CHAPTER TWO ATTACK

Draven

“Draven, there are many soldiers gathering around-can you really trust the Duke with something so precious?” Clyde asked, his concern apparent and worry appreciated.

“I will send you alongside with Dory and Alex to retrieve the girl. I do not trust the Duke and thus, wish to collect the goods before they make way to the capital. It will be much harder to retrieve once she is there.”

I tapped my friend on the shoulder for good measure. He nodded and left the main room. I couldn’t help the tight feeling in my chest. There is something wrong with my mate. And I wish to solve it before anything happens that cannot be undone.

Trever

We have already been traveling nonstop for two days and a single night. The sun is beginning to set and we should be approaching Deershell Town soon in order to rest up.

The horses are slowing but my nerves won’t allow for me to unclench the reigns any lighter. We are deep in the forest. Birds have stopped making themselves known. The forest is too still. The smell of soil and fresh water is making me thirsty.

I nudged the coachman to take over and climb in through the carriage window. Ophelia is sitting there, reading to Oxwell whose sitting in her lap. He is reading over her, I can tell by how he scans the pages with his eyes.

“You are messing me up! Would you prefer to read it on your own?” Ophelia laughed and put the book down.

“It is not my fault you are such a slow reader dear sister.” Oxwell teased, reaching up and pulling his sister into a hug.

Despite my nerves, the bond between Ophelia and Oxwell warms my heart. I smiled at them.

“You are a sir and a lady. Act like it.” Count Celik demanded. He was sitting next to me and snapped the window shut to keep the cool night air out. Oxwell immediately got off of Ophelia’s lap and sat next to her. Staring out the window. Ophelia sighed.

“I apologize Father. It was my fault for–”

“For always reading those damn fantasy books. Why not read a religious text that was approved by the King himself if you are so destined to be a spinster for the rest of your life!” Count Celik punched the top of the carriage three times causing everything to come to a halt. Opening the left door, Count Celik left, slamming the door on his way out.

I watched as Ophelia started to cry and offered her my handkerchief.

“Father is right, you know.” Oxwell mumbled, “women who read are not well suited for marriage. They get too many ideas.”

“And what do you know of what men want in a marriage?” I asked, unable to hide the irritation in my voice.

Oxwell smiled at me. His missing teeth as adult teeth pushed through reminding me that he was just repeating what he hears. He has no idea what he is really saying.

Ophelia closed her eyes and looked out the window.

“What is that?” her voice sounded worried as she pushed her glasses up on her face.

Ophelia

Trever leaned over me. He’s warm and has a solid feeling. I had completely forgotten what I had just asked to make him so close to me. I couldn’t stop the blush forming.

“We need to hurry.” Trever’s voice was dark and threatening. He opened the window he had crawled through.

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“We need to move! There is something coming towards us and we are not safe until we reach–”

“Now I know some orphan is not giving me orders!” Father shot back.

Trever growled. “Sir, if you wish to see the daylight again, I suggest you move your asses!”

I pulled Oxwell closer to me, stroking his hair as the color began to fade from his face.

“Shh.. sh.. It’s okay. Everything will be okay.” I whispered to both Oxwell and myself. My heart was racing as Trever and Father continued to argue.

“Ophelia? What is that?”

I followed Oxwell’s finger to see something approaching the carriage from the right. It was fast. Keeping pace with the two horses drawing us.

Trever unsheathed his dagger and grabbed my hand. He placed the hilt in it and wrapped my gloved fingers around.

“Stay here!” He ordered. Pulling my hand close to his chest. I couldn’t help but notice how plump his lips looked. I shook my head unsure of what to say or do and watched as he pulled himself out of the carriage and slammed the window shut.

My heart was pounding in my ears as silence fell inside the carriage.

“I want one.” Oxwell reached for the blade but I scooped it away from him.

“Sush.” I whispered. Trying to get an understanding of what was happening. The monster thing approaching us seemed to stop following us.

I didn’t see it outside the window anymore.

That’s when I heard Father screaming. The carriage was jolted forward as if the horses were frightened and taking on faster speeds despite their exhaustion.

I pulled Oxwell closer to me with my free hand and kept my eyes on the window where Trever left. There was a strange smell wafting in the carriage.

Then a scream.

Following by more screams.

My hands began to shake and I continued to push Oxwell into me as if I could keep him safe if only my body absorbed his.

Oxwell started to cry and cling onto me, burying his face into my hair.

I saw something from the corner of my eye.

It was big. Monstrous looking. It looked like some kind of dog creature, only it was huge.

I could feel the carriage being knocked over on its side. I tried to roll, allowing my body to cushion the fall from Oxwell but I was too clumsy. We both fell into the window. Glass shattering and grass poking through it. I reached for Oxwell as his cries continued to rise up.

Then he screamed.

I looked at the floor of the carriage, now standing perpendicular to the earth as giant claws ripped through the bottom and a glowing red eye peered inside the carriage at the two of us.

Oxwell grabbed the knife from me and began to repeatedly stab into the broken floor of the carriage. I couldn’t move.

My lungs felt solid, unable to get any air. My hands were frozen where they were. Move. Do something. Get going! I wanted to with my whole being. I wanted to escape this nightmare with Oxwell and Trever and Father and everyone. But I couldn’t move. I could only watch as Oxwell continued to stab the floor of the carriage and more claws came around us.

My heart was pounding in my ears. I could hear the horses crying out in pain. I could hear Oxwell screaming.

And I could hear this loud howl that made my bones rattle. The smell of rotten flesh stung my nose hairs. I closed my eyes and grabbed for Oxwell. Pulling him close to me. I rolled on top of him to shield him from any more attacks. He was protesting but he couldn’t overpower my adult weight.

“Ophelia! Run!”

I looked up when I heard Trever’s voice. He was sweaty and panting heavily. His hand is reaching through the rear window of the carriage. I reach for him and push Oxwell’s arm into his grasp.

I continue pushing on Oxwell’s body until he’s completely out of the carriage. Then I start to climb the ruble to follow.

That was when the howl happened again.

My stomach clenched and I dropped to my knees. Tears falling down my face as I tried to push the sound away.

“Stop. Stop. Please stop!” I started to cry and pound my fists on my temples. Another hard knock and my body went tumbling with the carriage.

I opened my eyes to see the tattered floor now above me. Slowly turning my head and holding my cracked glasses in place, I came face to face with the bright red eyes of the monster. I was breathing fast as it took a claw and started to pull on the ribbons that adorned my petticoat. I couldn’t take my eyes off of the beast.

It’s glowing red eyes. The air around me was drenched in a wet dog smell. Drool dripped thickly onto my breast as the beast leaned over me. It opened its jaws to expose huge fangs.

I tried to scream but nothing would come out. I was frozen. Shaking in place like a bunny with nowhere to turn. I stared forward as it began to lean over, placing my neck in between its jaws.