Chapter 7: The Monster Magnet

Lucille really should've been more on top of things for the trip. Like keeping up with everyone's schedules. Otherwise, she wouldn't be sitting alone at the inn, suitcases thrown about in her room because no one had time to concern over their belongings before their appointments. True, she had thrown her things aside to meet up with an American pianist at a theater across town, but at least she returned in time for their planned dinner.

"How could I trust Raoul with Francoeur?," she huffed. Of course the easily excitable duo would get distracted without her, they're like children! Well, she did consider the giant flea as her responsibility much like a son, but she's taught him better than this. And what of the 'divine' couple? Really, she expected more from those two. They could be anywhere at this time.

Several more hours passed, she took the fall of night as a sign that her friends have forgotten all about her. She exchanged her elegantly extravagant dress for a brown blouse, a jacket with shoulder pads, and dark pencil skirt gifted to her by the American. The innkeeper recommended a small family restaurant a few streets away, guiding her to the streets with the most lights and patrol men wandering around in case she found herself in trouble. The woman also lent her a scarf and hat and she was right in doing so because there was a bitterly cold wind pushing her back the moment she stepped out. Securing the scarf tighter around her face, Lucille headed for the restaurant, intent on enjoying the peace of an undisturbed community.

The peace can only be kept for so long. A few blocks away, something awakens inside a young woman and it looks for a certain curly haired musician. Fates help him if she finds him with his guitar, "That wretched instrument," she spits. Loud thumps and crashing alarm the members of the home who rush to the room only to find furniture thrown about, the window smashed, and the girl gone.

…

"Umm, maybe we should go this way."

"Didn't we pass those buildings already?"

"Oh, uh, maybe, I-I-I'm not entirely sure."

"Emi-lle?"

"Yes dear?"

"I think we should get help."

"Yeah, that sounds good."

"Do you remember the name of the inn?"

"Oh, uhhh um, hmmm, no."

"Neither do I."

"Wait, we could ask for directions to the plaza we passed before the inn and figure out our way from there."

"Oh, Emille, you're always full of good ideas," she beamed and pecked him on the cheek. He blushed brightly as he held her hand and they walked toward one of the patrolling officers.

"Uhm, do you remember the name of the plaza?," The couple was silent until they simultaneously sighed in exasperation. What a long night it would be.

…

The deep notes resonated through his shell into his very core. It was exhilarating and the sound of the grand organ never grew old to him. His plan to explore the old church was quickly abandoned as soon as the clergyman allowed him access to the ancient instrument. There was a small crowd of elders surrounding the building, some listening quietly and others kneeling at the altar in prayer. The arches and sculptures were absolutely magnificent, they're what attracted him to the church in the first place. He saw pictures of it in a traveler's journal, but it is breathtaking in person.

He thought absently to himself about thanking Raoul for charming the church members for this tour and all. But he couldn't help thinking that the man had alternative motives for it. He hasn't yet returned since he sat him at the organ and bid him a quick good bye. Something about meeting someone and car parts. He wasn't entirely focused on conversation at the time. It wasn't until one of the church goers invited him to dinner that he began to worry. How much time had passed? Shouldn't they be meeting up with their friends by now? He tried the best he could to politely decline and quickly escaped the building, fumbling here and there in his haste, thoroughly embarrassing himself. Well, he couldn't visit there again. Now to find that fluffy haired man.

Half an hour later, Francoeur really shouldn't have been surprised when he was greeted with the blaring sound of a car horn, truck horn actually, and the waving hand of his friend from the drivers seat. What a long drive it will be.

With Raoul driving, actually not.

…

"Thank you. It was a lovely meal, have a nice night," Lucille waved good bye to the waiter. Before the door closed he called out to her.

"Bye! You be careful out there!" The door slammed behind her from the piercing wind. She walked under the lamplights, nodding to any policemen that she passed. The Inn was nearly in view when she heard men shouting and turned to see the patrolling men run around the corner and down a dimly lit street. The singer followed carefully behind, peering behind the corner of a building, fearing she might know the culprit of the mess. But it couldn't be.

There was more stomping, whistle blowing, then screams accompanied by men being thrown into the air. They came crashing down far away from the now pitch black street. At some point, the lights were ripped from the sides of buildings and the ground. On reflex, Lucille ducked away from one of the light posts thrown her way. She had to step away from the building and found herself out in the middle of the street, no place to run from the tall figure peering at her from the shadows.

It had her friend's height, but its eyes were a menacing dark red, bordering on black. Somehow, the dark color seemed to glow, it was hypnotizing. She stumbled backwards, tripping on her own feet in fear, landing on the cold stone. It hunched down, looming over her but keeping a great distance between them. There was a sickening slap of its mouth opening and closing rapidly, saliva dripping from what looked like fangs. A small whimper escaped from the woman shivering on the ground and in an instant the figure was back down the dark street.

It continued to stare at her, but its eyes lost their ominous glow. After a minute, it blinked and its dark eyes lightened into gold irises with red pupils. It looked more curious than frightening, so she stood up. She noticed how thin its frame was. It seemed so much bigger before. The creature turned its head and looked past her before it spreads its arms out and crawled up to the roof of a store. Lucille tried to keep it in sight, but it jumped from rooftops too fast for her to follow. She turned to see more men running from behind her. Her heart beat loudly in her ears and she became hyper aware of what transpired. In a panic, she hid in the shadows and waited for the men to pass her before she sprinted to the inn. Her hair was disheveled and she was gasping for breathe when she made it inside.

The woman at the desk frantically looked her over and asked her questions a mile a minute, but Lucille couldn't hear her. It was like she was underwater, all sounds were clouded and distant. There were more voices now, but she was still lost in shock. Like a ghost separated from time, she slowly walked to her room, disconnected from the people desperately trying to grab her attention. It took a chirp that sounded too close to a shriek to wake her. Francoeur was at her side, eyes blown wide in concern. He looked so scared. She let herself be enveloped in his arms, she whispered reassuringly to him that she was unharmed.

"I'm okay, Francoeur. I'm okay. I'm o-kay," her voice became wobbled and strained. Tears quietly slid down her cheeks as she took in the worried faces of her friends. Maud gently pried Lucille away and lead her to their room for much needed rest. Lucille promised to explain what happened in the morning. The friends slept uneasily with heavy hearts.

Out on the streets, the creature dragged itself into a closed shop, clutching onto a black jacket. There were men outside calling out orders in search of it, but they never think to peer inside the faded window of the closed workshop. Long, spiked arms retract and shrink into useless stumps as the creature disappeared, leaving behind a woman in a tattered dress. She slipped into the jacket for warmth. There was a large amount of bills and coins in the pockets, so she removed and left them on the table at the front. Her body shook violently on the grown until she blacked out into a dreamless sleep.