Rebellion

Chapter Five

Chapter Five ~

Suddenly, I heard a branch snap, and I whipped my head up, and got in a fighting stance, expecting either a Demon, or even my mother. I made my tears stop instantly. Before me though, stood Briss. Concern was planted on his face.

"Neera...what happened..?" He asked cautiously.

I forced a smile. "Nothing...I..nothing happened,"

He raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms. "Yeah, and I'm the pope. You may be a good liar, but not to me," He came closer to me and knelt beside me. "So what's wrong?"

I let out a puff of air, signalling defeat. It was strange, how he could see right through me. "It's Delst."

"Your brother?" He asked.

I nodded. "He left for awhile when I went home, and my mother went out looking for him. She returned with Delst, but he was injured, and there was a girl with them. His wound should be fine. It's just that..." I closed my eyes, making sure no tears were to come. "He's engaged,"

I looked up at Briss. He was looking across the meadow. "And that means he has to leave your family,"

"He's betraying us! He knows we depend on him for food and supplies...he knows.." I whispered the last part.

I then saw Briss narrow his eyes and crouch down beside me. "Neera..there's a Demon across the meadow,"

"Did It see us?!"

"I dunno..I don't want to risk moving,"

I nodded, agreeing. "Do you have your sword?"

"Of course. And daggers," he slowly pulled one out of his boot, "here," he handed it to me, and I clutched it tightly. I faintly heard the cry of the Demon and I instinctively shuffled closer to Briss. I saw him glance at me, but his gaze was as quick as it had arrived.

"Neera, we're gonna have to move." He told me.

"But won't It see us?!"

"Well, It's moving this way so I don't think we have much choice,"

"Where will we run too?!"

Briss's jaw shifted, and I could tell he was thinking. "Your sector is closer. Your house,"

I furrowed my eyebrows together. What would everyone else think? Especially since I freaked out after I heard of Delst's engagement. Well, they can deal with it. It's not as if they could handle this kind of situation.

"Okay. My house," I confirmed.

Briss then began to shuffle forward, and I followed him. He was headed towards the forest. From there, I would lead us to my house. The Demon let out a large screech, and I knew that It was was close. Too close in fact. Briss glanced behind his shoulder and his eyes widened.

"RUN NEERA!!!!" He exclaimed.

We both jumped up and I turned to run, when I realized Briss wasn't next to me. I turned around instantly and saw that his blade was pulled and he was facing the Demon. I ran to his side. "No, Briss, come on, what are you thinking!?? Let's GO!!!!" I yelled.

I looked into his eyes now, and saw the determination there. There was no stopping him. He was going to fight. I clutched the dagger he gave me. If he was going to fight, then so would I. I looked at It now, taking in It's grotesque features. It was tall, and had the same body shape as a human, but it was completely hairless, and it's skin was pulled too right on it's body, and it's bones stuck out in odd angles. It didn't have eyeballs, It's sockets were empty and completely black. It's teeth were like little shards of glass pointed in all directions. It's hands and feet were clawed, and It clicked them together and ground it's teeth.

"This is one of the smarter Ones," Briss mumbled.

It shuffled forward, and cocked It's head.

"Briss. Let's just go,"

"We can't move,"

"What are you talking about?!?" I hissed.

"It can't see us if we don't move. It can sense our movements if we do though,"

I instantly went completely still, and watched It carefully. It ground It's teeth and stomped a foot, clearly confused. Briss was right! It can't see us!
Suddenly I heard someone gasp behind us, and branches snapped. The Demon screeched and lunged behind us, knocking me to the side. I landed on my back, and I turned to where the Demon jumped. It was mother! I jumped up, ignoring the lack of air in my lungs, and ran to mother, and I held the dagger in front of me.
Suddenly, Briss charged from behind the Demon, and slashed his blade across It's back, causing It to collapse and writhe in pain, a yellow fluid pouring out of the wound. I gagged and turned away. It was repulsive. I then turned to my mother, giving her my full attention. I instantly saw the blood soaking through her shirt. I crouched down to where she was laying and gently lifted her shirt to examine the wound. It was instantly clear that she was bitten, for the bite mark was large, and deep. She groaned and her eyes fluttered shut for a split second.

"No, mother, you need to stay awake. Don't close your eyes," I told her.

I saw her nod slightly, showing that she could understand me, despite her awful state. I shifted her weight on top of mine, and started slowly moving towards the forest. We needed to get home. Now. Briss jogged up beside me and helped me carry mother.
Finally, we made it to the forest, and mother let out a terrible moan.

"Neera.....I need...to stop...for awhile," she whispered.

I obliged to her request and gently set her down, leaning her against a tree. I glance around myself to make sure the It wasn't still chasing us.

"It's dead Neera, I made sure of that," Briss told me, seeming to sense my anxiety and uncertainty.
I found it strange how he could see right through me. Only my grandmother was able to do that.

"Still," I said, "I believe we should go,"

He nodded and helped me lift up mother. We slowly shuffled through the forest, and I noticed the blood was not stopping. That only made me move faster. I needed to get her home, so she could be taken care of. Before she gets infected.