CHAPTER THREE DARING RESCUE
Trever
“Follow the road. Run as fast as you can and do not stop until you reach Deershell. They are expecting you! GO!” I smacked Oxwell on the back and pushed him forward as he began to run. He was crying and I could tell he was scared and confused. But this is the best I can do for him.
I had carried him past the damaged carriage and away from the dead bodies as the monsters feasted before sending him off on his own to escape. I wanted to go with him, but Ophelia is still in the carriage.
I turn towards the carriage. The monsters are munching on Count Celik and the coachman in the middle of the road. I quietly creep around to the back end of the carriage, staying behind the tree line.
That was when I heard another howl.
It was not from either of the two eating. It came from the woods. Sprinting over to Ophelia, I reached for her, trying to get her out of there. But a third monster attacked. It had rolled the carriage over again, resting its huge and heavy claws on the underbelly of the carriage and leaning in.
I waited for my opening, sword in hand and ready to attack. Ophelia was just sitting there, staring. Watching closely as the monster hungrily leans over her. My heart is starting to race. Pulling on her petticoat to inch her closer to its mouth.
I ran forward as its jaws opened. Stabbing my sword deep into the back of the beast’s neck. It let out a loud yelp.
I swore under my breath and grabbed for Ophelia who was still frozen with fear. I kept trying to pull her out from underneath the beast but her dress was caught under its body. Taking out a dagger from my waist pocket, I stabbed and cut the petticoat to pieces allowing for her to slip out from underneath the monster.
I sheaved my knife and pulled out my sword. We started running. She started to pant heavily and fell over into me.
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We passed the other two monsters as they ate hungrily. With my free hand, I wrapped it around Ophelia’s waist and pulled her body along with mine as we tried to run down the road towards Deershell.
“Oxwell?” She whispered between panting.
I couldn’t answer. My lungs and nose burned as I tried to get air into them. We heard another howl and Ophelia dropped to her knees. I put my sword away and scooped her up. Gently pressing her head into my chest, I gripped her thigh with my other hand and took off into a run.
This was not the time to have a conversation or for polite behavior. This was the time to run. Find safety. And hide.
Oxwell
I cradled my knees. I fell down while running and am too scared to get up. What if those monsters get us? Crying I screamed into the now black night sky.
“Over there! Hurry!”
I could hear the clanking of metal and looked up.
“Why are you out here alone little boy?” They were soldiers. I would recognize that metal armor anywhere. I started to cry even harder. I couldn’t catch my breath. The soldier stood tall and motioned for something. I was then pulled to my feet and swung over a different solider’s shoulder as he started towards the direction I was running.
“Bring the boy to the Inn-the rest of you, come with me.”
“No!” I screamed. I let go and fell off the soldier trying to take me away.
“No you have to save them!”
“Save who?”
“Ophelia!”
My sister’s name burst out of me like the catching of a flame. I couldn’t stop the sobs. I feel so weak and pathetic in front of these brave strong men. What good am I? All I did was run away.
The soldiers started off towards the direction of the monsters and the one carrying me stooped down low to be face to face with me.
“Young man, you were so brave just now. We will do our best to save Ophelia and anyone else in trouble.” I stared into his bright blue eyes and nodded. He felt so safe and strong.
But those monsters were so big.
They were also strong.
We walked silently, the solider holding my hand as I stumbled over the dirt road. I could see a soft glow of the town.