Black dead trees towered on either side of me, ravens cawing at me left and right.  Black wooden houses with orange windows loomed in the distance, coughs echoing in the night.  Smoothing out my black silk blouse, my black jeans clung to my legs.  Screams of agony grew louder, a brick hospital loomed in front of me.  Everyone glanced up weakly, mismatched eyes meeting mine.  All of them had horns and wild black hair, rough coughs sounding full of phlegm.   Walking over the first person, my hands hovered over the poor child’s body.  Closing my eyes, a flood of information jolted my mind.  Ingredients flashed in my head, a white flower with the black water from the river. Grabbing a piece of paper, my trembling fingers drew a white flower that looked like cotton. Writing down the name of a river, a spell came to mind.  Passing it to Ravene, a terrified look twisted his face.  Confusion flashed in my eyes, his lips pressing together thinly.   

“Where can I find the ingredients for the cure?” I queried nervously, waiting with bated breath.  “Why the hell do you look scared?”  Shaking his head, he slid me a map of the territory.  Pointing to the top of a mountain, my eyebrows cocked.  Clearing his throat, he mumbled to himself.  

“That is Mount Deathfeathers.” He explained numbly, shifting uncomfortably. “No one ever comes back.”  Shrugging my shoulders, his hands grabbed my shoulders.  A snarl curled on his lips, a migraine beginning to throb.  

“You don’t understand!  I have lost so many people trying to get the supplies.” He blurted out, tears welled up in his eyes. “I can’t lose you.”  My eyebrow twitched a crooked grin dancing across my face.

“This is coming from the guy who was just trying to kill me.” I retorted sarcastically, my fists clenched tightly. “I am going regardless of what happened. I refuse to let my people die. So either you come or stay behind.  Can I count on you Dean?”   Nodding his head, Ravene flashed me a look of disbelief.  Whistling, a giant raven drifted next to us. A gust of hot air blew up my black silk skirt, my emerald lace blouse hugging my ample breasts.  Black feathers fluttered in the slight breeze, a black beak nuzzling my neck. Hopping on, I offered Dean my hand.  Accepting my hand, Ravene hopped on the bird's back. Ravene slapped the back of the bird, hot air lashed my face as we took off.  My breath hitched at the sight of the sea of black flowers, thousands of ravens flew underneath us.  Wonder turned to horror, bodies lined the pathway.  Nausea wracked my stomach, my stomach churning.  Trying to ignore it, a black fireball shooting in our direction.  A black shadow darted in the corner of my eyes, a glint of silver on the other side. A loud caw erupted from the beak of the bird, silver arrows shooting in our direction. Steering the bird out of the way, a cold hand grabbed my ankle.  

“Shit!” I cursed under my breath, a black knight stood in front of me.  A ball and chain spun around his head, my scythe sliding into my palm. Leaping to my feet, a growl rumbled in my throat. 

“What the hell is your fucking problem?” I snapped icily, raising my blade in defense. “Don’t you want to save the people you are doomed to protect?  I get the sense that you are a former hunter who was cursed to serve those he hunted, so why can’t you let it go.  If you weren’t so biased to fucking begin with you would still be alive.” A growl rumbled from his throat, his ball whipping in my direction.  Surprise widened my eyes, his body smashing into mine.  Hot air rushed around me, the two of us crashing towards the ground.  Black feathers drifted aimlessly as my wings unfolded. Pulling back a bit, the black knight hovered mid air.  

“I want to kill you all.” He proclaimed bitterly, swinging his ball and chain in my direction. “I am sick of your kind.  So why not let a disease wipe you all out?”  Catching his chain, black smoke curled off of my skin as it burned me.  Dragging him closer to me, he spit in my face.  Wiping it off my face, a sneer darkened my face.

“How about this?” I offered curiously, hoping he would take the deal. “We battle until one of us says uncle.  While I do this, they get the supplies we need.  If you win, we have to burn it all in front of you.  However, if I win, then you have to guard the mountain as ordered without complaint.”  Tilting his head, he snapped his fingers.  Dean and Ravene flew away from us, concern flashing in Dean’s eyes.  

“I agree, but you will fight me on my turf.” He retorted venomously, a New England forest unfolding around me. “So are you ready to lose?”  A myriad of colors unfolded around me, the dry leaves crunching under my feet.  Charging at me, his ball doubled in size.  Aiming for my knees, I leapt into the air.  Not now, or ever will I be hurt badly.  He threatened my people, and he was going to pay.  Black vines curled up my arms, the ground shattering as they popped up.  Swinging down towards him, his chain caught my handle.  Mouthing a quick spell, his chain snapped in half.  Silent tears fell down my face, his fist punching through my shoulder.  Blood poured from the wound, my scythe becoming hard to handle. Banging it on the ground, it shrank to half its side.  Wincing in pain, my good hand held my shoulder.  Blood poured from the corner of my lips, his lips moving.  The breath was knocked out of me, poison coursing through my veins. 

“I don’t quit easily.” I wheezed, coughing up blood. “I will make sure you get the message.”  My vision blurred, this was the strange disease that was affecting the village. He had to die, a spell coming to my mind. 

“White lilies of healing.” I coughed, leaning against a tree. “Grow, and take this poison out of me.”  White vines broke the ground, a white lily blooming around me.  White lights bounced around me, a ball floating in the hole in my shoulder.  Electrical jolts of pain shocked my body, a scream of pain exploding from my lips.  Slowly but surely, the lily turned black as I felt better.  The lily decayed to a black pile of crunchy black vegetation, the black knight turning to run. Shaking my head, he was not going to get away. Thunder clouds brewed above us, a blustery gust of wind knocking him to his feet. Crawling on his hands and knees, my scythe grew back to normal size. Swinging down at him, the black vines curled off of the blades to his feet. The vines crept up his body, squeezing him tighter.  

“Please let me live.” He pleaded pathetically, my blade inches from his face. “I promise to behave.” Lowering my blade, evil laughter erupted from his lips.  Blood shined on his armor, a single black dagger sinking into my leg. Crying out in agony, my body collapsed to the ground.  If he was going to play dirty, then so will I.  Crawling away from him, my fingers dug into the loose dirt. Tossing it into his face, coughs echoed behind me.  My vision blurred, hot vomit threatening to come back up. 

“Vines of darkness, here my cry!” I called out, wincing in pain. “Trap him in the prison he deserves.” Black vines curled down my arms, wrapping around his body faster.  Hatred floated off of him, darkening his aura to pure evil. Shaking my head, my fingers gripped my scythe like my life depended on it. 

“Final Act.” I chanted weakly, his screams getting louder. “Devour his heart and darkness.  Make him see the way my people are suffering.  Make him pay for his crimes against my people.”  Terror widened my eyes, fright paralyzing my muscles. My vines broke through his armor, snaking into his ear.  Tortured shrieks rang in my ears, the migraine throbbing with a vengeance.  His sad life played like a movie in my mind, the way his parents always told him that he was a stupid kid that was going nowhere.  Working harder than everyone else in school, they still said that he wasn’t good enough.  My breath hitched, the same New England forest darkened. 

Snow drifted aimlessly, a twenty year old faceless version of him brushing past me.  His faceless parents stood across from him, him pointing frantically to a wooden door in the ground.  Shaking their heads, they ripped open the door.  Shoving him in, the raven demons captured him.  For days, water and food was deprived from him.  My grandfather whipped  him over and over again.  My hands cupped the side of my head, the urge to save him rising deep within me.  One day they came back in, his body swinging from a beam.  Tears flooded from my eyes, despair poisoning my heart.  

“Don’t you see.” The black knight  grumbled begrudgingly, crossing his arms across his chest. “They treated me like a plaything for their sick pleasures.  I should have been dead for a long time ago, and I just want to go to Heaven.  All I wanted was someone that cared, so thank you.  Do you think I will get in?”  Fright weakened his deep voice, my whole body trembling.  Shaking my head, he took off his helmet.  Tossing it to the ground, his kind blue eyes twinkled in my direction. Getting down on his knees, he recited the Lord’s prayers.  A golden light bathed him, his body fading to a golden ball.  Floating away, the scene quaked violently. Trees crumbled to the lifeless ones, a single golden gem sitting on the ground.  

“Wake up.” Dean yelled in my ears, teardrops crashing on top of my head. “I thought I lost you two.  Please be careful.”  Clutching me close to his chest, the Black Knight’s body decayed to black ash.  Ravene approached me with a couple of baskets in his hands, leaping to my feet.  Inches from his face, guilt ate away at his soul. 

“How could you let that happen!” I screeched passionately, slamming my foot on the ground. “You let an innocent man die under the watch of our grandfather!  His whole life was torture, an never ending nightmare.  He spread this curse on you because you hurt him instead of helping him.  How dare you!” Rage seethed in my eyes, my whole body shaking violently. 

“I am sorry, but I didn’t want to die either.” Ravene barked bitterly, setting the baskets down. “I wanted to help him, but I was six. So tell me what the fuck I was supposed to fucking do.  I watched him torture our own people as well.  You will never understand my pain. You can try, but you will never understand.” Sterile silence hung heavily between us, him embracing me warmly. Tears soaked my shoulders, the two of us letting out all of our emotions. Sighing to myself, we both needed that. Letting go of me, he whistled.  The giant raven landed a hundred yards from us, him saying nothing as he picked up the baskets.  Jugs of water already sat on her back, all of us sitting in silence.  Dean played with his black dress shirt, dusting off his black dress pants.  People cheered as we landed, my boots smashing towards the community kitchen. Pulling out the paper from earlier, stiff stems scratched the aged rusty cauldron.  The boys poured in the water, Dean lighting a fire underneath it.  Grabbing the nearby stool, it was time for me to perform the spell.  The golden gem glowed in my palms, humming to myself slightly.

“Golden moonlight, bath us with your love.” I sang softly, Dean’s jaw dropping in wonder. “Heal your children. Take away the poison. Here is his heart.” Dropping the gem into the swirling liquid, a golden glow blinded us.  The light died down, a purple liquid coming to a rest. Dean popped up behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist. Kissing the nape of my neck, grumpiness underneath his kind gaze. Great, he was pissed at me.  

“It’s ready!” I chirped cheerfully, feeling a little dizzy. “Could you pass me a ladle and a crap ton of cups?”  Ravene tossed me a ladle, Dean passing me cups left and right.  An eternity passed, my eyes falling on the knife sticking out of my leg.  A soft oh tumbled from my lips,   

“I hate to be rude.” Dean chided sarcastically, clearing his throat. “How does one forget about the knife sticking out of your leg?”  Shrugging, I continued filling the cups up as they came.  The last one came, a sigh of relief tumbling from my lips.  Dean scooped me into his arms, sprinting out of the medical hall.  Everyone was sitting up, smiling and laughing.  

“Where the fuck are you taking me?” I barked with an annoyed tone, accidentally biting my tongue. “I can fix the wound myself. Everyone needed my help first.” I was not going to tell him how traumatizing his story was to me, his final days still pissing me off. Dean set me down on a black bed gently, his lips pressed into a thin line.  Lifting up my leg, a growl rumbled in  his throat.  Slight fear burned in my eyes, my fingers drumming on the bed.  

“I don’t understand why you can’t ask for help!” He yelled angrily, grabbing the black leather handle. “This is going to hurt.”  Furrowing my brows, he ripped it out of my leg.  Blood poured onto the floor, a steady stream of curse words flowing from my lips.  Cupping my leg, the wound sealed up.  Slapping his hand away, he glowered in my direction. 

“I am sorry, but he challenged me and only me.” I ranted hotly, waving my hands around. “We would have never gotten the medicine if I didn’t accept his challenge.  So back off!  You keep shoving things into my life and I just don’t want to be judged.  Leave! I said leave.”  Sitting down next to me, his fingers wrapped around mine.  An apologetic look dimmed his face, his other hand running through his hair. 

“I know that you had it rough for a long time, and lost your friends. Please let me help you next time.” He said numbly, his eyes watering. “I don’t want to lose you.” Tears streamed down his cheeks, the thought of that poor hunter’s last days causing me to scream out in pain.  Cupping the sides of my head, a piece of that guy must have been left behind in my brain.  

“You didn’t see what I saw.” I sobbed violently, rocking back and forth. “He had shitty parents who purposely shoved him into Hell.  Who the Hell does that?  Wait a minute.  Can you find me a computer?” Rushing off for about twenty minutes, he came back with a beat up laptop from the early two thousands.  Did this beast of a machine still work at all? Pressing the on button, it whined to life. Clicking on Hell’s search engine, my eyes closing. The names Pamela and George Button popped up in my head, my nimble fingers typing it out.  A single red hourglass spun in the middle of the black screen, the two of them popping up.  Our jaws dropped to the ground, two elderly people staring back at us with red eyes and a demonic grins. Both of them had their light gray hair pulled back into a ponytail, the white suit and cocktail dress throwing me off. Another thing caught my eyes, they were in charge of the people hunting us all down.   

“The people in charge of those hunting us are demons.” Dean uttered in disbelief, my hands trembling. “We need to know more.”