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37: The Scarecrow

Author: K.L. Novitzke
last update Last Updated: 2024-09-30 09:27:45

ASHTON

I wake to Carden’s usual annoyed tone. Is it wrong of me to wish it’s another day of strolling untainted streets. Is it even worse of me to still wish I could go back to Mysteria? If only. With that terrible uniform back on, I push through the door and step out into the hall with well chosen words of deep misery for this mission on the tip of my tongue, but they get stuck.

There’s no way we’re strolling the streets with her. Brit stands incredibly close to Carden, hand flat against his chest. Her whispers are just out of reach. It isn’t hard to see what she’s trying to do. She stares up into Carden’s eyes, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. Her flirting is hard to watch, but it becomes comical when Carden swats her hand away.

I choke on a puff of laughter, but I quickly cover it up with a harsh, forced cough when Brit’s narrowed glare lands on me. “Where’s Oliver? Or Rafe?” Why can’t I just get one person to accompany me that doesn’t mind my presence?

Brit steps away from
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  • Daughter of Blood and Nightmares   54: Let's Go Home

    ASHTONThe walk out of the demon house is a blur. It isn’t until we’re on the sidewalk that I realize how bad things were. The dark red blood shines like a tragic beacon in the sunlight. Cuts, scrapes, gashes batter Carden’s, Oliver’s, Rafe’s and Theo’s bodies along with those guarding the outside.“Where’s Jen?” I question on a shaky breath. I vaguely remember a scream, a blood curdling scream. “No.” The single word tumbles through my lips.“We didn’t see it coming. It was so dark, it came out of nowhere.” Rafe and Theo are more covered in blood than Carden or Oliver. They took the brunt of the fight and Jen didn’t make it out alive.“Jordan didn’t make either.” One of the outside soldiers adds. The three remaining soldiers are beaten and dirty. Did the earth itself attack them?A flash of number six’s dead body flickers before my eyes. Did the dead attack them?A tear slowly trickles down my cheek for Jordan, for Jen. I didn’t know either of them well, but they didn’t deserve to be

  • Daughter of Blood and Nightmares   53: Can You Do A Better Job At Saving People?

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  • Daughter of Blood and Nightmares   52: Declaration Of Admiration

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  • Daughter of Blood and Nightmares   51: No One Ever Said Ending Things Would Be Pretty

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  • Daughter of Blood and Nightmares   50.0: Ashton's Dead Friend

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  • Daughter of Blood and Nightmares   49.0: Church Of Depraved

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