The buzzing grew even louder, too loud, where Theo wanted to cover his ears, but he was too busy trying to get Garrett to the forest. They weren’t really running and that was giving the pixies time to get closer.
“Hurry! Hurry!” Steve ushered them from the tree line. “They’re coming!”
Theo growled back. It would be easier if he had some help!
He finally got Garrett moving faster when they were literally swarmed. Theo batted the air in front of him but there were so many of them. The first bite came as Theo was shocked into staring at the little purple creature with spiked hair and rapidly flapping wings. And fangs. This thing had fangs!
“Ow!” Theo hissed and jumped away as another pixie went after his left hand.
These pixies were nothing like Theo had ever pictured. Or what his mind could have even come up with. These creatures were vicious as they took turns flying at him to get a bite in somewhere on his body.
Garrett stumbled against his back and Theo turned.
How many freaking pixies were there?
Garrett was batting away at least two dozen. And wasn’t doing any good getting them away from him. Already Garrett’s arms, neck, and face were bleeding.
A sharp sting against his shoulder reminded Theo that he was also in trouble.
Since he had no idea how to battle pixies. And damn it he really wished he had his journals. But running did seem like the best idea. Hooking his arm with Garrett’s, he pulled until he had Garrett moving forward again.
The gargoyle stumbled but Theo was determined.
Steve was still yelling but at this point Theo couldn’t hear anything other than the stupid buzzing which he now realized was the sound that the pixie wings were making.
With one hand waving in front of him, trying his best to protect his eyes from the pixie attack, Theo stomped forward, going as fast as he could with a heavy gargoyle nearly hanging on him. Sure Theo had shifter strength but that was no match for Garrett’s mass or the fact that Garrett’s feet were tangling with his as the gargoyle attempted to walk on his own and failed.
Eventually the trees were close enough that Theo was contemplating not going any closer. Except he was beginning to weaken and the stings were turning into a burning. Was that the venom? What would pixie venom do to him?
Garrett had said that he didn’t think the venom would kill him, but what about Theo?
They were only about twelve feet away from the closest tree when Theo tripped over Garrett’s feet and they crashed down. Garrett landed on top of Theo and all the remaining breath Theo had in his lungs whooshed out of him.
Theo looked to Steve for help. “Help!” Theo tried to shout but the buzzing was so loud! His head pounded. There was a sweet but sick taste in the back of his throat.
Steve’s eyes widened before he turned and walked into the closest tree. Literally walked into the tree and disappeared.
The weight over him shifted.
Theo grunted.
“I will protect you, friend Theo,” Garrett said against his ear.
He would reply. Theo wanted to, but with Garrett’s weight over him and the ache in his stomach, Theo could barely open his mouth.
A loud snap would have had Theo jumping but he was having trouble seeing.
Why was everything getting dark?
Wasn’t it still morning?
As a shadow fell over him, Theo shivered.
“They will go away,” Garrett shouted. “Pixies get bored easily. Hang on, friend Theo.”
Hang on. All he had to do was hang on and the fanged monster tiny pixies would get bored and stop biting them? Sure. Right. Theo would totally just lie there and hope he didn’t get eaten by pixies.
Except he didn’t feel any more stings.
