A Misfit

A Half-c****d Plan

Point of View:

Anastasia Chevoff

“I’ve got him,” I called out to Clayton and Evelyn as they spotted me. “We need to get him water fast. His potion isn’t working. His throat is too swollen from the smoke.” 

“I think we passed a small creek a click back,” Clayton said looking over his shoulder.  Tyler gave a wheezing cough and my heart ached to see him so damaged.  

“We must hurry if we want him to survive the ritual.” Evelyn said as we all sprinted to the creek.  

“Not to mention darkness is falling so our time is limited. We need to find that cursed lake and the tree holding the Pimelea.” I commented as I looked toward the setting sun. We ran for few more minutes until we stumbled across the same creek that they spoke of.  

“Here,” Clayton said to Tyler. Tyler gripped the small cup Clayton produced. “Drink slowly,” He added as Tyler tried to stomach it. Tyler dropped the cup and started coughing up blood and water.  

“What does that mean,” Evelyn asked gravely.  

“It means we need to get him healed now or he’ll die in the hour.” I said as a tear escaped my eyelids.  

“Look his blood,” Clayton said was he watched it bleed into the creek.  

“I don’t see anything,” I said as I saw the delicious blood flow downstream. 

“Anastasia bite me,” Evelyn said giving her arm out to me. 

“What are you talking about?”  

“Masculum immaculatum offeret ad lucrum introitu in aqua et sanguine.” Evelyn spoke to me.  

“Huh?” Clayton asked.  

“Latin,” Tyler wheezed. I took one look at him and bit her arms hard and her fruity fairy blood filled my mouth. Evelyn cried out but bit her lip as she poured her blood into the water. The creek glowed purple where the blood dropped and soon went downstream.  

“There’s our direction,” Evelyn said as her wound sealed itself. I picked up Tyler and we ran along the creek. I nearly jumped for joy when I saw the lake glowing bright purple. 

“Sorry Ty,” I said as I launched him into the water.  

“What the hell!” Clayton yelled as he watched Tyler sink. I fished out the healing potion and dumped the contents into the lake. It flashed a bright blue and turned into a deep purple glow. “Tyler!” Clayton called out when we could no longer see him. He took off his shoes and shirt revealing a massive collection scars and burns on his back and dove in after him.  

“Clay!” I called after him. Evelyn and I held our breaths as we saw the boys struggle to find each other. “Come on Clay,” I whispered as the bubbles came less and lesser. “That’s it,” I said as I stepped out of my shoes.  

“Don’t,” Evelyn said with a smile as she ran down the bank. I looked over her and saw Tyler and Clayton limping over to us. Evelyn nearly tackled Tyler over as she wrapped him in a hug.  

“Don’t you ever scare me like that again,” I said pulling Clayton into my arms. He hugged me back, “I mean us.” I said feeling my face flush.  

“Deal,” He mumbled into my ear.  

“There’s our tree,” Tyler said as Clayton and I broke our embrace. We all turned and saw a great oak faintly glowing purple and blue.  

“That was almost too easy,” Clayton said.  

“You’ll regret that,” Tyler said to him as we started toward the great oak.  

“What do you see?” Evelyn asked.  

“Well we are going to need water from the creek, not the lake it is contaminated by my potion. The incantation that Evelyn said earlier needs blood and water to open the tree.” Evelyn flew away with a flask and Clayton set out his candles in the four directions of the compass. Evelyn came into circle just as Clayton had put down the western candle. A silver line started from the north candle causing it to light and traced a large circle lighting each candle as it passed it by.  

“Cool.” Tyler breathed out.  

“Is it time?” Evelyn asked as she kept looking around.  

“Yes,” Clayton said looking up from his watch. Evelyn took the cap off of the flask and sprinkled its contents out around the base of the tree. The ground shook once she made one full rotation. She held her breath as she tried to steady herself. The ground continued to quake tremendously until she and Clayton braced themselves against the tree. They cried out as it took blood from their palms and arms. Tyler held his hand over his mouth in horror that they were experiencing.  

A strong wind blew out the candles and they were released from the tree’s searing touch. “It didn’t open.” Tyler mumbled. He walked up to it and examined it. He took out a switch blade from his butt pocket and pricked his finger.  

“Ty.” Everyone said cautiously.  

“I know what I’m doing I think.” He said as he started drawing a circle on the back of the tree. He took a step back and waited as did we all. I gasped as the tree bark trembled and glowed brightly. My jaw nearly hit the floor as Clayton’s and Evelyn’s blood crossed Tyler’s blood circle and they formed an infinity sign. The tree’s back cracked open with a gentle sigh and slowly formed to mist as the opening back larger. We shielded our eyes as the mist continued to funnel and consume us.  

“You guys ready,” Tyler asked once the air was clear. Evelyn walked up to the plant just as did Clayton. The gripped the base of the Pimelea and together snapped it. Evelyn cried out as her hands covered in an oozing blackness.  

“Evie,” I said moving toward her. Clayton began chant and the horrid liquid evaporated into mist and headed straight for Tyler’s face. “No!” I yelled as I took out a can of hair spray and a lighter. Tyler hit the ground as I set the vapor up in flames.  

“You guys get out of here, Anastasia and I got this,” Clayton said as he paused in mid chant.  He was right but then he wasn’t. I cried out as it took a hold of my neck and kissed me.