Chapter 5
~In Pitches Lair~
Scarlet lay on the king-sized bed as long as her nerves would allow before standing to pace the floor near the fire place.
How do I lure him out when I can't even see him?
Scarlet was annoyed. For this to work she needed to act fast before the Boogieman was alerted to the Guardians presence outside his domain.
Hallow said that Pitch can sense my emotions and I know he can feel me through the dress...
Scarlet's mind remembered how the nightmares were attracted to the garment.
Maybe it liked the dress because the dress is the equivalent of Pitch's hands. So, when it rubbed against my legs it was like Pitch was petting it.
This gave Scarlet an Idea. She almost laughed as she started to remove the dress. It was difficult. The fabric had no zipper and fit so firmly against her skin that she feared it would not slide down her hips. She finally got frustrated and started inching it up her body.
The blasted shadow fabric is too tight.
Scarlet sucked in her stomach the best she could as she wriggled and yanked at the infuriating garment. After a moment of struggling, she felt the tight dress finally detach itself from her body. A victorious noise bubbled in her throat, but it was short-lived as she stumbled over the fabric to hit the cold floor.
Smooth.
She pulled herself up to stand naked in the cold room. She hardly cared if Pitch saw her. He had already seen too much. She promptly dropped the dress in the fireplace which fizzed and popped as if she had thrown water on it. The shadows burned briefly before disintegrating entirely. Scarlet wasted o time as she rushed back to the king-sized bed. She threw the covers over her body and anxiously awaited her captor.
~Pitch~
Pitch was pacing in the main room as his mares wheezed and snorted at him in alarming numbers. They all conveyed the same question.
When will we be unleashed?
Pitch gritted his teeth in irritation as he once again addressed his restless nightmares.
"The woman is the key to our success. We need only allow fear to consume her and we will have enough power to unleash fear on the world. Another mare snorted at Pitch. Pitch regarded the mare before chuckling deeply.
"I am aware that her fear is not like a Childs. Hers will be a fear that follows her all her life. Fear of me but also what I could invoke within her. There are different types of fear my nightmares. Some can be addictive and thrilling. Why do you think so many humans like horror movies?"
The mares seemed to agree. Pitch felt relieved to have gained their trust again. They had tormented him for so long before his hatred of the Guardian's allowed him to fight the fear and break free of the nightmares. He re-tamed them, but they were still restless. Pitch noticed a disturbance in his shadows. The mares seemed to notice as well. A ripple of terror came from nearby. Quickly disappearing like vapor. Pitch waited a moment to see if it would happen again but when it did not, he continued his speech.
"The Guardians will try to confront us but you, my beautiful nightmares shall consume them. Them and all their believers!"
The mares wheezed and grunted padding their feet on the floor like applause. Pitch was distracted again as he felt immense anger from where Scarlet was in the lair. He wanted to investigate but it yet again disappeared.
"Frustrated with her situation perhaps."
Pitch mused turning back to his mares. They all snorted their agreements and wheezed ideas and questions for their leader to answer. They were but mindless nightmares with power but no sense of direction. They need a ruler to guide them to success. They were designed to terrorize and consume beautiful dreams. Pitch felt another disturbance in his shadows. A mare near his feet stamped his feet impatiently. Pitch growled momentarily distracted from the ripples of anger radiating off the walls of his lair.
"Yes, I know I'm distracted," Pitch stated looking at the creature in annoyance. "I assure you, dusk is approaching, and the world will fall into glorious darkness. Be patient my beauties. Be patient."
Pitch walked away from the crowd of mares grinning at his own brilliance.
It's almost time. Such a gift has been laid in my lap. A strong, beautiful gift.
A leering smirk spread over his sharp features. His thoughts were pulled back to a memory of one lovely lady. Water glistening on ivory skin. Soap-suds gathered to hide secret places on he could see. The woman was so consumed in her bathing she didn't even notice him watching.
She didn't believe the small shadows could allow me passage into the room. How very naive. I alone control the darkness and can form them into any size I choose.
Pitch laughed openly at the thought ready to move forward with phase two of his plan. Scarlet was not ready. She needed more time to allow the shadows to play with her mind.
Soon she will be begging for me to come for her. To banish the nightmares and wrap her into a blanket of darkness. She will be like putty in my hands.
Pitch laughed again but was cut off as he felt his connection to the girl slip. He could feel her presence, but it was far away. Tentatively he reached out for her but no longer could feel her warm flesh beneath his shadows.
The girl removed the dress. I should have made it less flexible. I underestimated her.
Pitch had already decided to go check on Scarlet when a horrible pain like burning fire erupted through his hands.
"Scarlet!" He roared as the shadows swallowed him.
~Pitch's bedchambers~
Scarlet anticipated the boogieman's arrival. She was sure it would not take long. What she didn't expect was for the fireplace to erupt in black flames or for the room to grow dark.
"Scarlet."
It whispered through the shadows. Beckoning her to follow it into the abyss.
"You made a grave mistake Scarlet."
Scarlet gulped as the haunting voice of Pitch Black bounced off the walls in a multitude of whispers. Scarlet felt cold and clammy in the thickness of the darkness. She felt as if she was breathing it in with every erratic breath.
"P-pitch" She stated so low she barely heard herself say his name.
Fear was echoing in the room like a siren. She could feel it rippling through her body.
"P-pitch where-"
"Shhhh." The voice of Pitch soothed. "You disappointed me, Scarlet. You bit the hand that fed and clothed you."
Scarlet felt the cold banished as the room irrupted in flame. Like an inferno, it spread through the room to consume every surface to incircle the bed. Effectively trapping Scarlet where she sat. The covers caught flame forcing her to toss them away.
"No. Pitch. Don't!"
"You burned the dress, Scarlet. I felt its sting. Now you have to be punished."
Pitch's voice was far away. Behind the flames Scarlet caught glimpses of his golden eyes peering from the shadows cast by the black flames.
The flames flickered and licked at the bed as they grew. Inch by inch they clawed at the mattress sides. A carnivorous animal threatening to devour her along with the furniture. She was stranded.
"Pitch." Her voice broke as the flames grew hotter.
Scarlet felt their sting as the heat assaulted her skin.
"Pitch Black, please! I only meant to anger you. I didn't think it would actually hurt you!"
The bed caught flame. Scarlet didn't have time to think of a better plan. She quickly grasped the little pumpkin in her hand and squeezed it as hard as she could. The inferno exploded as the Pumpkin King emerged from the blaze. He quickly took the girl in his arms as the flames backed down. Their true master had appeared at last.
"Pitch." Hallow greeted, "Getting a little ruff with the girl, aren't we?"
The flames backed off to a low green flame as Pitch stepped into view.
"I was merely teaching my believer a valuable lesson. She burnt my shadows, so she needed to be disciplined."
Hallow grinned glaring at the boogieman.
"I must have sparked that idea when I visited earlier."
Pitch's glare deepened. The low flame casting his face in shadows. The expression he wore invoked a shiver to vibrate through Scarlet's core.
Hallow chuckled, "Oh I see she forgot to mention that information while you were tormenting her?"
Hallow held Scarlet's naked form closer as he took her chin between his fingers bringing their lips closer together.
"It was a very pleasurable visit." He finished never taking his eyes off Pitch.
Pitch roared in anger sending his shadows after Hallow. Flame met darkness in an epic fight to the death. Fire threatening to consume the shadows and the shadows trying to snuff out the flames.
"Hand over my believer Hallow! She belongs to me!"
Hallow held tight to Scarlet as he used his free hand to command the flames. The shadows grew like a tidal wave pushing against the flames. Hallow grit his teeth trying to keep the barrier of flames from falling. The howls of his Jack-O-Lanterns alerted Hallow to the terrified woman clinging to his black wife-beater in terror.
"Calm yourself, Scarlet. You'll only encourage the boogie bastard."
Scarlet's eyes widened, "He said I smelt like an aphrodisiac when I was afraid." She barely breathed.
Hallow caught what she said none the less, "To him it probably does. The man thrives on negative emotions. So, stay calm and believe in me. I will protect you."
Scarlet watched the creepy man holding her tightly continue to fight off the darkness. She could hear Pitch yell in frustration at the ever-reliable barrier.
He is doing his best, but he isn't strong enough….he needs help….
Scarlet could tell that the dark man was giving it his all. How could she help him though? His orange met her hazel. A small smile graced his thin lips as his features softened on her.
"Just believe in me, Scarlet."
The woman did believe in him. Her arms wrapped around his waist to hold him tight to her own shaking form. Her face buried into his neck where it met his shoulder. Fully blocking her view of everything else in the room. She inhaled his unique scent. Like damp earth and rain. A feeling of calm washed away the fear. She sighed in content. Feeling safe in the stranger's embrace. Cool breath tickled his skin as she whispered four words for his ears only.
"I believe in you."
Hallow's eyes widened as he felt her belief fuel his powers. It was like drinking five energy drinks and popping ten Viagra. The flames roared into a size unmeasurable in the small room. Pitch roared in anger as he was forced back to a corner near the fireplace.
"She's my believer now Pitch and soon she will believe in us all. You lose." Hallow called over the roaring of the fire.
Pitch was unamused.
"Scarlet my lovely. It hurts that you would abandon the cool embrace of darkness for the burning inferno of flames, but I assure you, this will only end with you being burned alive. When that happens, you will be mine." With that Pitch disappeared.
The King of Al'hallows allowed the flames to die down but maintain enough light to illuminate the room entirely. He patted the woman's head when she didn't immediately remove herself from his body.
"Miss Scarlet. It's safe now. Please."
Scarlet glanced around visibly relaxing as she realized the danger was gone. Hallow laughed unclasping her hands from around his waist.
"If you don't mind. I haven't had a naked woman this close to me in centuries."
Scarlet blushed five shades of red. Covering her bosom the best she could. Hallow laughed again as he removed his jacket to drape it around Scarlet's shoulders. He stroked the side of her cheek briefly as if to comfort her.
"Believe me I do not mind having a sexy woman pressing herself against me, but with that little energy boost you gave me earlier, I am not sure I trust myself not to do something naughty. Then Santa Clause won't be too happy with me."
Scarlet seemed to remember herself with this statement, "Oh! The others. Didn't you say they were coming too?"
Hallow nodded putting a little distance between himself and the mortal lady.
"They were holding off the nightmares while I took care of Pitch. Separating the master from his pests gave the Guardians an upper hand.
"But Pitch is gone now. Won't he attack the Guardians?"
Scarlet looked as if she was on the verge of panic.
"Careful Scarlet. Don't call the boogieman back."
Scarlet forced herself to calm down again.
"The Guardians are fine. They have fought Pitch more than anyone. I doubt they need help."
Scarlet seemed to digest his answer while they stood atop the half-burned bed. Eventually, her mind shifted to something Hallow had said previously.
"Sooo the Easter Bunny?"
Hallow raised an eyebrow in question.
Scarlet laughed, "He likes kickboxing?"
Hallow laughed merrily along with her. "Yes. Though I have never seen it myself I must say I am intrigued. If only I have had the pleasure of seeing you take on Pitch Black myself."
Scarlet blushed again, "No it wasn't very pleasant. In the ring, I have an advantage. I am not as strong as Pitch. I am sorry to say that I couldn't actually win in a fight against him. You and he are on a whole different level."
Hallow grasped his own chin with his left hand holding his right across his chest, "Really, perhaps when this is over, we can go back to my place. I would love to test your strength in a friendly wrestling match."
Scarlet laughed despite herself. "Who would have thought the Pumpkin King was such a pervert. Do you like the idea of a dominating woman?"
The Pumpkin King would have taken offense to the first part of her sentence if not for the playful tone of the second part. The Pumpkin King walked around the woman sizing her up.
"Maybe I just like to be entertained." He shot back.
Scarlet grew silent as the flames reflected in his eyes. The effect was almost as frightening as Pitch's golden. To her surprise. What she felt wasn't fear as the man circled her like a vulture. It was exciting. She equated the feeling to walking through a Haunted house on Halloween. The thrill of being frightened by the unknown. It was almost pleasurable.
His voice dropped an octave as he came to stand near her left shoulder. Those haunting eyes narrowing on her reddening cheeks.
"What's wrong, Scarlet? Have you lost your words?"
Scarlet broke whatever spell he had cast by looking away, "I think the heat is getting to me."
She recovered quickly as the ache in her lower stomach came back. It wasn't as intense, but Scarlet had to fight back a blush at what was transpiring.
The Pumpkin King's sigh held such longing that Scarlet almost wavered under her resolve.
"Perhaps this is a discussion for a later date."
Strong arms lifted her from the ground bridal style.
"Shall we, my enchantress?"
Scarlet didn't have time to answer as she and the Pumpkin King were surrounded in a vortex of flame and colorful images Scarlet couldn't fully see. Halloween masks, candy, laughter, screams, and seasonal decorations flashed before her eyes. She found herself drawn to the glowing orbs of Hallow as he watched her with an unreadable expression.
"You like Halloween?"
He asked as he watched her expression of awe. Her excitement seemed to grow as one image blurred into another amongst the flames. Scarlet beamed at the question.
"Yes. It's my favorite holiday!"
Hallow grinned at her words feeling her belief boost his power.
"Just wait. You have yet to be mesmerized, my dear."
In the flames and the colors, Scarlet and Hallow vanished leaving behind the pitch blackness in the room. Golden eyes looked on with anger brewing inside the illuminated orbs.
"Hallow. May the darkness be your grave."
~fin!
Okay I know I know. This is totally rushed. I am having problems slowing down the scenes. Give me time to work it out.
~Sissery Pergrim
