by Joe DeRouen
Redness lit its eyes, and it snarled and advanced towards her. She nocked and drew again, trying not to hear the countdown in her head. She had to kill it fast, desperately hoping she’d have enough arrows for the other one. A wooden sword and a brass telescope were never going to be enough against something like that. Her legs wanted to tremble, and she wanted to scream, but Anna gritted her teeth and kept her body steady, trying to breathe slowly and calmly despite her inner panic.
She let the third arrow fly, and once again it flew true, so she nocked and drew another before it hit, and then let the fourth arrow fly.
“Anna!” screamed Haley. “This side!”
She spun, hoping her last arrow had taken out the unicorn, as she nocked and drew again, following the sound of Haley’s voice. She let the arrow fly at the nightmare rushing towards them. She missed, and then missed again. Her arrow count was down to two, and the unicorn was impossibly close.
She drew again, trying to keep her breathing from becoming ragged, holding her fire, trusting practice and instinct, and then let the arrow go. Almost disbelievingly, she watched the arrow strike the unicorn, penetrate deeply into its chest, and saw it crash forward onto the ground in a crumpled heap of corruption.
“Anna!” screamed another voice, and then a flying face mask spun past her head and slung itself around the other unicorn’s horn. It had struggled to its feet, and had lowered its head to gore her. The face mask spun around the horn, pulling the unicorn’s head to one side. Without hesitation, Anna grabbed her last arrow and stabbed it into the beast’s unprotected eye.
It went down in a crash of dust and stinking gore, and Anna stood stunned, spattered by scalding blood and too dazed to bat at the remaining fairy as it darted for her eyes. A plastic shield thrust between Anna and the trident, and she heard the hiss of Haley’s capsicum spray.
“Damn, that’s the last of it.”
“It’s OK, Haley. That was the last of them. As long as there’s no more of those unicorns, I think we’re safe.” Anna heard Jake’s voice as if from a long distance, and then there was a brief flash of light, and she fell to one knee, bow tumbling from her hand.
“It’s done! At last!” The words were triumphant, but Anna was confused.
“What?”
Exclamations came from all around her, but Anna struggled to connect her disjointed thoughts.
“Quickly, Darion, bring the hot chocolate.”
Surely she must have been hearing things - she couldn’t still be at the Ackersley’s place, or back there, or… Anna’s brain wanted to shut down. The world was spinning, and she was nauseated, but as her hand fumbled at her quiver, she knew she hadn’t dreamed it. Hands, strong hands, were propping her up, and a cup was pressed to her lips. “Drink, Anna, please.” It was Mrs. Ackersley’s voice. Anna knew there was some reason she shouldn’t trust the woman, but the scent of the beverage was beguiling and seemed to be helping her nausea, so she drank as requested. The world came back into focus.
“You did it!” said Mrs Ackersley. “You did it! Thank you!”
“Huh?” managed Anna.
“You killed them both, didn’t you?”
“You mean the unicorns?” she asked.
“Of course I mean the unicorns. You wouldn’t be back otherwise.”
“My friends!” gasped Anna.
“Are fine, apart from the odd fairy bite. You must have touched one of the beasts, but they’re fine, and you will be too. The hot chocolate protects a human against their venom, but a fresh infusion is necessary for unicorn blood.”
“But…”
“Wait for just a moment, and I’ll explain.”
Anna struggled to her feet, and picked up her bow, feeling as if she was missing something important.
All around her, her friends were struggling to their feet, looking dazed, and then she caught sight of Mrs. Ackersley and gasped. No longer costumed as Haley had been, she looked as if lit from within, and this time Anna could see that her eyes really were glowing. On one side of her stood Mr. Ackersley, and it was now clear that his costume wasn’t actually a costume. On her other side stood Darion, cradling his axe in his hands.
“What’s going on?” demanded Anna. “We were nearly killed!”
“Twice!” said Haley, striding up to stand beside Anna, in the bedraggled remains of her Halloween costume.
“You owe us some answers,” said Ella, joining them. She was missing her face mask, noted Anna, and her mind flashed back to the sight of it spinning around a unicorn’s glowing horn.
“And answers you shall have, and rewards too, now that I am restored to my kingdom,” replied Mrs. Ackersley. “For it is you who have restored it to me.”
“What?” asked Anna, feeling stupid. “But you deliberately set us up! If we’d stayed we’d have been burnt alive, and because we ran, we had to face murderous fairies and unicorns! You had no right! And besides - if it’s your kingdom, it should have been you who faced them!”
“As far as right goes, you are correct,” replied the woman, looking saddened, and somewhat guilty, “but although any of the three of us could have killed the unicorns through strength of arm or will, they would not have appeared to any of us, because we lack the one quality that allowed each one of you to attract them.”
“Which was?” asked Anna, allowing one foot to tap. Her temper was rising.
“Well, it’s more about what you haven’t done, than what you have done,” said Mrs. Ackersley. Anna had the impression the woman was blushing. “And of course, simply explaining to someone qualified that they need to translate to a separate dimension and kill a couple of bloodthirsty unicorns in order reclaim a faerie kingdom, isn’t much of an option here, although we did try the direct approach initially.”
Ella burst out laughing, and Anna turned to look at her, frowning. “What’s so funny, Ella?”
“I think I know what Mrs. Ackersley’s talking about, although I would never have guessed it of you two,” she said, pointing at Aiden and Haley. “It’s the unicorn thing - and I’d guess it’s the only thing that’s actually true about unicorn mythology in this world - am I right?”
Mrs Ackersley nodded, smiling. “It’s why we target adolescents,” she replied, “Or rather, did target adolescents. Old enough to fight, costumed with handy weapons at this time of year although I’m guessing you at least had something real, Anna?” Anna nodded. “But qualified.” And this time she did blush.
“Come on you lot,” said Ella, giggling, “you know - none of us have…you know…”
The realisation came to Anna in a rush. Oh yes, she was certainly ‘qualified’ - despite the best efforts of her last boyfriend, she’d never given in and slept with him. Despite her anger, she felt a snicker begin to rise as she looked around at the others. Haley was blushing hotly, and all three boys were looking at the ground. Laura elbowed Mason in the ribs.
“But you could have asked,” said Anna, despite the ridiculousness of the situation.
“And you would have said what?” replied Mrs. Ackersley.
“Well - oh, all right. We’d have said you were nutty.”
“My spell differentiates between qualified and unqualified,” said Mrs. Ackersley. “The others here saw nothing except a spectacular fireworks display. You see, it’s only at Halloween I can draw enough power from this world to send someone to ours. The spell snaps you back if you succeed, or if you’re near death, I might add. If you hadn’t succeeded, the only thing you’d remember of tonight was the display. We always fix our helpers, but apart from a few bites and Anna’s poisoning, you’re all fine this time around.” She smiled brightly.
“Oh yes, just fine,” said Haley. She indicated her bedraggled state, and the fairy bites that pockmarked her arms.
“I was poisoned?” asked Anna.
“You were spattered with unicorn blood,” said Mr Ackersley. “It’s poison to the touch.”
“That would have been when you stabbed it in the eye with you
r last arrow,” put in Ella helpfully.
“You were that close?” exclaimed Darion.
“I didn’t realise the first one wasn’t quite dead when I killed the second one,” replied Anna. “Fortunately, Ella stopped it from goring me by throwing her face mask at it, and then I stabbed it in the eye.” Anna fixed her own eye on Mrs. Ackersley. “So you expect us to just forget about this and return to our normal lives?”
“It’s not like anyone’s going to believe us,” said Jake, rolling his eyes and looking at the others. “Imagine explaining this to the parents!”
“And we’ll be leaving now,” said Mr. Ackersley’s deep voice. “We have a lot to put right at home.”
“Just like that?” asked Laura. “Without even explaining how you lost your kingdom?”
“Yes, just like that. As to how I lost my kingdom? Well, suffice it to say that I have a few scores to settle with my sister. She was ambassador to the fae - but she betrayed us for gold. Her life is now forfeit - that is, if the unicorns even allowed her to live.” said Mrs. Ackersley. “But you have all earned our gratitude, which leaves us in your debt. No-one will ever know about this night unless you tell them, and that’s quite unlikely, I think,” She waved a hand, and Haley’s costume was restored, and the rents and burn marks vanished from the others. Anna watched incredulously as a fairy bite closed over on her wrist. Apparently magic was real, at least for the Ackersleys.
“Take these,” said Mrs Ackersley, handing a gold token to each of them. “Should you have need of us, simply hold it in your hand and wish. We will hear, and come to your aid.” She waved a hand and vanished, and the seven of them were left staring at each other in the now darkened backyard.
Anna looked down at her own. The gold glinted softly in the light of Haley’s dress. Two crossed arrows, above a fallen unicorn, shone from the token’s face. She closed her fist over it, and turned to the others. “Anyone for roast lamb?”
“So, you’re inviting us round for dinner now? Just like that?” demanded Haley.
“Well, what else do we do?” asked Anna. “We’ve got candy, we’ve certainly been tricked, and now it’s time for a treat. There’ll be roast pumpkin too.”
“Seriously?” asked Jake. “Roasted? And with meat?”
“Yeah, I know, that’s not how you lot do it, but we do, and you’re in for a treat,” said Anna. “And thanks for inviting me along tonight, Haley. I’m never going to forget my first Halloween, that’s for sure.”
There were bemused chuckles from the others, but with shrugs and shaking heads, they began the walk back to Anna’s house. As they walked, she pulled her previously forgotten mobile from her pocket and sent a text. ‘Bringing six extras, will there be enough?’
About the Author
Originally from Western Australia, Leonie now lives in NSW in the Upper Hunter. She is the author of“Frontier Incursion”and“Frontier Resistance”(YA Speculative Fiction) published by Hague Publishing, and also works part time as a physiotherapist. She dabbles in poetry, and has had a short story published in Antipodean SF.
The first two books of the Frontier Trilogy are full of glow-in-the-dark cats who like to sleep on the bed, alien invaders, and a planet out to kill the unwary.
She has a past life as a volunteer firefighter and SES member, and once trekked almost six hundred kilometres with eight camels and several other human beings. She is married with two kids, two dogs and two cats, one of whom frequently handicaps her ability to use a laptop computer.
AUTHOR LINKS:
http://leonierogers.me
https://twitter.com/RaeYesac
https://www.facebook.com/leonierogersauthor
Treaters
CJ Rutherford
My heart hammered in my chest as I felt, more than heard, the soft footfalls approach. I held my breath, willing the Treater to walk on by, to miss my hiding place, and let me live to see another dawn. It was only minutes away, and I saw the tell-tale lightening of the sky through the leaves covering my makeshift hide. Tonight’s luxurious surroundings were courtesy of a shallow hollow between two fallen tree trunks. My sleeping bag was hidden from view by the tarpaulin draped across them. It, in turn, was covered with dead leaves and other forest undergrowth.
My lungs burnt, desperate to release the air trapped within, but over the thundering pulse in my head, I heard the footsteps halt. The Treater was only feet away from me, and I heard it sniff the air, attempting to catch my scent. I heard scrabbling as it swept its claws through the undergrowth, coming mere inches from my skin. I prayed the mud I’d covered myself with, as I climbed out of the river earlier, would be enough to mask the smell of fear emanating from my pores.
I twitched as the claw raked the leaves off the cloth cover inches above my face. I froze, waiting for them to rip their razor sharp spears across my body; sure that my end had arrived at last. Part of me welcomed it. At least the fear I’d lived with for the last few months would be gone.
The silence of the pre-dawn was shattered by an ungodly scream of pain and terror, followed by a terrible, feral growl as another Treater attacked its victim. NOOO!!! I screamed inwardly as I heard Jennifer’s cries. The creature beside me leapt away in pursuit. Its time was limited if it was to feed before the sun crested the horizon, so a certain meal, even if it had to be shared, was better than no meal at all.
I sobbed as I released the air from my burning lungs. It was the ultimate effort in self-control not to run to her, to try and save her, but I knew I was already too late. Treaters were efficient killers. I steadied my breathing, lest the noise be enough to renew the Treater’s search for me. The leaves had fallen away enough to see the pink tinge of the sky above the mountains to the east.
The screams ceased abruptly, but the sound of ripping flesh and breaking bone filled the air, along with the terrible sounds of the Treaters gorging on the body of my friend. I didn’t dare move. Only a few moments more and the monsters would flee to their hiding places, safe away from the sun’s rays.
It seemed like hours, but it could only have been minutes when the awful sounds stopped as the Treaters left. I waited a good ten minutes, long enough that I saw the morning shafts of sunlight fall across the material above. I raised an arm to sweep the cover away, sitting up to greet the new day. My heart sank, and tears flowed down my cheeks as I looked back over my shoulder, to where the creatures found Jennifer.
I unzipped my sleeping bag and rose to my feet, getting rid of the undergrowth as best I could. I stood for a long moment, gazing in the direction of the macabre feast. I didn’t want to see the remains, the butchered body of the girl I’d come to think of as my little sister, but there was enough humanity left in me to respect the dead. I forced myself forward, each step harder than the one before.
The coppery smell of blood mixed with the scents of the forest. It was silent, bereft of the normal wildlife noises. This was a Treater hunting ground, and all life was already gone, either fled or eaten by them. The trees themselves were dying, as their life force was slowly leeched from them by the presence of the pair of monsters.
I should have been more careful, I thought as I plodded onward. Sure, the forests were all silent these days, had been for a couple of months, animal and bird life wiped out by the creatures. But the death of the trees should have alerted me to the presence of the Treaters.
Jennifer was only a kid, just out of her teens. She trusted me. I let her down, and my error got her killed. I found her the day after the shit hit the fan, hiding in her parent’s roadside diner. I didn’t need to explain they were all dead. The haunted eyes that accompanied her impassive voice were proof enough if I hadn’t found her, she’d likely have taken her own life soon enough.
I crested a small rise, stepping over a moss covered tree trunk. I saw Jennifer’s corpse, or what was left of her, and the bile rose in my throat. The body was only recognisable as human by the shreds of blood soaked clothing that clung to it. Parts were littered all around the small c
learing, mostly cracked and shattered bones. The Treaters were thorough in the removal of the flesh, and very little of it remained to bury, even if I’d possessed the tools to dig a grave.
I steadied myself and knelt down beside what was once a beautiful and vibrant young woman. Warm tears rolled down my cheeks to fall on the forest floor. Sobs wracked my body as a wave of despair rolled over me. I don’t know how long I knelt there, but by the time I arose, my joints were stiff. I stood for a second to say goodbye. I never counted myself religious, but I managed to dredge a prayer I remembered from a funeral I attended only months earlier.
Months, I thought. That’s all it had taken for the world to go to hell. Months ago, I had a family, a wife with a baby on the way. Now? Well, Jennifer was the first person I’d seen alive since it happened. My family, everyone I knew, was gone, and it all started that day, six or so months ago. I lost track of the exact date, but it was Halloween night when the gates of Hell opened, and the hordes of demons flooded out.
The only reason I had survived was our annual fishing trip in dark country with a few friends. For over a week, the demons murdered our loved ones, while we were blissfully unaware, contented and usually drunk.
***
Months Earlier
“Something’s wrong Jaz.” Ted fiddled with the radio controls for about the hundredth time in the last hour.
“Jeeze, Ted, leave it alone, would ya?” I gestured to the overcast November sky outside. “It’s probably just atmospherics.”
Ted harrumphed, sitting back in the seat of my Jeep Grand Cherokee. He leaned his head to the left, looking in the door mirror at the battered old Chevy following about 200 yards back. “I’m calling Johnnie; see if he’s got anything.” Ted pulled his cell out, dialling his brother in the truck behind us. I smiled. Ted was a worry wart; always had been. Two tours of Afghanistan, and two in Iraq before that, and there wasn’t a day that went by he didn’t predict our grisly death in a shooting or IED attack. We’d survived, despite his doom-saying.