by Kaitlyn Hoyt
I AM PLANTED ON THE porch in the middle of a battle. Across the yard, people are in the midst of fighting. Dravin is nowhere to be seen. Of course, he wouldn’t show up to a fight that he initiated. Colton is off to the right side, fighting against Adam. Their swords are clanging against each other in a metal on metal beat. I watch them for a moment. Colton’s movements are strong and precise. He knows exactly what he’s doing. The muscles in his arms ripple with each movement of his sword. It takes everything in me to look away.
Everyone else is fighting in different locations throughout the yard against Gadramicks. Tom and Bragden are fighting off numerous people at once, while David remains close to Emma to protect her. I spot myself standing in the middle of field fighting Thomas.
I have a sword in my hand, moving in ways I didn’t think were possible for me. I’m incorporating all my gymnastics tricks, but because so many people are in a small space, it’s hard to do all the moves that I know I’m capable of. I can feel the magic emanating from my body. I’m not fighting fairly, but I’m still not gaining any leverage on him. Thomas is larger than Bragden, so this fight is definitely more difficult.
I hear Colton cry out. I, along with the vision version of myself, turn to see what happened. Blood is dripping down Colton’s arm where Adam’s sword had sliced him. That is all the distraction that Thomas needed. He knocks the sword out of my hand, and backhands me, knocking me to the ground. I quickly roll over, avoiding his foot as he attempts to kick me. I jump up and spin around, bringing my arm full of magic out to punch him in the stomach. He doesn’t flinch. Smiling at me, he deflects my arm, and thrusts his other arm into my stomach. Tearing through skin and muscle, his sword implants itself in my abdomen. I gasp, and look into his eyes. His large brown eyes are looking down at me with amusement. He’s going to enjoy watching me die.
“RYANNE!” I hear Colton yell. I start to run toward myself, but I know that there’s nothing I can do. This is a vision. No one knows I’m here, and I can’t interfere. Colton drops his sword, and punches Adam in the jaw, sending him onto the stone patio. Hitting his head, Adam falls to the ground unconscious. Thomas jerks his sword out of my body, and I stare at him before crumbling to the ground. I reach myself as blood starts to dribble out of my mouth.
Larkin blinks in behind Thomas, and stabs him through the heart. He claws at the sword, but Larkin pushes it in deeper. Yelling over his shoulder to Colton, Larkin says, “Get her out of here!” I watch as my eyes close, and my body starts convulsing. Blood is soaking the ground beneath me, turning the green grass a deep red. Colton scoops me up, and runs toward the house.
