Hunted

Chapter Twenty Eight

I cut the call with Kenji and went back to flipping through my newly acquired book of shadows. I had reached a section that didn't have a spells but information on the many types of demons.

"Shadow demons are associated with the sin of envy. A shadow demon appears as a cloud of darkness with bat-like wings and sharp claws. They are slightly larger than humans, but are weightless because they are incorporeal. A shadow demon can fight with its teeth and claws, and has a number of magical abilities connected to manipulating shadows. They can also blend into any available shadows to effectively become invisible.

Users of shadow demon magic or a shadow demon themselves, can create, shape and manipulate darkness and shadows. By itself, darkness is mostly used to cloud everything into total darkness, but by accessing a dimension of dark energy it can be channelled to a variety of effects, both as an absence of light and a solid substance: one can also control and manipulate the beings that exist there, create and dispel shields and areas of total darkness, create constructs and weapons, teleport one's self through massive distances via shadows, etc.

Perhaps their most insidious spell-like ability is their ability to possess mortals. In a mortal body they are no longer vulnerable to sunlight, but if the mortal body is struck by a sudden burst of powerful magical light, the possessing shadow demon is immediately expelled. Shadow demons are formed in the Abyss from envious souls. They typically form groups of up to eight, and are known to flee from sunlight."

A loud bang from downstairs had me closing the book before I could continue reading and get out of bed. I went downstairs and found Carlton in a sort of panic raking his fingers through his hair.

"Carlton what's wrong?"

"One of the kids ran out of the barrier and he was in my care. I need to go find him but I can't search alone he could be anywhere. I'm freaking out. I can't tell dad or anyone. I'll never be trusted again."

"Hey calm down. I'll help you look."

"I can't let you do that. I'm not supposed to let you leave the camp. It's too dangerous." He sighed.

"He couldn't have gotten far. We won't be venturing too far. Besides I can take care of myself."

"Mel..."

"Let me help you please."

"Fine. But you stay with me at all times."

"We'll find him faster if we split up."

"I don't think..."

"Come on we're wasting time." I said rolling my eyes. He groaned running his fingers through his hair.

"Xander is going to kill me."

"He won't have to know." I smiled.

"Fine let's go." Carlton said finally caving.

We left the house and walked towards the barrier edge through the forest in silence. As we passed through the clearing Carlton slowed down until he was walking beside me and not in front of me.

"You know you're lucky you're an only child. There's no competition." He sighed.

"There's competition between you and Xander?"

"Every sibling dynamic has competition. You're always being compared be it by parents, peers and people around you."

"That must be tough." I said as we passed through the barrier. A wave passed through me and I felt a little dizzy.

"Xander has always been the golden child. He was made alpha; he was stronger, faster and smarter. He got mated to the most powerful being on the planet. He got the powers." He chuckled darkly. The look in his eyes starting to scare me.

"Powers? What are you talking about Carlton?"

"You'll find out soon." He said. I didn't see it coming.

Nor did I spot the knife until it was already lodged into my side. I stumbled back and Carlton walked towards me a smirk on his face. Using the little energy I had I pushed him through a couple trees with a blast and quickly ran to the barrier. I knew I couldn't remove the knife or I would bleed out. But trying to get away from Carlton was excruciating.

I fell to my knees and felt something hit the back of my head.

.............................

Xander

Everything is so sticky and warm and soaked in red. It feels so heavy, but where's the pain? I don't feel any pain. Will I be alright? Will I make it out alive? But, this is my blood.

I should move, there's no point standing like this. If I can stand I can move, now come on body, move! Move! Why won't it move? Is this really me end? Of course I would get killed at the hand of my father.

This is so annoying! Why am I so weak? I can make it out of this mess, I know I can. So why am I still here? Come on stupid body, stop being so weak. I can make it. We can make it, just stop being weak. I had to get up and get to Mel. She needed me to get up.

I can't take this much longer. My entire body screams, telling me to lie down and sleep. I must resist. If I sleep I'll surely die, but I can't take this much longer. I'll just.. I'll just lie down for a little while. Save my energy, I'll make it out of this mess soon enough.

It'll be over soon. There's no saving me anymore, I'm too broken. I just wish I wasn't alone. Maybe.. maybe somebody will still find me, there's still time. Yes, please find me, I don't want to die alone. I need to save Mel. 

I'm exhausted, my eyes are heavy and my body is numb. I'm going to take a quick nap, I hope it's just a quick nap. But I really need to close my eyes and rest for a while.