The End of All

Conflicted. Afraid.

The girl stumbled and sobbed, screaming for help, and for the first time since my father got torn apart, I was conflicted.

I wanted to help this woman.

She wouldn’t be able to fight three of them off on her own, assuming she was mundane. Which she appeared to be. She showed no signs of any power.

But, with the injured leg, it would be impossible to run.

That meant I would have to fight, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that.

Was anyone ready to face death head on?

One of the hounds lunged forward, aiming for her throat as she screamed in terror, and before I knew what was happening I reached out my hands and used my power.

I launched her away from the beasts and towards me, though I must have mustered more than was necessary as we both went spiralling into the thick snow. I grunted when she landed across my middle, quickly shoving her off and climbing back to my feet, I didn’t have time to be gentle, if I wasn’t quick I would sign both our death warrants.

“Fuck.” I mumbled as I dropped my bag, focusing my full attention on the beasts a few yards away.

I had screwed it all now, I had no choice but to fight.

Stupid conscience.

The hell hounds came barrelling forward, jaws pulled back in snarls as they bolted unevenly in the snow, I raised my hands again, making sure that the girl was safe behind me before I lashed out with as much power as I could conjure.

I sent the closest one tumbling down the road, the speed and strength I used snapping the creatures neck on impact with the tarmac. The snap echoed around me, informing me that I had taken its life, but I knew their was no other choice, it wouldn’t have hesitated to tear me apart. So I couldn’t afford to hesitate either.

Kill or be killed. That was life now.

The two that remained let of a pained howl for their fallen beast before snapping their heads back towards me, murder written in their eyes.

Their fur was black and mattered with blood, their claws long and sharp, their teeth yellow from Rot.

But it was the eyes that scared me more; the Red depth void of mercy. I took a step back out of instinct, shoving the girl further behind me, as she whimpered, collapsing into the ground. I couldn’t let her get in the way, I needed a clear mind to use my power and she was distracting me.

What the f**k have I gotten myself into?

I took a long breath, attempting to calm my racing heart, I watched the creatures for a minute or two following their cautious actions, they didn’t know what I was capable of, and that is what would save us. I realised instantly when they decided to attack, a quick glance at each other and a barley noticeable bob of the head, it wasn’t much; but I knew what it meant.

I reacted mere seconds before they did, using as much strength as I could muster to fling the first one deep into the woods and twisting the seconds spine in my mind so that he would be paralysed. The first one landed somewhere with an audible crash and howl of pain, whilst the second barley had a chance to whimper before I snapped it’s neck with a flick of my wrist.

Silence crawled onto the road, the birds once again singing their happy songs as my shoulders sagged, even though I could have used more power than I had, what I did use had made me tired. Drained. I wasn’t used to fighting more than one at a time, it took a lot of energy to kill that many before breakfast.

But what choice did I have?

I was the one that had chosen to intervene, now I had to pay the price.

I turned to look at the girl I had just risked my own life for, her leaf green eyes wide as she looked between me and the dead hounds.

I saw tears pooling and spilling down her cheeks, her entire body shaking in fear as the adrenaline wore off. She was wearing a blood soaked sweater that was once grey and some thin leggings, her boots littered with holes and punctures.

Her mud stained hair gave off the impression that it was brown, but I could see the strawberry blonde pieces that had been spared of dirt.

“I won’t hurt you.” I muttered, a little bit harshly causing her to flinch, I cleared my throat, attempting to use a softer voice as I held out my hand. “We can’t stay here, more will come.”

It was true, the hounds never roamed alone, they were always in packs, and three was a small number.

There had to be more.

But I wasn’t about to stand around and wait to find out for myself, I had to get out of here fast.

Run. Hide.

That was the best option now. They’d have my scent, or the girls.

Either would be a death sentence for the both of us.

Fuck. What had I done?