💫 Starburst ⭐️

Starburst; Part 10

                                                           Slow And Painful

"Oh no darling. I can't let you leave," Mackenna grinned. "You have tentacles?!" Lacey shrieked. "Yes. It's a curse you fool!" Mackenna growled and pulled Lacey closer, the dark tentacle squirming around.

Lacey wriggled out of the tentacles grasp, then turned to face Mackenna. "Who cursed you and why'd they do it?" Lacey asked. Mackenna dragged the dark tentacle back and turned with tears.

"To find you. They promised to kill my father if I wouldn't bring you to them. I was already dark, me and my father had many fights about it. But he's my only family left, and I need him..." she sobbed.

Lacey bit her lip. "Who's they?" she demanded.

"I cannot tell. The curse will take over my body and my father will die if I do..."

Well then... I refuse to come with you. Just tell them I got away."

"I-okay."

And with that knowledge, Lacey leapt over a hedge and walked on the soft grass. She stole glances around, knowing that Astiana's life was at risk.

Lacey had found the cure to Monglie berry fever. She bent down to grab it and sighed in relief. And then she walked back to Astiana. Suddenly, she stopped. An arrow whizzed past her, hitting the tree trunk.

Lacey turned around to see who threw the arrow. There, Mackenna stood her ground, tears filling her eyes. "I tried to stop it... but the curse. I'm sorry..." she whispered.

Lacey didn't hesitate. She ran across, dodging the arrows. An arrow hit the tree in front of her, and the tips burst out in black smoke. "You don't have to do this!" Lacey yelled.

Mackenna chased her, and Lacey managed to get as close as ever to Astiana.

"Yes I do! My fathers life is at risk and so is mine!"

"My friends life is too!"

Lacey winced at the last part, realizing how true it sounded when she said it. It hurt her to think about death, and at the moment, she knew if she reached Astiana, she would be safe.

Then, she remembered the amethyst. If I take it I can destroy the curse! Lacey thought. "You can?!" Mackenna exclaimed.

Oh right. She can hear my thoughts. "Mackenna! Hold the curse! Just a minute and then I'll save you from it! And your father!" Lacey screamed.

The arrow hit right beside her, almost getting her foot. Mackenna had stopped. "Go!!!" she moaned and sagged down, the pain clutching her.

Lacey felt her pain. And then, she realized something. She'd felt everyone's pain. The troll's, Astiana's, Katherine's, the hospital woman... and Mackenna.

She didn't ponder on this anymore. She raced to Astiana, who was pale, and seemed to have just finished the second last stage of the poison. Vomiting all her inside things, starting with the normal vomit, moving on to vomiting blood.

Lacey knew the last stage. Death. She ran to Astiana, her head on Katherine's lap. And then, she put the flower right into Astiana's nose. Breathing her last breath, Astiana sniffed the flower.

And then, she closed her eyes. The color had drained from her face. Katherine let out a loud sob. From the corner, Lacey saw Mackenna crying too. For the pain, and for Astiana.

She's gone. Astiana's gone. Lacey couldn't believe it. No, she wouldn't. Lacey got up and her shoulders shuddered, a sign of crying.

"No. She's not gone," Lacey's voice shook. Katherine pulled Lacey beside her and hugged her. "Hush... it's okay." But Katherine knew it wasn't. And Lacey knew it wasn't either.

Mackenna got up, and looked at Lacey. "Lacey Moore. Let us help you die," she said. "We have to go!" Katherine yelled. Lacey stood still, behind Astiana's body. "No..." Lacey whispered. Mackenna moved in closer.

Katherine tugged at Lacey's arm, but she wouldn't budge. She stood there, waiting for Mackenna to make her move. Katherine tried to pull her, she tried everything, but it was like Lacey's feet were stuck in the ground.

Mackenna then lowered her head and charged at Lacey, determined to throw her off her feet. But then, that wasn't her intention. It was to squeeze Lacey. Because then, long slimy tentacles grew out of Mackennas head.

And then, she lifted them to Lacey, who stood there, a deer in the headlights. Suddenly, the ground began to shake. In front of Lacey's eyes, a huge grey boulder powered by a golden light dropped itself right on Mackenna.

Lacey turned to see where the golden light lead to.

Astiana stood, tall and powered. But Lacey didn't care. She ran and hugged her. Astiana was alive.