Page 28 of Claimed by the Fallen
The four creatures continue to approach. I wonder where their fifth companion is when a gust of wind pushes me backwards. I fall into the bushes, but the branches are so dense I do not fall in. Sharp sticks and thorns scratch my arms and legs as I wrestle out of theshrubbery.
When I finally regain balance, I visibly start at the sight before me. Mr. Cohen and Adrian stand two feet away, facing the surrounding monsters. My eyes widen as I register the sight of Gabe fighting with one of the frightening creatures. Unlike when he fought Adrian, every punch and kick lands their mark. The monster is screeching in pain, but none of its companions come to his aid. In fact, I swear they have steppedback.
I don’t understand what is happening. Even if I do not consider the missing fifth creature, the scaly beasts outnumber the men before me. The creatures had looked ready to attack me before their arrival. Why wouldn’t they take their chances with the men? Are they beingstrategic?
If so, I’m shocked. They don’t exactly scream intelligent beings with their growls and gutturalnoises.
Then again, for all I know, the sounds could be a means of communication. I’m unable to assess the notion at the moment since not one of the monsters makes a sound. Their red eyes watch their companion flail on thegrass.
I look back at Gabe, and I see him withdraw a long sword from out of thin air. I blink and rub myeyes.
It can’tbe.
Is that the sword from mynightmare?
The sword punctures the creature’s abdomen. The resulting cry of agony pierces my chest. IknowI’ve experienced this situation before. Realization hits me, and my kneesbuckle.
“Oh,God.”
Mr. Cohen spins around when he hears my whisper. He catches me before I fall to the ground. He is telling me to breathe, but his voice sounds like it’s coming from a greatdistance.
The only sound I’m able to hear is the gurgling gasps of the dying creature. Unlike last time, I don’t throw up. I don’t look away. I watch the agonized, monstrous face breathe its last breath. Yet, despite their companion’s death, none of the other creatures make a move to assist. They simply stare. Their faces are void of emotion. That fact scares me more thananything.
Gabe rises to his full height and wipes the black, steaming blood off his sword on his pant leg. I pull away from Mr. Cohen and stand on my own, hugging myself forcomfort.
Then, with a harsh, dead tone, Gabe shouts, “Who’snext?”
All at once, the three remaining creatures howl and turn to run. Before they can take two steps, each one of them is cut off when a flying mass lands in their path. It all happens so fast, I see one black blur and two white blurs soar across myvision.
It takes me a moment to realize the blurs belonged to the three men I’d originally ran away from. Not only did they manage to move at inhuman speeds to intercept the creatures, they did so byflying.
Withwings.
Largewings.
Wings which are currently spread out behind each man’s shoulder blades as they face theiropponents.
Angels…I recall Mr. Cohen’s crazed words. Only… they don’t seem as crazynow.
Am I really looking at three of God’sangels?
No one is there to catch me this time. I collapse into a shaking heap and watch as Mr. Cohen and Adrian produce blades similar to Gabe’s. All three men proceed to cut down theirrival.
I feel like I’m having an out of body experience. I hover above my limp form, watching myself as I watch the men slice through the monsters. Their wings are easier to see at the elevated height. I note Mr. Cohen and his brother share matching white wings while Adrian’s are dark ebony. I think there might be hints of blue in the feathers, but it might be a trick of the setting sunlight. Yet again, I have another flash of recognition from mynightmare.
I continue to mark every possible detail about the fantastical wings when movement draws my attention away. There, creeping along Mrs. Hall’s driveway, is the fifth creature. It must’ve been hiding along the side of the home. What it waited for? I don’t have aclue.
Regardless of its intention, the creature has managed to escape the notice of the three angels currently decimating his brethren, and he is skulking closer to me with every elongated step. In fact, I see his bulging red irises locked onto me. He is purposefully approaching me. I open my mouth to shout a warning, but the creature lunges forward before I have thechance.
I snap back into my body, throw my hands out in front of me and duck, closing my eyes to brace for impact. I don’t expect the cowering move to do anything except maybe prevent its sharp talons from ripping my faceopen.
I am surprised when I hear the creature wail in protest. Thinking one of the men must’ve seen the impending attack and come to my rescue, I open myeyes.
My jaw pops open when I see bright, golden light shooting out of my palms. The light illuminates my surroundings, but more than that, it is illuminating the creature who attempted to attackme.
Only, illumination isn’t the rightword.
I see the black, scaly skin singe from the heat of the light. The skin sloughs off and sizzles as it lands on the ground. I immediately drop my arms and look at my hands in shock. What in the heck is happening tome?
