Disclaimer: Don't own the characters.
Title: Underneath The Same Sky
Chapter 6: Weird Town
Palló, that was the name of the town. It was a secluded place hidden in the heart of the forest that it was even missed out by the map. It's population barely reaching 400; it's inhabitants were old families there that have been there for generations. It was also a Nightworld town.
Last ChapterMarilyn flashed the flashlight accidentally to the guy's eyes. His eyes glowed wildly, a growl emitting from his throat. She stared at him in fascination.
Instead of taking a step back, she took a step forward. The man's eyes shifted color. Marilyn gasped and ran forward. The guy jumped carrying his victim.
"Wait!"
They faded into the night.
"Marilyn?" Arabella crept behind her carrying a rechargeable lamplight. Looking at Marilyn's ashen face, Arabella had a good guess at what happened. Closing her mouth, she guided the girl back to the house not answering her questions.
***
Ash hiked alone, a compass and a map, on each of his hand.
He was off to see his distant cousin, Jake Redfern, the one rumored to be head of this renegade Night Worlders.
"Mare I'll love you better in the next life."
***
Jake Redfern walked moodily inside his hidden mansion. He gave his unconscious victim to one of the servants and headed towards his library. He didn't get to finish his little snack, which was reason enough for his sour mood. A human also intrigued him, and that's not a good sign.
"She wasn't afraid."
Jake sat behind his study desk and brooded. "Who was she?" He trumped his fingers at the mahogany table. He snapped his fingers. A shadowy figure appeared. "Yes sir?" Though it came out as a hiss.
"Bring the girl to me." The shadow man nodded. "And try not to hurt her." He spoke in an afterthought.
After the first shadow man disappeared, another came forth.
"We have received news, that a relative of yours is arriving here. Ash Redfern, I believe. Shall we dispose of him immediately?"
Jake frowned. He rubbed his chin. "There have been rumors that Ash Redfern has been estranged from the Redfern family. Perhaps he's here to join me?" He asked to no one in particular. "Leave him be and when he finds us, I'll ask him to either join us, or die."
***
"Aaassshhh!!!"
Marilyn screamed waking up. Though it sounded more like Aaaahhhh, nobody paid attention to it. She woke up in sweat.
"Are you alright?" Arabella asked worriedly giving her something to drink.
Marilyn shook her head muttering, mumbling. "Eyes that change color… ocean blue, midnight blue, dark violet, black like dilated pupils, crimson and gold, green, azure…"
"Soon, you'll meet him soon." A voice whispered in her head.
"Are you aright?" Arabella asked again.
"It was so strange." Marilyn spoke in a ghostly whisper. "He was sucking blood from her like a…like a vampire! I had been afraid of the night and when I saw them I was relieved. When I saw what he was doing…" Marilyn thought hard to describe what she was feeling. "There was fear, but also fascination. And a strange sense of familiarity I can't explain!" She finished off frustrated. "Can you tell me more of what I've seen?" She asked hopefully.
Arabella cupped her face and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "It's better for you not to know." Then she left leaving Marilyn to her thoughts.
The next day, Marilyn purposely stayed late on town and took the forest shortcut back to the house. So far, she had no clues. No inkling of an idea of what happened last night. She tried asking, but everybody seemed to ignore her.
"Marilyn! What took you so long!" Arabella spoke hastily pulling her inside. "You know what to do." Arabella spoke in parting as she walked out into the forest.
For the first time in months, Marilyn noted the peculiar method and practice. As Arabella explained it, every month the people of the town pay their bill of obligation, (Marilyn assumed it was money) up to the big mansion no one seems to find. It was hidden in the heart of the forest. Marilyn saw it only once, at a distance.
As she watched Arabella's figure fade through the towering pine trees, a need grasped her thoughts to know. Running inside the house to check on Kayla, Marilyn was relieved to find the little girl peacefully asleep.
Without another thought more, she grabbed her coat, a flashlight and followed Arabella into the darkness.
***
Half an hour later, Marilyn turned to her left, to her right and she realized she was lost yet again. Arabella's figure faded long ago without a trace and she was left deeper into the heart of the forest then ever before.
Wind rustled, and a lone wolf's cry echoed in the distance. She tensed as a prickling of fear crept up her spine. She walked slowly…breaking into a run.
Footsteps were following her.
She looked sideways and swallowed a gasp.
Shadows were closing in around her. Or was it only her imagination?
She halted. Then turned around suddenly.
Hiss. Hiss. Hiss.
Her scream was cut short as she felt the wind knocked out of her. She and the black figure disappeared within a blink.
A/n: Review please.