Creation Mischief: Part 21

As the two men advanced, I briefly entertained the idea of fighting, and then remembered I didn’t know the first thing about taking on an opponent of that size.1

Kyle had taken a more aggressive stance then he had before; legs apart, one slightly a head of the over. He’s knees were bent and hands clenched at chest height. A determined look was plastered across his features.2

I was stunned at the thought that Kyle was so confident that he could take on these walking mountains. I touched his shoulder gently, as to not startle him. When he glanced over I shook my head. There was no reason why he should get badly injured over this. I was convinced there was another way out of this.3

“Come, come, Sabrina. Fighting really isn’t necessary. If you come along quietly, Kyle can walk away with me, unhurt.” Carmen paused and twined her hands together. “If not, you both get hurt and I have the pleasure of nursing Kyle back from the brink of death.”4

During her short speech my brows rose in surprise. I just could not believe what I was hearing. This small, quiet, mousey librarian was a threat.5

“Carmen, I don’t want to fight. I don’t want Kyle hurt.” I tried to catch Kyle’s attention. He ignored me.6

Carmen tapped a finger on her dimpled chin before replying, “I don’t think you have any say in it.” She gestured to Kyle. He had crouched lower and was now bouncing on the balls of his feet.7

“Kyle,” I hissed. “What are you dong? Do you want to get hurt? Please Kyle, please stop.”8

But as I said the last words he launched himself at the closest mean.9

I have to admit Kyle was quick. I watched as he delivered a roundhouse kick that connected soundly to the first man’s chest. The man staggered back from the force, as Kyle stood up and hit the second in the jaw. I heard bones cracking with a sickening sound and I cringed.10

I lost track of Kyle, as fists and legs meshed together in a strange dance. One man threw a punch in Kyle’s direction, only to miss and spin around with force.11

I was grabbed from behind before I saw what happened next. A cold object was pressed against my throat before I could react. I hissed in pain as the object bit into my skin.12

“Kyle,” Carmen called from behind me. “Stop now, please!”13

By now Kyle had one on the ground. He had swept a leg from underneath the one man and was still crouched close to the ground, ready to jump the next guy. They both stopped at Carmen’s voice.14

Somewhere Kyle had been hit in the face. His lip was bleeding and his eye was rapidly swelling. He wiped a line of blood from his chin.15

“Don’t hurt her,“ Kyle pleaded, standing up.16

Carmen’s stance relaxed a little and the knife eased slightly from my neck.17

“Carmen, think about his. You really don’t want to do this.” I tried to reason with her.18

“I’m only following orders,” she whispered in my ear. “Back up, Kyle.”19

He did as told, hands raised.20

“We are leaving. You two idiots.” She gestured to the men. “Get him. Let’s go peasant.”21

I moved carefully forward. Carmen let go of my neck, but kept a hold of my arm. Kyle followed between the walking mountains.22

Somewhere, I had dropped my canvas bags.23

***24

We walked for a bit. The forest outside the Academy was thick. The undergrowth grew so dense that it was hard in some places to navigate, but still Carmen and her escorts pushed on. I stumbled over exposed roots and half buried rocks, coming away with scratches and bruises.25

Any attempts at conversation were quickly stopped. Carmen was not talking and I hadn’t heard so much as a grunt out of the boulders.26

When, at last, the cave came into view, it was sudden. We were trudging through shrubs and trees, stumbling over uneven ground one minute, the next a gapping black hole loomed in front of us. Its opening looked like a huge toothless mouth, ready to gum us to mush.27

“Inside!” Ordered Carmen. Kyle was shoved violently.28