When Time Stops Ticking

II

The next morning we take down all the tents and we are herded onto small boats to cross Abyssus Manes. I was in the line to get on one of the boats when I feel a hand grab my wrist and electricity surge up my arm. Without thinkingI turned around ripping my wrist out of the grasp and pinned them to the ground. I hear many gasps from those around me and I looked down to see it was Oscuro I had pinned. I jump up as soon as this realization hit me and it hit me like a ton of bricks. ‘ I am so so so sorry Oscuro. I did not know it was you. I would never had done that if I knew. I’

He stands, towering over me, and holds his hand up taking the page. His eyes scan it quickly,” Stella… that is your name correct?” I nod my head,” Do not worry about it you will face no consequences now. I should have warned you that I was behind you.”

One of the incatators steps up,”You aren’t hurt are you, Oscuro?”

“No, I am perfectly fine.” He take hold of my wrist softly, sending electric shocks up my arm,” Let’s get on the boat.”

He walks onto the boat still holding onto my arm. I suck in my breath and walk onto the boat. The boats push off and we are soon engulfed by darkness. Fires are lit in the middle of the boats, giving us a small amount of light. We move slowly across the Abyssus Manes. Everyone is talking trying to ease some of the fear.

I watch Oscuro, he is just standing there, his head held high, his black tunic swirling about him, his black hair tousled by the wind. His dark eyes scanning around the ships, as if he was looking for the monsters. The astibos are the only ones that attack humans.

I know we aren’t even half way across when I hear terrible, ear piercing shrieks. I look around to find where it came from and then the Astibos descend upon the ships. They have leathery skin, wings like a large bat, long talons protrude from what you can only assume to be their hands, rows of razor sharp teeth, and their breath smells of rancid, rotting flesh. There is screaming coming from everywhere, the fire incantators are throwing balls of fire trying to scare the astibos away.

I feel a terrible ripping, searing pain shoot through my shoulders and legs. Oscuro grabs a hold of my arm. I let out a shrill scream as the pain runs through my body as the abstibo attempts to lift and take me away from the ship. Everything seems to slow, the screaming fades, the pain melts away, and everything starts to go black when a hot burning light flashes and I fall to my knees hitting the hard wood of the ship. Oscuro picks me up and starts shouting commands to the incatators that control wind to call the wind to make us go faster.

“We will get you to a doctor Stella. Why did you not tell us you were Adustio Exieo?” His soft, worried voice was the last thing I heard before I passed out in his arms.

~Sorry it's short~