Retribution - Chapter 19 (Dark Paranormal Fantasy Story)

With only one chapter left, we are closing in on the ending of Retribution! The next part in the series "The World of Shadows" is coming soon!

This is the second story of the BP series. If you haven't read the first story yet, you can find it here :)

Find previous chapters of Retribution on my Steemit Blog.

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About Retribution
The journey continues as Beatrix and Arthur set out to find the portal to the world of shadows. Beatrix discovers new unsettling revelations, shattering the past and narrowing the possibility of a happily ever after. Filled with uneasy uncertainty, this second book in the series will have you on the edge of your seat!

Full of romance, excitement, drama, passion, triumph, and tragedy, this is a wonderful continuation of the story!

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CHAPTER 19

They reached the bottom of the hill and walked up to the edge of the woods. Crickets chirped and branches rustled slightly in dark woods ahead. Arthur held the compass in front of him to illuminate the way.

Branches crunched under their feet as they went. The canopy above blocked most of the moonlight from reaching the forest floor. The woods surrounding them were cast in a bright-red light from the compass. A squirrel darted by Beatrix, and she threw herself sideways, knocking herself and Arthur to the ground. “Sorry,” said Beatrix shyly.

Arthur smiled at her. “That’s OK,” he said.

They got up and brushed the dirt and leaves from their clothes. Something rustled in the trees behind them. It was moving closer. Beatrix grasped Arthur’s hand tightly. A glowing pair of green eyes opened and peered out at them. “Run,” said Arthur to Beatrix. She was frozen in fear. “Run!” said Arthur, as the monster stepped out of the shrubs toward them and let out a roar that shattered the silence.

Beatrix and Arthur darted through the woods. Branches flew past them as they went. The forest floor fell into a decline. Beatrix tripped on a rock and tumbled down a hill. Trees raced by her and plants hit her, as the world spun over on itself. She suddenly hit water, sending a splash into the air. She was in a creek. Beatrix stood up slowly, her body aching. “Arthur?” she called out. She looked around and saw a red glow in the woods ahead. She crawled up the side of the valley toward the light. Once she reached the top, she did her best to run toward it. The light rested in place in the woods ahead of her.

“Arthur?” she called out into the cold night.

“Beatrix!” Arthur replied back to her. He ran to her.

“W-where is that creature?” she asked, worried.

“It stopped when I crossed over the creek,” he replied. “Not sure why.”

They could see the edge of the woods ahead of them. The mountains were illuminated by the moon’s light.

Arthur and Beatrix reached the edge of the trees and looked up at the vast mountains. Beatrix had thought the portal would have been in the woods. Arthur held the compass in front of him, which had grown even brighter than before. Bats flew across the night sky, as Beatrix looked up at the mountains.

Arthur set his backpack on the ground and gestured at the cut on Beatrix’s ankle. “May I?” he asked. Beatrix nodded. Arthur raised his hand and said, “Syrellium.” Blue sparks flew out and surrounded the cut; it slowly healed. Beatrix smiled at Arthur.

They sat down for a moment to rest. Beatrix moved closer to Arthur, as they gazed up at the mountains. She stared up at the stars in the sky and thought about her father. She missed him. How could something so awful happen to someone so kind? she thought. Evil never did seem to follow the rules. Grief for her father’s death had fueled her on this journey so far. She was looking to get revenge. She was looking for retribution for her loss. She could feel something wicked brewing inside her. It grew stronger each day of her journey. She embraced the feeling; it gave her power—she could feel it. A storm sparked in her heart.

Beatrix stood up and said, “OK, I’m ready.”

Arthur looked up at her. Her eyes glowed with determination. He stood up and grabbed his backpack, and they made their way up the mountain slope.

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The final chapter of Retribution will be published soon! Part 3 "The World of Shadows" is coming soon!

Thanks for reading! :)

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