Page 108 of Whispers of the Elderoak

“What do we do?” she asked.

Before he could answer, a splash sounded from a pool next to them.

“What is that?” she whispered.

“I don’t know but do exactly as I say. Keep your back to mine. Draw your bow and be ready to shoot, if necessary,” he instructed as he drew his sword.

Her back was flush against his, muscles moving as she nocked the arrow and drew her bow. The splash sounded again, and they remained back-to-back, looking around for the source of the noise. To his left, something growled and came slithering in their direction.

It was scaly and gray, with eight legs and a long wide mouth revealing hundreds of teeth. They both turned to the creature as it scurried toward them, tail whipping as it closed in.

Casimir lunged, slicing with his sword, cutting off one of its legs but it wasn’t deterred. One of Ava’s arrows shot through the air, but the creature moved at the last minute and dodged it swiftly. The creature lunged again, but this time he was ready. He waited as its mouth opened and then shoved his sword into the top of its head through the open jaws. The creature collapsed, and Casimir turned back to Ava.

“We need to find the others,” he said as he looked off into the mist, hoping to catch a glimpse of his friends.

He turned back to Ava. She had her bow drawn again, eyes wide and aiming at something behind him. Before he had a chance to turn around, she released the arrow, and he heard the sound hit its mark. He whipped around to see another creature like the one he had killed, only slightly smaller, lying on the ground twitching with an arrow through its eye. He raised his sword and severed its head to ensure its death.

He turned, a thank you on his lips, only to find she was gone.

Ava,the voice whispered from the mist.Ava, honey. It’s me, little bird.

“Mom?” She followed the voice. “Mom, where are you?”

She couldn’t see anything but swirling mist and vague shadows of trees. How did she get separated from Casimir? He had been right there in front of her and then he’d disappeared. Her mother’s voice had sounded, and she couldn’t help but follow, couldn’t control her legs as they walked toward the sound, as if her body wouldn’t listen.

Ava. Please, dear. Help! I need your help.

“Mom, I’m coming. Where are you?” she pleaded.

I’m over here. Hurry! They’re coming. They’re going to hurt me.

Panicking, she picked up her pace. “Mom! Mom, I’m coming!”

Here I am,said the voice from behind her.

She stopped and turned around, unable to discern the direction it was coming from. The voice surrounded her now, whispering from everywhere at once.

Ava!It floated around her in the breeze.

“Mom. I can’t find you. Where are you?”

I’m here. I’m here!

Another voice sounded. This one younger.

Ava. What did you do? You killed me!

“Eleanor?” she whispered, heart racing.

It’s your fault I’m dead! It’s all your fault!The voice screamed.

“I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I know it was my fault.”

The two voices continued to yell at her. One begging for help, the other screaming at her in anger. Her eyes blurred with tears as she searched the thick mist.

Lost and confused she had no idea where she was. Why was there so much fog? What was this place? She started to run, trying to get away. She just had to keep going. Had to get out of here. The voices screamed at her even louder, when she tripped and plunged into a deep abyss.

Ice cold, she couldn’t breathe. Was she in water? She tried to swim to the surface, but she didn’t know which way was up. She couldn’t see anything in the black pool, as if the light had been devoured.

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