Nowhere to run

It felt like she had been walking forever and still the cave was nowhere to be found. 

Why did it feel like she was going round in circles.

Like the fields she had passed earlier on the way to the village the forest had reclaimed them.

In the darkness nothing felt familiar.

It fell like she was going downhill when it should have been the opposite to return to the cave. 

Obvious to her now was the fact that somewhere along the trek she had made a wrong turn.

Impossible. 

How could she make a wrong turn on a straight path? 

Then she pulled out her dagger and slashed an X on a nearby tree.

Charm started to run for what felt like twenty minutes.

She ran until she felt too winded to move a muscle and leaned against a tree. 

Then she jumped back in shock as her hands brushed against the deep grooves of the X she carved earlier. 

It was the same indented marks Charm left before she started her run.

Now Charm was back where she originally started. 

Her mind was playing tricks on her, it had to be an illusion.

She checked her skin for scratches and cuts.

Perhaps she brushed against a poisonous plant that caused illusions but she came up empty handed.

As she looked around in confusion, she started to feel scared, Charm couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. 

She felt zapped, the energy from her body drained.

Charm was exhausted as she stifled another yawn. 

Suddenly lights appeared out of nowhere.

Illuminating bodies that had not been there just a few seconds ago as if they had teleported directly to her location. 

She rubbed her eyes frantically, why did she still get surprised by such a strange turn of events. 

Charm saw movement from the corner of her eyes as those bodies moved to cluster around her making her feel suffocatingly trapped. 

Not all of them took the shape of humans, some were wolves and coyotes.

Their eyes were like glass, empty and devoid of emotion. 

Unlike the demon she encountered earlier, these stood motionless as if awaiting a command to act. 

Some of the demons moved aside, when heavy footsteps came close allowing the newcomer passage. 

Instinctively she could tell they had ten times more spirit power than her.

Unlike her they seemed to know how to use their spirit power properly. 

They were not carrying any torches or flashlights.

It was their spirit energy being unleashed that lit up the area.

She gripped her dagger tightly.

Fully aware that she was no match for them in her tired and weakened state. 

Charm was angry with herself.

She was a fool to dally.

Somehow she knew that these were here to take revenge for their fallen comrade.

The one she had killed earlier at the village after seeing him attack and kill the young boy. 

A demon stepped out into the clearing.

He was enormous, almost like what she envisioned a modern day giant would look like. 

By his side stood two female fox demons.

They looked like identical twins, both were beautiful and they moved in tandem.

Just as silent and deadly as their master. 

They would have almost passed for humans if they hadn't sported the auburn fox ears and tails.

She didn't know what species their master was.

But whatever it was, it was dangerous and it wasn't hard to see that he was angry. 

The air vibrated and thrummed all around him.

As though he had no need to wrap himself in illusions to make himself look even more threatening.

Charm backed away uncertainty as the leader approached.

He signaled to the two female demons to stand down.

Though the annoyance showed on their faces the fox demons did as they were told.

Finally their leader spoke, loud and clear for all to hear.

His angry voice thundered and shook the ground.

"Human, did you think I would let you get away with killing my faithful servant."

Should she feign ignorance and pretend to be harmless and naïve of the situation.

Logically she knew she could not fight all of them.

Charm definitely could not outrun them in her weakened state.

Was this it?

Is this how her life ends…

"Surely, you have me confused with someone else," Charm finally answered. "I'm just a poor human lost in the woods."

One of the fox demons said snidely, "Save your lies for someone else."

Then the other sister spat at Charm and it landed on her shoe. "We don't know who you are trying to convince but it is certainly not us."

"Master Lotham, she killed our brother, we will not be satisfied until she is dead."

Howls and sounds of agreement vibrated in the air.

As their followers echoed their sentiments of death to the human girl who dared to kill one of their own. 

Charm held her ears as the shrieks and cries of the shapeshifting demons echoed through the night. 

She watched in horror as the air vibrated louder with howls that those in human forms started to change into their animal form.

The aura of spirit energy radiating from them engulfed her and almost brought Charm to her knees. 

This violent frenzy that they were channeling as they worked themselves into bloodlust made Charm feel like she was moments away from a heart attack.

"Master Lotham, do not dirty your hands with blood," hissed the elder of the twins, "let me have that honor."

Her body trembled with loathing and the fox demon's eyes flickered at Charm.

While she seethed with malice towards Charm shuddered she felt goosebumps all over her body.

As her hostility prickled along Charm's skin like needles.

Charm was at a loss as to what to do next when the fox demon launched herself at Charm.

With nowhere to run Charm could only stand her ground.

As she waited for the fox demon to strike and hopefully end her life swiftly. 

She never connected with Charm.

A sudden gust of wind propelled the fox demon back towards her sister.

Both fox demons crumpled in an undignified heap. 

Before the other shapeshifters could react.

An otherworldly spirit power materialized in front of Charm.

It let out a powerful explosion in the form of a smoke bomb.

When the smoke cleared to Charm's horror.

She found herself frozen in place, unable to speak and move.

Authors Note: Thanks for making it this far...if you like it, plz add to library & leave a positive review to encourage others to read, really appreciate the support...