The Bewitching - Midsummer Aine - Book 2

Chapter 26 - Nowhere Safe

If it hadn't been for the strange shadow like figures below, or the odd aura's glinting off of everything else when looked at just right, everything would have seemed normal. It made it hard to tell if those roaming the streets were the shadow demons that had attacked them, or as Alicia had theorized, a leak of energy and vibrations between the normal world and wherever they were trapped. Neither possibility was particular comforting to Elyssa and the others, although the former was more of a concern for obvious reasons.

Thankfully the alleys behind Annette and Alicia's shop seemed free of whatever the creatures were. As long as they could stick to them it appeared to be a safe journey out of town, although once in the open they had no idea what to expect. Their hope was to reach Dewdrop's village, and once there see if any of the shadow type creatures had energy that matched Dewdrop or Shannon. If it didn't, their worst fear at the moment would come to pass. At least it would be safer than trying to make contact with the vast numbers in the city below where they'd practically have to fight off an army to survive if it turned out the shadows were demons and not related to the normal world at all.

"Everyone's okay with this plan?" Elyssa asked, a little unsure of the idea now that they had a chance to examine the alleys from above and give some thought to it. Elyssa couldn't help but notice all the places below that would make it easy to be ambushed. With the narrow alleys, it wouldn't be hard for any attacks to basically surround them, leaving them open to be picked off one by one. It was an extremely dangerous plan to attempt, although so too was the idea of fighting off an army of them in the streets.

"We're gonna get bushwhacked, aren't we?" Annette said softly while shaking her head, obviously having second thoughts herself.

"Just stick close together and keep an eye out. If you see anything move in the shadows, and I mean anything at all, then hit it with a light spell," Alicia said as she grabbed onto the fire escape and started climbing down.

Tobias walked to the edge, and before Elyssa could ask how they were getting him down due to his still immense size, he leapt from the building. Elyssa rushed to the edge, and looked down to find Tobias landing gracefully, and quietly in the alley below. His nose lifted into the air as he sniffed around, trying to sense any danger that may be lying in wait. When he felt it was clear, he lowered his ears against his head and let out a soft whine, looking up patiently for the others to join him. A moment later Alicia lowered herself to the ground beside him and took a second glance around.

"Who's next?" she called up in a voice barely above a whisper. Elyssa glanced at Annette.

"You're up," Annette replied with a wink, to which Elyssa nodded. It didn't take long for her to shinny down the fire escape, and Annette followed a few minutes later. As Elyssa looked around, she felt goosebumps run down her arms. From above everything looked a bit spooky and unsafe. That feeling was amplified a hundred times now that she was standing in the alley itself.

"Remember, stick close," Alicia reminded them again as they started down the narrow alleys behind the busy streets with Tobias leading the way.

The journey was slow and tedious, and every little sound had them on edge. The grime and smells on top of it made it almost intolerable. Several times they found themselves stopping and trying to hold back the feeling of nausea in their stomachs, or trying to escape a stench before the coughing and feeling of heaving overcame them.

As they got farther from the heart of the city, the alleyways opened up giving them more room to maneuver in. The terrible smells also seemed to be fewer and farther between due to less garbage being piled up in the more confined spaces. It was a relief for all of them, although the shadows still posed a sign of danger, one they were all too well aware of.