Chapter 3:
"Argh, me little ones! Where be Flint's trove? What does the map tell us?"
Elizabeth was the first to reply, her usually calculating manner relaxing somewhat that afternoon as she pointed to the stairs leading to the second floor. "Wait! We have to get on the ship first!"
"Of course, of course. Silly me. Are we all ready, then?"
The four children raised their voices in agreement and delight as they crowded around their aunt, each carrying a small handkerchief pack of snack-food for their make-believe voyage supplies.
It had been four days since the cancelation of Zarabeth and Jim's wedding, the group that had set out with the military officials still not back yet, but it was understandable. No one expected them home for a week or more, unsure of what had even forced them away in the first place.
It'd been a strange few days. Nothing felt right without Jim there. To Zara, even spending time with her friends felt strange since half of them were gone, only Cane, Calypsa, Jewel, and Anaise left behind.
With Amelia gone, everyone was doing their best to help Delbert with his kids, taking them places, letting them have sleep-overs at the inn, anything to keep Delbert's stress level to a minimum. Zarabeth thought that having her nieces and nephew over for the afternoon would double as a fun time for them and a good distraction for her, anything to help her forget that Jim was gone. The five of them were all dressed up in the most pirate-like fashion they could, the girls in little blouses and skirts or dresses, Andrew in regular shorts and shirt with the addition of a handkerchief tied about his head, the way Silver always used to wear his. Zara probably had the most realistic outfit. With her black leggings, oversized sea-foam blouse, and light-colored corset, the whole ensemble was finished off with a three-cornered hat she had borrowed from the Dopplers house. The heart-shaped pendant made of cogs and gears which Jim had made for her twenty-first birthday almost never left her neck, the metal hanging idly from its leather cord.
It was fun to play with Amelia and Delbert's children. Zara liked imagining how it would be someday if she and Jim had kids, using this time with her nieces and nephew as practice.
Ever since the day that Jim left, Zara had taken to living in the house that was supposed to be their home after the wedding. With everything that had happened, she felt the need to be alone sometimes, happy to have a place to stay when she wanted solitude and quiet. Zara was already getting used to living there, just doing general house chores was a simple joy to her.
The house was small but comfortable, two stories with a joined kitchen, dining, and living room on the first floor and two bedrooms on the second. Situated an even distance between the Benbow Inn and the center of town, the small building looked out over the colorless canyons and ravines from almost every view. Zarabeth couldn't wait to begin her life with Jim in this house.
"Auntie, come on!"
The small voice of Alexandra pulled Zara from her daydreaming, happy to redirect her attentions toward the children crowded around her as she hoisted Andrew up to balance on her hip. "Alright my little pirates! All hands to stations! We set sail as soon as the Etherium winds are with us. Onward and upward!"
Letting the girls climb the stairs first, Zarabeth took a moment to watch them as they clambered up each step, the three little bodies disappearing down the short hallway as soon as they reached the top.
About to begin the ascent to join her nieces, Zara was stopped at the sound of a series of firm knocks on the front door behind her. "Girls, I'm gonna quick get the door, but I'll be right up."
Little Andrew still in her hold, the girl moved a few strides behind her, unlocking the door with her free hand before pulling its entrance open enough to show her face.
It took a moment for Zarabeth's eyes to adjust to the afternoon light outside, but, once they did, her gaze was met with an unexpected sight. Three figures, all in heavy military dress, a bit odd for the weather, were standing on the front steps. The man in front of his companions was tall and broad, his tanned skin and light hair the only features visible from beneath his hat.
Her mind immediately trying to process what three officials could be doing at her house, Zara did her best to keep her voice from shaking as she spoke. "Good afternoon. May I help you?"
The man's voice was low and gravely, his face still hidden as he took his time with each word in response. "Afternoon, ma'am. We're looking for your husband, Captain Hawkins. Is he at home?"
"Oh. I'm sorry, would excuse me one moment?" Taking a small step away from the door, Zarabeth fought to replace her worried expression with a smile as she took the three-cornered hat from her head, placing it down on Andrew's as she gave her nephew some hurried instruction. "Alright, Andrew, I'm naming you Captain of the Centaur, ok? You and your sisters fly to Treasure Planet without me and I'll meet you there later, alright? Stay up there until I come get you. Good boy." She waited until the little boy had disappeared into the upstairs hallway, the girl hurriedly pulling the hair away from her face as she returned to the door. "Sorry about that. Now, you said you were looking for Jim?"
"Is your husband home, Mrs. Hawkins?"
"He-He's not my husband, not yet anyway. Um...he's not here at the moment, but might I ask about your reason for seeing him?"
"When will he return?"
Zara's heart was beating wildly in her chest, her breathing uneven and hurried as her worry began affecting her thoughts. Something wasn't right. Why wouldn't the man look at her? How did they know where to find her and Jim?
Why did they need to see him? Suspicion clouding her judgement, Zarabeth's mind told her to get out of the situation as quickly as possible. "I'm not at liberty to say, but I'll let Jim know that you were looking for him as soon as he's home. Good day."
Her mind working itself into a small frenzy, the girl took in a sharp breath as her attempt to close the door was hindered, the man's boot keeping it from its purpose as he pushed his way through the entrance and into the house. "What do you think you're doing?"
It was difficult to tell, but the man seemed to almost lessen slightly in stature as he drew closer to where Zara stood between the stairs and the kitchen. His hair was much darker and his skin had changed color too.
"Oh now, baby girl, is that any way to treat your old school chums? Been a long time."
That voice. She'd recognize it anywhere, its sound the same superior mocking tone as it had been three years ago.
"Damian?"
The skin changer finally tilted his head upright, his amethyst eyes glowing beneath the jagged cut of his jet-black hair as he smirked down at the girl. "Oh good, you do remember. Miss me?"
Her mind reeling in surprise and fear, Zara quickly turned to look back at the door, instantly recognizing the other two figures just as the last closed the door behind him. Logan and Camellia. The female skin-changer chuckled quietly as she removed her heavy military coat and hat, flipping the long tresses of her black hair over her shoulders. The viperman stood awkwardly by the closed door, his fangs peeking out from the corner of his mouth as he bit down on his lip, avoiding Zarabeth's eyes all the while.
Fighting to regain control over her mind, Zara hoped she sounded more confident than she felt as she whipped her head back around to face Damian. "Alright, you surprised me. Congratulations. You've had your fun, now get out!"
Any courage the girl had had before now slowly withered at the sound of the skin-changer's deep laugh, his eyes revealing the amusement he was getting from watching her.
"Haven't changed a bit, have ya? Well, you are prettier though, if that's possible."
Zarabeth found herself slowly forced back further into the room between two counters of the kitchen as Damian gradually advanced. "I've already asked you to leave. Now I'm warning you, Damian, get out before I-"
"You what? Call the robo-cops on us? Oh, please. We'll be in and out, I promise. We're just gonna get what we came for. But uh, just in case you try running out on us, lock the door, will ya Ender?"
"I-I told you, Jim's not here. And even if he was, he wouldn't deal with the likes of-"
"Hey, calm down a little, will ya? Really, baby, anyone would think you weren't happy to see us."
That was it. Zara stood her ground, no point in continuing to back away, her voice low and resolute as she glared up at the boy in front of her. "Then 'anyone' would be right. I don't really care about them, it's just you. We were perfectly happy, I was happy, thinking I'd never have to see you again!"
The look in Damian's amethyst eyes changed, their usual pride and superiority replaced by the first hints of anger that Zara had seen since those days in school, his lip slowly curling into a snarl.
"Oh you were, were you? I bet you're still pretty proud of that little trick of yours, getting the three of us thrown out of school like that."
"You got yourselves thrown out! None of it would've happened if you'd just left me and Jim alone!"
"What do you think we've been stuck doing the last three years? Huh? Thanks to you, no other school would even look at us! My own family wouldn't even take me back! They were too ashamed of me. Me! Because of you!"
Zarabeth instinctively flinched as the boy's fist came crashing down onto the counter beside her, the few dishes atop its surface rattling at the sudden impact. Swallowing hard, Zara kept her tone calm and low, unwilling to let Damian get the best of her. "You got what you deserved. That's all I have to say about that. Now for the last time, get out!"
It was hard to concentrate on Damian while keeping an eye on Camellia and Logan at the same time, the female skin changer wandering aimlessly behind Damian as she simply watched the arguing ensue, Logan unmoving from the door.
"You stubborn little..."
Zarabeth's mind reeled in panic as she saw the boy move as if to grab her, instincts acting for her as the blade of a kitchen knife caught the corner of her eye from the counter beside her. In a flash of motion, the girl's hand found the wooden handle of the knife, recklessly swinging it toward Damian. A look of astonishment in the boy's amethyst gaze, Zara fought to keep her hand from trembling as she stood there motionless, the flashing blade a wall to separate the two from each other's reach. "Don't touch me."
The fiery look burning in Damian's eyes only moments ago slowly died, his natural demeanor returning. "What's this for? Oh, Zarabeth, really. All we need is a few answers from you and we'll be gone. So why don't you put the knife down, huh?"
The girl's grip on the wood clenched in her hand only tightened, her knuckles white with the pressure as she spat her words out one-by-one. "I'll put it down, right down your throat, I'll put it down."
"Getting a bit violent, aren't we? Alright, babe. Two can play at that game. Hey Cam!"
Camellia turned to face the boy as he spoke, her face devoid of any emotion.
"That little guy we saw a couple minutes ago, cute right? I wonder who else is up there with him. You should quick go see how many witnesses we might have to take care of."
Struck into silence, Zarabeth's hand began to tremble, each breath a ragged effort at the terrible thought overwhelming her mind. He hadn't changed a bit, knowing full well that threatening her own safety was of no use, but those she loved, that changed everything.
It wasn't until Camellia had climbed two of the steps before the girl finally found her voice to be heard. "No, stop! Please."
What was going on? What were they even here for? She was so confused.
The feeling of a hand against hers brought Zarabeth back into reality.
"Good girl. Now hand it over."
The weight of the knife now gone from her, Zara gave a small cry of surprise as she was flung by her wrist back toward the door. As soon as Damian had released her hand, the girl's forward motion was suddenly stopped by Logan as he caught her in a secure hold, her back to his chest with his arm pinning her securely to himself. "Stop it, Logan! Let me go!"
A menacing smile appearing over his face, Damian's amethyst eyes shone brighter than ever as he closed the distance to where Zarabeth struggled beneath Logan's immovable arm. "Oh, shshsh. I think I'd be a little quieter if I were you. Don't want any of those little kids to come down here and see you like this, do we? So, I'll make this simple for ya, Zarabeth. I ask a question, you give me an answer. You help me, I'll help you. See how this works? Now, where's Jim?"
Zara's heart was pounding mercilessly in her throat as she tried to take an even breath. Why did he care so much about finding Jim? It couldn't be for any good reason. Voicing her question, the girl's voice was forced through clenched teeth and the anger which burned in her chest. "Why?"
"Where is he?"
"Why do you need to know?"
"Hawkins has something. We need it. Where is he?"
"I don't know."
"You sure? I dunno. Seems to me that Camellia might finally have something to do. How 'bout it, Cam?"
"Damian, I don't know! I don't. He left four days ago. Even he didn't know where he was going."
The skin changer's eyes narrowed, trying to read beyond the desperation in Zarabeth's face before shaking his head in resignation. "Well, I guess that doesn't have to be an issue. Next question then. When's Hawkins coming back?"
"I don't know that either."
"You have to at least have a guess!"
"I don't though! I don't know anything, Damian. I don't know where Jim is or why or for how long, so just please leave me alone!"
The skin changer growled in aggravation, pulling a hand over his eyes as he turned his back to the girl, silence persisting for a moment before he began to chuckle in a morbid tone. "Oh Zarabeth, I really hope you're not just being difficult. Could get you in trouble, ya know. Either way, we'll get what we came for, it'll just be a little bit more...round-about-like. He can come to us instead."
Concentrated completely on Damian, Zara didn't know what to take from his words. What did Jim have that they needed so badly?
The skin changer flipped the knife in his hand a few times, as if to test its weight, before laying it gently down at the end of the counter, his tone almost cheerful as he directed his next order at the viperman. "Ok, Ender. Do it."
Zarabeth could feel Logan's arm tense around her, his breathing suddenly shallow as he struggled to answer.
"B-But Damian, you-you said I wouldn't have to anymore."
"Well, ya know what? I don't really care. Plans change, and unless you want to be left on this dust-bowl-planet, you'll do it. Now hurry up!"
Her mind fighting to understand what they were talking about, Zara thought she could feel Logan trembling slightly as he rearranged his grip on her shoulders. Her own shaking breath was caught in her throat as Logan's hand was suddenly clamped over her mouth, the force pulling her head back toward him in a firm jerk. If she was scared before, it was nothing compared to the fear she now felt, her mind reeling as she began struggling again, the viperman's arm unyielding to her efforts.
Logan's warm breath against her neck startled Zarabeth, the girl distracted from her efforts to get free as the boy's voice whispered words, barely audible, in her ear.
"I'm sorry, Zara."
Pain. Sharp, pinching pain throbbed over her neck and back, her whole body rigid with the realization of what was happening. Logan's fangs were in her shoulder.
The scream Zarabeth hadn't managed before now burned in her chest, the viperman's hand keeping the sound from ringing through the room as she firmly shut her eyes, her mind hoping that the darkness would block out the sensations tearing through her.
Now the pain had changed. It felt like something was being released into her shoulder, the new presence of whatever it was instantly beginning to serve its purpose as the girl rapidly began losing control over her mind and body.
Something was being pulled out from her shoulder, the sharp pain dying into a dull throbbing as the grip surrounding her lessened in pressure. Now was her chance.
With what strength she had left, Zara pushed away from Logan's hold, the arm holding her giving way as she stumbled forward. The room about her was spinning slowly, her feet unsure of where they touched the floor as her vision flickered. Her own voice sounded far away and muffled as she felt the wooden floor come up to meet her. The palms of Zarabeth's hands burned with the impact, barely catching her own fall before her mind began to fade. "N-No. I won't...you...Jim..."
From somewhere above the girl, Zara could make out Damian's voice between his own low laughter, his words hardly making sense to her as she fought to hear them.
"Easy, Zara. It'll only hurt more if you resist it. There's a good girl. Ok, let's get outta here. We don't have much time before we meet up..."
With each word, Zara's vision became darker and darker, her trembling breath the last sound she could remember before being plunged into darkness.