Helen’s Folly

“I don’t know who or what you are,” Lacey said. “If we hurt you, I’m sorry. It was an accident.”

The beast was unsatisfied.

“Silence human! Regardless of intent, you wounded me!”

Lacey could tell that it was true just by looking at the monster. It’s right leg seemed mangled and bloody and it’s breathing was ragged. For a moment, Lacey felt sympathy for the creature.

“If you need a hospital, we can help you.”

“I don’t need your pathetic help. My wounds will heal soon enough. No, it’s the indignity of it all that must be punished! You and your daughter will pay me back with your souls.”

Lacey’s blood ran cold. The logical part of her mind told her this must be some kind of sick joke. However, a deeper part of her new the demon was sincere in what he said.

“You won’t touch my daughter,” Lacey said.

The demon chuckled.

“I’ll do much more Than just touch her. I’ll take her right in front of you so as to break her spirit. Then I’ll take you as well!”

“You can take me, but my daughter is too smart for that. She’s already halfway through that cornfield by now!”

The demon chuckled again.

“Are you sure about that?”

Lacey followed the demon’s gaze to its sickening conclusion: Helen standing wide-eyed at the edge of the cornfield.

“Helen, run!”

But it was too late. In one fluid motion, the demon lifted Lacey off the ground by the neck and tossed her hard into her battered car. Then he bounded towards Helen, moving at a terrifying pace for something so big. She was in his arms before she had a chance to react.

Lacey, her leg badly injured and her consciousness fleeting, watched on in horror and sorrow.