Out of Breath

Chapter 5

A cold chill passes over me. She is here. She is always here. Because of her, my summer is ruined. I haven't fished for two weeks. Why must she watch me? I don't look over. I refuse to run like a coward anymore. Under my shirt, I rub the garlic necklace I have on. Butter told me garlic keeps the Skitlers away. I own this pond! I will no longer run. I will defend it. As I cast out my line, my muscles tighten. I must be brave.

It's a bummer I only have earthworms to fish with. They don't seem to be what the fish want anymore. I wish I had better bait. As a light rain tinkles on me, moistening my skin, I can feel her dark essence bore into me. Why doesn't she just leave? If I close my eyes, maybe she will disappear. The next two hours of fishing pass with no luck as I drift in and out of sleep. Not even one nibble at my worms. At least the witch doesn't eat me. I can't believe I stayed this time and didn't run away. -Finally, as I pack up my things, I sneak a glance at her spot.

She reigns like a statue. Starring. My hair stands up along my arms.

The garlic must have worked because she didn't snatch my brain. I had hoped it would have scared her away, but at least it was like a force field against her evil power.

Fishing goes like this for the next week. She consistently appears within five minutes of my arrival no matter what time I get here. She's always here. Every day I bring more garlic, but it doesn't matter the amount, she never scares off.

One night while lying in bed, I figure it out. Maybe she is the reason I no longer catch any fish. She is bad luck. I must get rid of her.

I have an idea.

...

After raiding Ma's cellar, I have a bag of garlic with me. I tear little pieces all over that stupid witches spot and sprinkle them all the way to mine. Maybe she won't show up this time.

Who am I kidding?

I settle and bait my hook, still not seeing her. A snake slithers by, and I jump back completely shocked. It's a water moccasin! I shake as its scaly body slides into the water with tranquil movement, but I must remind myself there is nothing peaceful about a snake that can kill me with one quick bite. Thank goodness it didn't see me. Those things are aggressive. Paul Yip, who goes to my school, was struck by one last year. The thing apparently chased after him in his yard, and even though Paul chucked a rock right at its head, it didn't back down. Paul was in the hospital for a long time afterward, but thankfully Paul survived.

Holding my guard, I return to fishing. I watch the brown snake skip across the water like a skipping stone until I lose track of it. It better not return.

After glancing at the Skitler's spot, I relax. She still isn't there. My garlic path must work. I cast my line out and close my eyes. I Still sneak looks every so often, pleased she isn't here. It feels nice not having her around. Maybe my life can get back to normal.

Something pinches my arm. Adrenalin bolts me upwards. It is either her or the snake.

Neither.

Thankfully, it's just a mosquito. Instead of trying to pop it, I slap it with my hand and blood squishes out. Ewe! That blood could be someone else's. Ewe!

"What's your name?" a silky young voice asks over my shoulder. Cold breath tickles my neck. I jump with a start and look up. There she is.

What is she doing next to me? I had covered the place in garlic. She should melt or something. I throw my hand over my eyes so she can't control me. I curl into a ball, trying to protect my brains.

"I'm Desdemona." She says.

I don't believe I asked or care. My knee grinds into a pinecone, but despite the pain of it, I can't move from the locking fear that arrests every muscle in my body.