Into the Flames [Watty Awards 2012]

Chapter 41

The first thing I saw when I woke up was a knife flying towards Woody’s heart. I pushed him to the ground with the little strength I had.

“You’re awake!” he smiled.

“Yeah,” I smiled back. “How long was I out?”

“Maybe a half hour at the most, not too long actually.”

“Watch out!” I yelled as another knife flew at him. He leaped into the air, barely being hit on the shoe. He pulled the knife out of the ground and held it in throwing position, ready to defend me. Two cannons went off not too far away, making me jump to my feet.

I could see Ethelreda growing closer to us, completely ignoring the figure behind her. Suddenly, she sensed the person behind her and ran for us, throwing knives at Woody.

I watched in shock as the knives impaled themselves into his skin, tearing it to pieces, the blood pouring out from beneath the blades. “Woody!” I cried, reaching out to catch him as he fell. “Please don’t die. I already lost your sister, don’t let me lose you.” Tears streamed down my face. This was too much, I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Waterlily!” The cannon shot and suddenly I felt like I was in an old silent film in slow motion. Ethelreda’s mace, which seemed to appear out of nowhere, was flying towards my head, with River leaping towards it. My body was pushed to the ground as River took my place, the cannon going off almost immediately.

I could see Ethelreda’s lips moving as she approached me, but I couldn’t hear a single word. I tried to read her lips, but I had never been good at it, all I recognized was my name.

I tried to stand up so I could fight her, but I felt as if the arena was pulling my down. Ethelreda pulled a long knife out from the back of her jacket and positioned it above my neck. She smiled as she brought it down. I squirmed in her tight grip, but it was too strong.

I tried to say something, but nothing came out.

The knife severed through my neck and my nose hit the ground. The last thing I saw was my gory neck, my blood pooling beneath my still body as the blackness took me over.