Short Stories

Prompt #15

She pulled the knife from her chest and smiled.
"Was that supposed to hurt?"

I stepped back as she pulled the once gleaming blade out of her abdomen, it's point stained red and it's edge was damaged by her thick skin. I felt my eyes widen as the panic set in. Her grin grew in the darkened room, the bold fury in her eyes mischievously watched me, it laughed and flickered as the moon reflected off her soulless black eyes. I slowly backed away, my quivering legs struggling to move as she giggled smugly, approaching me like I was prey being hunted. I fixed onto her figure as it sauntered over to my shaking frame. I continued to back out of the room and found relief when I finally clutched the old brass handle in my unstable hands. I clawed at it desperately, whimpering and cursing as it failed to budge. I twisted and turned it, pushing my body as tight against the door as I could. Another giggle sounded from behind me and I quickly turned my back to the door.

I searched the endless sea of darkness, my eyes focusing on the light coming from the window and trying to use it to my guidance. A cold hand clasped my shoulder and she, it, whatever this being was, whispered faintly, "you can't hide from me." I felt the words tickle my ear and a shuddering chill ran down my spine and back again. I wanted to move to shake off the uneasiness it gave me but the hand continued upwards, trailing my neck towards my chin, reaching for my cheek before placing itself comfortably at the back of my neck. I closed my eyes and felt fear drip from my eyes as the breathing of the creature warmed my face. As she laughed again I could hear her amusement in my utmost terror. She whispered again, this time whilst pushing a sharp point gently into my upper chest. I could feel her blood dripping from it onto my shoes. "I believe an apology is in order don't you?" She asked.

I continued to tremble and tried to slow my breathing to allow me to speak full words and prevent myself stammering in her company. "I'm sorry," I replied, my voice higher than usual. She scoffed and the knife in her hand dropped to the floor, it sunk into the wooden floor as she forcibly tossed it down beside us. Another cold hand reached towards the back of my neck, I could feel sharp nails hovering over my skin and tensed at the idea of them being aimed at my throat. She laughed again and a hand left my neck and I was blinded by the bright yellow light of the traditional room.

In the light I could see that it was a woman, she wore tight clothing and the wound I had inflicted had healed completely. The only evidence of it being her bloodstained clothes and the weapon at our feet. I was startled by her appearance, but was more worried about why she had turned the light on, given me something to comfort me after all the teasing. I attached my eyes to her again, examining her body as I did so. She was uniquely stunning. Her eyes were flames, her skin was ash. Her hair was as white as snow whilst her skin was a soft gray, marked with black marks that I could only assume were scars. "Like what you see pretty boy?" She teased as I stared at her.

"What are you?"

She seemed slightly surprised at my choice of question, but not to the extent that she dropped her smirk.

"What do you think I am?" She countered.

I viewed her again, checking for significant details that may give her away, but how could you tell what was significant when every part of her was unfamiliar to me.

She laughed, "can't figure it out can you?"

I kept staring, remaining silent.

She clicked her fingers and embers burst from her palm, the fire in her eyes soared into an impressive golden orange. She was enjoying herself, showing herself off to me with such arrogance.

"What are you?" I asked again, my voice calmer now I had grown more comfortable with her presence.

"Fire and Ash. I am reborn from the flames. I am a Phoenix. Or as you people may say, one hot bird."

I was in awe at her, that she could be such a powerful mythical being. Her confidence and healing ability seemed to fit her identity, that she could die and live, endlessly rising with the flames. And I had stabbed her.

"I'm sorry for stabbing you. I needed the money and I ju—"

"Save your words. You aren't the first. Although I must admit you are more polite than most. Usually when people see me they want to sleep with me first."

I was shaking again now, reminded of the fact that she was truly a threat to my survival and the reason I could not escape this room. In order to leave alive I would have to choose my words carefully, to avoid saying something that may cause her to silence me.

"I'm not going to kill you. Not now. I just need some answers. First and foremost. Who hired you to kill me?" She questioned.

"Tully did it. He says he has a debt to collect from you. That's it."

I spoke honestly and risked being killed by Tully instead of her burning flames. A different emotion flickered on her face as an aggressive blue flash of fire sprung into her eyes.

"Stay here. I'm going to find Tully."

I stepped aside as she powered towards me, an undeniable strength in her strides as she opened the wooden door and slammed it shut behind her. I considered running, to escape the mess I had got myself in.

After giving it appropriate thought, I decided to remain inside the small room. If she was going to stop Tully she would be my protection if he searched for me. I also didn't want to cross the path of a Phoenix. If the legends were true she would burn and rise again.

And that truly was something I didn't want to face.