Bite of Story Thursday

Night Children: Dark Birth

Chapter Twenty : Rescue Mission

A cool mist blew through the woods.  Annabelle stood alone, listening to the strange silence.  The world seemed unearthly.  Nothing made a sound, even the crickets remained quiet.

“Nice night, don’t you think?”

She spun around, looking for the owner of the familiar voice.  She’d heard it before.  Male, old and somehow wise, it sounded strangely comforting.

“My mate, Ethelda, doesn’t like it when I roam.” The voice continued.  “She thinks I should just rest.  I think she worries too much.”

Annabelle turned again but this time she found him.  An old man sat on the ground, leaning against a tree.  Dressed in a clean cloak and a dark shirt and pants, the man simply carved a piece of wood.  As his hands worked the wood she looked into his white eyes.  He gazed at nothing, completely blind.  His chin was covered with light white whiskers. 

The man calmly carved and a smile stole across his face.  With a shock she saw his vampire fangs and wondered why she hadn’t noticed them before.

“Please sir, my friend Henry has been kidnapped.  He needs our help.”

The old man looked straight at her and yet his blank eyes seemed to stare through Annabelle.  “Dear Annabelle, you would go against Eliza’s wishes?  After all she’s done for you?”

She realized with a start where she’d seen this man before.  “You were in my dreams before.  The night I turned into a vampire.”

He gave her a warm smile.  “Yes.  Eliza saved you, didn’t she?  She works so hard, teaching you, training you.  Raising you to grow up and be the great hero you must be.  Cherish the time you have with her.”

“But she wants us to leave Henry to those monsters.  We can’t.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that.  Instead you should remember your training.  And have courage.  Angry dogs are scary, but you can survive them.”

With a knowing grin, the old vampire faded into grey mist. 

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