Chapter Nine!! To God Be The Glory
Chapter Nine: Threats
After a few minuets, Luke clattered down from the attic. Dan watched him sullenly as he sauntered towards Maypenny's chair. Dan moved to block his path, "Don't sit here." He jerked his head to his own chair, "Use that one." Luke smirked at him, and sprawled in the chair.
"Well well well. You seem to be getting along with the neighbours quite well."
Dan glared at him, "Be quiet." He turned back to Maypenny as the old man groaned. Dan moved quickly towards the man, and wet a cloth, running it over his face. He turned back to Luke, "Leave now. Right now this is my home, and you are invading it."
Luke pulled himself to his feet, and moved towards Dan with a dangerous light in his eyes. Dan, after taking a look at Maypenny, began inching backwards till his back hit the wall. He froze, staring into Luke's eyes. Luke reached out, grabbing Dan's neck, squeezing.
"You seem to be getting mighty comfortable around the old man." Luke ignored Dan's struggling. "Meet me by the huge oak tree that is fallen, I'm guessing you know where it is."
Dan reached up, pulling at Luke's hands, desperately trying to get in a breath of air. As his vision was growing dark, Luke let go, dropping him on the ground, kicking him in the stomach.
"If you don't come, don't be surprised at what will happen." He kicked Dan again, then after looking around the cabin he sauntered out, slamming the door behind him.
Dan lay still, concentrating on breathing deep, wincing as the air went through his bruised wind pipes. He struggled to his feet, and, after leaning against the wall for a moment, he made his way towards Maypenny. He reached for the damp cloth, to wipe his guardian's face. As the cloth touched his forehead, Maypenny opened his eyes looking at Dan in concern.
"Are you okay?" His voice was pain filled, but strong.
Dan shrugged, not meeting his eyes as he wiped the sweat off Maypenny's face. The old man sighed,
"It wouldn't be smart to do anything he says."
Dan turned away, but stopped when Maypenny gripped his wrist. "If your worried about what he'll do, don't. I'll be fine."
Dan sighed and sat on the edge of the bed, resting his head in his hands "It's not that simple. He's the one who hit you on the head. He'll do worse if I don't go to him."
Maypenny's grip tightened and Dan lifted his head a small smile on his face. "Don't worry. I won't do anything he tells me to do. I'm just going to go there." He got up and moved to the light, turning it off. "Get some sleep. I'll be here till morning."
The next morning Dan woke up to the sun just beginning to shine. He lay still, taking in deep breaths. He was still amazed at the way the air in the country was so much cleaner than in the city. After a minute, he sat up with a sigh, pushing himself up off the bed. He dressed quickly, then moved silently out of the room. He looked in on Mr. Maypenny, then headed towards the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
After he had taken a few bites of food, he looked around for paper and penile. When he had found them, he wrote a note to Maypenny, then he moved towards the door. He hesitated, hand on the nob, before taking in a steadying breath, and opening the door, slipping out silently. Dan moved around the paths going through the woods, waiting for it to get later so he could go to Luke's meeting place. After a while, he moved to the fallen tree, that he had taken to sitting on when he needed to get away. He lay back on the tree, staring up at the ice blue sky and drew in a breath.
Dan slowly woke up, shivering, as the cold penetrated his senses. He got to his feet stiffly, stomping his feet to get them warm. He looked up at the sky, and saw to his amazement, that it was starting to get dark. He bit his lip wordily, he hoped that Luke wouldn't have done anything foolish. He moved quickly towards the oak tree, hoping that Luke was still there.
He reached the small clearing around the tall oak tree, and let out a breath. Luke's stuff was still laying around a fire that was lit. Dan looked around for Luke, but couldn't see him. He moved towards the fire, and sank to his knees, holding his hands out over the fire. Suddenly there was a sharp click, and the the sharp cold feeling of a switchblade held against his throat stiffened his body.
Dan slowly raised his hands, and turned to see Luke smirking at him. Dan's blood froze, Luke was the kind of person who you stayed away from if he was smirking like that. Luke motioned him up with a wave of the knife, and Dan, keeping his hands up, and eyes on the knife slowly got to his feet. Luke studied him closely for a minute then snapped the knife closed, slipping it into a pocket. He quickly put out the fire.
"Come on. Why don't we go for a little walk?"