Inhuman

Chapter 20

My eyes were drooping as I stood, waiting for Keghan to unroll our sleeping bag. I started getting our dinner ready, trying to stay awake. I set out plates of chicken and rice.

Keghan sat down next to me, grabbing a plate and then immediately starting on it.

"Keghan?" I asked him, playing with my food.

"Huh?" He turned to look at me like he just realized I was there.

"I don't understand something."

He put down his food and turned completely to me. "Okay, go on." He said slowly.

"Is there something like a Seelie and Unseelie court in your world?"

Keghan looked at me for a long moment before nodding. "Yeah, there is."

"What are they like?" I asked, laying down so I could stare up at the sky.

Keghan shifted uncomfortably next to me. "Well the Unseelie court is ruled by a Queen and a King, though the Queen is more powerful. They are warriors there and we - they believe in fighting. They are referred to as the 'dark ones'. The Princes of the Unseelie court are cold and remote, according to other Unseelie creatures, but I would like to believe that is not so."

"So the-"

Keghan held up a hand. "On the other hand, the Seelie court are the 'beautiful ones' and would love nothing more then to sit around all day, handing out compliments to their Queen and eating the delectable treats avaliable in their kingdom. Every time the Unseelie needs women for anything, they always get them from the Seelie court, because of their raw beauty."

"What Court are you from?" I asked, staring up at his face.

He hesitated a moment before answering. "Unseelie."

I reached out a hand to run along his face. "I don't think you're cold and remote." I said.

He sighed and stopped my hand, holding it against his cheek. "You should eat, you need energy to cross the border tomorrow."

I nodded, accepting his change in demeanor and shoveling food into my mouth.

* * *

They were following me. Black holes of inky death. I crashed through the underbrush of the forest. They were silent as they chased me, and compared to them, I was a giant in a dwarf town. It seemed like I stepped on every twig and branch. I flinched every time I heard the shadows gain on me. Or felt their sticky breath on my neck, rustling the baby hairs on my neck. They whispered my name as they closed in. I pushed another burst of speed out and gained about an inch. The shadows were too fast for me. "Come with ussss," they hissed, pulling ever closer.

I shrieked and tryed to find another energy pocket. "No, no, no!" I chanted while I ran.

"But you can see usssss and we want you." They murmered as one, closing the final gap between us.

I felt myself go cold all over as they surrounded me. I screamed and thrashed hitting out at the shadows, my hands moved right through them.

"Kensley," the whispered into my ear as they consumed me. "Kensley."

"Kensley, wake up, Kensley."

What? "Stop, leave me alone!" I shrieked, covering my eyes.

I started shaking, someone was shaking me.

I opened my eyes and peered at Keghan through my long eyelashes. "Keghan?" My voice cracked as I whispered his name. Not letting myself believe I was safe. I sat up, feeling confused and disoriented. I rubbed my forhead as Keghan continued to stare at me.