The Monster [H.S.]

Chapter 43

My palms are sweating as I stand in the field that separates our two species waiting on the Intrinsecus. I fidget with my hand gun and pace in my position. Thousands of Terrebit stand with me, myself centre front with Paul, the disciples and a thousand others I don't know, and if I wasn't nervous enough Harry won't even look at me.

The field goes quiet and I look up to see a white flag waving from behind the Intrinsecus walls, before the gates creak open and thousands of Intrinsecus emerge from them, a few white flags being waved by the people and guns in every hand - even the children's.

Stay calm Annabelle. I remind myself. But how can I when thousands of rivalling species are about to be squished together as one, and I seem to be stuck in the middle?

The closer they get to us the more nervous I become and I feel my hands being gently squeezed before I quickly pull it away only to find Eleanor standing behind me with a faint smile on her face.

"Eleanor." I say, relieved.

"You'll be fine. You can do this. And if you can't? Look at how many of us there will be to fight. Don't worry, everything will work out for the better." She smiles. A part of me is repulsed at her naivety or ignorance, but another part admires her bravery. God knows mine is nowhere to be seen right now.

"Are you staying?"

"Yeah, I'll be right behind you." She says snd my mouth half tilts before falling back down and facing the Intrinsecus who are now only a hundred yards or so away.

"That's enough!" Paul shouts to Nathan, holding a hand up, and Nathan stop walking, followed by the thousands of others.

"When are they to arrive?" Nathan asks, the point of the samurai sword in his hand resting on the tip of his finger.

"Around 14 minutes from now."

Oh great. 14 minutes. That's enough time for everyone here's head to be ripped off.

"Annabelle, are you coming to stand with us?" Nathan asks, and an eerie silence falls on the field."

I look around, unsure what to say. Nathan's face shows anger and prejudgement if I were to choose to stay here, Pauls face showing the same if I was to go there. I am human with them, but I am their prophecy.

"I can't Nathan. Paul's going to talk me through how to make the barrier." I tell him.

"Of course, of course. Not a problem." He says, his smile menacing.

"Don't give me that. This is bigger than a petty standing position Nathan." I snap, my short temper playing up.

"I told you. Not a problem. If you want to stand over their with the dirt, you do what you please."

The Terrebit around me tense up and a layer of sweat begins to form on my forehead.

"What did you just fucking call us?" Harry asks and my heart pounds against my chest.

"You heard me. Dirt. You're nothing but the bacteria ridden gunk on the bottom of my shoe." Nathan spits and words are said through the crowd, and I feel the people behind me push forward slightly.

"Why don't you come over here within reaching distance and say that again you fucking scum." Harry growls, his jaw clenched and hands fisted.

Shouts roar through the crowds and Nathan begins to swagger towards Harry when I run in between and push Nathan back, other Intrinsecus meeting Terrebit in the middle and pushing each other's chest.

"Stop!" I scream but more begin to charge forward and my breath destabilises.

Shit. Think Annabelle think.