WE #23 CK

   

 "Don't listen to him," the creature hissed. "He's just flattering you. You are Nothing." The whispy, raspy voice of the silver-bodied demon echoed in Eliza's ears, the last word remaining long after the declaration had escaped its lips.  Deep inside of her, she knew what he was saying was not the truth, but the demon's degradations were beginning to wear on her. Her joyful spirit crushed and her lovely complexion fading, Eliza was beginning to lose hope. She longed to believe the caring words of the handsome man standing before her, but everything wonderful she had previously believed about herself had fallen to dust.
     "Please. Let me help you," the man pleaded. Hold it together, Eliza. Her thoughts surged through her mind like a river gnawing at a dam.
     "I don't need your help," her cynicism escaping her lips. "Just...Why don't you go back to where you came from?" She instantly regretted the words, but cruelty was the only defense she had against additional bruises. The man flinched slightly, acknowledging the verbal attack directed towards him, but he appeared more concerned for his attacker than protecting his pride. Brown eyes attentive, he gazed at her for a long moment before turning away in silence.
                                 ~
     "Why did she snarl at me when I tried to help, Lord?" His name was Anthony. Just a few days ago, he had spotted a young woman in questionable company and knew he couldn't let her slip away without doing something. The creature lurking over her was treacherous, so without vocalizing his intentions, Anthony assigned himself to the task of protecting Eliza. Her stabbing remark revealed her inward turmoil. It wasn't him she was attacking; it was whatever was causing her pain. He had to help. This woman would have her oppressor disposed of. But this would not be an easy battle to fight.
                                 ~
     She awoke from her slumber to a chilling presence within her bed chamber. Startled, Eliza noticed the demon observing her from the slight crack nestled between her wall and her door.
     "What are you doing here?" She questioned. This was getting out of hand. The malevolent creature was not going to let her go.
     "Waiting for you to get up, you weak, lazy human. Come on. We're losing daylight." Before she had time to protest, the demon had pried Eliza from her bed into the outside world.
     "Let go," she shrieked, attempting to wiggle her arm free. The demon said nothing, but his grip increased the closer they drew to the mountain cliff.
                               ~
     Eliza was positioned perfectly between the mountain edge and the creature when Anthony appeared.
     "Oh no he didn't!" Anthony waved his arms in frustration as he propelled his body in a full-blown sprint towards her. There was a struggle in play, little Miss Eliza fighting valiantly against the demon's efforts. Anthony noticed the demon's awareness of him as he approached.
     "Well, well, well! If it isn't Mr. Tony himself. I'd make some introductions, but soon there won't be any introductions to make." The creature sneered at him as he wrapped his scaly arm around Eliza's neck.
     "The only introduction we'll be fortunate enough to be spared of is the one where you meet the mountain face!" The demon hissed as he attempted to pry Eliza's heel from his foot.
     Anthony gazed deeply into Eliza's eyes as he whispered, "You don't have to do this. He doesn't have to win this fight. But death and life are in your hands now. It's your choice."
                                   ~
     Eliza felt the anger coarse through her body. "It's in my hands," she thought. "Why isn't he helping me for gosh sakes?!" But then, Eliza realized that she wouldn't always have a knight in shining armor to rescue her. She needed to learn to fight her own battles. And this was her battle.
     They were nearing the edge of the cliff now, Eliza and the demon, all the while Anthony's expression remained constant and intense, fixed on her. It was time to move. The silver-faced demon was feeding her lies now.
    "You're so weak. No one wants you. Why are you even alive?"
     Eliza had had enough. Glaring into the eyes of her accuser, she stated with newfound courage, "Your discouragement won't work on me." Then she whisked out a knife from her pocket and stabbed the demon in the throat. It wasn't long before the creature, clawing at the wounded area, began to stumble towards the mountain edge. After he toppled over the cliff, plunging towards his date with destiny, Eliza turned to thank Anthony. But when she turned around, the only thing she noticed was a bright flash of wings. Then all was quiet.