Chapter 24 - ADRIAN
623 Words
I gasp as the tendrils of smoke slither from the Vortex and wrap around Ari. For a while, there is silence. My heart hurts for Ari who doesn’t even flinch. I want to scream at her, to hug her tight and tell her not to throw away her last chance at life. But I know she will not listen.
“That must not have been an easy promise to make.” Beside me, Knight shifts from one foot to another. His expression is unreadable.
“None of her choices were easy.” I sigh. “They are choices a child must not be forced to make. No one…”
“Guess I should be ashamed of myself.” The remark is so unexpected that I turn abruptly towards him. But before I can question him further, the tendrils let go of Ari and she crashes to the ground with a thud. I run to her and take her in my arms.
“Ari!Ari!” I cry.
In the few seconds it takes for her big lamplike eyes to open again, every possible horrific scenario runs through my mind. Me having to go on after seeing her die. Me failing to save my sister and Rosa. Me having to go back to my poor broken mother and tell her that…
“It’s ok, Addie.” Ari’s voice is tired. “I’m ok.”
For how long though…
I feel a hand on my shoulder. “We have to go.”
Ari is so light in my arms and my mind feels cold again. But I can’t dwell on that…Not if I…
“Close your eyes,” Knight instructs. We take our first steps into the Vortex and it is hard, I understand, to not think about it as this dark thing intent on swallowing me. The wind swirls and swirls like some sort of grotesque song of agony. I can feel, smell, hear and taste death around me and I’m sure if I open my eyes I will be seeing death before me – cold and distant, ready to take Ari and my sister away.
All too suddenly everything is silent. And I open my eyes to the moonlit world of a fairy tale. I am standing in a field of giant flowers. Fireflies are all around, a shiny glittering cloud, some even landing on our noses. Ari smiles weakly in my arms, her hand extended out to touch a plant.
“It’s like a story.” She says.
Knight nods and I see a hint of kindness in his eyes. “It’s pretty, isn’t it?”
We move forward and it is only when the dark silhouette of a huge building appears on the horizon that we stop. Knight stiffens and I feel as if I can hear his heart pounding.
“What is it?” I ask him.
Without answering he reaches for his sword.
“Go.” He says. “And don’t look back.”
“What…”
Something moves in the dark. Something larger than the huge plants that we left behind. High high above me, I think I see a flash of teeth and red eyes.
“GO!” Knight screams as the thing moves closer. In the light of the moon, I see it’s cruel face, it’s hungry mouth full of sharp glistening fangs. It is something made entirely of smoke – a huge lumpy grotesque version of a child.
“You brought company, Knight…!” It’s red eyes shine in twisted delight.
- Writer
