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994 Words
Spriggans were known for being savagely territorial. I hoped it was a good sign I hadn’t been instantly attacked, but my exposure to this solitary caste of Fae had been limited, so I wasn’t confident in my assessment of the situation. I inhaled deeply through my nose, hoping to oxygenate my blood in preparation for a fight. The creatures may have only been ten inches in height, but I knew better than to discount their threat. I held motionless, hoping to avoid a conflict. “Hello,” I offered with a cordial bow of my head. “Have I mistakenly intruded onto your territory? I’m more than happy to leave if that’s the case.” The creature in the middle stepped forward, lip lifting in a vicious snarl to reveal jagged, razor-sharp teeth. I was in terrible trouble. “Calm down,” I said soothingly, hands lifted in surrender. “I’ll leave right now.” Not knowing what else to do, I began to rise to my feet, never taking my eyes from the three angry men. The man in the middle made a clicking sound, and within seconds, the creatures expanded from ten inches in height to a towering ten feet. They were gargantuan beasts with brown, pock-marked skin and two holes where a nose should have been. I cried out and bolted for the trees. With an intense surge of adrenaline, my body pushed through its fatigue as I raced past shrubs and over fallen logs. From behind me, I could hear thunderous crashing and savage growls as the creatures closed the distance between us. There was no way I could outrun them, but what other choice did I have than to try? I pushed my legs as hard as they could possibly go, pumping my arms and leaning into my momentum. One of the Spriggans closed in behind me, its claw snagging hold of my backpack. Just as I thought it had me, the canvas bag sprung free, catapulting me ahead. Already leaning forward precariously, the added momentum unbalanced me, and I dove into a forward roll to avoid face-planting on the forest floor. I attempted to continue the roll and use evasive maneuvers to escape their grasp, but the Spriggans were on me in an instant. With a victorious roar, one of the creatures clamped its hand around my arm and yanked me back so hard, I thought my arm would dislocate. Diplomacy had gotten me nowhere, and running had been a monumental failure. It was time to fight. With their numbers and size advantage and my inability to use magic, I had little hope of winning, but I wasn’t going down without a struggle. Momentarily surprising the creature who held me, I sprang to climb up his torso and thrust my fingers into his eyes until fluid oozed from the sockets. He bellowed in rage, flinging me off him with the force of an enraged dragon. I flew in the air until I cracked my back and head against the unforgiving trunk of a tree and fell in a heap to the ground. Black spots dotted my vision, and the world dipped and swerved as I attempted to stand. Before I could regain my bearings, a second creature pummeled his fist into the side of my face, sending me careening back to the ground. The world went dark for a second. I cleared the cobwebs as quickly as I could and realized my hand lay over a large stone the size of my fist. I clasped the rock tightly, my heart pounding a furious rhythm in my chest. When I was yanked back to my feet by another Spriggan, I used the momentum to swing the rock up and across its hideous face. He wailed out in anger but never eased his grip on my arm. The third Spriggan approached, taking hold of my other arm, and the two stretched me wide until I was powerless. The one I had blinded was gone, but the two who remained were more than ready to avenge their friend. I would not survive this. The pain of realizing I had failed was a far greater agony than any blow I could have received from the Spriggans. My whole life, centuries spent getting onto Seelie Lands, and after only a day within its borders, my quest would end. Please, forgive me. I tried so hard to get him back, but now, I’ve failed. At least if I die, there’s still a chance we can be reunited. The thoughts flashed through my mind erratically as I prepared for my death. It wouldn’t take but a single well-placed blow for the Spriggans to shatter my skull. A sob tore from my chest as I was faced with a surprising revelation. I didn’t want to die. So many times in my life I’d thought I was ready—that I would prefer death to the constant turmoil of life. It would be so much easier. No struggle, no pain. There was even the chance I would be reunited with those I had lost. Sinking in the dirt had been terrifying, but I must have had more faith than I realized that Knight would save me. Being held by the Spriggans was different. There was no rescuer. I was helpless and about to be beaten to death. Never had I been faced with my own demise with such certainty. When the moment was finally upon me, I had no doubt in my mind that I wanted to live. I kicked my legs frantically and yanked my arms against their hold. “Please, no, let me go!” I cried with growing hysteria. The Spriggan I had pummeled with the stone lifted his free arm to backhand me across the face. All I could do was lower my head and squeeze my eyes shut with a whimper as I prepared to receive the blow that might end me.
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