Signs of a Storm

Chapter Forty-Eight

Chapter 48: Debt In Payment

I ducked to the side, and Nico went the other way.

Thorn turned back around and clawed at my face. I barely missed it by an inch. Nico came in from nowhere, and stabbed at his side, Thorn growled, but it appeared to do hardly any damage. I took the advantage, and sliced across his chest.

It would surprise me if no monsters came down to help out their buddy. For now, it was just the three of us on the narrow passageway up Mount Tam. Couldn’t possibly get any more dangerous, right? I was proved wrong as Dr. Thorn flung spikes at my head.

I hit the ground right as one almost grazed me. A sharp splitting feeling briefly ached near my side, but I issued it to be chills. Nico came up behind him, and tried to stab the monster. Thorn easily moved to the side, and Nico fell towards me. I tried to move out of his way, but instead he rammed into my bad side, with the wound. We collapsed into a heap as Thorn got closer. His eyes were shining as if he loved a good fight, and especially loved the odds with the two of us. My sides burned in agony. I gulped for air as the fire spread throughout my body.

I gripped my wound and squeezed my eyes shut.

I heard the heavy gasps of Nico as he tried to stand up. Thorn’s feet seemed to stay in one place. I couldn’t see anything, but I heard the manticore howl. Ice crawled up my spine as I heard a few howls in response.

Forcing my eyes open, I made out the blurry shapes of Nico next to me, trying to get me to stand. Thorn was staring at us like a fresh meal, and monsters of all sorts were lazily making their way down to us. “Tara, get up. Please.”

I heard a voice, but saw no figure. Things were blurring. I got to my feet with the help of Nico. He tried to let go, but I crashed to the ground. Gravel rolled by my face as I realized we were right by the side of the long drop down the mountain.

Hazy grey rocks were below us, and I didn’t feel so good being this close to the edge. The pain was growing, but my vision cleared up enough to see Nico warding off as many monsters as he could. We wouldn’t last for long if this continued.

I forced myself to stand. It hurt much worse than before, when I got it. This could only mean that those spikes that I thought had only gone past me, actually hit me.

I peeked down at my side and saw disgusting green ooze lined around my shirt. Acting quickly, I lifted up the fabric and saw my once stitched up pierce, now open and bleeding slightly. Nasty green lined the edges, and I held in a scream.

“Nico..” I gasped.

He turned to look at me, which was a mistake on his part. I saw the claw coming, but it was too late. The strike came, and Nico tried to dodge it. The next thing I saw, Nico was by my side, his left arm bleeding badly. He rushed to me as the monsters advanced on us. They took their time as we neared the side of the cliff.

My foot shuffled against some rocks as I almost fell over the side. I grabbed Nico’s hand as the both of us struggled to not fall.

“Jump.” Nico whispered.

I knew I was having trouble with my whole body aching, but I thought I hadn’t heard him right. “What?” I asked, bewildered.

”Jump.” He said again. “Trust me.”

I stared into his eyes, and he stared back. I trusted him, and I would do what he said. “On three.” I said. The monsters crawled closer. “One.” I gripped his hand tighter. “Two.” Nico wrapped his arms firmly around my waist.

“Three.”

I fell backwards with Nico as the monsters charged. I shut my eyes and waited for something to happen. Nothing but air consumed me. My hold on Nico went tighter. I waited for death. My side ached, and I thought of a safe place. Any place.

 Just safe.

The rushing air around me went still, and I landed with a thump on solid ground, on my feet. Nico was beside me, and still holding on. The agony came back, and my vision blurred again. All I could make out was a few lights in the distance.

My feet crumpled beneath me, and the next thing I knew,

All was black.

~*~

A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, but hey, it was a good place to stop… Almost to chapter 50! This is a big milestone. And thanks to everyone for reading my story. It was a stupid idea that came to me a long time ago, and I am so thankful for all of you guys. I guess I can call you “fans”. Well, I gotta finish writing this, but I will get back with you soon! Have a great week, day, life, ect. Thank you! <3 Love, Bela xxx