Cry of the Wild Dark

Miriam's eyes narrowed as her gaze dragged over to the direction of a crackling fire

         
         Miriam's eyes narrowed as her gaze dragged over to the direction of a crackling fire. Her name was whispered among the darkness again. A knot formed in her belly, and Miriam had a feeling it wouldn't untie until she satisfied her curiosity. She canted her head, listened to the voices calling her brave--some kind of hero. Everything in her body screamed to stay away. She hugged herself as longing buried so deep withered to the top like worms. The voices touched something deep inside of her that craved being wanted.
         On this night, the voices had worn her down. She followed the crackle of the fire, the voices. Her steps were hesitant, sandals scraping against the dirt. She sneaked into the bushes, observed. She watched a family hunched over. The knot in her belly started to thread apart, but then tightened right back up. When she got a closer look, the family--their eyes were distorted, a jaundiced yellow and their skin was pallid with bones sticking out in odd places and their jaws were coated in blood. Miriam was overwhelmed with the stench of decay and rot. Before she could back away, they turned to her. The motions were followed by a sickening CRACK and CRUNCH. She saw them, and they saw her. The fire and cicadas seemed to all pause at the same time in that moment.
         Goddamn mimics, she cussed as she ran and ran and ran. She shoved past brush, branch, and root. Just when she tripped and the creatures descended upon her, an arrow landed in the ground. Then another arrow crushed a skull. Miriam glanced around.
         A woman stood in the shadows, stepped into the moonlight, her hair done in individual twists armed. She gripped a wooden quiver in her hands, and she offered the other to Miriam.
         "Thank you," Miriam said, voice breathy. My hero, she mused.
         "Best be careful, they're evolving."
         Miriam's stomach twisted. Her gaze fell to the ground. "I was weak."
         "Are you alone?"
         Miriam nodded warily.
         The woman turned her back. "Come."
         "I don't know you."
         "Crystal."
         "How do I know you're not one of them?"
         "Or stay, it makes no difference to me."
         Miriam ran after Crystal.