She quickly left the house, her speed much faster than others because of her slight frame. She could already smell the human, miles away and blissfully unaware of what was about to come. She made sure to go in the opposite direction, far away from the two males that were now tracking the human’s scent. She knew a shortcut, knew a much quicker way to get to the female and get rid of her before Gaijryc and Ryce found her.
It seemed as if she had been walking forever. Her feet were sore and she could barely see anything through the thick veil of darkness. Helina kept hearing branches snapping around her and the sound of small animals scurrying by her feet. Gripping her bag tighter, she tensed as something brushed against her calf. Her heart was beating so loudly she could hear it pound in her ears. Aren’t animals afraid of humans?
Looking around, her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness. She was lost, totally and utterly lost. She couldn’t stop now, though. Softly humming to herself, she hoped it would help distract her from her predicament. The more she walked, the scarier everything became. All at once she heard snapping twigs around her, from every direction, from every corner. She stopped dead in her tracks and closed her eyes, hoping that it was just her imagination. Everything grew eerily quiet. It was like being in the eye of a storm.
“Stop it, Helina. Nothing is out here. It’s all in your head.” She repeated her mantra over and over again until she felt somewhat calmer and could move again. Tinkling laughter stopped her next movements.
“I can smell your fear, dear Helina.”
Helina turned in fast circles, not knowing where the voice was coming from. She dropped her bag to the ground, her arm no longer strong enough to hold its weight. Something brushed against her cheek—a finger, she surmised. The sensation raced down her body, her skin prickling up, her body screaming to run. She stumbled over her own feet, having to constantly right herself. The low hanging branches whipped across her face and arms, the sting reminding her of how real the situation was.
The sound of running water penetrated her fear-laced brain. The trees parted before her to reveal a fast-moving stream. The moon shone above, its silvery glow skimming the water. It was as if the light welcomed her into its embrace. The smell of the fresh water washed all around her. She stopped at the edge of the creek and turned around quickly. Her breathing was erratic, her heart beating a loud rhythm in her chest. She strained to hear any sounds around her, but all she got was silence. The tinkling laughter bubbled up again, first behind her and then in front. Helina was so disoriented and frightened she felt herself become light headed.
“What do you want?” Her voice was a mere whisper, her fright so monumental that she could barely breathe the words out.
“You.”
That one word was filled with such dark menace that Helina stumbled backward in terror. The voice was sweet, almost innocent, but Helina could hear the evil intent laced in it. The wind whipped by her again and she felt the distinct sensation of a finger against her cheek, again. Stinging pain of the sharp edge of a nail dug into her flesh. It slid against her skin, like a knife through butter. Gasping, Helina backed away and lifted her hand to cup her cheek. Wet warmth coated her fingertips and she brought her hand down, staring wide-eyed at the black that coated her fingers. Her blood was the color of ink under the moonlight.
“Why are you doing this?” She turned around in a full circle, her breathing erratic, her mind screaming for her to run.
“You seek to take what is rightfully mine. You bewitched Gaijryc into caring for you. You think you have the right to rule over our kind? You are but a lowly human!”
With that last word Helina felt herself get shoved to the ground with such force she heard her ribs crack. She sucked in air, the dirt on the ground wafting around her in a halo. Droplets of water splashed against the side of her face, the coolness of it a shock to her senses. A small body landed on top of hers, not even the slight frame hiding the strength behind it. Helina couldn’t see the woman’s face clearly, but she could see the bright, pristine white gown she wore. The woman gripped her neck tightly. Helina swung around maddeningly, clawing at the vice that was cutting off her airway. The hand loosened its hold and Helina sucked in a lungful of air. She closed her eyes and heard the distinct sound of someone inhaling beside her neck.
“I don’t know what he sees in you. You smell like any other rancid human I have ever encountered.”
The weight was suddenly lifted from her, but before she could relish in the freedom she was being yanked off the ground. She cried in pain when her arms were squeezed roughly. Helina struggled momentarily, but when a sharp slap landed across her cheek she stilled her movements.