Creeper's Captive
Chapter 26
/
In Trisha's mind, she was laying in a field, looking up at the bright sun in a pale blue sky. Birds chirped, flowers were dotted amongst the grass in many colors, and a pure, gentle warm breeze blew over her. Right next to her side was Darry, one knee crossed over the other and grinning.
"Remember when I used to say some of the clouds looked like giant turds?" He chuckled.
"Yeah, Dar. I remember." Trisha rolled her eyes but she smiled. "And my seven year old self used to say, 'Ew,you're so gross, they do not look like 'turds'. They look like soft serve ice cream cones!' "
Darry lifted a hand to shield his eyes from the sun with a smirk. He watched the passing clouds for another minute. "Yeah they still look kinda like turds, sis. Sorry."
He turned to look at her, that ever-goofy grin on his face. "You know...I gotta say, this is a nice mental plane you got going here." He poked her shoulder. "I'd be on a racetrack or something right now. Or in a Camero with some hot babes and heading to the beach on summer vacation."
"Yeah. But you're not. You're not, Dar." Trisha sighed, still staring into his warm brown eyes.
His eyes.
"You're still here, and talking to me." She stated as she noticed his smile fading.
"Trish...it's not your time to die, sis. I'm here if you really wanna go but...you gotta take care of Jarzius first, ok?"
Confusion spread across her features as she blinked a few times. "Who the hell is Jarzius?"
He chuckled and gave a dubious grin. "C'mon really?"
"Dar? I have no clue what you're going on about."
He shrugged. "Your daughter...Trish. She's your daughter."
/
With a loud scream Trisha sat bolt upright in the makeshift bed from the agonizing pain that stabbed her body all over like knives. The pain in her gut was even worse, and quite promptly she threw up all over the blankets, a mixture of bile and blood. Foreign blood.
"Trisha! I'm here, I'm here. Breathe. Breathe!"
That voice was familiar. Slowly reality began to fuzz its way into her brain and Trisha looked around the little brick house's interior briefly, realizing where she was, before she suffered a violent coughing fit, wiped her mouth, then finally calmed down a little. "Oh god, oh god. What the hell is happening to me?"
I had to do this Trisha, you were dying. The blood exchange worked...at least...I think. But you still look terrible. Alonus was holding her hand and Trisha stared a while at it but seemed to be avoiding looking at her face.
Alonus...who the hell is Jarzius?
She shrugged at the sudden question, but offered a hopeful smile. Is that...is that a name? Did you name the child?
I don't know...I think maybe Darry did. She put a hand to her back, flinching from the cramping pain. What...what is this blood exchange? What do you mean?
I gave you some of my blood. It had to be done for both you and the child's sake. You weren't going to make it.
What? You did what? Trisha looked at her with some mixture of anger, disgust, and incredulousness. What the hell? I don't want any part of this and now you gave me your blood? Is that kinda like what a vampire does or something? A look of absolute horror suddenly came upon her face and she jumped out of the bed, not even realizing in the moment her strength was back. She backed up nearly to the door, staring hard at the female heradus. "Am I going to turn into one of you?!"
"NO. Trisha, please calm down. PLEASE. Allow me to explain!" Alonus moved quickly to grab her hand again and lead her back to the bed, where she urged her to sit down.
Trisha was breathing hard, and shaking. She wiped some straying tears from her face. "I just want to go back to Darry! Back to that field! How DARE you do this to me!" She suddenly punched Alonus in the face, who started to fall back but she caught herself on the chair. Trisha rubbed her knuckles, it was like hitting a stone wall. As she made a run for the door again, she almost got outside before Dinarius blocked her, picked her up, and unceremoniously dropped the flailing woman back onto the bed yet again.
"Alonus just saved your life, at least show a little gratitude!" Dinarius crossed his arms and shook his head slightly. Trisha yelled out in anger, got up quickly and attempted to punch him as well, but he blocked it with an open palm and once again she yelped in pain, drawing her hand back.
"God dammit are you heradus made of stone or something?" She sat slowly, now wrapping a piece of torn sheet over her bruised hand.
"Are you done?" Dinarius demanded, glaring. Trisha sighed, nodding but giving a sarcastic smile. "Yeah I'm done. Do me a favor, monster, don't ever pick me up again."
"Don't call him that!" Alonus shouted, gritting her teeth. "My son deserves your anger, but my nephew does not. Despite your undeserved situation, Patricia, he has been doing all he can to watch over you. I don't think you even know how ill you've been, either. What we even did to try and help you. Do you remember the chicken soup? Or the herbal tea I gave you?" Alonus asked laconically as she sat next to her.
Trisha gave her a stony look but shook her head. "No, I don't fucking remember any of it. The last thing I can remember is us talking in the cave and me agreeing to having this little freak of nature inside me. Then I didn't feel well and asked Ami if I could use the bed. That's it. And look don't get your hopes up because I didn't come up with that name. Darry just mentioned it, like somehow he knew already."
Gee, I think she's feeling better, Auntie. Dinarius shook his head and stepped outside, wanting to get away from her negative energy.
Alonus sighed and folded her arms. "I wish you wouldn't be like this. I mean you no harm, and neither does Dinarius. We understand how hard things have been for you Trisha Jenner. In some way, can we not work on being friends rather than enemies?"
Trisha went to snap something but Alonus raised a clawed finger, silencing her. "I know what you're going to say, and don't worry about my son. I will keep him away from you. I will keep him away from Ami. Besides, he is not here at the moment. He's gone off somewhere, and blocked us all out."
"Huh, interesting. Did something happen that you want to tell me about?" Trisha tilted her head, her brows raised as she waited.
The heradus blew out her breath sharply and nodded. "Yes, he tried to attack Ami again. I stopped him before he could, but he did not fight me that time. Instead, he seemed ashamed and left."
A few minutes of silence reigned while Trisha stared at her, arms still folded. Finally she shrugged and rubbed her knees. "Ok. Ok then. SO, where is Ami now?"
"In the forest trail nearby with her little one. I think they are fishing near the stream." She smirked but Trisha just rolled her eyes and stood up, grabbing a grey hoodie she found nearby and putting it on. Without saying another word to Alonus she stepped out of the house and brushed right past Dinarius who was sitting crouched on the log.
"Hey, you're welcome!" He called out to her as she walked away, but Trisha only gave a little curt wave without looking back.
/
Goliathus sat watching the sunset, and smelling the salt air. He was back at the little hidden cave near the sea that he had taken Ami to, and was sitting in silence, staring at the horizon. Immense sadness and shame washed over him from what he had been about to do to Ami...in fact, what would have happened, had mother not come at that moment and stopped him? He sighed, scratching at his white, scraggly hair before getting up and sighing deeply. What was he going to do, if he couldn't control himself? Killing the breeder...he shook his head, the mother would be stupid...they were rare, and even if just for the sake of logic, it was foolish. But even moreso, he knew he loved Ami, but couldn't get himself to truly accept it. It seemed, perhaps, that he was simply incapable of loving humans. He had been eating them for so long...seeing them as nothing but cattle...
Yeees. Cattle. Delicious cattle. Soooo...can I ask, why are you berating yourself over this? Why do you care? A breeder is only good for just that, Goliathus. Breeding. Having a little squalling brat to break the curse. The hibernation curse, that is. Right? In the end that's all that matters.
Snarling fiercely Goliathus spread his wings and took to the sky, but the voice was so powerful, so strong, that his head was throbbing. And he was unable to block it out this time, nor put up any mental walls.
Hmm. Yes well you see great grandson of mine, I've gone and healed myself quite nicely, all those delicous human organs have set me straight. And so, my telepathic abilites are back to normal. Sad to say, you won't escape me now. He heard and felt an eerie chuckle. But listen, I'm not here to FIGHT you, how stupid is that. I just want a hunting partner. You and I, killing as many humans as we can possibly get our sharp little talons on. Crafting weapon upon weapon, shall I show you how to make poison-tipped spears? Howabout a blowgun and razor darts? Oh we could have SO much fun together. Family, after all! Why should I not share the thrills with you?
Picking up speed in his flight Goliathus scanned the grounds below but could see no one. The sun was shining on the sparkling ocean water along the beach and a couple of seagulls could be seen soaring further away...but not a soul.
Everywhere he looked, there was just nothing. Where are you, Ramonus?
Ha ha ha! I'm here, but you can't see me. I have the ability to go invisible for brief periods. We all do actually. Suddenly, a huge dark grey and red mottled heradus with long, grey-white hair tied into a loose ponytail appeared just behind him, and Ramonus surged forward to fly alongside. He wore only a pair of tattered pants. Wouldn't you like to know how its done?
If Goliathus could go pale, he probably would have. The sheer size of Ramonus caused just a bit of rare fear to actually well within his core, but he fought it away with anger, as he bared his teeth and headed to the shoreline. The other followed, soaring down with ease upon enormous wings tipped in black.
"Ah, so Goliathus. The second. Here you are." Ramonus chuckled dryly and gazed out over the water. "What a view. It's lovely here."
Goliathus refused to speak out loud. He hated it anyway. You speak of hunting together. Why do you think I would want to do that? I've always been a loner.
Oh I know. But I want to see what you're capable of. And...quite frankly I'm jealous of your reputation. The Creeper. I like it. But...what does that mean exactly? Creeping about in the night? He shrugged, an ever present sinister grin on his face. Eh. I do that all the time. Maybe I'm a Creeper, too. He laughed, deep and loud, and Goliathus snorted, turning away and walking down the beach. Honestly he had no idea where he was going. All he knew was that he just wanted to get away from this malicious pest who he knew was going to be a huge problem.
He stopped, and turned back to face him again. Ramonus hadn't moved, he was still standing there with arms folded and leering.
How do you know that title...the Creeper?
Oh really my great grandson, really? I just told you what a gifted telepath I am. I found it in your mind, of course. He unfolded his arms and slowly walked closer, claws scuffing into the sand and pebbles below his feet, until he was right in front of his face.
I know a LOT of things. Like your many abodes, covered in bodies. Or that you have a human father who was an ancient Roman priest. Or...how you were tortured for a very long time in a dungeon along with your mother...poor, poor grandaughter. Poor Alonus. Oh how they plucked her eyes out or stabbed her...didn't they twist those knives inside her, Goliathus? He stepped closer, and the other found himself starting to actually walk backwards away from him. Didn't they gut her and watch the intestines spill out? Didn't they try to make you eat them? Didn't they stab your eyes with needles? Didn't they gut you as well or force hot coals down your throat? Didn't they-
Shut up. SHUT UP! Goliathus grimaced and grabbed his head, continuing to step back and trying to black out the clear and vivid memories that Ramonus was trying to surface.
And...didn't you watch as they stabbed your father in the back of the neck when he tried to rescue you? And as he pleaded for forgivness? WHY? WHY Goliathus, my dear...DEAR great grandson...WHY should you care at ALL for those human pigs? Cattle? FOOD? MEAT? They are NOTHING but food! NOTHING!
Goliathus howled, screaming, and took to the air, but Ramonus instantly followed him, laughing maniacally behind him. He realized his great grandfather actually found this horrible mental torment to be amusing.
He marveled at this. There was actually a heradus that was far more evil than he had ever been. But with his will so weak...he knew he could fall prey to that level of evil easily. And suddenly he cared about that. Suddenly it frightened him. Where could he go? What would he do?
I will NOT be your partner. I've always been a loner, I told you. Now go away. DO what you must, but leave me be.
HA HA HA! Oh come now, it's not that easy to get rid of me. But...I'm a good chap really I am. I'll give you some time. But first... he surged forward and Goliathus snarled uselessly at him as he was forced to land. Back on the beach, he simply waited to see what his cursed relative was trying to do. But a scent hit his nose immediately. The scent of a fresh human kill. He looked over and saw that Ramonus was pulling a pile of rocks down that was covering something.
When he finished, he pointed to large liver lying there on the ground.
I brought you a treat.
A few minutes of silence passed, with Goliathus staring at it and salivating, but forcing himself to not even move a muscle towards it. What is this?
I told you, a treat. You've forgotten how tasty they are, right? Being practically forced to eat those DULL and BORING deer by your mother. I have to agree with you. He made a disgusted face. Beasts are only good for when there is nothing else. A last resort. The real prize is right there. He pointed at it with a long and dark claw. Nice juicy, fatty, delicious human organs. Now go ahead, indulge yourself. Then when you're ready to find me...trust me, you'll know where I am. The cold and dark look in Ramonus' eyes was not something he could look at for too long. He turned away, shaking his head.
Oooo. Lookie at that. You really are trying, aren't you? Good god, Goliathus, that's pathetic. You are an APEX predator. Not some wild wolf or a coyote. No...no deer or goats, or horses or whatever are truly worthy enough for a heradus. A SUPERIOR race like ourselves. Nothing will do, but the flesh of humans, and you know it. It's why we get addicted so easily, hmm?
Goliathus gave a long, tired sigh with his eyes closed. It is also why we are cursed to sleep when it happens. Or the Hunger grows tenfold and that satiety becomes impossible to achieve. It is a CURSE.
He tried to even his breathing, and snapped his eyes open. This is not about hunting. Why are you doing this for real?
Ah. You think there is a hidden motive with me, don't you? He shrugged. Truly there is not. I was never tortured by humans. BUT...I did witness them kill some friends of mine, so long ago when I was once a more foolish heradus and befriended them. Or burn at the stake some women who dared to sleep with me. Ah yes they do that, don't you remember? Didn't they even try to burn your father at the stake? And yet that's really just a minor thing. In the end, I learned to not have all this pain inside me by not CARING. I simply don't care about them anymore. I just kill and eat them and make them miserable; destroy their families and treat them like mere animals. It's all the satisfaction I need.
This silenced Goliathus, who now stood staring at him with an emotion he could not name.
Well. What an interesting talk we've had. I'm going to go now and give you a little space, because hey, you ARE family. I have patience. And well, I'm starving again. I'll see you later, my dearest great grandson. We'll have fun together, oh surely we will. With a loud and mighty snap of this wings Ramonus went high into the air, and disappeared out over the mountain where the cave was. Goliathus watched until he could see him no more.
He stood there for a while, gazing down at the liver and fighting with himself. The saliva literally dripped from his mouth at the smell. His stomach demanded it, wanted it...so badly. He inched closer, but screamed in his mind for help.
Son?
Goliathus whipped around for the source of the voice, but saw nothing. He knew that voice though, it was a voice he would always recognize.
Father.
Just fly away. Fly away from it.
He continued to stare down at the delicious looking offal, a manic and crazed expression in his eyes.
I cannot...
NO. You CAN. And you WILL. GO and fly away from it. NOW!
He snorted, opening his head crest, and screamed as loud as he could, an unearthly, horrific sound that screeched through the air. He could not be weak, he needed to do this!
Where this little bit of willpower came from he did not know, but he finally took to the air, and left the liver laying there in the sandy rocks to rot.
/
Ami grinned at Solarus who yelped in happiness at having successfully caught a fish his little makeshift pole. He waited with the barest amount of patience as Ami got the wriggling creature off the hook and handed it to him.
Yummy! Fishie! And no shoo-rick-en. Don't need, right momma?
No Solarus. Silly, you don't use shurikens for fishing. Daddy showed you didn't he? Did you get a deer when you were with him on your lesson?
Solarus tugged on the fish's head and swallowed it. Yeah. Daddy got deer. Gave me heart. Yum yum.
Ami smiled. Good, that's good. Inside however, she wasn't feeling so happy. Her fear of him was back and she felt that it was impossible to trust him anymore. Goliathus would have killed her on that trail, she felt it. Only his mother had managed to stop him, and it seems Alonus had been fully aware of that. It made her want to cry and scream at the same time.
Very soon, she was going to have to make an extremely difficult choice, and she knew it.
But why did it have to hurt so much?
"Ami?"
Shaking her head slightly she turned and saw Trisha coming down the path towards them. Solarus turned his eyes to her and blinked as he finished off the last bite of the fish.
"Oh my GOD. Trisha!" Ami jumped up and hugged the startled woman.
"Uh yeah. Nice to see you, too." She offered a rare smile, and Ami just sighed happily.
"You're alive. I thought for sure we'd lose you, you know."
Trisha nodded with a short chuckle and shrugged. "Seems Alonus went and took drastic measures." She looked down at Solarus who had crawled over to her and held his chubby little arms towards her.
Twisha. Up up!
"Heh...why does this little guy like me?" She reached down and obliged the child, picking him up, although she still held him awkwardly. He giggled happily.
"Because Solarus isn't the little monster you think he is. He's excited too about his new little sister coming." Ami patted her shoulder and walked past, heading back towards the house, and Trisha followed. "Did I say that? I'm sorry. Really I am."
"Yeah, you did. Apology accepted, but, tell Solarus that." She stopped, noticing Dinarius waiting at the house still.
"And while you're at it...apologize to Dinarius." She looked back at Trisha briefly before walking the final stretch to the log and sitting there.
Trisha sighed heavily and suprisingly nuzzled Solarus, who squealed in utter delight at the affection.
Sorry little guy. You're not a monster.
No, I hewadus. And you my auntie, right? He blinked up at her with his sparkling, golden eyes but Trisha couldn't answer that. She kept walking and handed him back to Ami.
Dinarius looked at her, searching , and she gave a small shrug. "Sorry to you, too. You're not some monster. But, just don't go picking me up again like that, ok?"
Dinarius nodded, a warmth in his eyes that surprised Trisha. "Yeah that's fair enough. And thanks."
"I'm uhh...I'm gonna go take a walk nearby. I need a little time alone. But Ami I still need to talk to you more about something at a later time as well."
Ami nodded. "You got it. But be careful, would you? Don't go far. Seriously...we don't know what to expect out there."
The crows started to echo their calls in the air, and Trisha pointed up at the trees. "I think I got enough eyes watching me. It's a bit creepy and comforting at the same time." She smirked and walked away, leaving Dinarius and Ami staring at the strange corvids a while.
I guess she's right about that...the crows would sound any danger. And the wolves?
Sure. I can tell Kitsune to keep an eye on her. He smiled again. You doing ok?
Yeah. I think so. I guess. Ami leaned forward, putting her hands to her face. But what am I going to do about Goliathus?
I'll tell you what. Stay FAR away from him. Dinarius' low snarl startled Ami and she quickly met eyes with him. You know what he was gonna do back there.
Yeah. Tears started to stream down her face. Yeah I know. And it's killing me inside.
He sighed and moved a bit closer to her. Don't...please. Stop wasting your tears on him. He doesn't even deserve that. He opened his wings and arms, offering comfort, and Ami couldn't help but lean into it as he wrapped himself around her tightly.
It felt so good, to be held with such warmth and trust. She knew full well Dinarius would never harm her. And she couldn't let go of him. For several minutes they stayed that way, until finally she went to say something but suddenly his mouth was on hers and she melted into his deep and urgent kiss.
Gasping she pulled away a brief time later but just at that moment they heard flapping of strong wings and saw that Goliathus had returned. He landed in front of the house, breathing hard and ragged, and holding his forehead as if he had a migraine.
Are you...are you ok? Ami went to get up, but Dinarius held her there, giving a slight shake of the head. Instead he rose and took a few measured steps towards him.
What happened?
He turned to look at them, and his icy gaze could have cut through the other heradus like a heated knife. Instead however, he looked at Ami and answered her.
I had a very...unpleasant encounter. Where is mother?
She's in the forest with Starcrow. Practicing old spells, I think. Dinarius had answered the question for her. He had also come a bit closer, standing in front of Ami and glaring at the other with utter defiance.
Goliaths growled dangerously, but it seemed Dinarius wasn't that fearful of him. He could feel his determination, but his thoughts were interrupted again. We're cousins, remember? And what I said to you before. We aren't enemies. But I'm going to protect Ami from you. Whether you like that...or not. Fight me if you want. I'm not afraid of you.
You want Ami. The thought was private, and Dinarius just smirked. Is that all you get out of this?
Admit it.
He sighed. Okay fine. I do.
She's carrying a new child. MY child. He warned.
Yeah. So what? You were about to kill that woman...AND that new child. Weren't you? Slowly Dinarus folded his arms, flexing his clawed hands just slightly, and continuing to stare at him without so much as a blink.
I had...a moment of weakness. I regret it. But I will not let you have her.
Dinarius grinned, then started laughing. Well. We'll see about that. Your mother stopped you last time, she can do it again. And, there's something else you should know. Considering I have the heart of a vampire now...I guaruntee I'm stronger at this moment. He made a strange little chirp and Puvo crawled out from under his mane, settling onto his shoulder. Goliathus took one small step back...eyes widening as the bat's eyes glowed a fierce green, and the little creature hissed at him. Memories of what that green beam of magic could do to him were still quite fresh.
Don't forget I have a Ring, either. One little but very fierce bat and twenty powerful dire wolves. Are you gonna sit there and tell me what I will and won't have? He shook his head. All the same, cousin, that would all be wasted on you. It's not MEANT for you. It's meant for hunting vampires, and I'd rather use all my talents for that instead.
Ami, who had been watching helplessly, couldn't hear a word. But she DID hear the wolves in the near distance starting to howl with growling sounds, and it sent a giant shiver down her spine as she turned to stare into the forest.
Goliathus did not like this at all, his ire rising, but he knew this cousin of his was right. There WERE the crows, but he wasn't sure how to use them in any real way yet...and...hold on. Did he just mention the heart of a vampire?
What vampire, Dinarius?
Hmm. A Royal. One called Sampson. I found him in the forest, it was like he appeared out of nowhere. I think he'd been there before, but my senses were still weakened from my long rest and I didn't detect him until then. He tried to convince me not to kill him, but I didn't listen. Those are the real enemies, Goliathus. And if you were to start eating them, you would get stronger, too. Stronger against Ramonus, even! And it would also be a far better use of that temper of yours, too. Dinarius turned to Ami and motioned with his head that she should follow him. She got up slowly but stared back and forth between them a few times before giving Goliathus a defeated look.
Ami-
I can't...I can't deal with this anymore. I will not give up on you, Goliathus. I will help you and encourage you to beat this addiction of yours...but-
Please. I ask you to consider what you are thinking about doing. I haven't been...the greatest towards you. It is understood. But all of that is changing, and it because of you that all of this between you and I even happened at all.
You were going to KILL me back there.
No, I-
YOU WERE! She chocked back a sob, and shook her head fiercely with clenched fists. You MUST admit that to yourself. If Alonus had not come...you would have killed me! I have done EVERYTHING for you and this is what you do to me!
With actual pleading in his eyes, something Ami had never witnessed before, he came forward as if trying to embrace her but she scrambled back and away from him. He stopped, and it seemed as if the very forest itself had gone still.
NO. Goliathus. No. Stay away from me. Just...stay away.
She turned and hurriedly walked towards Dinarius who had been waiting in the background.
Take me away from here, Dinarius, please. I just need to get away for a little while.
He nodded, wrapping his wings about her again for a moment and his crystal eyes reflected his own feelings. All right, Ami. All right.
Picking her up carefully he leapt into the air and disappeared with her over the horizon without another word.
Goliathus watched for a while, trembling all over and feeling an insurmountable anguish welling up within him. He roared out again causing all birds except for the crows to go bursting into the air and all nearby deer to go running for the hills at the nightmarish sound.
And at that very moment his mother returned with Starcrow, who clung to her shoulder just as she swooped down for a graceful landing.
She took a few minutes to surmise the situation and gave a sharp breath just as her son finally looked at her with moistened eyes.
Yes, I know. It hurts. She turned to look at the sky sadly, but Ami and her nephew were long gone from sight.
You've lost her, my son. But then again, it is all your own doing. She sighed deep, and approached him with the raven cocking its head curiously at the situation.
And sometimes...you must let something go that you truly care about.
/
Author's Notes- Happy to say it seems my muses are coming back and I'm satisfied with this chapter. A grand plethora of ideas are forming. I have not forgotten about Jezelle or the farmers either, don't you worry. Next chapter will be soon I guess...this one came faster than expected so I can't say when anymore, could be days or weeks. But it WILL get done. Oh and one other little thing, the name Jarzius is a nod to Darkinyron and her character Jarzi Morsa from the story "The Truthful Lie". Thanks for reading and please review!