Creeper's Captive
Chapter 27
/
Somewhere along the coastline, miles away from the house, Dinarius and Ami had landed on the beach and were sitting on a large piece of driftwood. Using Ami's dragon knife, Dinarius was opening up clams he had fished out of the sand and enjoying them alongside her.
I can't believe I'm eating these raw...I could get sick. As much as I love them.
Don't worry about that. They smell perfectly fresh and safe to me. He smirked and was prying at the shell of what was probably his thirtieth clam. I could probably eat two hundred of these...
Ami laughed at this. I had no idea you liked seafood.
Well we do like a varied diet, such as any human would. While Goliathus there wastes his time thinking about how much he hates deer meat he could be enjoying stuff like this.
She nodded, frowning. Yeah. There's a lot of stuff he could be enjoying if only he could stop thinking about humans-
I'm sorry I even brought that up, we shouldn't be talking about him. He handed the knife back to her. We can stay out here as long as you need. I'll just keep an eye out for...trouble. Dinarius stood up on the log and Ami found herself staring for a minute at the huge grey talons that faded to white tips on his feet. Something about talons, such as those on birds of prey, always fascinated her but this was just unreal. The talons of heradus were truly frightening...and with such incredible grasping power...
She looked up then to see Dinarius smirking at her again, but it was shortlived. He seemed restless, looking out over the water and down the shoreline, and unable to truly relax after his last encounter with that vampire he told her about.
Vampires. They're REAL. That's just insane! Ami shrugged to herself. Then again maybe it shouldn't surprise me, with what I've discovered all around me. This world is bizarre, to say the least.
Dinarius finally jumped off the log and sighed after taking a deep breath of the salty air. It seems safe enough for now. But I can't let you out of my sight, Ami.
That's okay, Dinari. I understand and I'm grateful to you. Hey, do you mind a nickname like that?
He turned to her and grinned. No, it sounds familiar. I'm sure I've been called that before. But you, dear Ami... he stepped forward and gently grasped her arm, helping her up and off the log. If you want to call me that, I surely don't mind.
The warmth that emenated from Dinarius made Ami blush, all the time. He had a profound effect on her and although she did try to use her mental barriers to keep her innermost thoughts private she was somehow sure he was picking up on it in some way.
Even if that was the case, he didn't say anything about it. You want to go somewhere else, Ami?
She looked over at him with a crestfallen look on her face and for a moment she just enjoyed the gentle ocean breezes blowing her hair about. But Dinarius could pick up on her sadness. He struggled to do this...the right way. Ami had seperated herself from Goliathus but it wasn't like her feelings for him would just disappear. He had to respect that, although it was hard to wait. He wanted her in every way imaginable, but there was no way in hell he was going to pressure this woman or try to assume she would just come crawling over to him.
Even that kiss back at the house had been a little too rushed, and he knew it. Ami didn't resist him, but he knew he had better take this path a little more carefully. Patience...patience was key. Yes, you idiot. Listen to yourself. He thought this to himself, but Puvo was so connected to him that the little bat poked his nose out through his mane.
Master. Ami. Love?
Dinarius shut his eyes at the engraved words of the bat in his mind. Talking to Puvo was weird, bats had erratic thoughts that were impossible to truly understand. And yet Puvo was no ordinary bat by any stretch of the imagination. He had no voice other then natural chirps and squeaks, but oddly enough he had learned to read written language and so therefore words, used as visual communication, were his method of choice if he was going to speak at all.
I do, Puvo. I do. What do you think of that?
A flurry of squeaks. Good. Puvo think good. Guard? His small form shivered, fluffing out his own furry mane.
Yes, for sure. We will guard her all right; we must protect her at all costs. He peered down the beach to his left and saw the wolves in the far distance. They were keeping an eye out, too, and would alert him the second if anything suspicious was seen. Still, he couldn't escape the anxious feeling. The wolves know too...they tasted vampire. They are as anxious as I am. When one is killed...others will follow. They will try to find out what happened.
He sighed. Ami...
Yeah? She turned, wondering what he had been looking at anyway when he had gone quiet for a time.
Soon your little house won't be a safe area anymore. We'll have to move on, to a new home...somewhere. I'm not exactly sure yet where we will go, but we'll think of something.
All right. She nodded. Besides I knew we couldn't stay there forever. Wherever we go I'm sure it will be a better place. She walked forward and put her arms around him tightly.
I trust you, Dinarius.
He sighed again putting one clawed hand on her head and returning the hug. Thank you. That means a lot to me. He held her a bit tighter but fought the urge to reach down to kiss her again. Let's get back and let Alonus know. It's time to leave.
She nodded again as he leapt into the air and wheeled around to the left and back to the little brick house. For perhaps the last time.
/
Alonus was feasting on a freshly killed deer when she looked up and saw Dinarius approaching. She looked around a bit more but could not see Goliathus, he had been gloomily sulking in his cave and had not come out for hours. As Dinarius neared the ground he stretched out his talons to land as softly as possible. Ami let go and folded her arms close to herself, feeling a little nervous again. "Is Trisha ok?"
"Yes, she's fine. After her walk she came back to the house and is now reading a book with Solarus."
Ami beamed at this, and put her hands in her pockets. "Well who would have figured she'd get fond of Sollie. I'm so glad."
"Me too, Ami. If she can bond a little with your son then she can perhaps bond with her own daughter...Jarzius. We have a name." She smiled warmly and motioned for the two to follow her as she trailed back to the house.
I like it, Jarzius. But...do you think this means she may raise the child after all, auntie?
I doubt that, Dinarius. At the least she will not hate us so much anymore. That is all I can really hope for. You mustn't expect a lot from Patricia...she has been through too much. She frowned. Despite the blood exchange she is sullen...withdrawn. Her depressed state is still concerning.
Dinarius sighed and rubbed his palm which was still a little sore. Yeah and she's got a wicked punch, too.
Alonus chuckled, remembering her own experience. She wasn't mad however, it made sense for Trisha to be angry and she could let that go. Some choose to lash out phsyically when dealing with tough emotions. I am glad that despite all of that you are still doing your best to keep her safe.
They reached the house and walked inside, and when they did Trisha looked up from the bed with Sollie in her lap.
Wead book! With new auntie. Solarus offered, giving his classic toothy grin. Trisha ruffled his soft white hair and gently put him down on the bed as she stood. He picked up the book himself and happily turned the pages, giggling at the pictures.
"I can have my private moment with Ami now, hmm?" She looked over at the woman she spoke of and Ami gave a slight smile.
Yes of course. But after that we have something else to say too.
Oh. All right. Fair enough. Trisha took Ami by the arm and led her out the door and several yards away from the house before turning to face her again.
You ok now, Ami?
Yeah! Dinarius just took me down to the beach. I just needed that moment away from here.
I can totally understand that. In fact, that has a lot to do with what I want to say. Listen... she took a sharp breath as if trying to compose herself and stepped a bit closer. "Listen...I am scared as hell. You understand me? I...I want to have this kid and get it over with. But it's only been a few months and I don't know that I can tolerate staying here for several more. I just want to go home, but I feel like a prisoner here. I want to go home for a time and then come back when the child gets closer to the birth date."
Ami blinked at her, speechless for a moment. In truth she was right, it was like being a prisoner for sure. And she knew that feeling...she'd been a prisoner in every sense of the word since Goliathus had abducted her.
"I... I wish you could, but Trisha...even if they did do that and took you back home somehow, what about the pregnancy? How would you explain that?"
"I'd hide it of course. No one has to know. Look Ami I cannot stay here one more day...I'll go utterly insane. I am literally just a few yards away from that cave, that cave where my brother's killer is inside doing god knows what. I hate him with every fiber of my being...and even if he's mentally ill or whatever I don't care...I hate him and some part of me still wants to destroy him."
Before Ami could respond, an anguished howl filled the air, which came from the very cave she spoke of. They both turned to look, stunned for a moment into silence. What was that about?
Maybe that's over what you just said... she switched the the mind voice, perhaps to keep the words more private between them.
Or maybe over you, Ami, since you went and left him. Trisha put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips. And honestly if he's howling over what I said then GOOD. Let the asshole know what misery feels like.
I think...I think he already does...
Well. Not enough misery then, in my book. Trisha put her hands on Ami's shoulders. Talk to Alonus will you? I won't be some prisoner here. I want to get back to my life and I'm demanding to go back home. Let them both know. With that she brushed by Ami and went back to the house, leaving Ami wondering what in the world she could say to convice the heradus of this.
There was no way they would let her go until that baby was born, would they? But it was wrong, and she couldn't help but feel sorry for Trisha's predicament.
/
As the sky darkened and night's veil fell upon the earth, a large and forboding form could be seen silhoutted in the darkness as it swept through the sky, heading for a fairly small town in this deep, southern region.
Hmmm. SO many farms, so many places to hide. Ramonus grinned wickedly to himself before landing on some large expanse of land dotted with many inky black trees that seemed to be a cattle farm. He sniffed the air deeply and headed right towards one of the barns. But it wasn't animals he was after, it was the scent of human. And this place reeked of it.
"Hey Tyler, hand me that bucket will you? Gotta go feed the horses before we go inside for dinner." A tall man with overalls and a disheveled hat held out his hand expectantly as his lanky son handed him the bucket.
"Dad I'm gonna go get the game on, ok?" He grinned and his dad gave a whoop in agreement before heading over to the horses.
"Go on ahead! I'm anxious to join ya just gotta finish this. Get some cold beers, too!" Tyler watched as his son ran back to the house and opened the creaky screen door and headed inside.
He gave a mighty yawn, fighting fatigue from a long day's work and poured the even amounts of oats into the horses' stall bins, and then baled some hay for them before calling it quits. In the distance, he could hear the gentle lowing of the cattle out in the fields.
As he neared the barn doors however, the horses started fidgeting and neighing nervously. Some of them even bucked around in their stalls and startled farmer Tyler as he heard the loud "BAM" of horse hooves connecting with wood slats.
"The HELL is wrong with you, boys?" He sniffed and shuffled his hat around a bit before clicking his tongue and shaking his head at them. Maybe I outghtta get the gun and check around...might be a damn fox or coyote out there, who knows.
He did just that and walked over to the corner and grabbed his shotgun that was propped up against the wall. He made sure it was loaded and grumbled to himself as he went outside to stalk around the perimeter and check for any sign of movement.
As he took a walk a good distance from the barn, he was just about to consider all was clear before he saw it...a movement. Something was over near the fence, crouched down on it, and Tyler couldn't be sure if he was going crazy or what, but the shape seemed to have large, outstretched wings.
His heart began to hammer in his chest as the fear rose, but amazingly he held his ground. Raising the gun, he put his finger on the trigger, ready to fire.
"Oh I wouldn't do that...if I were you." The deep, smooth and chilling voice caused Tyler to take a couple of steps back, swearing under his breath.
"Y-yeah? Who the fuck are you? You're trespassing buddy, and if you don't get out of here fast, I'm gonna shoot your ass."
"Ha ha...well, you could do that. But it won't do you any good." The imposing figure hopped off the fence, and began walking closer. Tyler swore again and yelled out. "I'm WARNING you, pal! Two more seconds and I blow your chest wide open!"
Deep and racous laughter filled the air. Tyler was breathing hard, as this mysterious being neared he could see long grey-white hair and the wings hanging half open at its sides.
And he could also see a malicious grin full of wicked and sharp teeth. This...thing...wore tattered pants and had huge talons for feet.
What the hell, what the HELL...! Tyler lowered the gun, his whole body trembling in utter panic and fear.
"Ah see that. Firing that weapon really is a stupid idea. Glad you thought better of it." Ramonus now stood directly in front of the terrified farmer and greedily sucked in the scent of his fear. Mmmm. Yes you will do just fine. A nice strong heart of a working farmer...
Tyler tried to move but his legs were failing him, turning into jello. His eyes could only widen in horrified surprise as the unearthly creature surged forward and grabbed him around the neck and hoisted him up into the air. He tried to open his mouth to scream for help but Ramonus began to squeeze hard, choking off his air supply.
"Allow me to tear your chest wide open instead...since you want to be so unwelcoming."
Tyler managed to give a strangled cry this time as he felt an explosion of shattering pain in his chest as ribs cracked from the mighty punch. Ramonus tossed the hapless human down to the ground hard enough for his head to crack against a small rock.
Growling savagely he then used a taloned foot to rake across his chest deep enough for the heart to be exposed. Tyler had gone still, having been knocked unconscious from the head injury. The heradus grinned and he watched the heart beat weakly a while before reaching down to tear it free with a sickening snap of its chordae before biting down on it. He purred in pleasure before swallowing the rest of it whole, then snapped his gaze to the house as he heard the door open.
"Dad? Dad!" The son had heard the noise and was coming to investigate. Perfect.
Ramonus sprinted directly towards the boy, who didn't expect that and immediately turned around back towards the door of the house. When he got there however he had quickly obtained another gun and was now firing rapidly at his attacker.
"Shit! SHIT!" It was all in vain however as Ramonus felt the pain of the bullets tearing through wing tissue and even a shoulder, but it did little to slow his pace. He leapt upon the boy, crashing him into the door and right into the kitchen, where the two came to a stop in the middle of the floor.
With the lights on, the boy could see his attacker now clear as day and he screamed bloody murder. Ramonus opened his head crest and roared, before plunging his head down to grab the neck with his teeth and in one dreadful bite nearly severed the head completely. Blood flowed everywhere, and Ramonus drank a good deal of it before finally disemboweling the young man to get at the choice organs.
Once finished he felt drunk with satisfaction and nearly stumbled out of the house. It was an odd thing how human blood was almost like alcohol, making him feel giddy. Now I know why the vampires love it so much. He chuckled to himself and walked a ways down the path before spreading his mighty wings.
The cattle weren't lowing anymore, as Ramonus had also killed every last one of them for good measure...and ate none of it.
And with utter carnage all over the farm, he left.
/
Goliathus howled and threw his latest macabre creation across the cave floor, shattering it to pieces. The deer art was infuriating him, it wasn't the same, and he knew it. Tired of making sculptures he decided to go back to simple line drawings again. However, when he found himself starting to draw Ami and himself flying over the ocean like they had done during their first long travel together, he stopped, staring at it for several long minutes before snarling and shredding it to pieces with his claws. As the bits of paper fell around him he grabbed his head and sank down onto the makeshift table. Ami.
I have lost her. No, it cannot be. I cannot LET it be! He snarled viciously and stood quickly, eyes darting about the room as he quickly searched for numerous weapons. Shurikens. No...daggers? No. Arrows? Pathetic.
He sighed, knowing full well NONE of this would be very effective against another heradus. But he also knew attacking Dinarius would be pointless and stupid. Surely it wouldn't bring Ami back to him.
It would feel wonderful, in the moment, to hurt his cousin for daring to steal her away. Yes, it would feel fantastic.
But then mother would come leaping like a snarling panther again and tear him apart. Ami would hate him more, mother would hate him, and of course Dinarius would hate him.
He slammed his fists on the table. Lately, he had been so very irritable. He had felt more emotions than he ever cared to feel. And real tears had begun to moisten his eyes.
Shaking his head furiously he paced about the feeding room, every now stopping to gaze at the mummified human corpses. He paced back and forth, each time pausing to stare, then doing it again.
Finally, he realized what the problem was. They looked dull and boring now. He stepped closer and examined one finely preserved young teenager whose name he remembered...Dante.
That bus. That damned bus...
What a bunch of trouble those kids had been. From being impaled through the eye with a javelin to being harpooned by farmer Taggart, then slammed into by a speeding vehicle which had torn off limbs to ultimatley being brought down by Jack who had stabbed him repeatedly...it had been one of the worst hunting nights of his very long life.
And as he stood there staring at the body of Dante he realized how completely... empty it had all been. He had simply gone to hibernation, as time had run out, feeling exquisite pain from being stabbed so many times.
No satisfaction. Just pain. Endless, endless pain. Something he tried to cast onto his victims but in the end all of the pain was his. Neverending loneliness and pain.
Then Ami came, and suddenly he knew something other than loneliness and pain. He knew pleasure once again, he knew some measure of happiness...and he had his first child.
This son...whom he had never given any real attention to. For Solarus, at first, had been nothing more than a way to break the sleeping curse.
So he could do what? Kill even more humans? And to what end?
All he had accomplished was...losing even more. Not too long ago, she had forgiven him for the disgusting horror he had done to her on that hill. All she had done was come to him wanting to talk, and he ended up allowing his malicious lust to rise and he reacted badly. Then later she had forgiven him for even that. They went to the hidden cave some time later, they made love, and everything seemed well again.
But along came Dinarius and a profound jealousy grew. And what did he do? He took it out on Ami. He almost DID kill her, and he knew it. Thankfully his enraged mother had stopped him.
But, as Goliathus hung his head in utter shame...he realized the truth, the ever painful truth. And that hurt him much more than any physical wounds.
He didn't deserve her. Dinarius was right.
/
Alonus tapped her clawed fingers on the arm of her chair near the bed, thinking hard. She had to figure out where else they could go that could be safe and hidden. Lost in her thoughts, she almost didn't register at first Ami gently touching her shoulder. Finally she snapped out of it and looked at her with questioning eyes.
Trisha wants to get back to her life. We can't keep her here with us any longer, Alonus.
The deep sigh which escaped her sounded tired but understanding. I know. But the deal is she has the child, then she can go do as she pleases. No one can find out about her pregnancy.
Alonus... Ami reached up with one hand slowly, scratching the back of her neck a moment. Her eyes were pleading. No...we can't stay here either, so we need to come to some sort of compromise. She thinks that she can keep this hidden until closer to the birth date, then come back to us for the birth. And then after that...I guess after that she'll leave for good.
And...drop her efforts to go after my son? She asked this question with obvious disbelief but Ami nodded.
Yeah, I think she will. I mean...maybe. If we can keep Goliathus in remission...if you will...but honestly she says she still hates him.
I do not blame her. I just want her to do her best to drop it and move on, but I completely understand her feelings.
At that moment, there was a slight knocking sound and both saw Trisha standing in the doorway, holding the deerskin up. She stepped inside.
"Look the Facility was burned down so we can't go there anymore. But what about...Jezelle? She lives kind of in the backwoods of Florida if you will, why not just hide there for a time?"
Alonus was silent a while before answering. "It is possible for a brief time, but there's no staying there for long periods."
Trisha folded her arms. "You find a way to get me back home..."
What about...some of the other cave systems in North Carolina? There are all kinds, I've visited many in the past. There's this place called Tory's Den. Lot of waterfalls around, too. And of course a big forest.
Alonus nodded at the suggestion. That sounds better but we'd have to stay away from the areas where human tourists like to go, yes? It might work though because cave systems have many, many entrances. We could perhaps find a hidden one.
"Excuse me?" Trisha yelled out suddenly. "Are you listening to what I'm saying? You can all go look for another cave to live in but I want to go HOME."
Ami sat in the chair by the bed, holding her knees. Solarus was now asleep on his back with limbs sprawled out and seemed oblivious to this conversation.
"It is just too risky-" Alonus started but Trisha cut her off again.
"You listen to ME, lady. I demand to go home, and I mean it." She stepped closer to Alonus, a fury building in her gaze. "I will NOT go to your new home, but when this baby is ready you come find me and I'll come back for a time. THAT is the deal."
DInarius, who had been leaning against a corner with arms folded, just watched the building tension quiety without saying anything. Alonus rose and gave a defeated nod. "Fine, Miss Jenner. You will have it your way or no way, I belive you are making that clear. We will do as you ask." She turned to Dinarius. Please take her home.
What are you serious? He unfolded his arms and looked at them both dubiously. SO many things could go wrong with this...
"I'm serious. Really I am. Before I go insane, take me home. Please." Trisha answered the question, catching his thought.
Dinarius rose an eyebrow, it must be the baby...already causing her telepathic abilities to improve. "Well OK THEN Trisha my dear, whatever you like." He said sarcastically at her rather commanding tone that he didn't like one bit.
She nodded with what looked like mountains of relief and quickly went about the house gathering a few things.
Where are you going to go?
To my house. I have one you know.
But uhm... He put a hand to the side of his face for a moment and peered at her as if scrutinizing. Won't people ask about where you came from? What happened? Where you were? Stuff like that?
Yeah, they will probably. Don't worry about all of that. Just do as I ask. Trisha had a hand on her hip and gave a rather expectant look. With one more glance at his aunt who just shrugged her shoulders helpessly, Dinarius motioned for the determined woman to go in front of them and they headed outside.
Alonus waited until she heard the inevitable flapping of wings and then turned back to Ami.
This will just make things harder.
I know. She slapped her hands on her knees. Looks like it's the way it's going to be. Like it or not. Seriously though Alonus we have to respect her wishes though. The poor woman has been through just as much as I have, if not worse.
She watched as Alonus went back to the table, going over four or five pages of her written spells. At least I have nearly finished these. Or at least some of them. Oddly enough, I hardly know what some of them mean.
Wait...how can you write those spells but not understand them? Oh and where did Starcrow go?
She gave a wearied sigh. My abilities are limited because I have never eaten a vampire...supposedly as I understand it...as I saw with my nephew...doing so might bring about the dark magic upon me much more strongly. I can only do some limited conjuring of it. As for Starcrow, he is outside most of the time, lurking in the trees. She paused a moment, thoughfully. I remember when I was able to teleport using the bulla. But without it, I have no such power anymore. Not until I find the ultimate prey.
Ami marveled at this wide-eyed, but it also made her a bit scared, to think about vampires or having to encounter one. She truly hoped she never had to.
But then...the next thought in their mind gave her an explosion of new hope.
Alonus, do you think...a vampire or two would...cure Goliathus?
That may be. I wondered the same. Surely once he got a taste of them...it would overpower any other desire, since that's simply our nature. But cure him? Well... she pondered this silently a while, but Ami just waited for her verdict.
Perhaps it would. There is at least a good chance it would improve him by leaps and bounds.
I like those odds. She smiled. I hope it works. As terrified as I am about vampires, I pray we find some.
/
Once Dinarius returned, he quickly related the outcome to his aunt and told her he'd managed to send Trisha home with little incident. When she arrived no one else was around, but assured Dinarius she would indeed keep this baby a secret.
He left her there, but with mountains of doubt.
We can't worry about it now. It is time to go. Dinarius nodded and watched as Alonus went outside and headed for the cave.
What's going on?
She's going to explain things to Goliathus. He still hasn't come out of that cave. Dinarius put her arms around her and Ami leaned into his embrace. She didn't say anything about it but smirked at him. Always the protector. Although how could she not like feeling this secure at times?
In the cave, Alonus was surprised to see little but darkness and one or two small fires burning. She walked in, scrunching her face in disgust at the animal sculptures the farther she went in. There were of course, old human bodies lining the wall as well and she struggled to just ignore them.
Goliathus where the hell are you?
Mother. In here.
She sighed in annoyance and made a sharp right, down a narrow path into yet another chamber. It was his little house of horrors, she saw the wooden tables, the chains, and the various weapons strewn everywhere. Her eyes still adjusting to the stark darkness she finally found him sitting on a pile of clothes and staring at the floor.
We must leave. The old house is no longer safe for Ami or your child...the vampires will come looking. Also...we had to send Trisha home, she demanded it.
You are foolish to listen to her.
It matters not as much as I don't agree with it. I am not here to turn Trisha into a slave or a forced captive...such as Ami was. And listen to me...she WAS. You will NEVER demand anything of her again, treat her as your sex slave, or threaten her. I will shred you to a thousand pieces if you do.
Goliathus looked up slowly and narrowed his eyes...but ultimately he sighed and turned away after his mother merely glared back at him.
You will also come with us, and abandon this home.
He snorted, clearly angry, but Alonus could tell her son was attempting to control his temper. Instead he gave a strong and curt nod, without looking at her.
Good. Gather what you need...but nothing that is of humans or made of humans...and then come back to the small house. We will talk further there.
And with that, Alonus left the cave, saying nothing further.
In the end...even the once notorious Creeper would not dare defy his own mother's wishes.
He stood up, defeated, and began to gather what few belongings he had that were not tainted with human flesh, blood, or bone.
After that he simply walked out, never to step foot in that cave again.
After all it was just a tomb now. A tomb for those preserved bodies that he no longer had any interest in.
/
Author's Note- Things will pick up greatly in the next chapters. Also be forewarned these chapters will be gory, brutal, and probably shocking. I hope I can write it well for my readers.
Thank you for your reviews!