UnSeelie XXII

He lay on the ground in a valley beyond the apple orchard listening to the turmoil of the ocean’s rage just over the cliff wall.  Wild flowers and wetland rushes covered him, concealing him from sight.  He took a moment to clear his head.    Just over the noise of the waves he could hear the rustling heading toward him. 

They come for you.  The voice whispered in his head.  Must not panic, be still. 

Sweat beaded his brow as he held still, not even daring to breathe.  Who are they?  He asked the voice silently.    The answer came in a vision of foulness and blood, jagged teeth and yellowish eyes which held no sympathy or empathy, only a dull cruelty and hunger for flesh.   

He could hear the grunting and thrashing behind him.    His heart pounded as adrenaline pumped through him but he fought the urge to run.    Clutching the bag of coins firmly, he waited for the signal in his head to move.   

Keep very still.   

There suddenly came panting cries as something or someone was running for their lives.  He shuddered at the rush of movement coming very close to his hiding place.  Screams echoed around him.    He could hear bones breaking and gurgles. 

Move slowly away now.    They will not notice you while they are feeding.    Do not let the grass cut you, they can smell blood.  And they will hunt you.

He gagged but edged away from the slaughter.    Gently he moved through the rushes toward the river, letting the water protect his skin from the sharp blades.    He could still hear the feasting behind him.     

He crawled until he could not hear anything but the night.  How long had he been trapped?  He no longer knew or even cared.  A bitter smile touched his lips.  Time is of no consequence here.    Here was just nightmare upon nightmare. 

Weary, he stopped moving and rested on the bank.  The river was murky and thick, its dark depths reflected the moon over head.    A lit torch with an attached chain running out across the water and well into the dark beckoned him forward.