The trees, despite their attempts at closing the distance, they remained impossibly far away.  Leading Callie, Merrill shook his head.

[b]”We do what we have to do.  I have my part to play in this, as do you.  Nothing in the world can change that.”[/b]

And then it came.  The vision

[i]She stands before me.  She looks me in the eyes as she steps closer.....closer.....she.....[/i]

He saw.  And the vision came.

[i]Lying on her back, her eyes stare up at me sightlessly.  And I stand there, knife in my hand.  Blood, her blood drips from the tip of the blade, falling to the floor.[/i]

Merrill’s mouth drops open in shock as he runs, whispering the words, [b]”No.  Gods no.”[/b]

[i]Hair of auburn, heart stealer,
I see you, I kill you.[/i]

The roar from behind shattered the vision, destroying his train of thought.  Looking behind, Merrill stared in horror as it exploded out from the night sky, bearing straight towards them.  Claws outstretched, fangs gleaming, its eyes burned with malice and hatred.

[b]”Move!”[/b]

Pushing Callie to one side, Merrill rolled to the other.  He felt claws scrape across the back of his leg and cried out in pain.  Coming back up to his feet, he saw Callie on the other side.....beyond the twisted creature that stood between him and her.  The creature advanced on her slowly, its face twisted into a grotesque smile, leering as its sharp teeth reflected off the light of the moon.

[b]”You belong to ME,”[/b] it intoned, stepping towards her, claws reaching for her.

Climbing back to his feet, Merrill came towards it from behind, limping slowly as he favoured his injured leg.

[b]”HEY YOU,”[/b] he shouted, reaching into his pocket, drawing forth.....something.

Something that he didn’t want to use unless it was an emergency.....and this certainly counted as that.

Laughing, the winged creature turned to face him.....as Merrill threw something into its face.  There was a bang and an explosion of white light.  The creature screeched as it clawed at it’s face, tearing at its eyes as it swiped at him with its free hand.

Rolling to one side, Merrill yelled as his leg crumpled, yet he was lucky....the momentum taking him underneath its taloned claw.  Rolling onto his back, he climbed back up, ignoring the pain from his reopened injury as he looked to Callie.

[b]”If you have any tricks left, I suggest you use them NOW!”[/b]

He called out as he looked at her, and once more he saw her, lying on the ground on her back, eyes staring at her killer accusingly.....

[@Guardian Angel Haruki]