What Doesn't Kill You - Part 9

The following is a short story revolving around the fantasy story 'The Wall Outside'. There will be serveral parts. It uses some of the characters of 'The Wall Outside', but is not part of main book. 'The Wall Outside' is currently available in digital format at http://www.amazon.com/The-Wall-Outside-Series-ebook/dp/B009FLOMLI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350814435&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wall+outside+by+james

What Doesn't Kill You - Part 9

‘Two skeles down and four to go,’ you tell yourself as a shiver goes down your spine.

They are closing in now.  Something tries to grab your arm; another tries for your leg.  At the same time, the skeleton in front lunges with the log, jabbing straight for the chest.

The weight of the two skeletons behind jerks you off balance.  Rather than fight it, you go with it, tuck, and roll.

They had expected resistance.  Your added weight bears down upon them, landing hard on the one, and jerking loose of the other’s handhold.  The one with the log misses entirely, clobbering another skeleton instead.

Coming to your feet, you can see Bob has most of the flames out around the tree, except for those at your heels; you stomp them out quickly.

“Charge!” Bob roars out.  There is a swoosh in the air, and something like a bullet flies toward the approaching skeletons.

He hits, driving through the vertebrae of one, and the leg bone of another.  Both drop.  That leaves three, but the one with the log isn’t fazed.  He stands his ground determined to land a blow on the small pixie.

A strange sound calls behind you, and realize it is the holly wood tree.  Turning around, you stare into its face.  It speaks no words and yet--yet, you can understand it.  What’s it saying?  Touch its trunk?

To the right of the face, you reach out just as the other two skeletons come into view.  They are heading toward Bob.  You start to pull back.  Every fiber of your being says go help Bob whatever it costs, yet the tree is insistent.  One touch.  If you do that, the tree will be satisfied, and you can go help Bob.


~ James William Peercy

For those interested, what is 'The Wall Outside' about?

Step across the barrier and what will you find?
A place of magic just out of sight?
A pixie, a leprechaun, or even a sprite?

What starts as a vacation, turns into a mess. For Jonna, there's
more at stake than meets the eye. Through pouring rain,
misdirection, and a curious mind, Jonna crossed the barrier
between our world and magic.

Now forced to return across the barrier, Jonna battles Dark Mages, angry leprechauns, and a ruthless Minotaur, all in an effort to find his wife. To do this, he must locate the stolen Rune Blade and rescue a beautiful elvish princess.

But what can a human do when faced with a world of magic?