Free GNELFS by Sidney Williams Page A

forehead with an index finger. "Touché."
    She thought he might be blushing a little. She had to discuss the matter of Heaven, but she let the playful banter continue a while. Their exchange would make it easier when she had to make explanations.   She began to steer the conversation toward Heaven, first mentioning her schoolwork and her difficulty in adjusting.
    "It's tough to be a kid," Tanner agreed. "I was always bookish. Wound up being picked on."
    Maybe, Gabrielle thought, that background will help him understand. She was hesitating, about to say something, and trying to find the proper words when Heaven's scream shattered the silence.
    Her head and Tanner's jerked in the child's direction as the shriek continued.
    Heaven was now standing at the center of the living room, arms in front of her, tiny fists clenched under her chin in a defensive pose.
    Her head was twisting from side to side, and her eyes were full of fear. She seemed to be looking at something, some things perhaps. Yet there was nothing to be seen.
    "Don't hurt me," she pleaded.
    Tanner rose from his seat, ready to move toward her, but he was contused. "What's wrong?" he asked.
    Gab was hurrying to embrace Heaven, but before she could reach her, something slashed through the air, and as if an unseen knife was striking, a tear appeared in one leg of Heaven's slacks.
    " Mommieee !"
    Gab didn't know what to do.
    ~*~
    Heaven could see them. They were surrounding her, a half-dozen Gnelfs . Shirtless, dull green skin glistened with perspiration, and patchworks of old scars lined their flesh. Lips peeled back over their yellow fangs in sick, grinning twists; they waved their weapons about as evil seemed to emanate from their tiny, cruel eyes.
    Gnelf Master stood directly in front of her. He looked like a pirate with the cloth tied around his head and the tarnished ring dangling from the lobe of one pointed ear. It was the sweep of his scythe which had made the slit in her pant leg. Now he chuckled. "Mommy can't see us," he said. “She doesn't know what's the matter."
    Then he brought the scythe forward again, sweeping as he would to cut wheat.
    ~*~
    The second gash tore cloth over Heaven's left calf and cut into skin. Blood stained the fabric around the wound. Gab screamed and rushed toward Heaven who was now turning about.
    Before Gabrielle could reach her child, another tear appeared in her sleeve, another cut on her upper arm.
    ~*~
    The other Gnelfs were joining the Master in making harassing slashes. Some of them carried needlelike stilettos which they jabbed at Heaven, while others swung swords and scimitars. They laughed and poked at her, foul breath almost choking her when they moved in and slashed before darting back to their circle.
    ~*~
    With Tanner at her side, Gab swept Heaven into her arms. The child's blouse was already in tatters, and her back sticky with blood. Narrow scratches had touched her cheeks also, and spots of red flecked her golden hair. She wept, heavily, more from fear than pain as Gabrielle gripped her closely.
    Tanner was there at her side, flexing his fingers nervously as if he could think of nothing else to do.
    "What the hell is happening?" Gabrielle cried, tears, to her surprise, spilling from her own eyes.
    "I don't know," Tanner said. "I've never seen anything like it. We'd better get her to the hospital."
    Gab stood, holding Heaven in her arms, and nodded. "Let's go."
    From the hall closet, she grabbed a sweater and wrapped it around Heaven as she followed Tanner out to his car. The top was down on the Cutlass, and she told him not to bother putting it up even though the night air was chill. She didn't want to waste time. The wounds seemed superficial, but the bleeding scared her. Heaven seemed covered with blood, and she was so small. How much could she afford to lose?
    They jumped into the front seat, and Tanner left a strip of rubber along the pavement as he pulled away from the curb. The damp night air quickly began to