I would have never had thought I would be picking up a story I had written 2 years ago to once again travel down a road of such adventure. I cannot wait to embark on this piece, to hopefully bring it to a close. It will be subjected to some major editing so that I can call it mine once again, in a way that a fanfiction writer may pretend that these characters are theirs.
The storm ravaged the sky above me as its horrendous winds whipped through the trees. Rain plummeted to the ground soaking everything in its path. Rivers along the path send me to my knees as I slid to a brash halt. With crazed eyes, I searched the brush unable to pick my pursuers from the blurry shapes and dank colors.
Gasping, I brought myself to my feet and pushed myself faster and faster, the blackened forest, rushing past in a blur of dark greens and browns with its long, thin branches reaching out to try and drag ones weary soul into the abyss.
Catapulting myself over a large fallen tree that stymied my path, I found myself gasping painfully, my battered body struggled to keep up with my fleeting mind. I could hear the heavy footsteps of my pursuers in the distance, and with renewed vigor pushing me forward, I continued to run blindly. The surrounding foliage ensnared my skin, leaving thin claw-like marks that started to bleed. My heart was begging for mercy as the air I inhaled left a burning sensation in its wake.
In out In out Gasp Out
Dodging another tree, I turned left in hopes of deterring them from my erratic path. Their ATVs and bloodthirsty dogs could be heard close behind and I could only hope that the heavy rain would wash away my heavy, blood filled scent.
Running-always running.
The thought of being captured again filled my very soul, don't people have those… I would like to think I did, with dread. The Devil dragged woeful souls to the fiery pits of hell on a day to day basis, hopefully today was not my one way ticket. Five years of sweet freedom could not be ripped away because of an amateur, purely stupid mistake.
I should have known better than to leave a fire going for such a prolonged period of time. In doing so, I had set a beacon that, like a moth to a flame, had drawn the vermin to my camp.
I am trapped here on the ground; the disadvantages are much too great to stay amongst the ferns when I have something that no one else possesses; my curse.
All I need is an opening, just big enough to squeeze through, in the thick canopy above. With a thundering crash my prayers were answered, for as the lightning lit up the sky, a small gap in the trees was revealed; only three hundred yards ahead.
Time, running out of time.
"She does not have much time, she is deteriorating, if you don't do something, then everything that we have been working for is lost. The only one to blame is you so do something damn it!"
Two hundred yards left. It was then that I heard the powerful gun shots which only could mean one thing; they were uncomfortably close. Bullets pounded the earth around me, splitting wood and flinging moist dirt into the air.
One hundred yards, a bullet whizzed past my right ear, nicking the cartilage and embedded itself within a nearby tree with a soft thunk.
"Fuck" I sputtered as yet another bullet whizzed past my arm.
With a resounding boom, lightning lit up the sky to reveal the hole in the canopy, located right above me. With as much force as could demand from what was left of my strength, I launched myself upward, unfurling my frayed hawk-like wings, pushing them forward and with a gasp of pain; down; I rocketed through the air, feathers falling with each push.
With a couple more pulses of my ragged, thinning wings, I raced upwards towards my metaphorical pearly gate; the gap in the trees. A chorus of yells and commands flooded the air, as they simultaneously began to fire at my retreating form.
I soared quickly towards my escape when a sharp, white-hot pain ripped through my leg.
With a gasp of both relief and agony, I pulled my wings flush to my back and burst forth through the trees into the dank gray sky, with blood gushing from the ragged wound in my thigh my tears mixed with the rain, as my essence of life fell to the earth.
Reaching higher and higher, my body shook with the crashing thunder and a raspy laugh escaped my trembling lips. Had I made it? Had I truly escaped once again to breathe the serene air of freedom for another day?
If being constantly on the run is what one would call 'freedom'.
This happy thought was quickly silenced as the distinctive sound of a helicopter filled the air. The choppy air rang out as the craft appeared seemingly out of nowhere, the heavily armed machine rushed forward filling the air with bullets.
Freedom is such a lie.
This may be it… they may actually manage to drag me back to my own ninth circle, well that is, if they don't kill me first. They sure do not seem to be playing nice. With nowhere to run and out of options, I am forced to become the one thing I hated most. To become the monster, the murderer, of their sick twisted dreams.
With a well-placed roundhouse kick to the stomach, the fight was over. Though tedious, it ended just like all the rest, with my opponent left defenseless and exhausted on the floor. With a split lip and bruised face, he lay gasping on the floor. I extended a hand to help him to his feet, but my actions were halted when a sharp command came from the corner of the room.
"Kill him", said the deep voice. Clad in expensive business clothes that were partly covered by a long leather jacket, he strode forward.
Thick black hair that was casually slicked back crowned his head and his eyes were a dark brown, almost black that drew you in until you felt as though there was no escape. His most distinctive fetchers though, besides his strong jaw line and finally sculpted nose was the thick, ugly scar that cut through his left brow, marring his otherwise perfect olive toned complexion.
He only showed his ugly face when I trained, watching but never speaking.
"What?" I asked, dumbfounded trying to avoid his glare. At 15 I had become able to take on full-grown men who would tower above me. "The fight is over… what else is to be done." Frightened, I looked from the man with the scarred brow to my sparring partner now kneeling on the floor.
"Then take your prize." With a glint in his eye, he smiled that disgusting smirk that contorted his handsome face into that of a demon.
"There is not a prize to be won" I begged, pleading as his intent became clear.
"Do not refuse, or else I will be forced to do it myself? It is now your choice, one life or three? I will drag it out, making him beg for the sweet relief of death as will his young wife and child." He laughed, before striding forward, brushing past me. With a gloved hand, he grabbed the man from the floor and brought a knife in his ear. In a fluid motion, he dragged the blade down the man's scalp to then cut his ear from his head. The man's scream filled the air as blood gushed from the wound. "If I cut the other off, then he cannot hear you refuse to end his life swiftly and without pain!"
"No! Please!" I begged, voice rising in pitch, "I will do anything! Just, just let him live… please"
"KILL HIM!" He said nonchalantly, throwing the screaming man to my feet. The man with the scarred brow walked forward and gracefully landed behind me and with an almost soothing touch he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and placed the bloody blade into my trembling hands. Without a choice and just like a puppet on her string, I fell to my knees taking the blade and plunging it into his chest, over and over again. Sobbing, I threw the blade to the furthest reaches of the room and crumbled to the blood soaked ground.
His name was Jacob, he had a 5-year-old child and was happily married.
The last bit of my innocence was ripped away.
I am a monster.
These people wanted me to be a weapon, a monster? So be it, I doubt that they ever expect their pet to bite.
Turning towards the monstrous machine, I flapped my wings slowly, hovering in the dark stormy sky. The wind whipped around my still form, tugging at my knotted hair and ragged clothes. With a single tear rolling down my cheek, I raised a hand, spreading my long, dirty fingers wide.
When an individual is forced into using their fight or flight instinct, everything changes. The person will drop everything held dear, every shred of their existing morals.
Once the choice is made, adrenaline will begin to pulse through one's body and will heighten their senses, causing the world around them to slow down to a crawl. In the face of danger, even the weakest man will become strong.
Fight or flight… and I had done enough running.
"She's wonderful!" Exclaimed one of the many scientists as they surrounded my play pen like vultures around a dead carcass that was recently hit by a passing car, beady eyes staring hungrily at the easy meal.
I sat there on the floor, barely four months old, playing with a small stuffed horse. Its fur still felt like silk even after it had endured many years of abuse by many different children.
Not too much comfort is given to something that was not to survive, like many others, for more than a couple of months after creation. The iron walls stretched high above me as the concrete flood laid unforgiving underneath fleshy legs. I had baffled the scientists as my first few months of life flew by in perfect health. My fate was unbeknownst to me though, as I enjoyed the smallest of pleasures. My tiny wings ruffled and high-pitched squeals erupted from my small mouth in delight. Without anybody touching it, the small horse slid across the floor to come back to my awaiting arms.
"She will become quite the solider"
Like a finely tuned harp, my power began to sing throughout my body. Concentrating on the death machine that steadily raced towards me, I closed my eyes.
Slowly, painfully, I began to pull my fingers towards my palm as a resounding shriek filled the air. Nothing can compare to the sound of metal caving in upon itself, except that of the screams of the men trapped within.
The helicopter screamed and moaned as it began to twist and break within my mental grasp. The men on board tried to flee, but it was too late, the doors could no longer open as the cockpit shrunk around them, crushing them. The helicopter, now almost completely unrecognizable, floated for a couple more seconds before I released my hold, allowing it to begin its free-fall.
I watched as the contorted hunk of metal plummeted towards the forest below; with a loud explosion filled with fire and thick black smoke, it was gone.
Using my power to that degree left me on the edge of consciousness. Floating in an out of consciousness, I haphazardly picked a direction and without the strength to flap my battered wings, I floated with the air currents.
The winds permitted me to drift slowly north and after a couple of minutes a small meadow came into view. Screaming out in agony, and blood still pulsing from the bullet wound in my leg, I flickered in and out of reality as I neared the safe haven.
I descended through the air and fell without grace. The wet ground was unforgiving as my body made a long muddy creator. Breathing raggedly, I managed to position myself on my broken and battered wings so that I was able to look up at the gray sky. The storm had ceased and not a sound could be heard except for the bubbling of a nearby brook that had swelled with excess water.
Peace washed over me, and with a sigh I looked upon the parting clouds. Within the cracks, a bright blue sky could be seen. A light breeze wafted through the tall grasses that surrounded me and brought the smell of sweet honeysuckle to my nose, filling me with a heightened sense of tranquility.
Closing my eyes, I found myself on the edge of a cliff, in lieu of the normal stormy waters that would crash among the rocks below, rested a serene pool. I was to make a choice.
I jumped. Plummeting into the waters below.
Within the waters, like an echo, I could hear the loud thud and feel the slight vibration as something heavy and metallic landed beside me.
Thank you again and I hope to update regularly :)