{W/R} Thanks & etc. is at the end of this chapter. Yeah, I'm changing my story format, so you get to read the story & then read my babblings.
Recap: "You talk too much, you know that." He informed me. {W/R: Reminds me of myself.}
Before I could reply, he silenced me again, but this time with a kiss. He escaped before I opened my eyes and found everything returned to normal.
"Strange," I whispered to myself.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Unknown POV *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I slammed my hand against the desk. The glass globe that I had been looking into wobbled in its gold stand and fogged over, as I released the images. I was so close. She was so close. It was so easy, yet she has escaped my grasp.
"It won't be long now," I told myself. "It can't be long now. This will end."
I sat back down into my velvet chair and started planning, yet again. I should have known better than to think that I could solve my problems so easily. I have learned not to make the same mistake again.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* End of Unknown POV *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
I was startled awake by the frantic shaking of my shoulders.
"Elestra, come on! Wake up! Hurry up now," Rhianna persistently ordered me.
Half asleep, I mumbled something about kicking the energy out of her to the other side of the moon, if she didn't leave me alone. It was not a lady-like comment, but on this morning, I wasn't in the most pleasant of mood. Who would be after being poisoned last night? Rhianna didn't seem the least bit, persuaded to stop.
"Your mother is in trouble, Elestra!" Rhianna shouted. "She's going to die, Elestra."
Her words about my mother woke me fully and I was practically scrambling out of my room. I didn't care how I looked. I just wanted to see my mother.
"Where are we going," I asked her, not recognizing the path we took.
"Just follow me, I'll take you to her, quickly."
Abruptly, Rhianna paused and turned to me, in the middle of a dark hallway I never seen before. She looked at me, but not as though I was in front of her. It was like I was invisible or see-through. Rhianna's behavior was confusing and I was puzzled.
"What's wrong," I asked, grasping her shoulder.
My hand went right through her and her eyes expressed more fear than I ever thought possible. She didn't appear to me like a ghost or apparition, but she seemed to have no form when I touched her. I shook my head and tried to grab hold of her again when her face turned menacing. She stood above me, seemingly heads taller than me. Shadows grew taller along with her. The only thing missing from this horror-like scene was the music from the orchestra.
"Rhianna, snap out of it. I thought you were going to get me to my mother." I said, involuntarily stepping back away from her.
Rhianna grabbed my throat, before I could do anything and I tried to stop her, in the pinned position she got me into against the wall.
"Rhianna, stop." I croaked. "Why are you doing this?"
For someone who had, had no form when I touched her, she seemed to have quite a solid one now. I would never expect someone, as innocent and well-mannered as Rhianna to be so strong. I tried to push her away, in all ways possible, but as my air slowly started to run out, my strength became weaker. I finally stopped struggling and my vision blurred slightly. I was about to die. Out of the blue, a brilliant and blinding light flashed encompassing everything, including myself. I could see nothing, not even myself, but the blank white color everywhere. I heard chanting of some language unknown to me and everything slowly faded. So there is an afterlife, I noted peacefully. Rhianna's grasp and hands were gone from me now and I felt weightless and felt a sense of tranquility.
I bolted up into a sitting position, gasping for deep breaths of fresh air. My neck hurt, as if I had been choked, although I had in my dream. My throat and mouth was dry from the loud persuasions that I said to Rhianna. For a nightmare, I thought, it is quite a deadly and vivid one.
"Do you really think that was dream?"
I screamed aloud from surprise, but my habitual stranger muffled it. Once he was sure I wasn't going to scream anymore, he released his hold over my mouth. This time, I saw him clearly, well, his form anyway. He wore a silk black bandanna, which covered his hair and a matching mask. His ensemble was completed with a black cape, loose shirt, pants, and leather boots. I raised my eyebrow, in curiosity at him, as I tilted my head and examined him. As tired from the frights from him and the nightmare, I couldn't resist remarking on his outfit.
"Are you going for the Zorro look?" I teased him, changing the subject. {W/R: I know, I'm not even sure Zorro existed in Sherwood Smith's world, but who cares? Well, even if you do, I like it and I'm leaving it like that. :P}
He shrugged with a smirk spreading across his solid features.
"Well, I must look the part of your savior mustn't I?"
"How about a peek under that mask and we'll see if you can have the job."
"In your dreams," He replied.
I winced at the words, remembering my recent dream. He lifted my chin with a gloved finger, which was obviously black and caressed my cheek, gently.
"Sorry, bad choice of words, but with me around there's no need to fear."
I thoughtfully smiled up at him feebly.
"So what is with all the black? Especially, since it is daylight out there." I inquired, gesturing out the window.
"It's a classic look."
I laughed, which caused him to give another smirk. He looked wonderful, almost godlike. He might just be one if he never lets me know anything of him, I thought.
"It seems that it's getting more perilous than I had first predicted. Tell your mother that, she can't do anything and go back. If she persists, tell her you have nearly been killed twice." He commented.
"But I wasn't!" I defiantly replied.
"But, you were so close. If I hadn't been around, it'd be another story."
"Somewhat like a stalker, aren't you?" I joked, changing the subject once more.
"That is not the subject at point. Go back home." He said with emphasis on each word.
I crossed my arms across my chest and glared at him.
"I'm not going to let Rhianna's father die, just because I've been attacked. Who are you to tell me what to do?"
"I should have expected this reaction. I'm certain your mother will be the same. I would like to knock you both out and take you back-"
"Just you try," I yelled, interrupting him.
"But, I won't because you both will come right back, no doubt."
I smiled triumphantly, my arms still crossed. A knock on my door, interrupted us. I looked to the door.
"It's me, Lord Damien. We need to talk." Lord Damien said with his voice slightly muffled through the thickness of the door. {W/R: How about a showdown between the two guys? Rofl, Nah.}
I nearly wanted to groan at the interruption of my time with my stranger. I turned to him. He was glaring at the door and I wondered if he was feeling envious of the man on the other side of it.
"You should go," I whispered, breaking his glaring contest with my door.
He nodded and climbed out the window. I watched him, scale down the wall effortlessly. He made it look easy, although I believed that it wasn't.
"Are you alright, Elestra?"
"Perfectly fine," I called back, still standing at my window.
I pulled a robe over my nightgown, which caused me to realize that I was wearing when I saw him last night and this morning, blushing. I opened the door to a disheveled Lord Damien. He didn't look healthy.
"Are you sick," I asked, concerned as I looked him over.
"No, no," He replied. "It was just some trouble in town."
"The people found out about Lord Devin?" I asked, leaning against the doorframe.
"Unfortunately, they did. If your mother doesn't help him quick, then I'm sure someone will try and use this to their advantage."
"It's not like my mother isn't doing the best she can!" I told him, offended, standing upright and crossing my arms.
"Well, it's not good enough, right now."
"If you're so smart, why don't you cure Lord Devin and protect Raea." I replied with a glare.
I slammed my door, in his face. He banged on it, apologizing. I was stuck in my room until he'd leave, which I doubted would be anytime soon. I changed into my riding gear and started to climb out the window. It was extreme measures I knew, but I needed a break from his infuriating presence. I knew it was foolish of me, once I was out the window and starting to climb down. The stone wall was a bit slippery and clutched the small crevices tightly. I moved down the wall, slowly, fearing a fall to my death. Life! I'm such an idiot. I am never doing this again, I cried to myself in the silence of my thoughts. I tried not to panic or look down. I focused on my next movement and hanging on. I hope that no one saw what I was doing. I would die from embarrassment, if I didn't die from this activity.
{W/R} So sorry it isn't the best place to end it and I wasn't going to end it here, but this whole chapter would be too long. I'm sorry that I haven't put in more action, but trust me I will. About three or four more chapters and I'll end this, most probably. After that, I'm not sure what I'll do. Perhaps a sequel? Perhaps not. [The next chapter is a really important one with an important clue in it, hopefully someone will pick up on it.] Now, I must give my big and sincere thank yous to my reviewers!!!
Rane2920072~ I think you've reviewed every one of my chapters. Thanks for reviewing and emailing me, as always. Thanks for the compliment! I hope I didn't bore anyone with my lack of action.
Emerald-random~ Heehee, yeah many people like Flauvic and want him back in my story. Don't worry, I have a big, well sort of big, part for him later on. So you'll see him soon, I'm pretty sure of that. Continue with your story, don't forget!!!!
Rhexi~ Heehee, still laughing about the cell phone thing. I'm sooo relieved that you're alright though. I hope you can meet up and hang out eventually. Anyways, you have a calm mode??? Lol, j/k. First, thanks for the praise, luckily I'm smart and I don't let my head swell (well, not too much, rofl). Second, Flauvic will be back, so I hope to hear your comments if I captured his "badass persona". Third, TWENTY chapters???? Damn, isn't that a bit much? We'll see what happens I guess. You know me and my excessive details, so I might end up with 20 chaps, who knows? Fourth, you may not go review crazy, but minus the review and you do, do that sometimes, lol. I'll just keep a juicy bone beside me, for Hachi if he ever charges at me in that form.
FelSong~ It's good to talk to you online. Thanks for encouraging me to join the yahoo group. I really didn't realize Damien was acting like the Flauvic in the actual books. Hmmm…. It leaves me with something to ponder about. About the stranger guy, everyone seems to want it to be Flauvic. I hope I don't disappoint anyone when I do reveal who he is. Thanks sooo much for the compliment and support. Continue with your story as soon as you can!!!!
Adiralinnet~ Yay, A new reviewer for me!!! Thanks for reviewing and the praise. I'll see if I end it at 13 chaps, it depends on my reviewers. ;) Oh yeah, nice name. It's really creative.
Loup Garou42~ Thanks for your review, the first part about the non-reviewing miscreants made me laugh. Thanks for the support and I hope to hear from you soon. Continue with your story, it is really good!!!
{W/R} I really must try to find another word to replace thanks. I use it too often, but I am totally grateful for all of my reviewers' kind support and praise!!!!
