Chapter 9.4 Ashes!

With every inch of breath, I summon all the power in my lungs.

And scream.

"!"

The kidnappers and kidnapped all have their eyes frozen where I'm standing.

"W-Wha-!"

"Why's there a kid here!?"

"Grab her...!"

Continuing to shout, I make a show of running into the forest. My eyes meet Crescia. He looks up at me in shock, I muster up the courage to smile. Even though, I'm quivering like a leaf, I hope this will convey to him my hope - that everything will be alright.

The two lackeys begin scrambling after me, "Don't let her get away!"

From the corner of my eye, I see a shimmer past the cage and know Nara has initiated her part of the plan. On the other side, I see a rustle of leaves in the darkness and know Nott is doing his part as well.

The spell of speed surges through me, pulsing in my veins. I'm as light as a petal carried forth by implacable gusts, flying free through the trees. Exhilaration and anxiety mingling to give birth to a furious heartbeat. It reverberates through my bones, thump thump thump, beating with thundering irregularity.

Losing sight of my pursuers gives me a sense of dread. They're stalking me somewhere from the shadows, my eyes dart to every rustle of leaves and crackle of dirt as I run, run, run. If I get caught - An image of bursting scarlet flowers blooming in the night sky paint my vision.

Tens of seconds of this hunt and chase ripple by, mind in constant conflict. Two instincts obscuring one another as I pant and bound - Is it bravery or self-preservation forcing me onward?

Enough time passes. I've lost them. Somehow my mind knows this. Looping around, my body tears back towards the nightmare. I crouch beneath dusk and foliage. Seeing Nott standing nearby, I crawl over, but he doesn't look at me. With head hung low and gaze stock-still, he looks to be in a trance.

Confused, I peer at him.

Irises seeming to roil carnivorously, a small white rift unnaturally sits on his face. Reminiscent of a crescent moon concealing itself, or the slit of a snake's eyes, it looks unnatural on his otherwise beautiful face. It takes me a split-second to notice it's a grin. My eyes draws downward.

There's a figure slumped over, face covered by strewn leaves. His skin seemingly too white against the backdrop of an ocean of blood darkly rippling towards us. Stepping back from the pool, I notice Nott's fingers are sharp like the other Kindred from before. Covered in black, a thick fluid slowly oozes down his nails.

His eyes flick to me now, it opens startlingly wide as he tilts his head. "Why do you look so shocked?"

My heart pounds furiously. I don't know what sort of face I'm making, but his grin disappears.

"...Suddenly acting like this isn't what you wanted… Hypocrite."

I don't know why, but his words sting.

Burying the thought, I turn away and try to focus on the clearing instead. The lone criminal paces back and forth, restless. I exhale all other thoughts away.

Nara's wings flutter forth dark dust. That's the signal for the three of us to rush towards the cage, unlock it, and promptly escape!

About to step out, the vision of Nott jolting from my periphery sends my thoughts into disarray yet again.

Why is he hesitating?

As my foot lands, something inexplicable causes my mind to stop processing. Opposite of the grove, a figure rushes out of the trees.

W-What's happening?

"Tch, what in Twice is happening today!? First a kid and now this!" The Kindred easily dodges the tackle.

"Let those children go!"

That voice...?

My eyes go wide. Throat gruff from exhaustion and the strain from earlier, I have to force out the sound,

"Wait-!"

Time seems to slow as everything comes into focus, the sharp outlines of a familiar visage being traced by moonlight. Claws bursting through flesh, a hole where a chest should be slowly opens up. From the fluorescent white of cloth tearing, to the blade-like nails gouging out, to the deafening thunder of bones splintering... Every detail becomes so clear, it hurts my eyes. A single cardinal blooms on her chest. Dripping like seeds, it multiplies to another, and another, and another crimson flower.

"Mommy...?"