BTS: Tear the Sky

9: Conviction

Kill it, Grey. You'll only have one chance. 

She sidestepped towards the door, poking her head into the bedroom. The demon was on all fours, Amelia laid out beneath him. Grey didn't need to see them to know those bottomless eyes were transfixed on the young woman. When she stepped into it's peripheral, it didn't flinch. Instead, it cocked its swollen head to the side, a predator sniffing a meal it wasn't sure about consuming.

Grey tightened her grip on the scissors, bile rising in her throat.

The beast lowered it's lips, deep purple snake tongue flicking towards Amelia's wounds.

Oh hell no.

Grey's slippers were silent on the wooden floors as she charged, raising the scissors above her head. She was five feet away when the creature detected her, swiveled its ugly head to the side to bare its black gums and hiss. Bone wings shot to the sides of the room, preparing for flight, preparing to skewer Grey with one flap.

It was fast, but she was faster.

With a grunt, Grey stabbed the scissors clean through the center of the nightstalker's neck. Hot, raven black blood spilled over Amelia, splashed Grey's face and pajamas. The girl grit her teeth as she kicked at its thin stomach and sent it onto the couch. Dead fingernails clawed at the twin blades, rushed fervor to get the scissors out decreasing steadily as it gurgled and choked and slowed down from the effort.

When it didn't stop moving quickly enough, Grey snatched the flower vase from the center of the coffee table. "Eat this!"

Painted glass shattered over the couch and fake roses showered the cushions as she brought it down on its bald head.

The irkan's head bobbed from the collision, slumping to the side as Grey backed up against the wall. 

Her heart beat in her ears, her breathing shredding through the silence that engulfed the living room. She wasn't sure if that was enough to take it out, but it didn't look like it would be pouncing any time soon. After a few seconds of observing it's stillness Grey inched closer to Amelia and knelt by her friend, wincing as her pajama bottoms absorbed the pool of blood. It was like kneeling in thin honey or kneeling in paint.

Pressing two fingers to the top of Amelia's neck, she calmed her thunderous thoughts and waited for a pulse. What was supposed to be a steady beat in the skin felt like little more than a tap. Her complexion continued to pale, and one look at her other shoulder explained why.

Three gashes, deep and long, tore apart muscle and skin. She couldn't tell where they began and where they ended, scarlet bathed the top of her right arm. 

Grey whimpered, hot tears welling under her eyelids. "Amelia?"

A gentle finger caressed her friend's cheek, eyes searched her friend's tranquil face. A mixture of black and red blood smeared underneath her cheekbone as Grey pulled away.

She needed medical attention, and she needed it now. She dashed for Amelia's home phone.

"Grey." 

She whirled towards the apartment door, shock barely allowing her to register the fact that it was now open. Luca was already down in a defensive stance, scanning the room once more before turning to address her again.

"The ambulance will not come quickly enough. Take Amelia to KSJ."

So many things complicated that simple concept. She wasn't allowed there, Amelia might die on the way, Luca just now decided to show up...

"B-but I can't. She won't, won't make it."

"Listen to me. She must go now! Do not freeze."