The day Harriet went missing was the day the sky split open and turned purple, like a bruise that would just not go away. Briarwood had never been a safe place to live, but it was about to get worse.

Our patrols heard that the Hedge Knights were born from a rift in the world’s dark magic. I never knew whether to believe that or not, but I knew that they were real. Completely, terrifyingly, tangibly real. And when our patrol spotted the Hedge Knight coming, I commanded them to run.

I held back the briar branches so they could escape - predators in Briarwood thrived off the scent of blood - and squeezed my way past. The branches raked the skin of my arm, exposed by my short sleeved shirt.

Blast, I cursed, and heard them calling up ahead. “Commander, run!”

Regrettably, I threw a glance over to my shoulder and it, in all its glory. Huge, nine or ten feet tall, magenta in color. Legs and arms thick as tree trunks, magenta in color. Its clothes were in tatters and its unkempt pink hair stuck up in spikes all over its head. Its eyes were black slits in its pointed face, and its great pointed fangs protruded from its huge mouth. Worst of all, the bright beam of magic encircling it’s hand was crackling with energy, moments before it threw it.

I leaped away with a yelp as the ball of mana exploded a few feet away. As I landed, I rolled my ankle onto the hard ground and stumbled. Don’t fall now, I urged inwardly, and righted myself at the last moment. That’s when the next ball of magic struck me in the back.

“Virgil!” Harriet shouted.

All the breath left my body as I plummeted to the ground. Pain crackled through me and my mind felt strangely clouded.

“Virgil! Get up!” Harriet’s hands were on my shoulders, pulling me up. Confusion washed over me. What was she doing back here? She was supposed to be running with the others.... what were we running from?

Harriet’s body slammed into the ground, and the Hedge Knight roared furiously. Hungrily. I was on my feet in an instant, grabbing Harriet’s hand.

“Go!” she commanded me, shoving me hard. “Run!”

“Come on!” I said. “I’m not leaving you!”

“It’s not going to stop until it takes someone. Get out of here, Virgil! I’ll give you some time!”

I looked up at the rest of our fleeing patrol. She was right, but why did it have to be her? The Hedge Knight’s hand struck her again; she didn’t even have time to draw her sword.

The monster was distracted; I had no choice but to run. We could get away as it took its victim.... but it broke my heart to run as the Hedge Knight claimed my wife’s life...

I looked back a last time, and Harriet and the beast were gone.

Vanished, as if they were a wisp of smoke.