Co-Written Story // Part 2

       The form had emerged slowly at first, a shadow melting out of imagination and into the land of reality, and by the time its appearance had registered with Liam, it was nearly upon him. He skidded backwards, falling into the mud and crawling backwards. His back hit a tree, stopping him in his tracks.
        His hands groveled between the roots for something to use as a weapon - a rock or stick of some sort. He felt something sharp, maybe a discarded arrowhead or something else left of the natives, and clutched onto it as though it were life itself; as far as he could tell, it very well could have been.
       The form walked towards Liam, its gait steady and confident, its hands clasped behind its back.
      “Li’ani,” the voice whispered, the voice harsh and raspy yet carrying through the chilled air. Liam shuddered at his birth name. He tried to push himself onto his feet so he would at least die fighting, but the figure subdued him with a flick of his fingers: a dozen more shadowy figures emerged from between the trees, their faces shadowed by hoods pulled over their faces. Each one held a loaded bow, all pointed towards Liam’s heart.