55. The Reaper

"L-Lorraine!" Anna gasped. "HELP!"

But of course, Lorraine couldn't dare do such a thing. Anna's fingers fumbled for the small dagger at her waist, her only means of defense. It was pitiful compared to the towering beast before her, but it was all she had.

The monster attacked.

Anna barely dodged, rolling to the side as the scythe shattered the stone where she had stood a second ago. The shockwave sent her tumbling. Pain flared through her wrist as she landed hard, her dagger clattering out of reach.

No, no, no!

She stretched for it, but the monster was faster. It grabbed her by the collar and lifted her off the ground effortlessly.

Anna screamed, kicking and clawing at its bony fingers, but its grip was unyielding. The hollow eyes of the beast locked onto hers.

"Please…" she whimpered. "HELP Me!"