Page 33 of Whispers of the Elderoak

Henry remained calm. “Ava, I think Eleanor’s sick. Can’t you see she isn’t making sense?”

“He’s a liar!” Eleanor was uncontrollable now. Ava had never seen her like this. She was usually so put together. But now her eyes were wide and darting around, seemingly paranoid.

“Eleanor,” Henry said gently as he turned to her, taking two steps forward. “Calm down. Do you want to go to the hospital? We should call an ambulance and have them take you to a hospital.”

Eleanor looked at Ava, defeated, as tears streamed down her face. “Ava,” she whispered. “Please… Why don’t you believe me? I thought you were my friend.”

Ava’s chest ached as her heart broke at her friend’s despair. Eleanor was her best friend. She wouldn’t accuse her. Needed to help her. Ava approached, preparing to comfort and calm her until they figured out what to do.

But something emerged from the woods behind Eleanor.

Ava froze.

It was the creature.

She could see it better in the moonlight as it stalked toward Eleanor, who remained oblivious to the danger behind her.

It was so tall. It had to be over seven feet.

Swirling shadows distorted most of its features, but Ava could make out long hair, glowing red eyes and sharp teeth forming a wicked smile.

Ava backed away as its claws elongated, stalking closer to Eleanor.

“Eleanor, run!” Ava shouted, continuing to retreat when she bumped into Henry.

Eleanor scanned her surroundings, confused. Spotting the creature, her eyes widened and she stilled, terrified. Too frozen to move.

As Ava was about to yell at her again to run, the creature took two steps toward her friend and she started to back away.The figure’s hand shot out before Ava realized what was happening, swiping a singular claw across her throat.

“No!” Ava screamed, lunging for her friend as Henry held her back.

A gurgle sounded as Eleanor grasped her throat and sank to her knees. Terror gripped Ava as blood seeped from between Eleanor’s fingers, desperate to stop the flow. She turned toward Ava and started to crawl, one hand trying to stop the bleeding while the other propelled her forward. She inched closer, making her way across the grass as the creature took slow steps toward her.

Eleanor’s voice gurgled as she tried to speak, warning Ava one last time. “Henry. Run…”

She had to get to her. Had to help her. Henry grabbed her waist and she fought against him, twisting and writhing. “Let me go!” she screamed again, tears pouring down her cheeks. “Please!” she wailed as she tried to wrench from Henry’s grip, hitting and kicking him but he was too strong.

Eleanor continued to crawl, the creature stalking her, preparing for the final blow. It reached Eleanor and grabbed her hair, pulling her backward. Unable to keep her hand on her throat, blood poured like a crimson waterfall from the giant laceration, flowing down her neck and painting her white shirt with death.

The creature knelt and lowered its face toward Eleanor’s throat. Opening its mouth wide, sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight, it released a triumphant scream.

Ava slammed her hands over her ears as the scream raked over her very bones, Henry’s arms still wrapped around her waist. Nausea roiled in her stomach as she trembled, unable to turn from the gruesome scene. The creature began to drink, voraciously gulping as it continued to tear into Eleanor’s throat. She attempted to get loose, scratching at the creature’s face, flailing around for only a few moments.

Ava tried struggling against Henry again, sobbing as she watched her best friend die right in front of her. The only friend she had. And now she was gone. Killed by the creature that had been plaguing Ava’s farm; that had entered her house. Would it come after her next?

Eleanor’s body twitched as the figure continued to rip into her and eventually, she was still.

Henry tugged her toward the house. “Ava, we have to go! Now!” he whispered loudly.

“I’m not leaving her!” She was still hysterical as she struggled again to go to her friend. She had to help. This couldn’t be happening. It wasn’t real.

Refusing to take no for an answer, Henry scooped her up and took off toward the house as she cried and moaned in disbelief. The front door slammed shut and Henry set her down. She ran to the nearest bathroom in the hallway and vomited everything in her stomach. Henry’s hand was rubbing her back a few seconds later, telling her she was okay, and everything was going to be alright.

After she had nothing left to purge, she stood and walked into the hallway, Henry following. Eleanor was dead. And it was all Ava’s fault. She was so selfish to want to see Eorhan. She should never have involved Eleanor, should never have looked for the map.

She couldn’t stop the tears as she paced, her whole body shaking, replaying Eleanor’s death over and over in her mind. They needed to leave. To jump in the car and get away as fast as possible. It would kill her and Henry too if they didn’t escape.

“What the fuck is that thing?” she shrieked. “We need to call the police!” She continued to pace. “Oh god. She’s dead. I killed my friend!”

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