Forty-eight

I cringed. “Shouldn’t there be a law against such things?"

He shrugged. “You can’t separate a slave from its master.”

“Oh?”

“The witch builds a bond.” He frowned. “They insert just a little venom that sort of acts like a magnet which enables the master to find its slave anywhere in the world. Plus, the slave is drawn to the master, they can’t stay away.”

“How does the venom get in the bloodstream?”

“A small bite, more like a snake attack.”

It was pouring outside when Bradley took me home. We left his house with thirty minutes to get to my house.

I sighed.

“What are you thinking about?”

I smiled up at him. “Your parents invited me to dinner this weekend.” I couldn’t hide my happiness.

“That surprises you?”

I nodded. “I don’t fit at all with your family.” I said sadly. “I don’t see why they like me.”

“I must warn you though.” he was suddenly serious.

“What? I shuddered. “I think I’ll avoid going to your –” my eyes bulged as I stared in shock. “Bradley noooo!” I shrieked. “Stop the car!”

He took my hand in his and squeezed it. I didn’t think he could stop the car in enough time to avoid running over the limping woman crossing the road but the car came to a halt two feet away from her. Her eyes were so wide and her bottom lip quivered ad though she was holding back a cry. She looked a deer caught in headlights.

“Help me, please.” Her voice was hoarse. She looked too pale.

Bradley stiffened.

“What is it?”

“I smell mushrooms and decay.”

My heart stopped. I was frightened for the woman who was on her knees now, begging.

“Witch,” My voice was barely audible.

“We have to get out of here, fast.” He started the car again.

“No, we can’t just leave her there.”

“I would’ve seen her emerge from the forest.” He mumbled suspiciously. “She just appeared suddenly.”

“No!” I screamed. “We have to do something.”

“She smells funny.”

“She must've been bitten by a witch.” I cried angrily. “I could never forgive myself if I read about her death in the newspaper tomorrow. Please, for me.” I begged.

He sighed.

“You’ll be in and out of the car in a second.” I encouraged. “We’ll take her to the hospital. Please.”

He shook his head,

“What if that was me?” I asked. I hate using emotional blackmail. It seemed like my only choice. “You’d want someone to help me wouldn’t you?”

I knew I was winning him over.

“It’s a trap.”

“Please Bradley please.”

He mumbled what sounded like profanities in a foreign language. “Stay in the car.” He warned.

“Thank you.”

“Stay.” He commanded.

“I promise.” I wailed. “Now go, please.”

His face was blank, emotionless. “Lock the car behind me and close your eyes.”

I frowned but nodded for his benefit.

I should’ve known something was wrong from his stiffened posture, the warning in his voice, the way the woman’s eyes seemed to scan the forest as though she was waiting for something to happen. I should’ve known.

Four things seemed to happen simultaneously when Bradley closed the door behind him. One, the woman stood gracefully to her full height; a catlike grace to her leap, her eyes glowing mischievously in the dark night. Secondly; we were surrounded by pale mortals – decay smelling creatures that emerged from the shadows in blinding speed as they closed in on Bradley. Thirdly; the car locked on its own, dark windows automatically rolled up to cover the transparent windows in blinding speed. And fourthly; I screamed for him to turn around feeling something bad was about to happen.

I was too late. I’d already exposed him. He was out there alone.