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Chapter 6: Appearances are Deceptive

She awoke to a bare carriage. Alonzo was gone. At first she thought he had gone to relieve himself but after a while of waiting he did not return. It was possible that he had returned to the inn to help Rayne, Hyuuga, and J.D. get ready to go to Jacksonport.

She ran back through the town and into the inn. Quickly she ran upstairs to Rayne's room and was about to knock when J.D. called her name.

"Good morning Angie," he smiled.

"J.D. did Alonzo return here last night?"

J.D.'s smile straightened and he answered softly, "No, he did not. Has something happened?"

Rayne opened the door, a disgruntled look plastered on his face, "What's going on?"

"Rayne, I think Alonzo's gone."

His lips turned into a thin line. Both he and J.D.'s faces were somber, as they were uncertain what to tell Angelique.

Rayne cleared his throat, "Angelique, there's something you must know about Alonzo."

She looked down. It was obvious they knew about Alonzo's past. "That he's killed a man."

Rayne and J.D. seemed shocked that she knew so much, "How did you…?"

"He told me last night. He told me how it was an accident."

"And are you okay with that?"

She clasped her hands together tightly, "Yes, he's already paid enough as it is."

Rayne sighed and scratched his head, "I already don't trust the man as it is…"

"Well, it doesn't matter now because he's gone," Angelique responded sadly, "Why did he leave?"

The red haired man refused to answer. The sharp remark that threatened to slip from his tongue would only make Angelique feel worse.

Hyuuga opened the door to his room, he was already dressed an ready to go, "What's the matter?"
"Alonzo's gone," Rayne answered coldly. Hyuuga just sniffed and left it at that.

"I wish you guys wouldn't be like that," Angelique admonished softly to the two males in front of her, "I know you don't like him, but being so cold about it doesn't seem right. I don't think he deserves such attitudes."

Rayne ground his teeth, trying hard not to argue with her. He pulled back, "Nonetheless, he's gone and there's nothing we can do about it. We have to save Nyx remember? We need to head to Jacksonport." He went back into his room and closed the door with a snap. Hyuuga went downstairs.

A pair of large gentle hands found themselves on her shoulders. "He's probably finishing some unfinished business," J.D. assured. "I know if I were revisiting a place of my past, I would like to tie up some loose ends. He'll be back."

The four of them returned to where the carriage was left.

"There's fresh food and water here," Hyuuga announced, "It looks like he fed the horse before he left."

"The small sack of his extra clothes is gone too," Rayne said looking into the cargo hold.

"I hope he'll be alright," Angelique said distantly.

Hyuuga took Alonzo's place at the driver's seat, "We should get going."

***

A short trip through a heavily forested road was all it took before the seaports of Jacksonport could be seen. Jacksonport was a little larger than Ephraim and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. But like Ephraim everyone stopped at the appearance of the carriage. Sailors and fishermen dropped crates staring slack jawed at the young woman in the carriage, women stopped their shopping and browsing and children stopped running to see this young girl.

"Is that-?"

"I think it is."

"No way, what would she be doing in Jacksonport?"

They stopped in front of an inn and started file out when a shout was heard.

"It's Her Majesty! It's the Queen!"

Before Angelique knew it she was surrounded by dozens of people aiming to get a good look at her.

"It's her alright."

"Look at such grace."

"She's more beautiful than I remember."

"I can't believe she's returned."

Rayne and J.D. struggled to give Angelique some room to move. The door to the inn flew open.

"What's this about?!" an older gentleman with gray hair and glasses barked.

"For god's sake. I'm ashamed of all of yah! Give the poor girl room to breathe and go about your business."

The people backed away and scattered going back to their normal routine many of them complying, "Yes Dr. Wolfmeyer."

"Doctor?"

"Yes?"

"Do you know where we can find the proprietor for this inn?" Rayne asked.

Dr. Wolfmeyer's strong wrinkled face frowned, "Yer looking at him."

Rayne was taken aback. Wolfmeyer bowed a little, "Your Majesty I would like to welcome you to Jacksonport. You may rest in here. You must be tired from your long journey." He gestured towards the inside of his inn.

Angelique bowed back out of respect, "Thank you for your kindness sir, but really it wasn't that far. We just came from Ephraim."

"But we would like to book some rooms for tonight," Rayne finished.

"That I can do. Come on in."

"So, you're a doctor too?" J.D. asked as Wolfmeyer went behind the counter.

"I used to be I'm retired now. I bought this inn from the previous owner to have something to do rather than to sit idle."

He opened up his record book, "Now let's see here: Yes, we have four rooms available for you all. You're lucky. The reservations start around this time of year for people who want to go on vacation so it's hard to find rooms available. You're welcome to relax and so on. Come on over to Al Johnson's for a fish boil tonight. I'm sure you'll all have fun."

"Thank you very much, sir."

"Oh, no the pleasure was all mine, Your Majesty."

***

Al Johnson's was restaurant, not a man's house. They usually served breakfast and lunch there, but the fish boil was just outside of this somewhat eccentric place. The restaurant was built with logs and the roof was covered in grass. And much to everyone's surprise, goats were on top of the roof, looking down on them, chewing bits of grass.

It seemed that everyone one in town was at the fish boil. There was singing and dancing and instruments playing, mostly the fiddle and the guitar. The songs that were sung reminded Angelique of those maritime songs Alonzo used to sing. These songs were up beat and she had enough courage to do a few jigs along side several sailors while others were clapping in time with the tune.

By the time the fish boil gathering was dying down, everyone in Angelique's party was exhausted. From drinking, to dancing, to laughing, it all wiped everyone out. There had to be much needed rest, if they were to catch a ship to Medina tomorrow.

Angelique fell asleep quickly as the warm blankets enveloped her.

***

As soon as she awoke, it was still night and she knew something wasn't right. She wasn't in Dr. Wolfmeyer's inn anymore, but she found herself in a familiar bed nonetheless.

Sunlit Mansion. I'm back.

She flung her legs over the side of her bed and opened the door to the dark hallway. She felt a presence in the mansion. Angelique could have sworn she heard rustling down by the dining area. With light feet, she tiptoed down the steps to the main hall and entered through the dining room. Further she went into the kitchens, no one was there. Still she felt a presence in the darkness and out of the corner of her eye she caught something. Spooked she fled from the kitchens, having the distinct feeling that she was being chased. She paused at the doorway to the main hall from the dining area trying to catch her breath and to see if she could spot what ever had been chasing her. There was nothing there but darkness. She turned to go back through the doorway when she bumped into something.

Angelique yelped in surprise as strong hands reached out to steady her. She blinked a few times letting her eyes adjust to the darkness, only the moonlight shining on the figure's form.

It was Nyx.

"Nyx," she breathed, a strong sense of relief washing over her, "You're alive."

He didn't answer.

That was when she noticed something wasn't right. She reached up and touched his cheek, "What happened to you?"

If he was bad in her first dream of him, he was worse now. His white shirt was now shredded and in tatters and his dark trousers were in much the same way. His skin looked greasy with perspiration and dirt, the small patches of facial hair had gotten darker and more unkempt. His eyes were still dark but something strange was in his pupils as they gleamed in the moonlight. A glowing yellow emanated from the darkness of his pupils.

She reached a hand up to touch his skin, to feel his skin, to see if all this was real. A trembling hand reached up to touch her hand as he briefly leaned into her touch.

"No!" he brought his hands out to grip her shoulders once more, panic in his face. "Angelique you must go back. Don't come near me I…oh no."

His body started trembling.

"What's wrong, Nyx?" she asked, concern etched on her face. Nyx backed away, stumbling slightly, his hand outstretched towards her, his face pleading almost in pain. "Angelique, please."

Tears welled in her eyes, she shook her head in disbelief at what was happening, "No, no."

Nyx growled, his muscles stretching slightly and his bones could be heard cracking. An unseen force from within him was forcing him to a wal,l a demonic, animal growl welling from in his throat. His face was etched in pain as his body jerked violently, the sound of his bones cracking and adjusting only intensified that feeling.

She felt helpless as she had no idea what was going on, but the horrible sounds coming from his body made her spine quake.

His back was pressed flat against the wall hands braced against it. For a while his torment seemed to stop, but his breathing was hard and his body was quivering. He slowly turned his gaze towards the moon then back at her. He spoke to her, his voice held a duality of a monster and a man.

"Angelique…ruuaaaAAAH!"

His last word was drawn out into a mighty roar, his face morphing as his teeth and snout elongated. He began ripping and tearing at his skin and the remainder of his clothes, revealing a huge dark body underneath. His hands began clawing at his face removing the last vestige of human Nyx.

The large creature shook off the rest of the flesh, before giving a great roar that made the whole mansion tremble. The monster stood on two feet, or paws, black fur lining his muscular body. His dark face was distinctly feline like a lion as it had a darker mane of long hair. His eyes were now completely golden as they pierced into hers. The monster gazed at the window and with a huge leap jumped through the window shattering the glass.

***

"Angie!"

Her eyes snapped open. J.D. was leaning over her, hands placed on her shoulders like he was trying to shake her awake. "Angie, you were writhing in your sleep."

She remained still.

"What's wrong?"

She began trembling as the sounds and the memory of the dream fully registered in her brain. She put a hand over her mouth to stifle a sob. She sat up in bed, letting the tears stream down her face. J.D. pulled her in gently and she wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"We have find Nyx before it's too late," she sobbed into his chest. The dream must have really irked her. Was it about Nyx?

Rather than questioning her further, he just let her cry into his chest.

***

"Most of these are fishing boats," Rayne stated trying to find a shipping boat.

"This is a fisherman's town," J.D. remarked.

"But Bernard said this was a port for shipping goods and passengers as well."

Hyuuga stopped a fisherman hauling salt into a small ship, "Excuse me, where can we find a passenger boat. We need to head to Medina."

The man set down the crate, "The passenger ships are at the eastern dock, but they won't take you to Medina anymore."

"Why?"

"A few days ago, the Diet issued an ordinance for us to embargo anything to or from the Medina Islands."

Their hearts sank but they thanked the man anyway. They had come all this way for nothing. Now they were back to square one.

"Ahoy me hearties! Ye sprogs need to sail the ocean blue?"

A/N: Right then. We see Nyx again. Only this time in a baaad condition. For his transformation scene I was moderately inspired by Van Helsing. I haven't seen that many good transformation scenes so I used the first one (which is one of the best ones) and tweaked it a little. I hope I described it well enough. I used a different monster than a werewolf (too cliché) because this creature will have somewhat of a purpose I assure you. (It has to deal with symbolism and whatnot). Al Johnson's is an actual restaurant I visited when I went to Wisconsin. No joke, there are goats on the roof! And their brunch is delicious. Please review.