Outsiders

Chapter 11

Nash's POV

The morning sun cast a golden glow as I answered Josh's urgent call about Elisabeth's disappearance overnight. Apologies for my sudden departure filled the air, Josh understanding my need to flee, though the reasons weighed heavy on my mind. Finding Elisabeth became our singular mission amidst the city's chaotic bustle. Distant screams guided our steps, leading us to a scene of chaos where Elisabeth stood alongside two cloaked figures, their energies focused on unleashing havoc upon unsuspecting bystanders. "Elisabeth! What madness is this?!" My voice echoed with a mix of concern and confusion.

Her gaze met mine, a hint of something unsettling in her eyes. Questions swirled in my mind about the identities of the cloaked assailants. One stood notably larger, adorned with menacing devil wings that sent shivers down my spine. "Elisabeth, I deeply regret yesterday's events," I expressed, attempting to bridge the rift.

A tense silence hung in the air before Elisabeth gestured towards us, prompting the figures to descend with an eerie grace. Elisabeth hovered, a mysterious force seemingly holding her aloft between them. "Elisabeth, please, what is happening? Who are these people?" My words spilled out, laced with a palpable unease.

"Is this the boyfriend, darling?" a deep voice rumbled from within the folds of darkness. Josh and I exchanged bewildered glances, the sudden turn of events catching us off guard.

"Darling? What is going on?" I demanded, a mixture of worry and frustration creeping into my tone. Then, without warning, Elisabeth's hand gripped my throat, cutting off any further dialogue.

"Josh, help!" I managed to choke out. The cloaked figures' laughter mingled with the sounds of chaos, a chilling reminder of their sinister intent.

"Chloe?" I gasped, recognizing the mocking tone amidst the chaos. She revealed herself, confirming my worst fears.

"Release them!" Josh's voice boomed with a mix of desperation and anger. Yet, Chloe seemed unmoved, her gaze fixed on Elisabeth.

"Never. But I've heard tales of a friend's betrayal driving away her beloved. I only seek happiness for my darling," the deep voice interjected, a sense of ominous authority underlying his words. Chloe's gestures seemed to tighten Elisabeth's hold on me, leaving me struggling for breath.

Chloe's flick of the fingers released Elisabeth's grip, leaving me gasping for air as I collapsed to the ground. The sensation of choking lingered, a stark reminder of the peril we faced. "This situation means we must locate the friend responsible for driving her boyfriend away," the man's voice echoed with a chilling determination, his words hanging heavy in the tense atmosphere.

"Oh crap," Josh muttered, his voice trembling with anxiety, the fear palpable in his eyes as he watched Elisabeth's determined stride towards him. Her gaze locked onto him like a predator closing in on its prey, every step carrying an ominous weight. Reacting swiftly to the impending danger, I propelled myself off the ground, the rush of adrenaline lending strength to my actions as I wrapped my arms around Elisabeth from behind, desperately trying to thwart her advance towards Josh.

"Josh, get out of here!" I shouted, the urgency in my voice matching the intensity of the situation. My muscles strained against Elisabeth's resistance, the struggle evident in every fiber of my being. With a fluid transformation that spoke of practiced skill, Josh morphed into a bird, the sudden change a testament to the danger we faced. As he soared away, a sense of relief mingled with the dread of what was to come.

Elisabeth's form flickered, a surreal sight as she became intangible, slipping effortlessly through my grasp like smoke on the wind. The sudden loss of her weight left me off balance, stumbling backward in the wake of her swift maneuver. In a split second, her fist connected with my face with brutal force, the impact sending shockwaves through my body as I sprawled backward, the ground greeting me with unforgiving force.