Page 2 of The Other Side

“D-did you just threaten me?” Ray growled, grabbing my arm to stop me from leaving. “Why you sharp tongued—”

“Get your hand off me!” I yanked away from him as I tried to walk away, but he once again stopped me. “I said, let go!” As my voice shot out, faint maroon sparks ruptured from my skin, burning his palms. He retreated, mouth wide in shock.

“Sheisa witch!” Louis shouted, pointing as Ray eyed me, a dark shadow cast across his face. Fear tugged at my soul as I slowly backed away, the impending storm breaking through the dark clouds as soft rain drizzled in the night. Ray’s spirits lifted as his smile returned, branching higher. It wasn’t the expression of a man happy to hear his fate. No, it was the smile of a man preparing to pursue his prey.

“Looks like it’s time to take that hunting trip, Louis.” His low, calm words were eerie and unsettling, telling me I was in danger. I turned and began to sprint down the street in the direction of home deep in the nearby swamp as he ruptured into laughter. “Just where do you think you’re going?” The sound of their hurried footsteps told me they were shadowing me, following me as I picked up my pace, hoping to escape them.

The men shouted and taunted as they continued to follow me, the three of us leaving the small town behind as we ventured into the dark, menacing outskirts near the swamp. My brain scrambled to find a way out as my bare feet stomped through the mud, rain soaking my body as I ran deeper into the swamp.

If I cut through the wetland, I might be able to lose them in the trees. Oh, damn you, Iris-Marie. Damn you to hell! You should’ve just kept your mouth shut and walked away.

My feet quickly changed directions as I began to sprint through the woods, dodging striking branches and shallow puddles, the light of the moon nearly gone thanks to the angry storm. I waved my hand, magic drifting from it as I commanded the nearby fireflies. They obeyed, zooming through the night, allowing me enough light to see my way as they guided me deeper.

After a few minutes, I had finally reached the bank of a small body of water, slowing my pace as I eventually stopped and tried to control my breathing. The fireflies danced around me as I stumbled closer to the edge of the water, laughing with exhaustion and false hope. The fireflies began to soothe me as I eased.

“I think I lost them—” I fell back into the mud, my face throbbing as the storm swirled above, my eyes seeing a distorted view of the world, a blurry silhouette fading into view. My brows furrowed as my sight tried to focus, only to see Ray standing there, huffing, his fist extended from hitting me.

“Did you really think you could outrun us?” Groaning, I turned, attempting to crawl away as he grabbed the back of my locs causing me to scream.

“Let go of me!” He ignored my cries and dragged me from the water, my legs kicking as my body slid through the mud and back in the direction of the woods. I reached back, clawing his arm with my nails as I yelled.

“I said,let go of me!” Maroon sparks ruptured from my fingertips as he shouted in pain, releasing my hair. My body fell roughly into the mud as I desperately crawled towards the edge of the swamp, the cold, dirty water splashing across my tender face as I attempted to escape.

“There’s nowhere to hide out here, witch!” Ray spat as I looked over my shoulder at him. Lightning cracked above and ignited the swamp. Ray was huffing, Louis standing behind him, the two soaking wet and eyeing me like some prize they were owed. This picture of them here, hunting me, was all too familiar. Their palms told me this story—my story. They were the hunters, and I, the prey.

Ray neared me, crouching as lightning struck again to reveal his crooked, sinister smile.

“See? You were wrong.” He gripped my face as rain slithered down my now-swollen, aching cheek. His nearly black eyes stared into mine, filled with nothing but ill intent and dark shadows. “There’s no beast here.”

“You’re the beast,” I strained through clenched teeth as he squeezed my face tighter, purposely pressing against my wound.

“You’re nothing but a swindler—a low life trickster. You may have your weak magic, but you have norealpower.” The man’s temper only grew as I tried to wriggle free. With his free hand, he tore my shirt, nearly exposing my chest as I fought back. “I’ll show you power,” he growled, pushing me back into the mud, slamming his fists into my face again and again.

Ray squeezed his jaw at my insult, my small laugh causing him to punch me once again. I nearly choked on my own blood, tasting it as it stained my teeth. I released a laugh, refusing to give him the satisfaction of being afraid. If I was to die, I would die laughing in the face of the one who killed me.

“Shut up!” he shouted. “Stop it! Stop laughing!” I ran my tongue along my teeth, grinning up at him.

“Make me,” I whispered, coughing into a cackle as blood filled my mouth.

The clouds began to swirl and thicken, as if growing angry at what was happening. The thunder grew louder, nearly shaking the ground as the wind picked up and lightning struck. It was as if the gods had been awoken against their will.

“Ray,” Louis hesitated, glancing around as if worried about the weather and being seen. “I don’t think we should be here.” He swallowed hard, his face tainted with fear. “Something doesn’t feel right.”

“Shut up, Louis!” Ray’s hands squeezed my throat as his irises burned into mine, trying to silence me. “We’ve already dragged this witch way out here. Might as well get some use out of her.”

My face burned as my laughter constricted and my vision began to blur. My nails clawed at his hands, my magic failing to make a difference as my strength began to leave me, weakening what power I possessed. Ray eased, smiling as I gasped for air. He looked pleased with himself, almost as if sensing my dwindling resistance.

“That’s right,” he whispered. “There’s no use fighting it. Your predictions were wrong, witch. I’m not the one dying today. You are. And nothing can stop me—”

A growling hiss vibrated the water, creating minor waves that gently washed against my head. The menacing, animalistic sound caused Ray’s eyes to widen as he looked past me and into the swamp. “Shit,” he breathed. His grip immediately loosened as fear washed over him, the color in his face draining. My strength quickly returned to me as I gasped for air. I bit down hard, taking the opportunity to wrap my hands around his, focusing all my strength. A surge pulsated through my body and ruptured from my palms like fire, burning his flesh. Rayscreamed, yanking his hands back, glaring at his seared palms while I gasped for air.

The corner of my bloodied mouth curled upwards as I laughed, coughing and inhaling the cold night air. Lightning struck above us, quickly followed by another threatening wave of thunder. The growling morphed into a harrowing hiss, one I recognized immediately. My body froze, both in an attempt to save myself and in the understanding that the visions of the men’s fates were beginning to unfold before me.

“I-it’s a-a-a gator,” Louis fearfully stuttered. Ray stood, clasping his hands to his injured chest as he stumbled back, staring at the source of the menacing warning.

“Come on! Let’s get out of here!” Louis motioned for Ray as he stumbled, trampling through the mud and joining his doomed friend. The two men stood paralyzed in terror, glancing between me and the giant alligator. I released an unnatural laugh, watching as the enormous, scaled beast slithered onto the bank, aiming slowly in their direction, completely ignoring me.

“Behold,” I croaked, “your beast!”I eyed the creature closely as I noticed its eyes— a foggy yet vibrant blue, resembling fire. They weren't natural at all, instead reminding me of a darkness you would feel in your saddest of days, a decrepit emptiness of sorrow and hatred. Hell.

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