I felt my fear as I was no longer in Fulcrums safe and warm arms, but instead in a large fishing net, being dragged onto the shore.
"You preying mantis! Why in the world are you fishing for humans!" I stood up but felt a string of pain tearing up my leg. I hissed before falling back down. I looked up and was now face to face with my nightmare. The old mad staring at me with a sinister smile. I hid my trembling hands behind my back.
"Only a fool would come here twice in a row, unless your hiding something here? Or rather someone?" He said. His scratchy voice making my skin crawl with fear. I summoned up my courage and glared at him as hard as I could.
"Yea, a dead body." I said with a snort. "You seem really interested in the life of a teenage girl huh? I could report you to the authorities you creep!" I continued. He laughed as he walked closer to me. I tried again to stand but he grabbed my arm and quickly turned me back around.
"God, your an absolute lunatic! Let me go!" I yelled. I lifted my other hand and bent his fingers off of me. I scurried on my right leg and tried to limp out from behind the rocks. There were so many people here, someone had to have seen me. He trailed behind me, I couldn't even hear his footsteps but I knew he was there. I tried to untangle myself but soon tripped on the net he was hovering over me with an amused twinkle in his demonic eyes. I twisted my face into a look of disgust.
"You have no idea what you took away from me.." he said, I knew there was a threat under that. He grabbed my wrist roughly and forced me to stand. I cried out in pain, the wind blowing against my skin. He untangled me from the net but was still squeezing my wrist with all his might. I tried to pull out of his grip but he only tugged harder. I turned and lifted my other arm once I was free. He grabbed it mid air. His was angry.
"stop moving you brat!" He yelled furious. I glared at him before turning my wrists to be grabbing his arm. I jumped before kicking him as hard as I could in the gut. He buckled over with a groan. I took it as my chance to grab a handful of sand and chuck it at his face.
"You!" He yelled once I broke out of his grip. I kicked him once more before making a beeline to the other end of the beach. I was screaming as loud as I could while waving my hands like a crazy person. Finally, one of the people standing casually by the water turned to me, a look of shock made its way onto my face as I noticed the familiar person. She paced up to me with a look of confusion on her face. It was the pretty red head from the first day of school.
"You! Your that new kid are you alright?" She said noticing my disheveled appearance. I shook my head quickly.
"No no there's!-" just as I turned around to point at the crazy man chasing me, he was gone. I started at the rocks in disbelief.
"I-there was just, in sorry I know I look crazy right now but.." I looked up at her. She was just staring at me, waiting for me to continue.
"I couldn't drag her into this.." I thought to myself. I looked back up at her with a small smile.
"I'm sorry about that, could you help me get my things? I happen to have left it on the rocks over there and.. as you can see, I'm not in the best shape to get it right now." I explained, my voice slightly wavering as I continued to look around. She looked back at me and then at the rocks before nodding.
"Can you stay here on your own-"
"No! I-Imean I think it would be best if I follow you." I said. A skeptical look was written all over her face but she none the less complied. We walked over, me limping faster to keep up with her. I stayed quiet and ignored the burning sensation that was radiating from my leg. After arriving. I noticed everything's as gone, including the large net. My heart dropped.
"Are you sure you're alright?" She asked again, her delicate voice interrupted my thoughts. I gulped before nodding.
"Yes yes, sorry about that.. I was dazed for a moment," I said quickly. She nodded before reaching for the things on the rock. She quickly grabbed them before handing it to me.
"Is that all?" She said. I quickly shook my head. I saw a glide of annoyance flash across her face.
"If possible, can you help me get back my house? It's right over there." I tried to lift my arm to point but hissed upon realizing my shoulder was swollen. She sighed before nodding. I thanked her repeatedly before guiding her, still limping.
"Are you sure you don't need to get that checked out? Could be infected." She said softly. I shook my head.
"My mom works as a nurse, she can help take a look at it." I said. She didn't respond but stayed quiet the entire walk back.
Upon arriving at the screen door, I turned to look at her with a grateful expression.
"Thank you so much, I don't know how I could.." I paused, I suddenly thought back to when Fulcrum had muttered something quietly, the words starting to make sense. I glanced back up at her.
"Would you like to come in for a drink?" I asked.
***
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