The Necromanced (Being Edited 7/21/14)

Chapter Twenty-three: Her

Chapter Twenty-three: Her

The road was chill. I saw a horse racing towards me. The blackness seemed to surround me. Everything about me seemed to be devouring my very existence. I heard a thump. I felt it crushing my spine. The nerves seemed to tear apart shooting pulses of pain through my body. It felt as though my back were on fire. I heard screams. They were all around me, but when I searched frantically for the screams I found emptiness. I heard the horse as it skittered on by at a break neck pace. The carriage twisted the muscles away from my spine. I gasped, but my body couldn't hold enough air.

I opened my eyes to see Thomas' face before me. "Meriden, Meriden!" He called out, he shook me gently. My back was still on fire. I felt every muscle in my body was tense and shaking. I moaned, my mouth seemed to be paralyzed. Even the idea of speaking seemed impossible.

As soon as I regained consciousness I scuttled away from him. Thomas' face showed concern. I was still writhing from the impact. The carriage. The horses. I felt everything as if it had all transpired only moments ago.

"Don't touch me!" I yelled just realizing how close he was. I pulled anxiously at my gloves.

"Okay okay!" He said backing up, his brows furrowed deeper. He slunk away to stand at a distance.

"Can I at least help you up?"

"No." I said wrapping my arms around myself.

"What's going on?" Merrick asked as he came in.

"Haven't the foggiest." Thomas said shaking his head.

"It was just a dream, leave it alone." I said as softly as I could. I had aimed to nonchalant, but grossly miscalculated landing at childish and scared.

"What happened?" Merrick asked turning to Thomas.

"I heard screams, so I came outside. She was sitting there against the wall, it looked like she was in pain."

"What'd you do?" Merrick prodded, the subject had breached his interest.

"I shook her." Thomas said, looking almost embarrassed. Thomas was strong, cocky, even a little immature, but never embarrassed. That was my job.

I got to my feet, the shaking hadn't stopped. I didn't want to sit still any more. "I'm fine." I interrupted, I didn't like the attention.

"Well that's all that matters." There was something in the way Merrick said it that sent more chills down my spine.

"Of course." Thomas agreed obediently.

"We should head out." Merrick said to no one in particular.

"Well I doubt we'll be getting much sleep." I couldn't help but agree. There was an elephant in the room, a large question sitting in the corner. It made my stomach lurch.

"Yeah, let's head out."

We tacked up the horses and got moving. It was the third day of hard riding, I couldn't help the nagging thought of where we were going. And most importantly, why.

"Merrick." I called out kicking Faith into a canter. I caught up with him as he turned.

"Yes?" He implored.

"Where is it we're headed?" I couldn't help but be blunt. I'd learned nothing from the niceties of the rich.

"It's hard to explain Lady Meriden." He said avoiding the question.

"Well you must know where it is." I pressed. I wanted answers.

"Meriden, there are things about this world you cannot understand."