Chapter 3: Trouble on the Beach
As the night turned into day, Anwyn awoke. Fluttering her eyes open, she looked around the room. Feeling rested over the previous night's adventure, she stretched her hands to the sky and slowly began rising out of bed. Walking over to the hanging mirror, she stared at her reflections. "I look like a mess", she giggled to herself while reaching for her brush. Brushing out her long red hair, Anwyn made herself look more presentable. Reaching into the dresser drawer, Anwyn contemplated to herself, "What to wear today. Damn! I hate my options being so limited". Rummaging through, Anwyn pulled out a green leather corset looking top with cap sleeves. She paired it with tan leggings and a pair of brown knee high boots. "Hmm….it's missing something", Anwyn thought to herself as she looked in the mirror. "My necklace"! Anwyn reached in her jewelry box and pulled out her necklace. It was a simple piece of ribbon that fastened in the back. Attached in the front was a small round amulet with a carving on it. Anwyn was never able to figure out what the carving meant. Hell, she didn't have a clue where she got it from. Still, Anwyn always had a strange connection to it though. After placing it around her neck, Anwyn looked in the mirror once more. The corset top, leggings and boots hugged her slender and fit body, almost as if it was painted on her "Ehh….this will do I guess. At least it matches…..well I guess it matches anyway", she chuckled to herself. Making her way towards the front door, Anwyn picked up her bag, grabbed her staff and closed the door. Launching herself off the branch, Anwyn glided down towards the ground. Excited for the day's adventure, Anwyn contemplated on where to go next. Anywhere was a possibility for Anwyn and yet, for some reason her thoughts steered towards Santa Carla. Anwyn didn't normally visit the same place twice, at least not every often. However, the thought of those boys kept drifting back until the only image Anwyn could see was David's face. Deciding to not bother fighting her instincts on this one, Anwyn landed on the ground, opened a portal and stepped through.
As day turned into night, David and the boys began to stir. Just as the sun disappeared over the horizon, their eyes opened simultaneously. Screeching and stretching, one-by-one they leapt from the rafters onto the ground below. Scanning the room David was looking for the unspoken fifth member of their group, a little boy by the name of Laddie. Laddie was the youngest of the group. Only around 8 or 9 years old, Laddie was discovered sleeping on a couch on night. David and the gang decided to let him stay…but with a price. David turned Laddie into a half vampire. Due to his young age, David decided that he was too young to become a full vampire. Laddie normally joined his "brothers' when they went to the board walk, but he never participated in the feed. David felt that Laddie was too young to witness such violence. Instead, he was always dropped off at the boardwalk and was told to stay near the carousel until they returned.
"Let's go feed and then head down to the pier for some fun. And let's see if we can find that girl again", David muttered to himself.
"Laddie let's go!" shouted Marko. The young boy came scurrying around the corner. Lifting off the ground, all five flew out of the cave towards the cliffs, where they had stashed their bikes. Landing next to the hiding spot, the boys mounted their bikes. Laddie jumped up on Dwayne's bike.
"Hold on little brother". With that, the boys kicked their engines to life and rode off towards the pier. Weaving in and out of the crowd, the boys made their way towards the carousel.
"We're going to eat", Dwayne said to Laddie. "You stay right here and we'll be back for you". Laddie did as he was told. Hoping off Dwayne's bike, Laddie made his way through the line and hoped on the carousel. Satisfied that Laddie was in a safe location, the boys drove off. Hours had past and after seeking out their meals, the boys rode back through the crowed towards Laddie's drop off. Searching around and calling out his name, Laddie was nowhere to be found.
"Where did that kid get off too?" snarled David. "He knows better than to run off. Marko! Dwayne! Go together and search for him. Paul you're with me. We'll meet up at the beach later". Marko and Dwayne took off in one direction while David and Paul went in another. After an hour of searching, they came up empty handed. What David and the boys didn't know, Laddie was being watched when he was dropped off earlier. Standing by was Seth and his gang. The bikers and the lost boys didn't exactly get along. When Seth saw Laddie, he knew kidnapping and holding Laddie hostage would be the perfect way start up trouble with the lost boys. After nabbing Laddie, they took him to their bonfire on the beach. They tied him up and placed him near the fire as bait to draw David and the gang out. After meeting up on the beach, both parties empty handed, David heard a child's voice.
"That sounds like Laddie. Let's go"! David led the gang down the beach to a somewhat secluded area. There, next to the fire, David saw Laddie tied up and helpless. Out of the darkness, Seth and his gang formed a line.
"Well, look who decided to join us boys. Something we can help you with?" Seth asked arrogantly.
"Hand him over and we won't rip you apart". David knew that was a lie. The second they got Laddie back they were going to viciously rip Seth and his crew apart.
"You want him..….come get him", Seth said with an evil grin on his face.
…Mean while…..
Anwyn had made her way back to the pier. Tempting to enjoy her night without incident, Anwyn immersed herself in the surroundings. The sound of distant music and laughter filled the air. Although Anwyn did enjoy solitude, she craved company often. Knowing that she could never be a permanent part of their world, at least for the moment, Anwyn could feel like she belonged. Glancing down to see if anyone was watching, Anwyn air bended herself up on top of a nearby tree. Soaking in what the view had to offer, Anwyn closed her eyes to enjoy the cool breeze blowing through her hair. Without warning, the image of David kept flashing through her mind. Shaking her head, Anwyn opened her eyes. "Why in the world am I thinking about that guy", she wondered to herself. Anwyn had to admit, he was quit handsome…for a human. It's not that the others were unattractive but there was something about that blonde that captured her attention. Forcing her mind to think of something else, Anwyn stared at the ocean. Unable to resists its charm, Anwyn decided to go take a walk on the beach. Making her way down the stretch, she overheard commotion in the distance. Anwyn rolled her eyes,
"Oh lord, what now"? As she approached a bonfire, she saw Seth and his gang. "Ugghhh these jackasses again. Didn't they get their asses kick enough last night"? Glancing over in the other direction, Anwyn saw David and his boys. "Hey, it's the cute blonde and his friends". A small smile swept across her face. "What an interesting surprise. Damn...they seem really pissed off. Wonder what their deal is"? It didn't take long for Anwyn to figure out what was going on. Glancing to left of Seth, she saw a little boy tied up next to the bonfire. "Oh shit! That poor kid. Must be with the blonde and his friends. What kind of assholes kidnaps a helpless child"?
Seeing the child in trouble triggered the avatar spirit within Anwyn. With her eyes glowing white, she planted her legs firmly on the ground. Lifting both her arms and pulling them down violently, Anwyn sent a shock wave of earth towards Seth and his gang. Both gangs stopped as they felt the rumble of the earth beneath them. Without warning, Seth and his gang were flung into the air and flew back a few feet from where they were standing. Looks of shock formed on David and his boy's faces. As Seth and his gang got back on their feet, Anwyn made her entrance onto the scene. Slamming her foot behind her, the earth shot Anwyn forward, bringing her a few feet short of where David and the gang were standing. Her eyes had returned to normal before anyone could see.