Page 13 of Hallow’s Eve

My soul aches for them. I now know that they were my survival, my saviors, and I didn’t give into what my heart wanted. I hope they find me before it’s too late. Even if the last of my light begins to dull, they’re the faces I want to see before I’m taken into the abyss.

“You’re wrong. Are you forgetting about the three demons you’re terrified of? The ones where you wouldn’t dare to cross but as a coward, lure me out so you didn’t have to face them yourself. I might die tonight, but so will you, you piece of shit,” I growl at the creature with pride.

“You forget, I’m already dead,” it responds as the circle of hooded beings begin to close in.

I’m suffocating by the energy they’re propelling and they aren’t even toughing me. I thrash in my restraint causing my injured shoulder to sear in blinding pain. I’d rather get slammed against a tree over and over again than feel the burning, tainted sensation cascading through my body.

The chants around me begin to grow louder and louder as the circle closes in. I can feel claws wrap around my insides as if it’s holding onto my soul, trying to pull it forth. I recite the affirmations over and over again, hoping that the goddess answers my pleas. It’s a tug of war between my soul and the creatures inside me that causes my head to spin.

I can feel my body weakening from the internal battle and physical damage I have endured. Trying to hold on, I fight back with all the will I have to live and survive this nightmare. I’m losing this battle as I can feel myself start to slip and my body begins to convulse.

Beads of sweat run down my forehead as I try to resist the magic that consumes the fibers under my skin. Alas, the little energy I have left slowly depletes. Someone help me. Please. I don’t want to die.

The earth shakes again with rage, trying to shake off the creatures who aren’t meant for this world. My eyes shutter open to the creature stumbling backwards and the circle breaks an inch. The tug loosens, enabling me to scream for the very ones I doubted.

“CAYSON!” I scream out begging he can hear me. “BRYDEN! KALLEN!”

Wolves ascend from behind the treeline with their ears set back and the fur on their backs standing straight up. Their sharp teeth shine in the light as drool drips down their snout. Slowly, they circle around, stalking their prey but they don’t advance. They’re waiting for permission to attack as three dark clouds follow them, beginning to take their form.

This is going to be a bloody war and I’ve never felt so relieved.

Chapter nine

Three god-like men step out with onyx eyes blown wide with fists clenching so hard their veins look like they’re going to burst. Maybe god-like isn’t the right term, more like the most magnificent, scary creatures ready to murder within a blink of an eye. The energy around them exerts power, demanding for those around to bend the knee.

Their chests rise up and down with controlled breaths as if they’re holding themselves from sinking into utter madness. They’re calculating every creature's position, movement, and the number of deaths they’re about to take. There’s no mistaking that this is going to be a blood bath but from what I’ve come to know about them, they like to play with their prey.

One foot steps in front of the other as they begin to circle the perimeter in a stalking-like manner. Lightning lights up the sky as a storm begins to brew heavier, casting a frightening glow on the creatures. It’s like it’s trying to provoke mayhem to come forward and destroy everything in its wake.

“So nice of you to join us. I would have hated for you to miss such an enjoyable moment,” the creature taunts as it shifts its posture straight, trying to inflate its ego.

The others don't replicate their leaders' confidence. I mark the way they shift on their feet and the tremble that vibrates under their cloaks. They don’t dare to scurry away because either way, they’re fucked.

“You mean the one where you’re going to be torn to shreds with your blood staining the earth. I would say that’s such an enjoyable site to bear. Don’t you, brothers?” Kallen hisses as a wide ominous smile adorns his face.

“It sure does. Maybe I’ll carve out each and every one of your faces to add to my collection. Use them to scare the children from the forest. Quite hideous, I must say.” Bryden chuckles with the thought of owning his own trophies.

I almost forget the pain that pulses at my shoulder until I shift on the stone. The dark magic squeezes tighter around me causing the throbbing to grow stronger and stronger, almost suffocating. Blood oozes from my wound, splashing onto the stone as another piece of offering.

My vision blinks in and out for a split second, causing a wave of nausea to surface. How I’m even coherent is beyond me with the state I’m in. I try to blink away the fuzziness as another tug pierces me causing a loud gasp to leave my lips.

“As intriguing as it is to hear of my supposedly vivid demise, you’re too late. The sacrifice has started. She tastes rather sweet. I can see why the three of you would betray your creator,” the creature antagonizes.

The darkness that has a hold on me squeezes harder and harder as blood spills out of my arm and I can feel liquid stream down my face. Splotches of red blurs my vision and a piercing scream escapes my lips. The wolves howl at my agony and one launches toward me as if it’s trying to free me. It clashes with the magic and is sent flying, colliding with a tree trunk.

“You’re dead.” The words ring in my ears but they’re not meant for me.

Absolute chaos explodes all around me. Decaying flesh flies in the air as black, tar-like substance stains the ground. I try to blink through the red haze enough to see Kallen facing my direction with one of the Hooded raised in the air, legs dangling. There’s a crazed look in his eyes that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up straight.

The Hooded claws at his arms causing deep gashes to adorn his tattooed skin. A menacing laugh escapes from him before he takes his other hand and plunges it inside the Hooded’s chest and rips out a heart and then different organs inside. Piece by piece, Kallen shreds the thing until there’s nothing left but the cloth.

He shifts just in time as another comes charging at him but in one swift movement, it’s done for. The Hellbound never had a chance against this deadly beast.

Bryden spots another running towards the outer perimeter and pounces, catching it by the scruff of the neck and sends it flying back hitting a tree. He begins to prowl like an animal playing with its food. This is what he’s made for, destruction and chaos. Honestly, it’s such a beautiful sight to witness.

Cayson comes into view with primal rage, clawing at the dark magic to set me free. He’s met with force sending him backwards from the resistance. He snarls at the web and lunges forward again as it slashes at his arms. He doesn’t even blink at the deep gashes as if it is just a pestering fly.

“Cayson, I don’t want to die,” I cry softly, barely able to hear myself over the roaring in my ears.