Chapter Three

Tap, tap, tap. Adriane's eyes flew open. Tap, tap, tap. There it was again. She rolled over. Zach was fast asleep. Drake was on the other side of the room, and Dreamer was at her bedside. "What is it?" she asked him.

Dreamer stared into her brown eyes and sent her an image. It was Emily. Her red hair was wet and matted to her face. She was tapping on the mansion window, by the front door. Ozzie was wrapped around her neck, his ferret body drenched by the rain.

"Zach, wake up." Adriane said, shaking him. He was lying there in his boxers, his broad, hard chest exposed.

"What is it?" Zach asked, sleepily.

"Emily and Ozzie are at the front door. I think something is wrong." Adriane said. Zach's eyes popped open. They slipped on their bathrobes and headed to the door.

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"What's wrong?" Zach asked when they got them inside.

"It was horrible." Ozzie said, shaking himself.

"I don't know." You could tell by the way she was talking, that she was terrified. "I think something was in my room at home. The animals started going crazy and my mom still isn't back from her vet conference. I didn't know what else to do." Emily said, shivering.

"You did the right thing." Adriane said, leading her over to the fire. "Let me call Kara and tell her to get her butt over here."

Adriane headed to the bedroom to get her cell. Emily pulled the covers close to her body. Zach handed her a cup of tea. "Sorry. This is all we have." He said. He handed Ozzie some food.

"Don't worry. This will work fine." Emily replied, her teeth chattering.

Adriane returned a few minutes later. "Kara said to give her a few minutes and she will be over." she said, sitting next to Zach.

"I think we'd better get Lorren and Marlin here." Zach said, rising.

"Hurry back." Adriane said. Zach saddled Drake and was on his way to Aldenmore.

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When he did finally return, he had Lorren and Marlin with him. When Marlin laid his eyes on Emily, he rushed over and put his arms around her, protectivly. He kissed her forehead.

"Where's Kara?" Lorren asked, looking around.

"I called her. She's on her way." Adriane replied.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

To pass the time, Emily told them exactly what happened. Suddenly, the door flew open. Wind started to blow in. the door closed and Kara walked in.

"Man, this is some bad weather." she said. She took a seat next to the fire beside Emily. "So, you want to tell me what happened?

Emily took another sip of her tea and re-told the incident. "Ozzie and I went around and fed the animals about nine. I locked all of the doors and windows. Mom went to Harrisburg for a vet conference and wouldn't be back until late. I went upstairs, ran my bath water and then brought my stereo into the bathroom, and finally got in. When I was done with that, I went to bed."

She took another sip, paused, and then continued. "I awoke about ten minutes ago. The animals were downstairs raising up a ruckus. I got up and went to check on my mom. She still wasn't home. So I headed to see what had the animals all in an uproar. It was dark and the light wouldn't come on. I tried to move around in the dark, but there was something in there besides me and the animals, and it wasn't my mom. I got scared and ran here." she finished.

"The journey here was a trouble in itself." Ozzie said. "It felt like what ever it was, was following us."

"Well, you are more then welcome to stay here for the night. Call your mom and let her know where you are so she doesn't get worried." Zach said.

"But what if whatever that was, hurts the animals or my mom?" Emily said.

"Hold on a sec." Adriane said. She headed into the library and hopped on the computer. "I'm going to see if the vet conference is still in session. If it is, I'm going to let a message to just get a hotel room. As for the animals, I'll send Drake and Dreamer over there."

"Lorren and I will head over there and check it out." Marlin said.

"Yeah. I'll see if Ariel and Lyra will go along and help. Lyra can fly back here if there is any news." Kara said.

After calling and leaving a message with her parents, Kara sent Lyra and Ariel over with Drake and Dreamer.

Zach made up four beds for Kara, Emily, Lorren, and Marlin. They left a window open upstairs so Ariel could get in if there was any news.

- - - - - - - - - -

Adriane looked at the clock. It was beginning to strike one. Just then, the door to the mansion flew open. Lorren and Marlin made their way in, scratched and bloody.

"What happened?" Emily asked, rushing over to help Marlin sit down.

"What ever was there, didn't leave." Marlin explained.

"The animals are okay, and nothing else was harmed." Lorren said, taking a seat beside Kara.

"We got attacked from behind. When we turned around, it was like it was invisible." Marlin continued.

"We didn't see what it was, and therefore couldn't protect ourselves." Lorren stated.

"We did the only thing we knew and ran back here. Drake, Dreamer, Lyra, and Ariel are going to stay there. If anything happens, they'll let us know." Marlin finished.

"The only thing we can do tonight, is wait." Adriane said.

"She's right." Zach agreed. "Why don't you two follow me upstairs. I'm get you some clean clothes to change into. I'll clean your wounds and you guys can just stay here tonight."

- - - - - - - -

"Here are you're bandages you needed." Adriane said, handing Zach a bundle of cloth bandages.

"Thanks. You mght as well go to bed. I'll be there in a few minutes." Zach replied giving her a kiss.

He opened the door. Before he closed it, Adriane accidently got a glimps of Lorren's bare butt. Geez, Goblin butts are not that different from ours. She thought.

I heard that. Kara thought back.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Later on that night, everyone was sleeping peacefully. Adriane was fast asleep on Zach's broad chest. Even though there were four beds, only two were being used. Lorren had his arms wrapped around Kara, both in a deep sleep. Marlin and Emily were entangled in each other, sleeping peacefully. Ozzie was curled up in Dreamer's bed. Everyone was sleeping peacefuly.