Mythical Creatures

Stillness

     There was an eerie silence to the plane cabin as it passes through one of the thickest clouds of my life. It seemed to continue for way too long.
     The plane shakes violently from sudden turbulence causing small children to whimper and some to cry. The flight attendants quickly come to their aid to tell them everything is okay- they didn't even know themselves.
     I look out the window as a deep pressure sinks into my skull. When I realize the cabin has gone completely silent. I turn around to see everything absolutely still, nothing dared to move. Not even the plane. Everyone was frozen- children mid-sob and teens with worried expressions. Everyone was frozen right where they were except me.
     "Hello?" I call out looking around.
     A deep voice rises in the air, "Are you scared?"
     I don't know how to respond, gaping like a fish for an answer. "Show yourself, then I'll decide."
     The deep voice rumbles as a dark smoke rises from the front of the cabin, a sound of bones chattering as it adjusts it's hunched posture.
     "Fair," It echoes.
     The creature sinks back into the ground, not a second later it shoots up from below my feet screaming an ungodly sound.
     "How about now?" It roars, spitting in my face.
     I push back against my chair making any attempt to get away from its monstrous and rank figure. I can't get air in my lungs fast enough.
     "I don't know." I huff out quickly attempting to put on a brave façade. I look around frantically for any sign of help.
     The creature stands before me inspecting and curious. It heaves air in and out of its disastrous body, it's breath is disgusting.
     It lifts a hand and points at my head. The smoke shrouding the creature's body drips away like it has a mind of its own. I watch as it slithers off it's body and curls around my arm. It burns a trail as it crosses my skin yet no marks are left in it's wake. I tighten my grip on the arm rest holding back a cry. I move my free hand to desperately rid my body of the smoke but it's caught by it's large clawed hand.
     The creature's skin is pale and almost translucent. Frustrated at the action, I look up at it's gnarled face. It's bloody teeth are bared at me and it's solid black eyes seem to be looking everywhere all at once. The creature's hair looks to be black but it's also caked in blood; from the crown of it's head sprout four large horns that are twisted and mangled ending at the back of it's head.
     It growls showing it's nasty teeth, blood dripping from it's mouth.
"Don't even think about it," the creature hisses.
I stare at the beast wide-eyed, my breathing still ragged. My attention is pulled back to the smoke as the burning begins to dull to a still, uncomfortable warmth.
    "What is it doing." I swallow dryly, looking back up at the ragged beast.
     It makes a sound that reverberates through the entire plane and it slowly escalates as it begins pacing.
    The smoke tightens around my arm, "What is it doing." I repeat more urgently.
    The creature whirls on me pinning its arms on either side of my seat and shrieks, it's mouth opening wider than my head.
    My eyes slam shut as I think of the worst. I feel a blast of air as the beast above me wails. Whatever happened caused pain. 
    I peek open my eyes. The creature is stalking the cabin, inspecting the passengers- sniffing them. It climbs over seats and shifts between rows before stopping at a hooded man. A satisfied clicking sound escapes it's body as it heaves an arm in the air to bring down upon him.
    The man's eyes flash open. Not a moment later he's behind the beast mumbling strange words. The creature looks around for a moment, wailing as it turns around to face the man. Before it's able to lash out again it's frozen like the rest of the cabin. I stand to get a better view.

    The man is circling the beast and when I step out into the isle, he looks up. My eyes lock with his before he pushes both hands in my direction and shouts, "Somnoct!"