Never Say Such Things by Alexia Purdy Page B

to even draw a deeper breath than the short shallow ones I could barely manage from my shock. I wanted to run, I wanted to never look back and erase the memory that I’d ever laid eyes on such a thing as this. What did it want? Why me? I was no one. I wasn’t evil or tainted like that robber. I kept to myself, went to college, got good grades, worked part time at the local diner to pay my way through school. I had some money that I’d saved building computers for people while still in high school and doing all sorts of techie stuff. I never did anything illegal. I was incredibly boring−a nothing in the eyes of anyone. Nothing special.
    “Don’t be so sure…” The woman’s amplified voice echoed again in my head, maki ng me reach up to hold it between my hands, as if it vibrated with her words.
    “Leave me alone!” I yelled through my gritted teeth. The pain subsided as she gave a haughty laugh and approache d me. Her stone fingers reached out, grazing my cheek.
    “There, there child. No need to fight.” Her hand felt warm and eased the pain of the ringing in my head away. I blinked up at her as my breath slowed.
    Her face was human now, but her features still grey and made of stone. Her wings more angelic but veins of granite ran through the carved feathers.
    What the hell?
    “I won’t hurt you. At least, as long as you do as I say. Understand?”
    I nodded , easing my hands from my head as I watched her shift. Her movements were fluid but her eyes were dead, like orbs of rock. My heart raced in fear. She wasn’t a good being. She reeked of evil and treachery.
    “Yes,” I whispered. I wan ted to run still, but I couldn’t. She held me prisoner already.
    “Good. Now, what do I do with you?” She grinned, tilting her head as she studied my face. I looked away, her eyes haunted me as she dissected into my head. I felt her moving around, seeing my past, my present, my habits, my likes and desires, my dislikes. It was disorientating and made me increasingly dizzy. Her probing was like someone holding my brain hostage, turning it here and there with a nauseating shake. I wanted to hurl.
    “Please, let me go,” I pleaded. The muscles seized down my legs as I dropped to my knees. I couldn’t stand anymore. Her invasion had drained my energy like a sweet draught she enjoyed a little too much. I felt my life waning away. Falling to my hands, I attempted to crawl away but she was in front of me, just like that. Her movements were unseen and brisk as she picked me up and shoved me to the wall, pushing on my chest with her cold hands.
    “ I can’t do that, you see. I need you to do something for me. If you value your soul, you will do this for me, whatever it is that I ask. Understand?” She narrowed her gaze, her mind probe done. I felt a bit clearer with her out of my head, but still weak.
    “What do you want me to do?”
    She smiled, or snarled, I’m not quite sure. Either way, it wasn’t pretty.
    “I want souls. I want you to get them for me. Untainted souls. These unsavory ones taste bad on my tongue. I want souls that are pure and good. They don’t have to be perfect, no one is. I want the ones that are giving, selfless, true and honest. Bring me one soul a year and in exchange , I grant you one year more to live. If you don’t bring me a soul, I take yours for pay.”
    She sighed, seem ingly happy with the deal she’d offered. “I offer you a way out, though, forever. If you bring me the soul of your true love, I will leave you to live your life as if you’d never met me. Otherwise, in one year, I will collect a soul. Do not fail me. I will find you, no matter where you hide.” She let go as I crumbled to my knees, looking up at her as she morphed into the ugliness of her previous form. “One year, Alan Morgan. And never speak of this. Never say such things .”
    With a leap, she disappeared into the grey mist above. The drench of night chilling me to the bone. I scrambled to my feet and