Darkness Chapter 4: What The Heart Told Him
Edward eyed the dog with disbelief. What did she mean he had no right to exist? It kind of hurt his feelings to hear her say that. Who was 'she' though? He only just today started talking to animals so how in the blazes did she know him?
"I don't understand-" he began with his mind full of questions.
"Nor need you." The dog named Laura cut him off. The memory around them melted away into darkness but the two kept staring at each other. "All you need to know is that your existence is at end. Soon everything that is you, won't be."
Edward felt like he'd been slapped in the face. Essentially he had, but he didn't have time to think on that however since Laura started to walk towards him. Out of fear of the unknown he backed away as she took step after step.
"I can't let you keep going down this path." She growled suddenly, making Edward flinch slightly. "The real owner of this vessel won't be able to return as long as you're here. I'm going to destroy you. I'm truly sorry but the world doesn't need you. It needs 'him'."
Laura lunged at the petrified teen who braced himself for impact. When it didn't happen he opened his eyes. His hand was raised in front of him with an odd looking sword in his hand. It had a white hilt with a black blade. Laura stared at it in total shock and disbelief.
"The...black Kusanagi..." She couldn't believe her eyes. "How did you learn how to use 'his' second weapon? That weapon only belongs to Atticus!"
"Look I don't know who you are or where I am." Edward weighed the sword in his hand. He held it like you would any sword, the blade facing forwards. The fear he felt went away in place of anger. If it hadn't been for this sword thing he'd be dead. "But I want out of here right now!"
"I'm afraid I can't let that happen..." Laura shook her head sadly. "It's a shame too...you're just like him. But in reality, you're just fill in for someone greater."
Edward tried not to let this get to him but something about what she was saying seemed to make sense. Whoever this 'Atticus' person was, he must be very important. What didn't add up was how he was somehow stopping that person from excising...but how?
"What are talking about?!" Edward huffed in frustration. "This doesn't make any sense at all! How am I keeping your friend from coming back?! What does he have to do with anything? I don't even know him!"
"He is all that you are or ever will be." Laura responded and charged Edward again. He instinctively ducked under her. He turned and awkwardly swung his sword at her. Missing by inches, Edward over swung, giving Laura an opening. She bit down on his right side causing him to grunt. The schnauzer mix smiled slightly in victory only to feel a blade pierce through her upper back and all the way through her chest.
Laura released her grip instantly. When she looked up she saw a glint in Edward's eyes. It was a determined stare that never wavered. He was clearly ready to finish the job of he had to.
"I guess I should've expected nothing less..." Laura sighed out as she started to fade. "From someone of the same vessel...you make a good 'other'...but he will be back nonetheless. You've delayed it for the time being but...he will be back..."
Laura smiled before turning into a small ball of light. Edward watched it with a look of longing. It felt so familiar to him. Without warning it went into his chest with a flash of blinding light. "I await his return..." Her voice echoed in his ear.
"Edward you alright?!" A voice trumpeted at a high pitch into the teens ear. "WAKE UP!"
The Raven Blue haired teen shot awake in a panic. When he looked around he was on the fishing trawler again. Balto, Jenna, and Rosie were giving him worried looks. It was clear Rosie had woken him up considering she was the only one with a high pitched voice like that.
"Ow my head..." Edward felt a small bump on the back of his head with his hand. "What happened to me? One moment I was talking to you guys and then I felt like a rock hit me in the head."
"That would be me that did that..." A Russian sounding voice said behind him. Edward turned his head to see a goose with a sheepish look. But what really stood out was the rock in his wing. Well that could've been bad. "I thought you were big Scary hunter trying to off my step-son...my apologies..."
Step son? Ok this day was just getting weirder and weirder. First talking animals, A vision of some kind with an odd dog, and now goose Adoptive fathers...yeah today was not going in a normal direction any time soon.
"Edward..." Rosie asked curiously and gestured to Jenna, Balto, and the goose. "How do understand them?"
Edward stopped for a moment. So Rosie couldn't understand them. That meant it really was only him hearing the animals talk. Did that make him crazy? Most likely yes but he didn't have time to dwell on it. Especially after he had bigger things to worry about. He didn't have a right to exist? He was keeping another from existing? Even if it was just a dream...no that wasn't a dream...it didn't feel like one. It was almost like he'd been inside himself.
"Edward you still with us?" Balto jokingly broke his thoughts. "You were hit on the head pretty hard. Do you need a rest?"
Edward shook his head. "No I'm just wondering the same thing is all. I don't know how or why I understand you guys. It's all just very strange." To say he was confused was an understatement. He was very perplexed. Rosie had an expression on her face that told him she was just as confused, Which reminded him of why he was here in the first place. "Anyway can you please explain what's going on here? Rosie what happened to you? Why did you get on this boat?"
Rosie gave Edward her familiar guilty smile. He knew it all too well and chuckled to himself. She was always so curious about pretty much anything. Even though it was on top of the world, Nome was still a little boring. People like Rosie were always wanting to go on adventures but she was much too small to be going out into the forest. Grown men didn't even go in there, so it was no surprise that she took every opportunity she had to get outside of town.
"Well...when I went to play hide and seek I thought I could try hiding in the old trawler." Rosie said with a grin. "Jenna didn't want to go with me but I wanted to see it. I thought she was right behind me I promise Edward!"
"I trust you Rosie." He smiled. Jenna looked downright saddened that she'd left Rosie like that. She nuzzles her girl muttering things only Rosie would hear. The little girl patted her dogs head tenderly. "What happened next?"
"I think I can explain that part." Balto chimed in, knowing that the two females were having a private moment. "I caught her scent while I was sleeping. By the time I opened my eyes she was in my room and in my face."
Edward laughed to himself. That was Rosie all right; she was always looking around and being curious. Of course it didn't take her very long to find the wolf-dog. Well at least everything made sense now...in terms of Rosie's situation. His issues on the other hand were going to be a different beast altogether. There was no time for that though. He needed to get Rosie home safe and sound.
"Wait what time is it?" Edward looked to the sky to see the setting sun. "Shit the townspeople will be wondering where we've gone. They'll be forming a search party if they haven't already."
Rosie and Jenna looked worried. Just as well too since it was highly against the rules to leave town. Edward grabbed Rosie's hand gently and whistled for Jenna to come. "Ok we gotta go now." He turned then bowed his head to The goose and Balto. "Thanks for your hospitality but we're needed in Nome."
Balto gave Edward a slightly disappointed look but nodded. The teen felt bad but there was no way he could take him with him. Especially after the townspeople made it clear they didn't want his kind...but...
He knelt down to the wolf-dog's level and patted his head. "Hey why don't I stop by tomorrow before I head out to White Mountain?" He asked politely. "I'll bring you a nice juicy steak and we can hang out. That sound ok?"
Balto wagged his tail happily then nodded. Edward smiled and stood up. He was going to leave when he felt something tug at his coat. When he looked down he saw The goose was holding him back.
"Yes?" Edward asked.
"Erm sorry again for whacking you." The goose apologized in a solemn tone. "My name is Boris. Nice meeting you."
"It's great meeting you too Boris." Edward smiled warmly. "My name is Edward Thomson. We really need to be getting on though. Take care."
He led Rosie off the trawler towards the small town in the distance. If possible he could probably sneak in. He just had to approach it in a back road. No they'd be watching most of them except...
"Hey Rosie we're going to enter from the North side from the back of the town." Edward told the red headed girl suddenly. "We'll have to go around town to get to it, but no one will see us. Is that ok?"
She looked and smiled happily. That was a no brainer. She wanted to be outside as long as possible. It was about a twenty minute walk around so while Rosie went on about the wonderful time she had, Edward was thinking of an excuse to tell his uncle for being so late. Not that his uncle would make much of a fuss about it anyway. As long as Edward managed not to burn down Nome he was fine to do what he wanted.
When they made it around the town he heard a twig snap. Instantly his head snapped towards the dark forest where he could swear a pair of yellow eyes gazed at him. It was gone in a flash though. He decided it was best not to linger and entered Nome as best he could without being spotted. It was almost nightfall but the last rays of light shined brightly into the sky painting it pink.
"Ok Rosie keep quiet and stay behind me." Edward instructed to the little girl. Jenna stayed close to her to make sure she wouldn't stray. "Ok good now let's hope we aren't seen."
They snuck into one of Nome's back alleys quietly. It was a long stretch of alley but it was smooth sailing if they got through without interference. So far so good the plan was going. But that's the funny thin about plans. More often than not all hell breaks loose.
"Ack!" Edward clutched his head. The alley before him flashed to the one with the boy crying. The kid sobbed to himself quietly. "Dammit I gotta focus..."
His mind snapped back to the alley he was halfway through with Rosie in tow. She had a curious look on her face but said nothing. He appreciated that but didn't have time to dwell on it as he heard movement from the right. Edward bit his lip in slight fear. He hoped to god it wasn't a human.
Instead a Black and White malamute turned the corner. The teen relaxed instantly. Thank goodness it was just Steele...and his musher...
"Well shit..." Edward sighed. "The asshole at the hour himself."
A/N: Ok I hope no one hates me for taking so long. I graduate at the end of this month so maybe I'll be able to write more. Anyways if you liked it review it and if you despised it review it. Make sure to comment and follow for more updates. Cheers. I mean Atticus Out.
