Sorry for the lack of scheduling this past few weeks what with Christmas. I'm away first week in Jan but will try and squeeze in another chapter or two. Monsters should be back to normal after that though. Thanks for reading and have a happy 2019!
"Keep the candle up Maud." Mildred hissed as they tip toed down the stairs.
Saturday night had seemed a good idea at seven pm. Not so much now at almost four am. There had been a flaw in her plan in meeting after dark. In that it was dark. They'd picked a time that (while clearly still too late for any Day walker to see by), it would hopefully be to close to the dawn and for comfort for the night schoolers. But not so late they'd be getting ready for bed themselves and risk of bumping into the first years in the dorms. The first year's luck seemed to be holding for now. There weren't as many girls or ghouls around. Not where they roamed any way, ducking into doorways checking the coast was clear before sneaking onwards. But Mildred was terrified something like HB or the Professor might grab them from a shadow, or a third year might swoop down from the ceiling.
"I'm trying!" Maud replied. "Jadu mind, you'll trip someone."
"Sorry. It's really spooky down here." Jadu whispered, her large catlike form hunkering down by their knees and her tail upright poised in defence. She was supposed to be going up ahead, but that had been forgotten when they'd passed a rattling door and she'd practically jumped on Mildred's back!
"And not in a good way." She added in a mumble.
"I was trying not to think about that- OOF! Millie!"
"Sorry Ruby!"
"Anyway I thought you two could see in the dark." Ruby pointed out.
Maud and Jadu scowled back at her, their eyes glowing with Tapeta Lucidum. It looked even weirder through Maud's round glasses.
"Only in black and white."
"And not holding a candle." Maud hissed. "Ow watch it."
"You watch it." Ruby complained. She was quieter without her large boots and music. But not much.
"Shh!"
"Mildred bumped into me!"
"You stood back on my foot!"
"SHH!"
They froze at footsteps coming towards them. Ruby quickly blew out the candle. A 'lump' waddled along the end of the corridor. Mildred made out a four form sash and worse a prefect's badge by the moonlight. But whatever the older girl was, she payed them no heed and carried on her way. The quad breathed a sigh of relief as the footsteps receded. They set off again Jadu relighting the candle.
"I'm not sure about this Millie…" Maud whispered for what must have been the tenth time that night.
"Neither am I." Mildred whispered back. Finally Getting a ride on the Mark three was one thing. Getting caught out of bed was another. " but you don't have to get into this either. You heard what Miss Cackle said. 'Practice.' And I need all the help I can get. You three go back, if you want to!"
"No chance." Ruby grinned. "This machine will get you used to flying without even going up in the air! And I want to see how it works."
"Me too!" Jadu added. "you're not getting all the fun Mil."
"We came this far with you, we're staying. But we're not even supposed to know about it though." Maud fretted. "and Miss Cackle didn't think it safe. They still might scrap it!"
"I have to get a try at it then." Mildred said, determined in that fact. "Before the Mark three and I both end up in the bins."