Chapter 8
Marcel's eyes locked onto the knife pressed against Evelyn's neck, his heart racing with fear. He was wary and hesitant to make any move, not wanting to risk Evelyn getting hurt.
The witch leader, sensing Marcel's hesitation, began to boast. "You're not as powerful as you think you are, Marcel," she sneered. "You'll never see your daughter again, and there's nothing you can do to save her."
Marcel's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. But he didn't move, not wanting to risk Evelyn's safety.
The witch leader continued to taunt him. "You've polluted the air in this town with your evil spirit, Marcel. But I'm going to cleanse it. You're a plague, and it's time someone stopped you."
Marcel's voice was low and desperate. "Don't hurt her, and I'll spare your life. I promise to leave this town and never come back."
But the witch leader just laughed. "You're in no condition to make demands, Marcel," she sneered. "Say your final goodbye to your daughter. I'm going to use my magic to teleport us away, and you'll never see her again."
Just as the witch leader was about to cast her spell, a figure burst into the room. It was Kyle, Marcel's foster son, who had grown into a strong and capable young man.
Without hesitation, Kyle stabbed the witch leader from behind, causing her to scream in pain and let go of Evelyn.
That little second was all Marcel needed. In a flash, he was on the witch, pulling her heart out of her chest. His face contorted into a monstrous visage, his eyes blazing with fury.
Evelyn was terrified. She let out a blood-curdling scream and ran to Kyle, wrapping her arms tightly around his leg. "Uncle Kyle!" she cried, her voice shaking with fear.
Marcel's face fell as he saw his daughter's fear. He took a deep breath, and his face slowly returned to its normal form, though it was etched with sadness.
Crouching down to her level. "Daddy will never hurt you," he said, his voice soft and gentle. "And I promise I will never let anyone hurt you. I swear."
Evelyn looked directly at Marcel, her eyes still wide with fear. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw the love and concern there, and slowly, her fear began to fade.
After a few seconds, Evelyn let go of Kyle's leg and walked slowly towards Marcel. Marcel opened his arms wide, and Evelyn walked into them, hugging him tightly.
Marcel picked her up, holding her close as he walked towards Kyle. He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Nice timing," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
As they walked out of the dark and foreboding place, Marcel turned to Kyle with a curious expression. "How did you know we were in trouble, and how did you find us?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Kyle smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Ella called me," he said. "She told me what was happening, and I dropped everything to come to town."
Marcel's eyes widened in surprise. "And how did you find us?" he asked again.
Kyle chuckled. "You've become quite popular in this town, Marcel," he said with a grin. "It wasn't hard to track you down."
Marcel raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "I see," he said, his voice low and amused.
The two men shared a brief, knowing glance before Marcel turned to Kyle with a serious expression. "Let's go meet Ella," he said. "We can leave this dead town behind before another set of trouble finds us."
Kyle nodded in agreement, and the three of them set off towards the town, ready to leave the darkness and danger behind....
Ella's POV
I paced back and forth in the hotel room, my mind racing with worries. I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of my stomach. I kept thinking about Evelyn, wondering if she was safe, if Marcel had found her, or if something terrible had happened to her.
I peered through the window, scanning the streets below for any sign of Marcel and Evelyn. But all I saw was the angry mob, still searching for me. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized they were getting closer.
Just then, one of the men in the mob looked up in my direction, and I froze, my heart racing. Shit! I quickly hid behind the window, holding my breath and hoping I hadn't been discovered.
After a few seconds, I braved a peek through the window again, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. The mob was still there, but they didn't seem to have noticed me.
But my relief was short-lived. The female receptionist who had booked me the room walked up to the mob, and after a brief discussion, she pointed up at the room where I was hiding. I felt a surge of anger and betrayal. How could she do this to me?
The angry mob looked up at the window, their faces twisted with anger, and started charging into the hotel premises. I could hear their footsteps pounding up the stairs, getting closer and closer.
Shit! I thought, my heart racing with fear. They've found me. I have to get out of here, now. But where can I go? And what about Marcel and Evelyn? Are they okay?
I ran out of the room, hoping to escape the mob through the back exit. But as I reached the stairs, I was met with a sea of angry faces. "There she is!" one of them shouted, pointing at me. "Get her! Wife of the devil and mother of a demon!" they chanted in Zulu, their voices rising in a frenzied crescendo.
I felt a surge of fear as I realized I was surrounded. The mob was closing in on me from all sides, their eyes blazing with hatred and their faces twisted with anger. I knew I had to think fast if I was going to get out of this alive.
I turned to run in the opposite direction, but they were there too, coming at me with their weapons. I dodged and weaved, barely avoiding their blows. One of them swung a machete at me, and I managed to escape by mere inches, feeling the blade whisper past my ear.
I could hear the sound of footsteps pounding behind me, getting closer and closer. I knew I couldn't outrun them for much longer. I was getting tired, and my breath was coming in ragged gasps.
I spotted a door up ahead and made a beeline for it. I burst through the door and slammed it shut behind me, leaning against it to secure it. The mob was violent, banging on the door and shouting for me to come out. I felt hopeless, trapped and alone, with no way to escape.
The door creaked and groaned under the pressure, and I knew it wouldn't hold for much longer. I was running out of time, and I had no idea how I was going to get out of this alive. I thought about Marcel and Evelyn, wondering if they were safe, and if they would ever find me. Tears of fear and desperation pricked at the corners of my eyes as I realized I might never see them again.:
As the banging on the door grew more violent, I could feel the wood splintering and cracking under the pressure. I was convinced that it was only a matter of time before the door gave way and the mob burst in.
But then, suddenly, the banging stopped. The silence was eerie, and I was left standing there, wondering what was happening. And then, I started to hear the most horrific cries and screams coming from the other side of the door. It was like nothing I had ever heard before - a cacophony of terror and pain that sent shivers down my spine.
I was frozen in place, unsure of what to do or what was happening. And then, just as suddenly as it had started, everything went quiet. The silence was oppressive, and I felt like I was holding my breath, waiting for something to happen.
But nothing did. At least, not for a few moments. And then, a loud bang sounded on the door, making me jump. I moved away from the door, my heart racing with fear.
Another loud bang, and the door flew off its hinges, crashing to the floor. I was scared, my eyes fixed on the doorway, waiting to see what would come through it.
But as I looked up, I saw Marcel standing in the doorway, a look of relief on his face. "Evelyn?" I asked, my voice shaking with fear, as I didn't see her with him.
And then, seconds later, Kyle appeared in the doorway, Evelyn in his arms. "Mummy!" Evelyn called out, stretching out her arms to me.
"Oh, my sweet heart!" I exclaimed, rushing over to Kyle and taking Evelyn from his arms. I hugged her tightly, tears of relief streaming down my face.