The Amulets (An 'Amulets of Andarrin' tale)

by Michael Alexander Card-Mina

  “What’s it doing” Lily said with a tremble in her voice.

  “I don’t…” Jack stopped his sentence as the dark figure’s jaw dropped all the way down to the top of its chest. Its mouth was enormous.

  “What the hell is it” Aaron shouted unable to hold his fear in. The girls were crying and shouting “Leave us alone” at the top of their voices in hope that it’d obey. Instead it let out a horrible shriek like the one they’d heard up the road. It echoed right through the forest as they huddled together paralysed with fear. This wasn’t natural and definitely wasn’t friendly. As it screamed something dark silver began flapping within its mouth. As more of the dark silver became visible in its mouth the more Jack thought it looked like tentacles, tens of them growing out of its mouth, seemingly protruding from the back of its throat and engulfing its tongue, if it had one, and resting on its wide thin lip. The creature continued to shriek. Jack looked at Aaron, horror on both their faces. They both knew they had to get out of there and fast. The tentacles gripped the creatures lip as if to spring. As the shriek became louder Jack saw that the tentacles belonged to another creature now resting in its mouth. It was now or never. Aaron turned to the group.

  “Run! Now, everyone run!” the rest of them didn’t need telling twice as they ran at full speed past the dark figure. The figure slowly turned as they passed following them with its head, its body unmoved. Jack was running at the back hurrying Lily forward. He turned quickly to see if it was chasing them and he saw with horror the silver tentacles in its mouth shooting out towards them. Jack spun round to face the creature as it scuttled down the road towards him. The dark figure’s shriek was dying down and Jack fell backwards to the floor as the creature leapt at him, tentacles stretched out towards his face. Falling he brought his left hand round in an attempt to grab the creature. “Whoa!” he shouted as he hit the floor with a thud and felt something big and slimy in his hand.

  “JACK!” Lily shouted as she came to a stop twenty metres away from him.

  Jack gave her a quick glance as he struggled to keep the creature away from his face. “Run! Get out of here”

  “We can’t leave you” she cried

  “GO!”

  Aaron came back and grabbed Lily. “You and Frankie run. Find help. I’ll go back for Jack.”

  “Please” Lily didn’t know what she was saying but she couldn’t leave them.

  “Lily, come on! We need to get help!” Frankie pleaded with her.

  Aaron started back towards Jack. “You two need to go, now!”

  Watching as they ran down the road Aaron turned his attention back to Jack, wondering what he could possibly do to help as he saw him grappling the creature with the silver tentacles.

  Jack looked at the creature he was holding and screamed, dodging the tentacles as they whipped towards his face. He couldn’t believe how strong it was for something so small. Barely holding it out of reach from his face he noticed it was a fat, slug like creature. Its black body looked odd compared with its silver tentacles, not to mention its black crab like legs. He grabbed it with his other hand to keep it at arm’s length and away from him.

  Now feeling as if he had more control over it he began getting up. Aaron was now only a few metres away.

  “Wait!” he shouted.

  Aaron stopped a metre away “Whoa! What is…what should I do?”

  “I don’t know” Jack said grappling the creature.

  Aaron looked at the figure standing at the tree line above the road. It was focused on Jack but seemed to be motionless. “That things not moving. Throw it on the floor and we’ll just run.”

  Jack didn’t respond. The creature’s tentacles pulled back towards its face. Jack wondered what it was doing and he knew, whatever it was, it wasn’t going to be good. The tentacles coiled and Jack moved his head as far back as he could.

  “Throw it and run” Aaron shouted.

  Jack didn’t have time. As soon as Aaron finished his sentence the creature’s tentacles sprang at him only this time they left its face. Jack let go with his right hand and twisted his entire body sideways. “Whoa” he shouted as they narrowly missed his face, flying into the woods behind him, smashing into trees or hitting the floor.

  The creature squealed and Jack quickly turned back to it. In his panic to dodge the tentacles he had tightened his grip around the creature. In the moment that the tentacles were released the creature had been vulnerable, enabling his grasp to crush it. Jack looked at the creature, relieved and disgusted as black sludge covered his hand.

  Aaron watched with horror as the creature squealed in Jacks hand until it became silent and still.

  “Jesus! What the hell…” Aaron said as Jack let it drop to the floor.

  “I don’t know man” Jack said, wiping his hands on his jeans.

  A loud scream echoed through the air, wrenching Jack and Aaron back to the wider world. With all the adrenaline pumping through their veins they had forgotten about the tall figure that was now in motion. Jack and Aaron cursed as the creature, still shrieking, swept down the road towards them. “Run!” Aaron shouted.

  They both ran but the creature was too fast. Jack couldn’t help but turn his head around as he ran. Instead of running the creature seemed to be floating but it was hard to tell as its cloak dragged across the floor concealing its legs. Looking up Jack saw its eyes; two red dots, no wider than a nail head, bright in the darkness of its hood. Jack spun back round, increasing his speed. The creature was gaining on them. Aaron heard a thudding sound coming from the woods. Whatever it was it was running.

  “I think there’s another one coming” he yelled, pointing to the woods as he ran.

  Jack had never been so scared. Speckles of tears began building up in his eyes, the only thought he had was that he was going to die.

  Jack glanced back; the figure was so close it was within touching distance. It all happened so fast, as Jack turned around it swept past the two of them and stopped in front of them. An arm like a tree trunk emerged out of its cloak, at the end of it sat a claw-like hand, the size of a basketball, with three sharp but filthy claws. It swung, hitting Aaron across the chest. With the same swing it struck Jack on the arm sending both Jack and Aaron crashing to the floor.

  Jack looked to Aaron who lay motionless on the floor, blood flowing from a wound in his chest. Jack lifted Aaron’s head up as the figure moved towards him, its face coming within a few inches of his own. Jack could feel its breath on his face. Its jaw dropped. Almost paralysed with fright, Jack glanced at Aaron and then back at the creature. Jack dropped Aaron’s head back to the floor as the creature clutched his neck, its claws sinking into his shoulder. He saw something coming from its throat. He knew what it was. A small silver speckle became larger and larger as it forced its way out of the figures throat. Tears swelled in Jack’s eyes and Jack knew this was it. The creature tilted its head slightly, all the while its scream pounded against Jacks face, the scream was so loud it caused Jack ears to bleed, his head pounded. Jack closed his eyes in hopeless resignation as tentacles spread to the creature’s lower mouth.

  The figures scream came to a sudden stop and Jack felt its clutch loosen slightly. He opened his eyes as something big sprung onto the road crashing into his tormentor. The beast was sent flying through the air, tearing Jack’s shoulder. Jack lifted his head up to see what or who had saved him. At first he thought it was a dog but then realised it was far too large and frightening. Its massive head was filled with teeth which appeared razor sharp. Two sharp yellow eyes with black pupils gazed at him as it passed by. It then glanced at Aaron before turning its attention back to their assailant who was now upright. Jack was gazing at the creature as it passed him on all fours; hair covered its entire body under which could be seen the ripple of pure muscle and on its paws were ferocious looking claws. The creature emitted a snarl that made Jack’s hair stand on end. The dark figure responded with a now familiar scream but the wolf like creature seemed to be all anger a
nd pounced on the screaming figure, knocking it to the floor. Jack watched as it slashed and clawed at the figure. However the figure showed it was no easy challenge; it floated in and out of its grasp, smashing at the wolf with its huge clawed hands. The wolf evaded the blows and slammed into it hurling it through the air off the road and into the woods. Jack watched as it glanced back at him before pouncing into the woods after the spectre.

  Realising he had at least a few moments respite, Jack rushed over to Aaron.

  “Aaron. Aaron please wake up!” but no matter how hard Jack tried Aaron would not wake up, the blood still slowly flowing from the wounds on his chest.

  The rustling and crashing could still be heard in the woods from the two creatures. Jack couldn’t believe what was going on nor did he have time to consider it. Aaron needed help and fast.

  “Aaron!” moments passed before Aaron opened his eyes slightly.

  “Aaron don’t worry mate I’m going to get you out of here. Can you stand up?”

  Aaron didn’t look good but the only way Jack could help him was by getting him out of there. “Aaron please mate we have to leave before they come back.”

  “I…I think I need a doctor Jack.”

  Jack put an arm around Aarons back to sit him up. “Can you to stand up?” he asked attempting to lift him to his feet but it was useless. With every attempt Aaron groaned and sank back down.

  “I can’t Jack I …” Aaron began screaming.

  “Calm down Aaron. Calm down. It’s gonna be alright” Jack tried assuring him but knew there was something seriously wrong. Aaron was screaming uncontrollably. Jack stared down the road, willing help to come but it was dark and empty. Another loud shriek rang out from the woods. Jack let go of Aaron and eyed the woods where the two creatures were fighting. He couldn’t see anything but could still hear the noises which signaled that the fight continued. The scream sounded again and Jack quickly realised it was coming from behind him. He shook again at the very thought of another. Telling himself there couldn’t be but his fear was realised when, twenty metres away another tall dark figure appeared. A scream came from in the woods which drew its attention away from them. The figure turned and headed towards the noise which Jack knew was where the wolf like creature was fighting with the hooded beast. He turned back to where Aaron was still screaming on the floor.

  “Aaron! Aaron listen to me I’m go…” Jack stopped as he noticed Aaron’s veins pulsing. They looked as if they were trying to escape from his body.

  “Aaron! Aaron!” Jack shouted helplessly. Aarons face was the same. He looked at Jack as he began choking. “Aaron!” Jack said again unable to do anything.

  Jack was powerless as he watched and listened to his best friends agonizing screams which lasted for a minute before he became still. Jack continued holding him up, unable to understand how any of it happened. Tears filled his face as he sat there staring at Aarons motionless body in his arms.

  Lily and Frankie came to a slow stop when they heard a faint scream coming from up the road where they had left Aaron and Jack.

  “Who can we ask for help if there’s no one here” Frankie cried.

  “What if there…” Lily didn’t want to finish the sentence instead she just looked at Frankie.

  “What the hell was it?”

  “I don’t know. I’m so scared.”

  “So am I”

  Frankie and Lily continued to run down the road, having to wipe the tears from their faces as they ran. The rain had gone now but the dripping of water from the leaves could still be heard. Minutes went by and still no sign of life. A rustling noise brought them to a stop as they muffled screams under their palms. They couldn’t place where it was coming from as it sounded at first as if it was in the woods on the left and then moments later on the right.

  “Where is it” Frankie said as they both turned back to the right.

  “I don’t kn…” something grabbed Lily’s leg from behind with such force she fell face down on the floor and began sliding backwards.

  “Frankie!” she screamed but turning she realised Frankie was in the same position. They both screamed as something dragged them into the woods.

  “HELP!!!”

  Jack lifted his head as he heard another scream. “Lily!” he shouted unable to contain himself.

  Jack listened for the source of Lily and Frankie’s cries. Glancing back the way they had come, Jack saw another large figure moving towards him from down the road. Looking down at Aaron he tenderly placed his head on the floor.

  “I’m sorry Aaron” he said as he wiped the tears from his face. The girls’ screams continued. Jack stood up, looked at the figures now moving faster towards him, unsure as to what they were; he wasn’t going to wait around to find out. He gave Aaron one last glance and headed in the direction of the screams.

  Running down the road he recognised Frankie’s scream. It was coming from far inside the woods on the right.

  “Lily…Frankie!” Jack shouted as he ran but there was no reply. He shouted again and again until he finally heard a faint scream. He ran straight into the woods following the sound of the scream. He had no sense of fear only the fear of something happening to the girls. Moving with such purpose, he bolted past trees, snapping twigs as he ran, left then right in a desperate attempt to find them.

  “Help!!” Lily cried as she continued to be dragged. Her legs and body were battered and bruised from the undergrowth. Unable to see what was pulling her, all she felt was a huge hand wrapped around her leg. But it didn’t feel like a hand, it felt like bones, huge bones. Frankie was the same screaming mess as Lily both in tears and fearing for their lives.

  “Somebody help us!” she cried.

  Suddenly they came to a halt. Whatever was dragging them it sounded as if it was sniffing the air. They felt it release them and head off in a different direction. As it moved off, Lily and Frankie turned and saw its black cloak drift away.

  “It’s that thing” Lily said.

  “They’re dead. Oh god they’re dead” Frankie trembled

  “Why’s it left us” but as soon as Lily said it she realised why.

  “Lily!” she heard Jack shouting. Relief at Jack being alive was quickly washed away when she realised his shouts were coming from the direction the creature drifted off to.

  “It’s gone for Jack” Frankie said.

  Lily was about to shout for Jack when she looked up and saw a figure wearing a dark coat standing over her. She feared the worst but then…

  “Are you ok?” the figure said moving closer. It was a woman’s voice and by the sound of her accent she was Scottish. She held a flaming torch above her head which lit up the woods around them. The torch revealed the figure of a woman, a rather attractive one at that. She was tall with ginger hair curling down below her shoulders. To look at, she was beautiful, she looked in her late twenties but there was something there, in her eyes, a look of age, as if she had seen too much. Under her cape she wore a dark green pair of combat pants and a dark top. She helped the heavily bruised girls gingerly get to their feet. “Hey! Are you two ok?” she said, concern on her face.

  “Yes” Frankie started but then remembered Jack and Aaron. “No! Our friends! That thing’s gone for them.”

  The woman didn’t ask what; instead she just scanned the woods until Jacks shout was heard again.

  “Lily!!” Jack yelled again.

  The trees creaked and rustled as Jack passed through the wood. The wind had softened to a low whisper in the night. He raced through the woods with shafts of moonlight illuminating the ground between the trees. He steadied his headlong rush. Something was coming towards him.

  “Lily?” Jack said cautiously into the woods.

  Clouds covered the glistening moonlight and the woods ahead darkened. Out of the dark came a figure. Jack watched as it moved over the twigs and leaves as if floating above them, its cloak brushing the ground as it went. Noticing a stout branch near his feet, he picked it up hoping to d
efend himself. Grasping it firmly, he turned back to the figure.

  “What have you done with my friends?” he asked through gritted teeth.

  The figure replied with a howling scream, shaking the trees as its sound hit them.

  Blood dripped from his ears and nose; his head felt like was in a vice but Jack didn‘t back down. He gripped the stick tighter “where are they?” he shouted again.

  Without warning the figure whizzed towards him. Jack raised the stick and swung it towards its head. The figure twisted through the air dodging the stick and came level with Jack. Its huge arms smashed the stick out of his hands sending it to the ground in pieces. It grabbed him by the neck, lifting him a metre off the floor and pinning him against a tree, bringing its face inches away from Jacks and began sniffing him. Jack was powerless. The figures jaw dropped and it let out another scream only this time it didn’t seem directed at Jack. Everything seemed to brighten to an orange glow around him as the figure let Jack fall and it screamed again as its cloak burst into flames and it fled into the woods leaving burning remnants of its cloak behind it.

  “Jack are you ok?” a familiar voice said.

  Jack looked up rubbing his neck “Lily…" he said relieved “Lily how did you?”

  “It wasn’t us. This is Helena” She pointed to the girl picking up a flaming torch from the ground.

  “Did you see it” Jack asked Helena.

  “Aye, but don’t worry it will nae be back” she reassured them as she picked up the torch.

  “How do you know?” Jack asked but before she could reply Frankie burst in, realising Aaron wasn’t there.

  “Where’s Aaron?” she asked frantically.

  “It’s ok, he‘s safe. Come on” Helena replied.

  Jack got to his feet “he’s alive?!” he shouted with a surge of hope.

  “Barely, now come on let’s get you out of here” Helena said as she led them back through the woods.