The fight was messy. I killed the hunter sent to find the girl but I knew more would come. I headed her direction. Amanda was moving but I could feel her coming closer. I put my hood over my head so the blood on my face would be hidden. The lights flashed through the forest trees as her car approached. I tried to keep my walk steady but the limp in my leg wouldn’t cooperate with me. To my luck she saw me and pulled over.
“Do you need a ride?” She asked.
I propped myself against the car to keep myself from falling. “I need help. Please help me.” I said. I thought it would be the only way she would let me near her. It was how I could keep her safe. She only looked scared gripping her steering wheel. After a moment she finally relaxed and walked over to me. The pain in my leg seemed to pull me to the ground.
She kneeled down beside me and pulled back my hood revealing my face and showed sympathy on her own. “Let’s get you in the car. Don’t worry, I’ll get you to a hospital.”
I tried to utter the words, tell her I didn’t need to, but she was prettier then I imagined. Her golden hair fell around me and she buckled the seat belt.
The phrases of danger began to enter my head. “Alcatraz.” I said uncontrollably. I knew that could only mean one thing. The Sinist was near and she would be the second hunter. “Spiders crawl and teddy bears fall, the man is on to you.” My best shot at warning Amanda and all I could say were phrases that further frightened her.
Her voice shook as she asked, “Can you tell me what happened?”
I only wanted to tell her that the Sinist is after her along with the man she works for. I wanted to tell her the man would die himself if he knew it would mean Amanda’s death. But all that came out was “His soul unseen, the blood we bleed, out-weighs his will to die.” Suddenly the Sinist came into view, dressed as an innocent girl. Amanda slammed on her brakes afraid to harm her. “Remain quiet and you’ll be safe.” I tried to tell her, not sure what really was coming from my lips.
The door to her suburban was locked and I couldn’t find how to unlock it. “MURDER HER” the Sinist yelled in my head. I covered my ears in attempt to block out the loud ringing but it didn’t help. I looked up to her holding the knife I used on the first hunter.
I needed Amanda to let me out of the car so I grabbed a hold of her. “Let me out I can save her from the Sinist, I can save her!” I tried to say. “She is doomed for eternity but I can save her. Let me save her. I need to save!”
Amanda, terrified, ran from the car. “Somebody help!” I heard her cry. I finally broke the window and jumped out stepping into the Sinist’s path.
Her power grew stronger as she lit up the road with her glow. “You sir cannot save her.” She told me, “Amanda and the girl will die.”
I took the amulet around my neck and slapped it against her and her power disappeared. “It’s my job to save her, witch!” The wind had blown through her and she faded to nothing. I fell to the ground to catch my breath.
“Amanda!” I yelled. “Mandy!? Amanda!” I limped through the forest looking for her, hoping she was all right. If anyone needed to go the hospital, it might be her. I found her laying against a rock with no will to move. I picked her up and carried her back to the suburban.
“Don’t kill…” she murmured. “I’m just starting.” I laid her down in the back seat and drover to her home. It may have been safer for her with me around her, but it also made her a target when all the hunters look for me.
I took her to my house, laying her on the hammock on my front porch. I lightly brushed the blond strands from out of her face noticing the blood on my own hands. I went inside and washed my face and hands and changed into clean clothes. After I wrapped my leg and cleaned up my paper work from my desk the sun had risen so I opened my fridge to decide what to make Amanda breakfast.
“Good morning,” I said as she opened her eyes from the smell of bacon. I poured orange juice, “Hope you like blueberry waffles.”
The breeze flowed through her beautiful hair as she sat up. “Who are you?”
Right then I wanted to tell her everything. But this wasn’t an option. I set my orange juice down and replied, “Carl.”
I could tell last night was still on her mind. She inspected my face, looking for wounds I imagine. “The blood last night, was that even yours?”
“No, I’m sorry. I must have sounded crazy last night.” I scratched my head and thought about the mind hold the Sinist had on me. “I wasn’t myself.”
Amanda stood up, weak from the little sleep. “What tin the world happened last night?” she asked and held her hand to her head.
I wanted to tell her. But was it too soon? I had to keep it limited. The less she figured out the better. I could tell her what she knew. “That girl,” I explained, “wanted to kill your daughter.”
The shock on her face hurt. I didn’t want to see her confused, but my orders were specific. She placed her hand on her tummy and said, “I don’t have any children.” I smiled in hopes of lightening the mood. She grabbed her keys and rushed to her suburban, mumbling something only dogs could hear.
She hopped in her car but only sat there. Do you know how important she is? I wanted to ask her. Does she realize how great her daughter really is? “Is there something stopping you from leaving?” I asked.
The look she gave me was unpleasant. “I just found out I was pregnant yesterday. I haven’t even told the father yet. I haven’t told anyone yet.”
I smiled as I thought back. “I know.” If only you knew how he was going to take it, I thought to myself.
“What’s going on?”
I chuckled slightly then headed back inside.
“Wait!” she ran after me, “tell me what that was last night?”
“All you need to know is that you’re safe and sound if you stay here with me.”
“But what does that mean? And how do you know I’m pregnant? And how do you know my name?”
“Look” I tried to stop her when we reached my living room. “I know you have all these questions but there isn’t a whole lot I can tell you.” I handed her my phone. “Here, why don’t you call him.”
“Call who?”
“Tobey, the father.”
I sat down and watched as she paced, nearly pulling her hair out. “I haven’t seen him in three weeks. This probably isn’t the best idea.”
I knew she wouldn’t do it. She isn’t supposed to until after the child is even born. “Don’t worry about it.” I took the phone from her. “I’m sure you will tell him you’re ready.”
She plopped herself on my couch. “So, creepy Carl knows I’m pregnant, with a girl apparently, and saved me from a knife murderer that glows. Are you sure you can’t explain any of that?”
I walked over to my desk and pulled out my papers. I searched through looking for the picture. I found it, slightly wrinkled. I knew I couldn’t tell her anything, but if I showed her, she might trust me. I handed the picture to her.
“What’s this?” she asked before closely examining the photo. It was of her and her daughter on top of a boat both smiling. Her daughter was sixteen in the picture. “This can’t be me, is it?”
“All I can tell you is I am here to protect you. This was a happy moment in your life. I only hope you can reach it.” I kneeled before her. “Say you’ll trust me.”
Without hesitation she whispered, “I trust you.”
I stood up and gathered a few of my things. “You better get to work. I’ll be around if you need me.” Then I walked out the door.
