The In Between

Prologue

I yelled in pain, clutching my shoulder as my blood dripped over my hand. Ow. Ow. ow. I glared up. I gripped my scythe harder, ignoring the pain that went up through my forearm. The demon stood very still, it’s shadowy mass looming above me. I snarled up at it. It didn’t move. I sliced it in half with my scythe, to no appeal. It reformed again and melted into the shadows. I wish I had my sword. Not that all my problems would be solved if I had it. But I could count a few.

I glanced around frantically, a wild look in my eyes. I wiped the blood off of my cheek quickly, still scanning the small room. 

The lights flickered. I gripped it tighter. I wanted to close my eyes tight and disappear, like the demon, straight into the shadows.

I almost did, until I felt a cold hand on my shoulder. I turned around. Nothing there. Nothing there.

The hand kept sinking down me, and it felt like everything was avoiding the shadowy thing. I shivered violently. My nose started to bleed, thick red blood going over my lips and staining my clothes. This wasn’t good. I covered my nose, looking around again. I froze when I saw two glowing eyes slowly open. And the demon came straight at me.

      

“You ready?” I was. I thought so.

“Yeah, I- I think so.” I said, running a hand through my hair. I traced the scar on my shoulder, just below my birthmark.

Oh god I wasn’t ready.

Alo looked at me with his golden eyes and I tried to smile.

“I think so,” I repeated, swallowing.

I shouldered my pack and my scythe and lined up against the ledge.

“Then go,” he pressed my forehead and I leaned back, closing my eyes. I fell.