Page 6 of Rebirth Of Order
“You’re not Rosie. Stay the hell away from me!” I scream until my lungs burn. I want–no–need this to be true, but the numbness of her absence fights to remain.
“Please don’t let him take me.”
Desolate smog coils around her arm as she extends it. Could this indeed be her? A war between what I know is true and what my heart desires is more than enough to give in.
Taking a cautious step forward, I question, “Rosie?” If there’s any chance of saving her, why is my body so reluctant to move?
“Kyra,” she pants back. Emotions weave through her lifeless eyes and wetness coats her bottom lids.
“Tell me it’s you, please,” I beg, but she stands at a distance, staring back emptily. My heart smothers all doubts until only a need for her to live remains.
I advance, locking onto her conflicting expression and reaching out with a surge of hope. The essence of time–nonexistent, and our fingers interlock. Her touch is cold against my warming skin, and her lifeless pupils awaken from their slumber.
These past weeks have been hell, and I would’ve given anything to have Rosie back.
Caressing her face, I ask, “Can you hear me?”
“Kyra?” she responds. Her head shakes, breaking that imprisoningtrance. “What happened? What are we doing here?” Confusion morphs her delicate features I’m so accustomed to.
“We need to leave. Tell me how to save you before ‘it’ comes back.” Pulling on her arm, I urge her as nature stills.
She tears away with a ‘what’s going on’ look pinching her brows. Gray freckles gloss over the tones of her reddish-brown gaze, hooded under an overcasting shadow. “Save me from what?”
“Rosie, please, let’s go!” Reinitiating my grasp, she gives in, allowing me to lure her towards the park’s entrance. It takes some effort, but after a small lapse of time, our pace increases. My head swivels, looking for any sign of Death’s dark dealer.
There’s no plan of stopping until she’s safe in ‘our’ place where nothing can hurt her–again. My lungs are on fire as we run. Our fingers squeeze tight, refusing to let go for the slightest moment.
Relief wells within me, seeing the earlier couple making their way down the path. They’re the first set of ‘real people’ I’ve seen since this started, and the entrance shouldn’t be far behind them.
A crippling affliction strikes my soft flesh where its teeth pierced me, and I falter, almost collapsing. Yet Rosie holds on tight.
“Are you okay,” she asks, slowing her pace.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Only a few more feet until we’re out of here.” Regaining my footing, I notice the couple proceeding past us, and I yell, “No, don’t go that way. There’s something down there.” My throat closes on the last decree.
They scan over us, whispering among themselves, but continue against my warning. The selfless part of me wants to follow and ensure they listen, but the selfish side continues moving.
Another sting sets my shoulder ablaze; pain searing down and growing. “Damn,” I spit, lurching at the intensity and coming to a complete stop.
“Kyra, you don’t look well?” Something humorous wrangles around her statement.
Taking a moment to breathe, I state, “I’m fine.” Then I slide my hoodie collar over my shoulder and assess the damage. It’s a horrificsight. My skin pulses around five bite marks, all seeping black liquid from their wounds.What the fuck.A foul odor of rotting flesh reaches my nose.
“Give into the pain.” Her tone is demonic, and I peer up, noticing she’s no longer at my side. Glancing around, I see an all too familiar view. I’m back where the creature held me with Rosie standing outside my reach.
Another wave of torment explodes through my skin, and on instinct, I grab my shoulder. Confusion fills me. One moment we are near the entrance, and next, we are back in the middle of the park.Was I dreaming that? How?
She exclaims, “Your soul!” But it’s not Rosie’s voice, and my lip’s part to respond, yet something shields it. Suddenly, shadows within the trees migrate towards her as if she’s calling them. Commanding them.
“Rosie?” My silence breaks. She leers back with hatred, and her disguise morphs into something more…deadly.
“Youkilled me.Youdid this.” Fright pales my face. I fight to stay upright as sweat beads from my cheek in tandem with the unwavering pounding in my shoulder, not letting up for a moment.
Rosie stalks closer, and my feet dig into the soil, pushing away. I retreat a step, and she advances two.Damn it.Beyond us, a faint light shines through the devilry trees, watching and waiting–bright pink hues, identical to those from the crash that witnessed me fail as I tried to save the woman.I hate those fucking eyes.
Her voice deepens into a growl, adding to her demonic tone. “I need your soul to ascend.” But why? What am I missing, and furthermore, how…why is it wearing her face?
“Stop. Let me help you,” I plead. We just escaped only for her to return to its embrace.
