In which James, Monique, Oaf, and Thunder lose a battle.

"Run," Thunder and Oaf yelled.

Everyone jumped to their feet and tried to make it speedily over the large bounder to the forest floor.

The watery Oaf hopped from rock to rock, aided by a wave of water emanating from the creature's feet. Each wave lifted the Oaf imposter to the next boulder.

"He's gaining on us," James said over his shoulder as he watched the creature move quickly over the challenging terrain.

Oaf and Monique made it to the ground first. They turned and cheered James on as the water demon closed the distance between them.

At the last moment, James leaped and landed in a heap on the forest floor just beyond where Monique and Oaf stood.

"Are you OK," Monique asked. She ran to James's side and helped him up.

James nodded.

The sound of trickling water brought their attention back to the situation at hand.

Upon the boulders, the watery Oaf flowed to the edge of the outcropping and peered down.

Oaf moved protectively in front of James and Monique. Thunder alighted on Oaf's head, arms crossed.

"I don't think we can outrun it," Monique said. She still gripped James's hand.

"It's my fault. I take responsibility," Oaf said. "I'll get it to chase me, and you three get out of here."

"Don't be ridiculous," Thunder said, but before anyone could protest further, Oaf jumped from one foot to the other shouting, "Come and get me, you creepy, evil thing!"

The watery monster concentrated its attention on Oaf.

Over faes shoulder, Oaf said in a whisper, "Start running when I do. Get away from the rocks. The farther it gets from its birthplace, the weaker it becomes."

"Unless it finds more water, then you're done for," Thunder said, taking flight and heading to Monique and James.

"I know just where to take it," Oaf said. Fae stepped away from the group, waving faes hands overhead to keep the creature's attention.

The watery Oaf slid from the boulders in a rush of water. Oaf took a sidestepped away from James and Monique. The creature lunged for Oaf, and fae started running.

The children, along with Thunder, took off in the opposite direction. At the last moment, the creature changed direction and torpedoed straight for Thunder. As the water hit Thunder's wings, the fairy dropped to the ground. The beast changed its trajectory again and went straight for Monique's feet. The ground under her shoes immediately turned to mud, and she began to sink.

"James!" Monique screamed. "Help me!"

The mud worked swiftly. In a matter of seconds, Monique had sunk her knees, unable to free herself. She clawed at the ground, trying to pull herself free, but it was no use. The mud held tight and pulled her down.

James skidded to a halt and rounded to Monique. He gripped her hands and tugged, but the mud only pulled harder against him.

Oaf, realizing that the watery demon had understood their plan, raced to help James free Monique. The monster had other plans. As Oaf approached, it threw down a sheet of water in front of fae. As Oaf's foot reached it, the muddy ground grabbed fae and held tight.

With methodical steps, the watery Oaf approached James, who still pulled with all his effort to free his sister.

Monique, now swallowed up to her chin, gasped to James, "Run. Save yourself." A single tear slid down her cheek.

"I'm not leaving you," James cried. Desperate hot tears stung his eyes. "You're my best friend in the whole world. I won't ever leave you." James pulled again at Monique with a final effort, but her mouth and nose slipped beneath the mud. She closed her eyes and released James's hand.

"No," he screamed. "Monique!" Her arms and hands slipped beneath the surface, and she was gone.

"James, you need to get out of here!" Oaf cried. Fae, too was quickly disappearing beneath the mud's surface.

Ignoring Oaf, James stood and faced the water demon. "Why? Why are you doing this?" he asked.

The demon stared a James, head tilting. It closed the distance between them and held out its arms.

James stared at the demon and allowed it to embrace him. Oaf's screams of protest faded as James sank into the mud.

(725 Words)