The Gift

I had a headache. That was the first thing I noticed before I even had time to open my eyes. I groaned awkwardly as my eyes fluttered open. My brow furrowed as I realized that there was something draped across my stomach and something lying on my shoulder. Confused I tried to sit-up but a sharp pain surged it's way through my body that made me jolt slightly.

"Skylar!?" I turned my head in time to see Serana gently but quickly push herself away from me.

I watched her for a moment. It looked as if she was trying to think of what exactly she should do next. Her mouth was half open and she rubbed her hands together. She then reached for me but stopped and pulled away before she got too close. It seemed that she was very undecided with what her next move should be. I decided to spare the awkward silence that was beginning to build and try to sit up again. My body shook violently as I pushed myself to a sitting position on the edge... Of the... Slab?

My eyes went wide as the memories of the necromancer flooded back into my brain. I instantly looked down at my body in search or any missing limbs. I ran my hands over my torso to see if I would find any new holes, or anything else that I did not recognize. Serana seemed to snap out of the weird trance that she had seemed to be trapped in. She stepped closer to me and took my hands in her's and gently pulled them away from me to stop my panicked search for wounds. I looked up at her confused.

"You're ok." She said as her glowing red eyes met my blue ones. The way her voice sounded made me wonder who exactly she was talking to. It sort of sounded like she was trying to reassure herself, but then again it could have also be meant for me, or even perhaps both.

I took a deep breath and quickly nodded. Serana brought her hand up to my forehead ran her fingers over my skin. It didn't hurt but I knew by the look on her face that there must be a gash on the side of my forehead near my temple. She did not hesitate to pull out a small red bottle, that I guessed was a healing potion. And a white cloth. She poured some of the red liquid onto the cloth and gently pressed it against my wound. It stunk for a second but just as fast as the pain was there it was gone.

"There..." She breathed as she put the bottle away and pull out a flask of water. She poured some onto the cloth, and she handed the flask to me. I took it with a brow raised. "Drink." She said with a nod. I did as I was told and brought the flask to my lips. It was then I realized just how dehydrated I was. After three large gulps I pulled the flask away. Serana stepped forward again and began to gently run the damp cloth over the side of my face. I didn't have to ask what she was doing. Out do the corner of my eye I could see the white cloth turning a shade of pink. There was blood all over my face.

When she was done she took a step back and sighed. I bit my lower lip as I watched her. I felt as though I was a child who was expecting a lecture from its mother. I lowered my head slightly but I still kept my eyes on her.

"I think we should get out of here." I said hating the awkward silence that fell upon us. She nodded. I did not give her the chance to help me off of the slab. I quickly hopped down and onto the stone ground. My body ached in places that I didn't know it could ache. The pain will subside soon. I thought to myself. I was already feeling a hundred times better, it seemed that my body was back to its own self and was now able to heal as normal. By tomorrow I will be back to normal.

We eventually found a path that lead us out of the cave and back up into the house. We didn't stay to look around for supplies; I just wanted to get out of there as fast as possible. I think that I almost lost my life more than enough times in one day. When we stepped outside it was pouring rain. With my hand still on the door I raised my head to the sky and released a frustrated groan, but it was drowned out by the thunder that boomed overhead. I sighed and looked straight ahead towards the trees and for a moment I remembered my life with my pack and I almost wished I could just go home. But I gave my head a shake as I felt the invisible stone wall that was keeping me from going back to my old life.

"We could wait it out." I heard the soft yet strong voice of Serana from behind me say as she gently touched the back of my shoulder. I nodded and turned around to face her. I forced a smile and agreed with her.

"You need to sleep... I will look around for things that will come to our advantage." She said as she took a step to the side to allow me to pass. My brow furrowed and I opened my mouth the protest. I didn't want her to do all the work while I lay down and sleep, but she only raised her hands to stop me. "Listen Skylar, you have had a long day, I mean you had a really long day, go rest and build back your energy before we set out." Her voice still held the gentleness, but it also had a firm feel to it. I shifted my weight from one foot to another as I nodded soundlessly before I made my way around her, and the hole in the floor that we had fallen through.

I hesitated as I stood in the doorway of the room the necromancer kept me in before we took the trip down into his lair.

"There is another room at the end of the hall, you might feel more comfortable there." I turned to find Serana standing next to me with one of her hands on her hip and her leg slightly bent where she stood. I raised an eyebrow confused. She shrugged and shook her head. "I did some exploring while you were out." She said as she gestured down the hall. I looked down the hall to find double doors. I turned back to her and smiled.

"Thank you." I said before I made my way down the hall.

She patted my shoulder as I made my way by her. "Rest." I heard her murmur just as I reached the doors. I pushed them open and I was surprised to find a fairly big bedroom with a king sized bed at the far end. "Interesting." I said under my breath as I closed the doors behind me and made my way into the room.

"I think so too." My eyes went wide and I nearly jumped ten feet in the air as a man's voice found my ears. I covered my mouth to suppress a scream as my eyes fell upon a man sitting casually on a wooden dresser. His hair was black and it was down to his shoulders, he wore apprentice wizard robes, they were orange and yellow as if they were destruction robes. He smiled at me and jumped off the dresser and began to walk closer.

"Hey, hey, hey, no, no, no." I said as I began to back up until my back was against the doors. "Personal space buddy." I said with my teeth clenched. He smiled and shook his head.

"Don't worry I am a friend." He said taking a step back with his hands raised to show that he meant no harm.

"Uh huh, yeah." I said not believing his words. His smile disappeared and his hands dropped to his sides. I brought my hand to my face and rubbed my forehead. "I, I, I'm sorry." I said stuttering slightly as I spoke. "I sort of had a long day..." I said with an awkward face.

The man nodded and jumped back up onto the dresser and sat down again. "I know." He started as he made himself comfortable. "I was watching you, I saw you get injured today, I saw your friend unknowingly bring you right into the clenches of an evil necromancer, and I saw you fall and hit your head." He said as he watched me.

" I ran my hands over my face and looked around the room. "Oh dear gods..." I said looking around the room. "I have a stalker..." I said to myself.

The man looked at me with a shocked expression on his face. "I am not a stalker!" He said as he crossed his arms over his chest.

I shook my head. "Not a stalker!? You have been watching me... Wait if you saw me get hurt why exactly did you not help?" I said as I pointed at him.

"Uhhh..." The man said as his face dropped and he looked away and to a corner that was suddenly apparently very interesting.

"Skylar?" I heard Serana's voice, I turned around to find her peaking in the door. "Who are you talking to?" She asked with a brow raised.

I pointed to the dresser top. "Him." I said as I turned back to the man. He looked at me and waved. I scoffed and looked back to Serana who had a worried look on her face.

"Skylar... There is no one there." I turned back to her with a look of disbelief on my face.

"Wah!?But... He... He's.. He's right there!" I said pointed at the dresser again. The man buried his face in his hands and shook his head amused as he laughed. I turned back to Serana, her face held concern as she stepped towards me. She grabbed my hand and led me over to the bed and had me sit down. My brow furrowed as she stood over me and gently ran her fingers through my hair.

"What are you doing?" I asked calmly as her fingers send waves of tingles through my body. I wanted to close my eyes and relax into her touch. She shook her head as she pulled her hands away. She looked down at her finger tips, she sighed in relief before she looked at me.

"I was looking for any bumps or wounds." She said as she guided me down to the bed. When I was lying down she pulled the blankets over me. "I think exhaustion and a mixture of head trauma may have you seeing things..." She said as she brushed a stray strand of hair away from my face. She quickly pulled her hand away and laced her fingers together as she looked towards her feet. "Sorry.." She mumbled as she took a step back. "I will let you rest now." She said as she walked away, she closed the door leaving me alone with the mysterious man sitting on a dresser.

I gave him a dirty look when I saw him flash me a toothy smile. I turned my back towards him so that I was laying in my side. I closed my eyes and curled up into a ball. I covered my ears as I heard him begin to chuckle.

"You're not real go away." I mumbled.

"Not real!?" My eyes shot open as he screamed. "Ah lass I am as real as yer own heartbeat." I sighed and sat up so that I could look at him.

"Then why could Serana not see you?" I asked as I lifted my hand towards the doors. The man shook his head as he began to make his way over towards my bed.

"Because your vampire friend does not have the gift." He said. I shook my head and dropped my hand.

"What gift?" I asked not amused.

The man laughed and clapped his hands together a few times. "You don't now?" He asked me. I shook my head. He laughed again. "We'll congratulations lil Pup, you have the gift that on thirty percent of werewolves have, the ability to see dead people. I began to laugh awkwardly. The man gave me a worried look. "You ok lass?" He asked me.

I nodded. "Oh yes, I am just great." I said as fell back onto the bed. "So... You're a ghost I take it?" I asked. The man nodded. "Brilliant!" I said as I ran my hands over my face. "Wait a minute." I said as I quickly sat up and looked at him. "Why me? Why not another wolf?" I asked him.

"Were you not listening?" He said as he crossed his arms. "I said only thirty present of werewolves can see us... You are the first I found who was able to see me..."

I shook my head. "Really?" I said. He nodded. "I died about a year ago... And death can be kinda lonely."

I nodded in understanding. "Why haven't you moved on then?" I asked him but he shook his head.

"If I could I would, but I don't know how." He said looking down at his hands.

"So... Was there something that you need me to do?" I asked feeling slightly awkward.

He looked down at his hands again. "I was hoping to join you in your adventures... As a friend, so that I would have someone to talk to..."

My mouth fell open as I began to feel guilt sink in. I sighed and looked up at him. "Your lonely huh?" I asked him and he nodded. "Well, I guess there is no problem with you coming with me... Just try not to make me look too crazy."

The man's face lit up. "Oh thank you lass, oh and by the way my name is Dash."

I nodded as I watched him extend his hand to me. "Skylar." I said as I reached for it only to yelp as my hand flew through his own.

"Oops." He chuckled. "I forgot about that." He said as he wiggled his fingers.

I shook my head in disbelief. "Ok... I'm very tired... I really need sleep." I said as I laid down.

"Alright I will go explore the house to see if your friend has found anything interesting, or perhaps help her find some." He said as he walked right through the door. I shook my head and closed my eyes and waited for sleep to claim me.

I searched through bookshelves, chests, and wardrobes for anything that may be of use. So far I had found a coin purse with a good amount of gold In it, lock-picks, spell scrolls, and some bread. I placed each of the items into Skylar's backpack that she had left on the table outside of her room. I sighed as I finished packing and leaned against the table with my head down. I closed my eyes as I took deep breaths in an attempt to calm myself. I almost lost my only friend today, in more than one occasion. The last one I lead her into. She would have died because of me. I shook my head and looked up. She was ok now, but I find myself worried, she must have really hit her head when we fell. Who was she speaking to... It seemed so... Fluent... As if someone was really there.

I shook my head and took a deep breath. She was going to be fine, and from here on end I was going to make sure that she stayed that way. If someone was going to try and hurt her, they were going to have to go through me first... I smiled at my silent vow. I really have grown to like this girl... I trust her so much... I don't want to lose her. I sat down in a wooden chair as realization hit my square in the face. For the first time in a very long time, before I could even remember... I wasn't lonely. I actually had a friend, a friend who travels with me, one whom fights by my side. I chuckled softly to myself. One who I was beginning to think actually cares about me as I care about her.

I jumped to my feet as I heard a book fall off a nearby bookshelf. I quickly unsheathed my dagger and made my way towards it cautiously. I quickly looked around when I did not see any intruders I slowly sheathed my dagger and made my way over to the book that had fallen out of place. The house may still be setting after the floor caved in. I thought to myself as I lifted it. Just as I was about to place it back in its rightful place I froze. Right in the back of the shelf was a small green pouch. It had been hidden behind a book. I arched an eyebrow and reached for it. As I lifted it I placed the book back in its place. The pouch seemed to have what felt like a handful of pebbles in side.

I curiously made my way back over to the table and sat down. I untied the pouch and emptied its contents onto the table's surface. My eyes widened at the discovery. At least twenty coin sized diamonds fell out of the pouch. "Wow..." I said as I lifted one to make sure that it was real. When I was certain I chuckled. With this not only could we buy more than enough supplies, but two horses as well, and still have enough gold to buy anything out hearts desired. I placed each of the diamonds back into the pouch before I placed the pouch itself into Skylar's backpack.

I leaned back in my chair and sighed. The only thing left to do was to wait for Skylar to wake up. I was not about to go in there and cut her nap short, the poor thing looks as if she haven't slept in weeks. It was obvious that she needed the rest, especially after today. I crossed my arms over my chest and wondered if I could use some sleep as well. But then I shook my head. I had been asleep for over a hundred years, I felt as though I could go a whole month without anymore. I decided that I would hold off on the sleep and wait until my body actually needed it. For not I was simply going to sit here and make sure that no intruders come into this house. Like I said before I'd they wanted Skylar they were going to have to go through me to do so.