They were all getting tired of this. It seemed like this investigation was dragging out on purpose. It was obvious that the meeting in the nightclub was a trap, but until they had more information they were forced to keep playing this game. Especially Abe was bothered by this. The objects found at any of the scene revealed nothing and had been cleansed somehow. It was clear that Darren was giving people unnatural powers as well as summoning and recruiting various creatures. Abe felt as if his powers were useless at the moment. Louise's recent behaviour had not made this any easier. It had started a cascade of emotions that was straining on his mind and causing him physical discomfort, both when they were apart and together. He wanted to confront her with the distance and seemingly discomfort she felt around him, but I didn't know if he had the courage to do it. Fear of rejection was dominating his actions and left him hanging in this limbo of unfettered emotions, controlling him.
Louise had once again decided to take a walk at the beach, but had taken the children with her. This gave the rest of the adults an opportunity to talk.
"I don't like any of this." Liz said concerned.
"Same here, babe. This guy is slippery as hell, but what can we do?" Red grumbled.
"It's straining on Louise as well. One moment she seems so sad and the next she is so angry and bitter." Liz sighed.
"Yeah, you should have seen her scolding that guy the other night. I have seen entities less scary than her." Red chuckled. Abe seemed deep in thought and did not really pay attention to the conversation.
"Abe? Abe!" Liz took his wrist and shook him to wake up. He looked at her confused.
"What's wrong, Abe?"
"Nothing, I..."
"It's Louise isn't it?" Liz asked and the sigh Abe gave confirmed it.
"What happened between you two?" Red asked.
" I honestly don't know. She has been like this ever since that banshee attacked her. Perhaps she finally realised what I am and would rather not associate with me." Abe sighed hopelessly.
"You can't think like that, Abe." Liz tried to soothe him, but he just shook his head and left for the Library.
"Poor Abe." Liz said sadly.
"Yeah... damn humans and their bad attitude. It would make it so much easier if they just left us alone." Red grumbled and Liz nodded in agreement. It started raining heavily and shortly Louise came in with the children. She had given her coat to the children to keep them partially dry while running through the rain, but she was wet to the bone, but laughing. She excused herself and went in to get some dry clothes.
Abe was standing looking at the bookshelf, when Louise came into the room. Her clothes were soaked, her hair wet and clinging to her face and her cheeks and lips flushed. She was smiling and her eyes shined brightly. Abe's breath caught in his throat, how he had missed that smile. When she noticed him she quickly turned her eyes away and ran up the stairs giving him a small gesture as a greeting. Abe couldn't take it any longer. This behaviour was killing him slowly. He mustered his courage, so when she came back down the stairs with her dry clothes in her hands (in order to change in the bathroom) he stopped her.
"Louise? If I have done anything to offend you then I am truly sorry." He began, his heart threatening to implode as his breath became rapid and the butterflies in his stomach made him nauseous. The look Louise gave him was almost horrified.
"You haven't done anything. Why would you think that you have?" She stood completely still looking at him with a sad expression.
"You have been avoiding me, without giving me a reason. I thought maybe resent events had made you afraid me?" He asked hesitantly.
"No, not at all you have been wonderful... all of you... I..." She blushed awfully and couldn't meet his gaze and he could swear that there were tears in her eyes. Never did he damn that bracelet more than at this moment.
"You know that you can tell me, what is troubling you. I might be able to help." Abe tried calmly, though he was anything but calm.
"No... I... argh... okay... promise me you won't think poorly of me?" She asked with a pained expression.
"I will not think badly of you." He promised and dared walking closer to her though she shifted uncomfortably.
"I... You see... You have done so much for me and been a true friend. I value your opinion above anyone else's and I am afraid... that if you learn all that there is to know about me, you will be revolted and turn away." She explained looking at him almost pleading. The relieve Abe felt could not be described. He didn't know what to say or what to do, but he could not stand by any longer and do nothing. To give her some comfort he walked up and stood in front of her as he reached for her hand. She made that panicked movement again as she pulled them away, but now knowing the reason Abe was not hurt.
"Please..." He asked reaching for her hand. She closed her eyes, her breath was trembling and her body shivered. She hesitantly gave him her hand and he could feel her nervousness. He then felt all of the emotions and thoughts that had gone through her mind. What she seemed to think highly embarrassing was nothing compared to what other people had done or thought. Then all of a sudden he discovered another reason to why she had been keeping her distance. He felt the thoughts she had of him. They were kind, friendly and lately even loving. His own heart was bursting at this discovery, but he could not bear to break the link. There where thoughts of gratitude, admiration and affection. Suddenly she pulled her hand away and stepped backwards.
"I'm sorry, so terribly sorry. I should probably leave now." She started ranting as she backed further away, covering her mouth with her hand and evading his eyes. He couldn't bear to have her leave after discovering this. His emotions overwhelmed him to the point, where he forgot all about caution. He grabbed her wrist firmly and pulled her towards him as he placed his other hand behind her neck. He kissed her softly and hesitantly. She gave a squeak of surprise as their lips slightly touched and dropped the dry clothes on the floor. She then leaned into him, her free hand resting on his chest. When they pulled away she rested her forehead on his chest and hid her face in her palms. How this woman could one moment be so confident and the next so shy was a mystery, even to him. He held both of his hands on her shoulders, his heart beating at the speed of light and he was practically glowing with unspeakable happiness. Her shyness made his own dissipate, yet he dared not declare his feelings for her. Though she clearly cared deeply for him, from her perspective this was still very new and not enough time had passed for her to return the same deep felt affection he held for her.
"You were afraid I would reject you, if I found out." He stated in a soft voice.
"Mmmm..." Came the muffled reply of embarrassment, that made him chuckle slightly.
"You have nothing to fear." He said softly as he placed a hand under her chin making her look at him. Her eyes was still closed, do to her shyness. Feeling her emotions so strongly he dared to kiss her softly again, knowing that she was hoping for it. The knowledge that she wanted him too was more than he had dared to believe possible. He was so caught up in all that he was feeling that it surprised him a little, when she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened the kiss. Never done this before, Abe followed her unconscious thoughts. They guided him, allowing him to kiss her breathless. He rejoiced in all the emotions she was feeling for him and when she gave a low moan he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist unable to get her close enough. It was bittersweet, when she pulled away for air. She looked into his eyes with a bright smile, but then noticed his clothes.
"Oh, now your clothes are soaked too. Sorry." She smiled pulling away. A part of him wanted to say he didn't care and pull her close again, but better judgement won.
"That's alright, water is my element after all. You, on the other hand, better get changed so you don't get sick." He replied in a low kind voice after clearing his throat.
"Yes... I'll see you a little later, Abraham." She smiled, picked up her dry clothes and walked out the door. Abe thought he probably looked like a fool at this very moment, but he didn't care even the slightest bit.
- OOO -
As she changed, Louise was desperately trying to get her head around what had just happened. "He kissed me... He actually kissed me!" she thought to herself smiling like a fool and kept touching her lips. She had never imagined that he would overcome his shyness and kiss her. That day at the trollmarket she had realised her growing feelings for him. His willingness to protect her, his intelligence, humour and shyness had made her care for him, but it wasn't until she saw him nearly getting killed that she realised it was more than that. The past few weeks after that had been torture. Though he obviously liked her, she had no idea that he might feel anything for her. He was so kind in general it was hard for her to tell when it possibly meant more. The fact that she was living with him and he could read her thoughts had not made it easier. She was terrified that he should find out, in case he felt nothing for her. Or even worse give into pity. She was still feeling shy, which was silly really, because she had been in relationships before. Then again he could feel everything she felt and then no veil of humour could hide her. And what she had said was true. She was afraid that he would find out something about her, an embarrassing memory or a decision she was ashamed of, that might make him turn away. But for the moment at least, she would give herself permission to be happy.
- OOO -
Liz was about to start making dinner when Louise came into the kitchen in her dry clothes with a big smile on her face. The children were sitting on the counters munching on an apple carved into pieces.
"You seem happy. Did you have fun with the kids?" She smiled.
"I am. It was fun walking with the children on the beach, not to mention racing back when it began to rain." Louise smiled.
"You should have seen us, mom. I was a pirate, fighting a big monster." Trevor boasted.
"I was a mermaid and I build my own castle." Sarah continued.
"And what was Louise?" Liz asked.
"Well, the monster of course." Louise smiled and Liz gave a chuckle.
"Now you two get of the counter. Go play while I make dinner." Liz shooed them and then noticed Louise starring out the window with a serious expression on her face.
"What's the matter?" Liz asked concerned.
"Nothing really, just wondering. Until now we have found a lot of references from Darren's cult to Celtic, Hindu and Greek mythology, but the murdered women also had Mayan symbols on their bodies." She mused.
"I have been considering that as well." Abe said from behind them and Louise smiled brightly at him as he shyly met her eyes. She then shook her head and tried to focus on the conversation, trying to ignore the drumming sensation in her heart.
"Doesn't the Mayan calendar end in December this year?" Louise asked.
"It does, the 21 of December. Some occult historians believe that passage between worlds will be easier that day. Therefore performing a ritual that could upset the balance in the world would be easier to accomplish." Abe explained.
"So it is likely that whatever Darren is planning will happen then. Great news everyone, no reason to buy Christmas gifts this year." Louise said sarcastically.
"Well, we have faced the certainty of doom and scary stuff before. We will find a way to deal with this." Liz said reassuring and was quick to change the subject as the children came back into the room. When Liz and the children were preoccupied, Abe placed a hand on Louise's shoulder to give her some comfort. She smiled up at him taking his hand in hers and gave it a quick kiss before letting go again.
"Is there any other references to the Mayan culture in the evidence found so far?" Louise asked in a low voice.
"No, none at all. I guess we will just have to see what is going to happen Saturday." Abe replied.
"In some ways I really hope Darren is there. I would like to give him a piece of my mind or preferably Red's." She gave him a mischievous smile and Abe shook his head lightly, his current happiness washing away the fear he felt... for the moment.
- OOO -
Darren was holding Louise's earring and underwear in his hand, as he looked at his new allies being summoned. He was confident that his master would be pleased with their progress. Some of the people under him was getting impatient, not understanding the value of patience. But by sacrificing their lives he had sent a message to the rest. I was not to be denied or trifled with. In the middle of the round room was a pool of blood and his creations started to emerge.
"Aren't they beautiful?" He cooed to his subordinate standing next to him.
"Yes... I was thinking it is possible to find another thirteen. This one is proving difficult to capture."
"No it must be her. I want it to be her. And let me make something clear. The reason she hasn't been captured is because I do not want her to... not yet. Besides I enjoy the chase." He smirked.
"As you wish." His companion bowed and left.
"Don't worry Louise. I have not forgotten you."