Chapter 12 - Dark Alleys

The station at La Crosse was deserted. If anyone actually worked here they were doing a great job of hiding it, and there we no other travellers to be seen. The old paraffin lamps burned low and cast deep shadows in every corner. This was not going to be fun.

We left at a slight jog, which I felt was something of an error, but only time would tell. We had discussed our route from the train between stations and there was simply no getting around how very isolated we were going to be. In fact I remembered this part of our original journey well. It had scared me, a lot. And that was before I knew I was being stalked by a couple of insane vampires. My blood ran cold as we moved along through the dark street. And reached an intersection. As if my nerves weren't already on edge enough I almost jumped out of my skin when the traffic bell dinged. This was not going to be easy.

We took a right at the intersection and I could see the dim lights of the other station away in the distance. A distance which seemed insurmountable. Then Jacob stopped cold and raised his right hand bringing me to a halt. I scanned the darkness but my eyes could not see a thing. Then, about sixty feet up the road two dark figures strode into view, and stopped in the centre of the muddy road. Oh dear. The distance beyond them to the relative sanctuary of the station was maybe another hundred yards but it may have well been on the moon. I started to look around for somewhere to hide and then I noticed that Jacob was shaking. Then he leaped into the air and exploded into a massive hulking reddish brown wolf. He barred his teeth at our would be assailants and a low growl rumbled in his throat. They stood perfectly still. All I could see of them was their outlines, two figures larger than life. One tall and wide with the extended height of his hat and the slim form of his cane. The other shorter but still tall enough. Top half bundled, presumably in the same fur, bottom half all legs and heels. Could I out run her in those? I didn't know.

They hesitated. Taking in the scene as the situation had just changed, Jacob becoming a huge terrifying beast. However, I still felt we were massively out matched. Then a voice spoke from behind us.

"Not today." He said, deep and powerful. The two vampires slunk back into the darkness and the new figure joined us in the street. He said nothing but walk by me and lead us along our path until we reached the station. He was dressed in a long brown coat and a long eared hat. His demeanour suggested a wealthy upbringing but his clothing suggested a man of labour. He took his hat off once we were inside to reveal dark black hair. His eyes were wide and dark, but filled with a passionate fire. He extended his hand to me. "Quincey Harker." He said in his deep British accent.

"Uh, Bella Swan." I said, almost as a question as I shook his hand. I looked around to see a slightly more naked Jacob than I was used to seeing. He blushed and vanished around a corner with his case, returning a few seconds later in a shirt and slacks.

"Thanks man. Jacob Black." He said has he grabbed Quincey's hand and gave it a shake. "I thought we were done out there."

"It was very foolhardy of you to place yourselves at their mercy like that." He sounded angry, like a parent after finding a child they thought had vanished. "You need to take better care of yourselves."

"So what's your story, Quincey Harker?" I asked, curious now and feeling safe in the station with two men.

"I have been tracking these two for quite some time, and have had many battles with them. I killed their colleague, they killed my partner. After five years we still seem fairly even, but I develop more of an edge with each passing day that I learn something new. They suddenly came over here to America and I knew I must follow. I have heard tales of their exploits abroad and I knew they would be ready to kill, but I shall be honest, I have no idea why."

"Oh I got that." I said. "We time travelled. They don't like that."

"Crikey." He murmured. "Then everything Mr Fry told me was true? Time travel is real and not just a concept? Well I never." He laughed and slapped his knee with his hat.

"So how come they won't fight you?" Asked Jacob, suspicious.

"Two reasons for that, chap. First, they know me. We have fought several times, and through the use of various mystic arts and potions I can move as fast, and with as much power as them. For limited times of course. And secondly I don't suppose they fancied taking me on with a bloody great hairy wolf at my side, eh?" He chuckled to himself.

"How come she didn't freeze any of us?" I asked, trying to make sense of all this.

"Brewers? Well she needs eye contact you know? Her power is extraordinary and dangerous but she can be outsmarted. Keep out of her line of sight and if you think she may flash those giant peepers at you, slam yours shut as soon as you can. Once she gets you I'm afraid there isn't much you can do. It's like trying to swim through treacle with a beautiful mermaid telling you to give up and sink." Now he gently folded his hat and sat with his hands in his lap.

"What about the guy? Howe. Does he have any powers?" I asked.

"Ah well you see that is open to debate with me and my friends, you see we have seen no hard evidence if it but there are whispers that he sees things, an old friend of mine claims he can see the timeline, and that is how he chooses his victims. Codswollop I thought, but now you mention time travel, well, that explains a lot." He turned and looked at us. "So I suppose you had better tell me your story."

He sat back and listened as I launched into our tale.