Chapter 2: Nightmares
The walls of the alley were cold and the wind carried uneasiness stirring the already building mountain of fear from its restless sleep. Groans and stifled sobs pierced the air and children wailed silently by their parent's side. Only the lonely stars cast some light upon them and the darkness seemed to close in on them, stifling all hope. Footsteps rushed by, accompanied by shouts and an alarm. It won't be long until they turn the town upside down trying to find the prisoners.
A few more hours and the sun would rise banishing all darkness to the prison of night. The exit would soon be filled with bandits intent on hunting down its prey. There would be no way out. The despairing thought rang and echoed through my mind. But it was not the only thought that would remain that day.
Morning had passed and we tried to move the people to different locations so it would be harder to be caught. The day dragged on until night came again, a bitter reminder. It was that day that changed their lives. The sky seemed empty without the stars, desolate, and lost and alone. It was during their restful sleep that the nightmares of the world came upon the bandits. Something horrible was happening, and through the night, shadows prowled the town. The hunters became the hunted and death hung heavy in the night air. Screams of the dying and ghosts of the dead seemed to never end until morning banished the darkness away.
Stepping out, we were met by a gruesome scene. Bodies littered the already bloodstained ground, and no sound could be heard except for screams of the horrified. Who could blame them? Still shaking many of the townspeople took their things and left for a better place. Soon only the three lone travelers stood in the once lively town. We mulled over ideas and concepts of what had happened but all suggestions did not make sense and so we abandoned the fruitless argument over what happened and continued to the next town hoping to forget the horrors of that night. A shadow in front of them made them halt in their tracks and look into hard brown eyes.
The cells of the prison did not offer much comfort after that night passed. Just thinking about the night gave him shivers. It was the worst day of his life, though he thought it had been wretched before. Theories and practical thinking did not explain the needed answers that he thirst for. The cells had been abandoned and he managed to escape, alive. That thought lingered and he quickly went outside to escape the horrid town only to be faced by three women.
Being an observant was always full of advantages. From what he could make out, the three women could not be older than himself. One was actually quite pretty he thought, with a graceful smile and eyes that threatened to swallow him up. She was the shortest and had pretty hair. The other two seemed alike and he drew the conclusion that they were twins. Both of them had the same purple shade of eye colour and luxurious hair but by the grim expression on their faces, he was viewed as the intruder. Not wanting to make a big fuss, he decided to drop to a friendly tone.
"And who are you three fine ladies?" he asked trying to look bright but failing miserably.
The pretty one scowled at him while the other two continued to wear death on their faces. He almost groaned and got a sharp look from one of them. They seemed to be studying him quite intently though not so openly and his face wanted to sweat from their scrutiny.
"First, who are you?" said the pretty girl. Her voice was rough. Not what he expected.
"Why, I am Tetsujin. Pleased to be of acquaintance." He replied in the most humble tones he could find. For some reason, they seemed to relax from what he could tell from body language.
"We are Jocelyn," said the pretty girl indicating her own name, "Ketsurui," the one in the middle, "and Aishou." Aishou did not seem pleased and glared daggers at him. He raised his hands in a surrendering gesture. The reaction he got was quite surprising and a little flattering. She blushed and looked uncertain but the other two seemed to want to leave.
"Would you want to travel with me?" he blurted out and immediately turned so red that his face could shame twelve sunsets.
They gave him a considering look and nodded.
"We could use the company," said Ketsurui.