Beautifully Gone

Chapter 2- Into the Mist

Elizabeth's hair immediately blew in her face the moment she shut the door, and her auburn locks obscured her vision. Moving the annoying color out of her face, she moved along, never looking back. Her worn sneakers were faded grey and had several small holes about them. Elizabeth didn't care though, after all they still worked.

She treaded quickly through their gravel driveway and headed to the main road. Stopping to pointlessly look both ways she continued on, stuffing her hands in her pockets. The sky was grey and raindrops soon gathered on her glasses. Elizabeth made her way up the road, passing neighbor's houses. Literally every single person, she noted, was inside. She sighed, silently hoping that things would improve soon.

Elizabeth had to take her glasses off her face and wipe the raindrops from them, which ended up smearing the lenses. She contemplated leaving them off, but she preferred to see clearly, even if it was hazy. The joys of having glasses. She was breathing heavily already, which was understandable because she was heavier now and hadn't been walking in a while since she had nowhere to go.

When she managed her way up the hill, which took about five minutes, she turned left and went up a steeper hill. Elizabeth decided to walk in the cemetery, usually there were few people there, and she doubted anyone would be there now because of the rain. After her feet pushed her up the steep incline, she found the road level out. In the distance she saw the cemetery ahead. At first her heart did a little flip as she squinted her eyes, but she calmed down.

In the past Elizabeth used to walk in this cemetery, and she always found it relaxing and peaceful. Now because of the rain and the general bleakness, fog seeped out eerily from the road entrance. The mist lined the roads from what she could make out, and she actively stopped both of her feet when she realized that she was three feet from stepping onto that road. Pausing, she quickly looked around to see if anyone was watching, and saw all houses still.

Quickly she slapped her head and began thinking. First of all it looked like something out of a horror scene! Second, she didn't want to end it like this. Third, she calmed, and figured if she just stayed towards the closest to the outside then she should be fine and exit the cemetery as soon as possible. Elizabeth chided herself, and believed that nothing bad could happen just because of some fog.

Perhaps she was dumb, or maybe she was just down to earth, she really hoped she was the second thing. With her hands balled up in her jacket she began taking long strides into the place, with no intention of lingering. As soon as her form stepped foot in the entrance, the fog swallowed her shadow. She walked near the left edge of the road, which shimmered under the soft droplets of rain. White mist strangely permeated the atmosphere around her and she carelessly held both of her arms out like a bird for a few seconds. Surrounding the pavement was a thick layer of trees, almost like a forest, which provided a barrier from the other side which led to a main road.

Hazel orbs poured over the many different gravestones, but never slowed down enough to read what was carved into them. Quicker than she realized, Elizabeth had almost completely made her way out of the burial ground; she could see the exit just up ahead. Almost grimly she slowed down her pace to enjoy the remainder of tranquility the graveyard had to offer. While she found herself lost in a daze, Elizabeth failed to notice the soft animalistic gurgle from behind a tree that she was approaching and soon to pass.

Just as she began to take another step forward, the figure suddenly leapt from its position and stood right before her. Elizabeth froze. Unsure of what was near she hastily removed and wiped her glasses on her green sleeve and quickly set them back on her nose. When she saw clearly again, she almost wished she couldn't see at all. Her eyes felt like they could pop from her skull at any moment, and her heart! She could no longer hear her own breathing, or even the rain hitting the rough ground, she could only hear her heartbeat thumping painfully in her chest. Fuck! She didn't mean to go out like this.

Approximately two strides away stood one of the most hideous sights that Elizabeth had the worst of luck to see. Literally, a real orc, armor and all, stood in front of her! Its skin was gnarly, it was some shade of red and black, and she could see its numerous jagged scars etched into its body. Elizabeth shuddered as she met the creature's eyes. Its orbs were pure black, and its onyx, oily matted hair clung to the side of its face. She gulped, maybe this was actually a man, a really, really, really smelly man, she figured. Elizabeth nearly toppled over when the wind blew in her direction, sending this orc's odor towards her, which instantly blinded her senses. Surely though, this isn't real! She'd try her luck and say something.

"Uh-" Unexpectedly the orc let out a deafening cry and its malformed hand suddenly unsheathed a hidden scimitar from its side. Holy- No! Elizabeth's feet remained plastered to the ground. She found it extremely difficult to breathe, especially when analyzing the lethal scimitar the monster held. She heard it growl again and she involuntarily flinched, feeling adrenaline flow through her.

"You will go with me." A raspy and overly confident voice croaked. The orc was cocky, especially when he saw the fear written all over the human. Why, the man-child even reeked of fear! Elizabeth could have vomited on sight. Instead, her hazel eyes scanned the filth before her, slowly processing his words. There was no way she'd go with that! She regretted ever stepping foot outside her room. She gulped, and recalled that you should never turn your back on your enemy. She thought hard, the orc had no bow in sight, and if he really needed her to go with him, then he surely wouldn't kill her, right? Before anything else could happen, Elizabeth took advantage of the adrenaline rushing through her veins, turned around, and started to run.

And so ends chapter 2

Phew! Wonder what this nasty orcses is up to...

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