Chapter 13: Choice
Autumn’s breath hitched, her eyes locked on the hand stretched towards her...dark, tempting, promising freedom... she definitely did not ponder over the cost but she did not move either.
Kieran’s voice roared behind her once more. "AUTUMN, RUN! RUN, DAMN IT!" His voice was raw!
But she could not.
Her feet refused to obey. Her fingers trembled, curled against her sides. The scene blurred as her eyes welled up.
"Why can’t I move?" she whispered to herself. "Why the hell can’t I move?"
Kieran, bleeding and bruised, gave one last desperate cry and hurled himself forward towards the shadowed man.
"NO!" Autumn shrieked, finally finding her voice, but it seemed like it was too late... at least for Kieran.
The man turned lazily, catching the lunge like he was plucking a moth from the air. The dagger shimmered in his hand, glowing with unnatural energy.
Kieran grunted as the blade drove into his chest, right through his heart. The sickening crunch...that unmistakable sound of puncture...echoed like thunder in her ears.
"No... no no no no!" Autumn screamed.
"You should have chosen faster, pretty thing." The man smirked and leaned close to Kieran’s ear. "A shame. Such pretty eyes wasted on loyalty."