Project: Shadow Walker. Dalin Moss
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at once the husks turned in the direction of the terrified duo. Everything was still for a heartbeat, two, and then they howled.
Jim grabbed Emma’s shoulder and shoved her in front of him. “Run!” He yelled.
The Hero grasped at his fallen dagger as he ran, Emma only a footstep ahead. They flew as they sprinted into the dead of night. Hot breath and the sound of rapid footfalls forcing them to quicken their pace. Death was wildly approaching from behind.
6: Three miles
Twigs snapped against the soft flesh of Emma’s face, leaving stinging red marks as she flew through the prying fingers of the forest. She could hear Jim behind her, though she didn’t dare look for him. He could get past her, Emma knew that. He could run beyond what she was capable and leave her as bait for the drooling husks that trampled through the forest behind them. But he never made the move, never even attempted to deny her the small protection of an extra body between her and the husks.
They had been running for nearly an hour through the shadowy brush. Emma’s legs and lungs burned in protest of the repeated motion, but fear and adrenaline allowed her to continue forward. How many miles had they run? How many miles were left until she collapsed and allowed the husks to tear her apart?
“I have a plan.” Jim’s voice cut through her labored breathing.
Emma couldn’t reply. Couldn’t use her precious energy to form words and acknowledge the Hero.
“There should be a Hero patrol about three miles North. If we can get to them, we might have a chance.” Jim was breathing hard. Even with the beyond human stamina that every Hero possessed, he was beginning to show signs of wear.
Three miles , Emma repeated in her head. Only three miles . Her vision faded for a moment, and she tumbled through the air. Before she hit the ground two strong hands were around her waist, keeping her on her feet and pushing her forward. Three miles.
“Dammit,” Jim whispered under his breath.
He must have seen that she was on the brink of collapse. Emma felt his hand on her shoulder, his grip was firm, protective. He was at her side, keeping his hand on her to ensure she kept running.
Jim pointed forward, “North. Three miles, Emma.” He took a breath. “Say it to me.”
Emma looked at the Hero. His face was merely an arm’s reach away, but his golden eyes felt so far to her tunneled vision.
“North…three miles….” Her voice was shaky.
Jim’s grip tightened. “Good.” He backed away, returning to his spot behind her. “When you get there, tell the Heroes the husks will be coming from the East.” He fell even farther behind, “I’ll take them a long way. You can slow, but don’t stop.” Jim changed directions suddenly, pivoting to his right.
“Inside a mountain weathered and old there rests a city made of stone.” Jim was singing. “And in that place, there lives a door that never has been opened before.” The husks were following him. Emma could hear their staggering stomps fading with the song. “Gods and men and Life have tried, but only Death has seen inside.” He was giving her a chance to make it, possibly sacrificing his life so she could get to the patrol. “Until your final breath is drawn, the door will stay closed, safe, and strong."
Jim’s words fell into the distance, leaving Emma running in silence. I won’t let you down. I’ll make it to the patrol. We’ll live through this night, Emma silently promised and pushed herself forward.
North. Three miles.
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The sounds of the husks were growing closer with each, passing minute. Jim’s body ached angrily, but he kept going. He should be able to see Paradise’s wall any moment. He’d follow the wall West, hopefully to the waiting Heroes.
This wasn’t his first time dealing with husks. He was usually able to hide or avoid them altogether, but not always. He remembered the words his father had said. ‘You must remove the head. If it’s touching at all, the bastards will regenerate. Do you know that word? Regenerate? How about bastards? Don’t tell your mother I said that one.’ He made it sound so simple, but, from his experiences now, Jim knew it was nearly impossible to accomplish alone.
Husks roamed and hunted in packs and pairs. But even if you were fortunate enough to catch one hobbling by itself, it was best to duck and run before it caught your scent. They had the speed of a Hero with an endless stamina. Their reflexes were beyond human, beyond Hero even. Their talons were sharp and long enough to cut a person in two with a single swipe. But their true terror came from what happened when a man was touched. Fear would bubble and boil beneath the skin, petrifying their prey. Jim had felt it once, been touched by one of those demons. The fear that had manifested still haunted him in his deepest dreams.
When he was young, Jim heard the stories and songs about Heroes who had managed to kill one of the monsters. They were revered as legends; their names were sealed in the History Hall and song books. Jim idolized those brave men, risking their lives to vanquish the monsters that bred nightmares. But tonight, Jim didn’t care for the stories or songs. All he cared about was making it out alive.
In the distance, a large wall peaked over the tops of the trees. Paradise, the ancient Hero city. He was close to his former home, his family.
Jim turned to his left, following the distant wall West. The husks were growling, and near-human screams escaped their wretched mouths. Only a little farther; the patrol was so close.
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Emma had been running towards the wall for a few minutes. The moment it peered over the towering trees, she recognized it was not just any wall but THE wall. The wall that protected the magnificent city beyond, Paradise. She didn’t realize how close she had been to the mystifying city. She had heard so many stories, but this was the first time she had laid her eyes upon its giant barrier.
The girl only allowed herself a breath of amazement before she started to run again. Running North, towards the wall, towards salvation. The light of a fire danced on the trees ahead. Emma quickened her stride, throwing all her remaining energy at the beacon of light and then bursting into the small camp. Emma’s heart sang as she stared at five Heroes, their eyes shocked at the panting girl that had just interrupted their dinner.
The Heroes moved quickly, reaching for weapons and taking a defensive stance. Emma fell to the ground, trying with all her might to pull air into her lungs and speak of the news she so desperately needed to tell.
“Husks.” She forced the word from her lips and the Heroes’ faces went grim. “East.”
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Jim ran along the forest’s edge so close to the Barrens that the guards atop the wall had surely seen him and signaled a silent warning to their troops on the ground. As the husks continued to gain on him, his care for stealth and subtly around the Hero city diminished and even ground of the Barrens provided him with less need to concentrate on his coordination.
Where are they? The last time he had monitored the Hero patrols they had stopped just ahead, but Jim saw no indication of fire or smells of cooked meat. Must be a slower group, farther ahead.
A gnarled root grabbed at Jim’s foot, stealing the ground from beneath him, and he fell. One husk was closer than Jim anticipated, it lurched over his fallen body and collided with the ground in a tangle of limbs and fury.
The creature before him was grotesque. Grey, leathery skin covered the monster’s entirety. Two legs shot from its stretched torso with talon-like feet that dug through soil and flesh. Its arms were long and wiry. On the husk’s hands were five sword-like claws, tipped in barbed coils, searching for blood and life with deadly ease.
Jim jumped to his