Devil's Elbow

Act II: Chapter 5

Shani just sat down, trying to process what just happened. Whatever chased them out, as far as he could tell, didn’t even look human. He couldn’t make out exactly what it was he saw, but human was definitely not the word to describe it. And it took away his best friend, mere moments before he was out of the hole.

“What the f**k happened down there guys?” Vincent said, trying to figure out what exactly happened since he remained topside.

“There were a bunch of dead bodies down there. Some looked ancient, others just a bit younger…” Seth said, running a hand through his hair.

“But what was chasing us?! We were sprinting for our goddamn lives, and it was keeping up without even trying!” Kodi shouted hysterically.

“I-it could have been a wolf-” Mica tried saying.

“Oh come on, a wolf?! What, do you think a single wolf could pull Cole, who was being pulled by three grown men, could snatch him that fast? If so, you are dumber than-”

“Kodi!” Shani shouted, glaring at him.

“No, you know I am right! You saw what the hell grabbed him!” Kodi shouted as Shani pinned him to the tree.

“One, I don’t know what I saw. Two, you gotta keep your mouth shut before whatever the f**k it was changes its mind and comes on back,” Shani said, reminding everyone that whatever had taken Cole, could still be after them. That reminder seemed to sober up the frantic Kodi and crew before he nodded. “And three?”

“Do not insult Mica again. She is scared like you are, man. Hell, we all are.” Shani said and Kodi looked upset with guilt. “Got it…”

Shani hugged his friend and sighed. “It’s gonna be alright brother. Let’s just focus on getting out of this damn forest.”

Everyone but Gavri, who seemed to be in shock, nodded. Shani walked over to her and rubbed her shoulder. “Gav, you okay?” Shani asked before being bear hugged by her as she silently sobbed for Cole.

All Shani could do was hold her. “He was right there, Shani… right…”

“I know… but he wouldn’t want us to break down. We cannot stay here for long, c’mon,” he said, helping her up onto her feet.

As she walked up to the group, Mica looked at her as she walked up to Shani. “Is she okay?”

“I don’t think any of us are. We just got to get out of here before it is too late.” He admitted, sighing.

“So does that make you the leader?” She asked him with a small smile, and he looked at her puzzled. She held his hand. “No offense, but what makes you think I am a leader?” He asked.

“The way you took charge.”

“Just doing what I feel Cole would do…”

“Well, all things aside,” She said before standing on her toes to peck Shani’s cheek. “Thanks for standing up for me.” She smiled.

He squeezed her hand smiling, as screwed as their situation was, he couldn’t help but think about their lone moment before everything went to hell.

Least there’s that to keep me going.

“Let’s head back to the cars, guys.” He sighed, praying the night would end soon. As if on cue with his thoughts, a wolf howled like a bad omen.

Meanwhile, back in the cave, Cole woke to a sharp pain in his wrists hanging over his head, with spikes pierced through both.

“Gavri?! Shani?! ANYBODY!” He shouted in pain before hearing something approach. “Shani..?”

“Nope. Not DeShan. Or is it Shani? You mortals and your nicknames are interesting.” A voice said, though it sounded like many.

“Look whoever you fuckers are, I swear when I get out I will-”

“So much bravado. So much wasted.” it said with a snicker, coming closer but with a voice as familiar in his heart as any else.

“Gavri?” He asked, and somehow found himself in a room. Inside was laughter, her laugh. What he was witnessing was one of the first nights they made love. His body entangled with hers as he kissed her neck. As he stared he couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt.

“So this girl meant a great deal to you.” Her voice said and she appeared beside him.

“This isn’t real… it cannot be…”

“And why can’t it?” She asked, rubbing his cheek as she whispered gleefully.

“Because you aren’t her, otherwise…”

He didn’t finish, as the memory of one of their later fights came. She was yelling at him for dropping out of school, and words were said that neither took back.

“Look, Gavriella, I couldn’t stand another moment in that damn school!" If I stayed any longer I’d lose my sanity!”

“And what are you gonna do about a job, Cole!? This isn't a college where you can drop out and think you have a chance. With a diploma you could at least get a decent job!”

“I could still be a mechanic!”

“And what if you cannot get a promotion? You have to think this through, but you never do!”

“Then how about this for thinking: go find a better boyfriend if you have a problem with how I want to lead my life.” His copy said, leaving her heartbroken.

“My my, you were a real heartbreaker, huh?” The impersonator said, grinning like a devil.

“I was young and stupid…” He said in whimpers, defending himself.

“But it didn’t stop there, did it?” She asked, whispering in his ear as another painful memory came into the picture.

Along the way, a girl walked up to him as he went to a club by himself.

“Why so sad sweetie?” A girl asked, making his image turn. What he looked at was a girl who was both pretty… but a lot of trouble.

Kadie Smith…

The girl had her eyes on Cole for as long as he could remember, but he would always turn her down, especially after Gavriella.

“What do you want, Kadie?” He sighed.

“I heard Gavri annoyed you, and wanted to see if you were okay.” She smiled.

“Well, I would rather be alone.” He sighed. She smiled and hugged his arm.

“I don’t think you really want to.” She smiled. After thinking about it, and not caring anymore, he let go of his better judgment and gave in.

When they arrived at his home as his parents were out for dinner, what came was a blur of blind passion. It was rough, it wasn’t loving, and it was primal as the two had s*x in his room, the girl pinned beneath him, screaming his name.

“Stop..!” Cole said as he watched.

“Aww you don’t love your work?” The voice of Gavri grinned torturously as it continued. “Don’t you wanna see what happens next?”

“I SAID STOP!” He said, clenching his head as Kadie answered the door in Cole’s shirt as she smiled. “Hello Goth Girl.” She told Gavri as Cole’s image appeared behind her shirtless. Gavri then lunged at Kadie grabbing her by her hair and beat her into a pulp. Cole’s image shouted at her to get off only to be smacked by the tear drenched girl, whose face was coiled with heartache.

“I hope you are f*****g happy… you wretched f*****g pig!” She said and stormed off leaving both standing, the boy being in regret.

“You were one piece of work weren’t ya?” She smiled, the memory ending and the two back in the cave.

“Why are you showing me this..?”

“Because this is who you are. An animal, acting on all those filthy sins.”

“No! It’s not me anymore! Shani-”

“Just f****d you up for harming his best friend, think he did for both of you?”

“You don’t know him… know me…”

“Not yet, but the night is still young.” The face said grinning with sharpened teeth.

“Going to kill me?” He asked defiantly.

“Oh no. I am going to break you. Like those before you. And when there is nothing left, only then, I will feast on your soul, when you realize you took the lives of those you loved.” It shouted and gripped his face.

His voice echoed in the cave, with no one but the laughter to answer him as the twisting and torture began.

“Jesus Christ, feels like we’ve been walking for hours.” Vincent sighed, rubbing his head. Shani felt like he couldn't argue with them on that matter.

The hike had felt long and maybe if it weren’t for the fact that the group knew they were not alone it would feel quicker.

“Least we will have a nice tight ass after this,” Seth said, and the group chuckled lightly despite the circumstances.

As he stopped, Shani looked at a familiar plant and froze. “Seth, Mica.” He said and the two paused, making the others do the same.

“What’s up, Shani?”

“What was this flower called?” He asked Seth, and Seth stared at it blinking, trying to figure out what Shani was getting at.

“Coyote Ugly. Why?”

“Well, I’ve seen Ugly in the exact same place for the last fifteen minutes now.” He said, looking at him. Mica looked at him wide-eyed. “You don't think..?”

The rest stared as the three conversed.

“Shani, Mica, come on, we gotta hurry.” Gavri said, walking over.

Shani then stood and looked at everyone. “Guys wait here, Imma be right back.” He said and looked at Vince. “Keep an eye on Kodi.” He whispered and Vincent looked at Kodi, who still seemed to be spooked.

As he vanished into the mountain mist, everyone began to worry after they couldn't hear his footsteps anymore.

As the sounds vanished, more steps were heard behind them. Gavri turned to see Shani walking up but was confused, since she saw him walking in front of them.

“s**t,” he said, causing the rest to jump, startled.

“Dude, why did you walk in a complete circle?” Kodi asked, confused.

“I didn't. I’ve been walking straight.” He said simply, and the mood was silent as his answer.

“Wait, hold up. What do you mean you have been walking straight, Shani?” Vincent asked.

“Exactly what I said.” He said as the revelation began to sink into his mind as he held his hair. “Guys, I think we are stuck here…”