed in unison. “Leave. This does not concern you.”

“You’re about to harm her,” he replied easily, leaning casually against a tree. “I believe that does concern me.”

“Have you forgotten the laws on which Treaty was built, my Lord?” One of the beast sneered, saying the last bit condescendingly.

“Don’t cite the New Law to me, you piece of shit,” Gaidrian snapped, drawing his sword threateningly. The shadows around him grew darker and seeped out further across the clearing, barely touching the tips of my feet. “I was there when it was written.” The Nightmares shrank back from his sword and he smirked.

“Then you’ll remember quite well that we are free to use any person for our activities who will go unmissed. This girl is nothing more than a pathetic orphan.  Her blood is open to us. Now leave.”

“If you’re as familiar with the Law as you seem to be, then you should know that killing anyone of my blood is considered treason.” He stalked closer to me, taking my trembling hand in his. “She’s off limits.”

“The shadows were right!” One of the creatures exclaimed.

The Nightmares shifted uncomfortably. “But she is not of the blood!” the one who impersonated Jacob insisted.

“I’ll be the judge of that,” Gaidrian replied, tightening his grip on his sword. “And for harming one of my own… well, you know the penalty for such a crime.”

The creatures glanced at one another, then lunged at us all in unison. I think that I screamed, but the blood was pounding in my ears so loudly that I couldn’t hear myself. Adrian used his impressive sword to slash through two of the Nightmares at once, all while still gripping my hand tightly. When the blade sliced through them, they simply disintegrated, leaving a pile of dust in their wake. One of the remaining Nightmares somehow managed to knock the sword out of my defenders hands, and his friend hissed in excitement, knowing that we now had nothing to protect ourselves with.

Gaidrian pushed me back against a tree and covered my body with his own, and stood ready to defend me, but it wasn’t necessary. The sound of a bullet echoed through the forest, and suddenly one of the creatures turned into ashes. I cowered behind my protector, not wanting to be the next victim, but my fear wasn’t necessary, because when the next shot rang out, the final Nightmare joined the rest of his friends, and their remains blew off into the wind.