Experimental Magic ✔

Powers of Persuasion: Part III

"What?" Misty snapped, but as soon as she turned her head, her jaw dropped.

Deep red blood dripped from his eyes and down his cheeks, the corners of his mouth had turned blue and were foamy with spit, and his hands were clenched so tight into fists his knuckles had turned pure white. The blank, emotionless expression was wiped clean from his face and was replaced with a twisted, snarling rage.

"What did you do?" Misty whisper-screamed at her sister.

Millie opened her mouth to defend herself but she didn't get the chance to answer. The boy reached his arms out and lunged at her, causing Millie to jump back. A high pitched yell escaped  her throat and filled the dark woods with terror. The boy showed his teeth and growled as he took two heavy steps toward Millie. Standing tall, Misty stepped between the boy and her sister. Still shaken from being lunged at moments before, Millie ducked behind her older sister. Misty held her hand out and began chanting. She felt the power surging through her and the ground shaking beneath her feet. The air whipped behind her, shooting bits of broken twigs and leaves off in all directions. But it had no effect on the boy. He kept walking towards her with the same twisted anger. Misty chanted louder and concentrated as hard as she could, but still it was useless. Her magic slowed him ever so slightly, but it wasn't worth the effort she was putting in. Exhausted and on the brink of a migraine, she let her hand fall to her side and grabbed Millie by the arm. With her magic having little to no effect, Misty decided the next best thing they could do was run.

"Meadow," she said and extended her other hand. "Give me your hand."

Meadow took her sister's hand. They turned to run away, but quickly realized they were surrounded by crowds of people with the same blood stained cheeks and frothy mouths. They moved in a slow, robotic fashion but they were gaining speed with every step. Misty's heart pounded as she looked desperately for an opening for them to escape.

"This way," she said finally.

She jerked her arms forward, pulling her sisters in front of her. She gave them both a push and yelled at them to run. They did as she said and took off towards the opening. Needing protection, Misty grabbed the heaviest, sturdiest stick from the pile of kindling next to the fire. The opening had closed so she had to fight her way out. All eyes were focused on her with devilish intent. Every single pair was bloodshot and unblinking. As they closed in around her, she closed her eyes tight and swung the stick as hard as she could. She heard a hard thump hitting the ground. She swung again and another body dropped with a thud. She hopped over them and hurried to catch up with her sisters.

"Should we try a transportation spell?" Millie asked.

Misty looked behind her. The mob grew faster, angrier, and more determined with each passing second. The two she hit had arisen and were leading the pack despite the fact that their heads were smashed in and mangled. Blood spurted out the side of their heads like a faulty water fountain. Misty suspected she had only angered them further.

"There's no time," Misty said. "Just run."

The girls dipped and ducked around tree branches and pushed their way through the mud and leaves.  The mob grunted and growled as they chased the three sisters through the woods. The farther they got into the woods the darker and more twisted it became. Tangled roots and loose rocks covered the surface beneath them. Their ankles began to buckle over the uneven terrain and their chests tightened as they desperately tried to suck in as much air as possible as they ran. They were getting tired, but the mob showed no signs of slowing down. The sisters needed a new plan.

"Let's split up," Meadow shouted.

She took a sharp turn to the left before either of her sisters had the chance to protest. She knew they would want to stick together, but there was no possible way they could simply outrun them. They had to outsmart them somehow. Or at the very least, split the pack.