Hello again my lovelies! Here is the second chapter, the first if you don't feel like counting the Prologue. I'm having good fun writing this-it's amazing how relaxing it can be when you don't worry about scrutinizing anything.
::update:: Cover illustration changed to something a bit simpler. It's rather pitiful looking, honestly. But oh well.
Hope you enjoy this nice fun read!
It begins one month before the present time, with Mairin recalling her first little adventure.
One Month Ago
Many consider the night to be a peaceful time, quiet and serene. Clearly, they did not venture out in the dark all too often.
It is altogether boisterous, nearly deafening with its many and varied sounds and disturbances. And that is fascinating about the night—it's variability. In one area you have the lulling chirps of crickets and other small insects, occasional pierced by the cry of a larger animal. Sometimes a raccoon having a run in with a larger cat, often the hooting of an owl or even the steady sounds of a bat flying by.
In another area you have the far louder sounds of humanity; the rumbling of cars down lonely streets, the crash of garbage being thrown out from the long day in business, and the garbled, slurred voices of those who stayed out too late with too much fun.
Perhaps these areas each seem peaceful to you compared to the hustle and bustle of the everyday? You would be a fool to think so. The blanket of darkness merely provides a subtle cover, a dampener if you will, for the mishaps and ill deeds performed in the night.
I shifted my arm around the chimney, taking care to avoid loose nails. I had scratched myself on one the other night, thankfully I had been up to date on tetanus shots. How would I have explained that misfortune? 'Oh hi, I was just hanging out on rooftops and accidentally got caught on a rusty nail. What was I doing on rooftops? Oh nothing really, just stalking some creepers in the alleyway next door."
That would be the truth though, honestly.
Sitting on rooftops was not the most comfortable of activities, the shingles dug into my bare feet and what was occasionally a pleasantly cool breeze could swiftly become a freezing gale.
Technically I could maneuver the current around where I sat, but I'm a lazy soul. And it's a waste of useful energy, energy which could save my life—or that of another—later on that night.
But I digress.
The night is indeed a dangerous place, all in all. I learned that on my first Outing, but a few weeks ago. That's what I call them now, "Outings." What began as an accidental encounter became, well, it became something of a crusade, I guess.
After leaving my roommate and her boy-toy to their 'fun' that night, I had myself a nice and peaceful dinner and the local pizza joint. Nice and peaceful. That's how it began, but not quite how it ended.
In a moment of emotional terror at what was going on with me—the whole magic thing was still new then—I decided some ice cream was a well-deserved treat. Sure it broke diet, but I asked myself whether I what I would regret more: not eating the ice cream, or eating the ice cream? Definitely not eating it. Thankfully, it did calm me down in the end.
By that point night had settled in quite completely, and the restaurants and stores were closing their doors to customers. Nonetheless I was in no hurry to return to Claire and all her insanity, and strolled around for a while.
The town was essentially built around the campus in the hundred-something years following its founding, leaving for easy accessibility to anywhere anyone wanted to go by foot. It was well lit, if you knew not to stray into the dark alleys and corners farther from the tuition-funded safety systems. And it did feel well and truly safe right then.
But as I am sure I've mentioned, I can be a bit lazy. It was past the time I'd planned on being back in my room, and my feet were aching something awful—flip flips may be easy to slip on, but were horrendous to actually wear. So I took the short cut. Right through the dark and creepy alley.
And suddenly some guy in a mask jumped out at me! Okay no, that didn't happen. I certainly imagined it happening in my mind though, that and a hundred other different scenarios. Yet I walked on with self-assurance—I was well on my way to earning a black belt in Taekwondo and had all the false confidence of someone who had never been in a life or death situation.
I also had this handy new ability which, surely, would keep me safe? I conveniently forgot the fact that the most experience I had with it was tossing around a pile of pens and a spontaneous mini-hurricane. Neither would be of too much use unless I could control them.
But did I think of that then? Nope. Did I think of that when I turned a corner and saw a young woman hunkered against a wall as she was kicked and beaten by a group of thugs? Definitely not.
I thought one thing and one thing only when I turned that corner. "Will I regret this?"
The answer, yet again, was a solid "nope."
There were three of them there. Three against one; chances were definitely not in my favor. I would have to figure something out before they noticed me standing there.
"H….hey!" Even I could hear the adrenaline induced waver in my voice. Way to make a badass first impression, Mairin.
The largest of the three men slowly straightened and glanced towards me, one eye on the moaning girl below him, the other on myself, standing still in the shadows.
"Keep on walking, girlie. Nothing to see here." He kept his voice low, but it carried well enough across the darkened walkway. The other two men ceased their attack, all waiting for my reply. I suppose the easy answer would have been to do as he said, and just keep walking, but in the darkness the weak whimpering pulled at my heartstrings.
What was it my grandmother used to say?
"Grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." My lips silently moved to the words. Maybe I didn't need to pray for serenity at that moment, but the wisdom to know the difference and the subsequent courage? Oh yeah, that could use a prayer or two.
The larger man, who now appeared to be the leader, said grumbled something else as he took a step towards me. Maybe I heard him, maybe I didn't. I certainly don't remember, all I could hear was the blood pounding through my ears, punctuated by the echoing of my grandmother's favorite prayer in my mind.
Courage. Courage. Courage.
He took another step forward, the other two just behind him.
If I was going to act I had to act now.
Another step, more hurried this time.
Breathe. Take stock of the situation.
The leader said something else.
Three men, no visible weapons. Assume they have something. Close, six feet away. Nearly in kicking range.
The injured girl, still huddled against the wall. Not sure if conscious or not. Unmoving. Not going to help.
Myself. No weapons, but a cell phone. Not one of those crazy smart phones either, with 9-1-1 pre-programed into the middle key. Easy access in pocket, even easier to hit the emergency dial. Go for that ASAP.
No one else nearby. No sounds of cars, no residences nearby. Only stores closed for the night. No help from passerby.
The men charged.
No more time to plan. Lead them away from her and get help.
Courage.
Up next: Mairin dives headfirst into a situation she might not survive, at least not unscathed.
+darestodream+
