Warn who? Who is that "him"?
Before I get an answer to that, Clarissa suddenly stops. I heard that creaking from behind too. I don't like that... She glances over her shoulder, and sure enough, there are a couple of men coming from behind. Where did they even come from?! She gasps, something tells me she has the same bad feeling as me. I already know how this ends, I'm just scared to see it...
She tries to ignore them and hurry up, but just then, another silhouette appears. Another man wearing an ugly beanie and a big coat with a collar that covers most of his face. A single lady against three tall men. Moon Goddess, I really don't like the sight of this...
It's just instinct.
Your instinct, telling you something's wrong. Something primal inside you, that just knows your survival is at stake. Your instincts are telling you to leave this place, go somewhere safe. Walk away. Run. Do something, but get out of here. I can feel it just like Clarissa felt it. This dark shadow crawling in our minds, the fear that pours into poison.
Clarissa is smart enough to know she's in danger. She stops and looks around. It's nothing but the empty docks, snow, and those hangars there. Even the sea only has a couple ships at bay; all the others are spending the winter inside. Moon Goddess, I'm not sure I'm ready for what is coming. She retreats a few steps, but the sound of snow being crushed under heavy steps somewhere behind is not a good sign. Moon Goddess, please...
Clarissa swallows her saliva and suddenly turns around, heading to the closest hangar. That hangar. I feel so strange going back there in her memories. I thought it was all gray and rusty, but apparently, it was painted blue before it got scorched by flames... Clarissa gets to the door, but there's a heavy lock on it. She whispers something in Gaelic and I recognize the words for key and metal. Her finger quickly traces some runes on the frozen lock and sure enough, it magically unlocks just like that. She hurries to push the door open, hearing the men coming closer. Moon Goddess, I know all of this happened already, but it's hard to witness. I feel her terror, all this nightmare unraveling inexorably. I'm just glad Mara never witnessed this...
"Come here, little witch... Come here..."
Clarissa looks around and quickly finds a place to hide. This hangar is actually crowded with all kinds of stuff: mostly boxes, shelves, and random things. There are some fish nets hanging around, explaining that strange smell... This is so dark and creepy. Clarissa found herself a little corner between two shelves, but now, we can clearly hear the men walking in. She closes her eyes, so I can't see anything anymore; I only hear her whispers.
"Moon Goddess, please... I just needed more time..."
I feel her so strongly, I even want to cover my mouth to hide my breathing. This is just horrible. Hearing their steps, waiting as they get closer.
"Where did that damn bitch of a witch go?!"
"Keep searching, she can't be far. We can't go back empty-handed. As long as she's alive, it doesn't matter if we don't return her in one piece..."
One of them sneers.
"Yeah, I'm looking forward to that..."
What a bunch of assholes! Scum! Who the hell sent them, anyway?
While I'm thinking about this, Clarissa is already one step ahead. It looks like she's decided on something, because she left her hiding spot to go deeper inside the hangar, looking around for something. Finally, she finds a piece of chalk and a large area in a corner. I easily recognize that spot... She starts scribbling on the floor, as fast as she can. Now that I know better, I can tell she's really good to be able to draw so fast and so accurately.
However, the sounds of the chalk on the floor alerts those men.
"There!"
I hear them coming, my heart going wild, panicked. How can Clarissa remain so calm in such a situation? She just keeps going, taking deep breaths and focusing on her magic circle. I have no idea how she can do that when the men's steps are coming dangerously close and fast. I want to tell her to run away, to find an exit, but she and I already know it's no use. There's no back door, nowhere to run. She can't hide indefinitely, either; they'd find her eventually. She doesn't even have anyone to help her...
I take in the full measure of how lonely Clarissa was. She didn't have anyone she trusted enough to call. Maybe she didn't want to let people get close, knowing she was going to die soon. Still, she was desperate to do one last good thing: to take care of Mara and make sure that child wouldn't be alone.
"It's okay," she suddenly whispers. "It's okay, Mara. I'll be gone, but... I won't leave you alone. All this... all that magic, my magic, I'll purify it. I know I can do this. I'll take that evil with me... We will be reborn, together. New and pure, again. It'll be fine, Mara, don't worry. We'll be stronger. It's just a little goodbye."
I want to cry, but Clarissa isn't crying. She's staying strong, drawing her circle so fast and carefully. Still, it's a damn complicated circle, and those steps are really coming closer. I can feel her fear, I wish I could look up and check our surroundings, but she's just stubbornly writing.
This is a real nightmare to witness...
"There you are, little bitch!"
Moon Goddess.
One of them draws out a knife, ready to stab her, and my blood goes cold. Still, Clarissa keeps an olympian calm. She glares at them and keeps scribbling, as fast as she can. She isn't going to make it. There's no way...
"Come here, I said!"
She’s suddenly dragged by her hair and I grimace from the pain on her scalp. Those damn bastards! They try to drag her away, and Clarissa can only defend herself by grabbing his wrists.
"Look at this..."
