BATTLE

Arla watched with sadness as the girl unaware of her surroundings or the people around her stood and cried. She was frightened, the voices had promised her happiness, relief but all she found was sorrow, a deep depressive darkness where she was tormented. Arla spoke gently, told her she was not to blame, that she was still loved. “I want my Mum” the girl sobbed. Arla explained that she no longer lived, that her Mother was gone. The girl changed, her eyes darted back and forth, something was coming…Arla sensed it too. ‘It’ seeped into the room like an oil slick, its dark oppressive weight pressed down on Arla. The girl turned to her in panic “I want to go home” with a cry of fear she vanished. Arla heard laughter, a spiteful, sick laughter that echoed round the room then the Darkness was gone. 

Kelly woke; still dark she slipped from the covers and opened the door. Most of them slept only the Vampire and Arla sat in the kitchen. She heard the low voices as they chatted, caught up with each other. Kelly crept across the landing, listening. 

Gabe washed her hands then stood in front of the mirror, the lamp cast eerie shadows across the room and the rain hit the window as if tapping to get in, a great image for a horror film she chuckled dryly. Adam had said he would wait but she refused, insisted she would be fine and giving him a gentle shove pointed him in his room’s direction. Michael was taking over from Arla shortly and then Adam so he had better get some sleep.

Putting the towel back Gabe stood quietly, she was sure something was wrong? Opened the door she found Kelly waiting. “Sorry, you should have knocked” Kelly said nothing. A multitude of emotions whirled round Gabe as if she was in a tornado, fear, anger, hatred. “Kelly?”

‘Do it, with her gone the Vampire will have no reason to stay, he will leave, you will be safe then’

Arla felt it first, the hatred and desire so strong it made her feel sick. Wolf stared at his friend as the menace washed over him also. Leaping from the table they made for the stairs just as they heard a scream.

Kelly laughed wildly as she struck Gabe with a fire poker; blood rushed from the wound then stopped. Gabe screamed in agony, fangs extended her eyes flamed red.

‘She was one of those, that was why ‘It’ felt a change’

Kelly heard voices pleading, demanding Gabe’s death. “Die, Die” she screeched as she lifted the poker into the air but Gabe was faster.

Wolf reaching the top of the stairs roared with anguish as he saw Gabe with her hand on Kelly’s throat as the other tilted her head to one side. Arla stepped forward…..

“This is not the way” she told Gabe gently. Woken from their sleep the others bolted from their rooms. Adam took in the scene “shit” He looked at Gabe who was about to snap Kelly’s neck or worse, she was Vampire. Arla murmured softly to her, her own calmness started to have an effect and Gabe let go. Wolf rushed to Gabe and examined the wound; speaking to her softly she turned to him her Vampire instincts still dominant, lifting her up Wolf carried her back to the castle. Kelly started to laugh, a vile manic laugh, before Michael could stop her she fled, into the night. Adam went after her ignoring the protests from Arla but by dawn he had to admit she was gone, he just had to hope Kelly would be alright.

Adam stood in the kitchen and stared out the window. Arla was right, there was something here, something evil and it had claimed Kelly. “There was nothing you could do” Adam turned to find Arla watching him “If….” She stepped forward and reached out “If’s and maybe’s, your world lives by them, sometimes what happens was meant to” The feel of her hand was searing his skin, he felt his body reacting, he wanted more than a single touch. Arla moved closer pressing her body against his “You feel the connection between us, yes” Connection, he was falling hook line and sinker, whatever she was didn't matter. “Yes” he murmured as his lips crushed hers.

The trio sat and listened to the silence around them, each with their own thoughts. Michael wondered what he was going to say about Kelly, her parents would not believe what had happened they would blame him.

Adam tried to listen to his head but his heart was louder, he loved Arla but what was going to happen between them when they had finished here. Probably move on to the next job and forget, but could he?

Arla wasn't thinking the voices in her head would have prevented her from hearing them. They cursed her blamed her and the Vampire for Kelly’s actions, told her the unpleasant things they were going to do to her and Gabe, Gabe…she was to join them. There it was again, another sound like swinging.

Climbing the stairs Arla felt herself drawn to one of the bedrooms. Pushing the door open she looked in horror. Kelly stood on a chair a noose suspended from the ceiling. “Kelly don’t” Arla cried. Kelly turned and laughed as she placed her head through the rope, she kept laughing right up to the moment her neck snapped. Arla stood frozen as Kelly twitched for a few seconds then stopped her body now an empty shell. How had she come back and not been noticed, why hadn't she felt her? Something caught her eye and turning watched as ‘It’ descended from the corner, slowly it moved towards Kelly. ‘Its’ hunger raw; it wrapped itself round Kelly as if embracing her lifeless corpse. The Darkness grew deeper, no longer translucent, then as quickly as it had appeared it vanished along with Kelly. Arla stood rooted to the spot ‘It’ had claimed yet another soul. She wouldn't tell the others, what would be the point it would only upset them.

The front door banged startling them; turning towards the sound they saw Wolf….with Gabe. Throwing her arms round her Arla hugged her “ I'm so glad to see you have recovered, how you are feeling?” Gabe smiled shyly “ I'm fine, never better” Giving her a squeeze he voiced Michaels thoughts “That was some wound, why did you not tell us” Gabe stammered, unsure of what to say causing Wolf to almost leap forward in protection. Putting up a hand Arla stopped him. “I can block my thoughts and Vampires are immune to the Darks probing but you are not” Wolf let Gabe explain. She had insisted on coming, had to see for her self it’s destruction. She asked him to turn her, let her be as him but he refused, Vampire was not a life but a curse, she would be damned forever. He had marched out of their home and she hadn't seen him for several nights.

“I told him to do it” Arla added “meeting meeting was not an accident it was meant to be just as her turning was meant to be” Wolf stared at the floor “I still wish I hadn't….” he trailed off, he had not wanted to turn his beloved into a killer but as much as he disliked having to do so the thought of having her by his side forever made his heart proud. “ I'm sorry for what I did, you know, to Kelly” Gabe looked from Adam to Michael. “New Vampires cannot control themselves, it takes time to learn certain skills” Wolf added. “If Kelly had done that to me I’d have probably done the same” Adam winked.

‘It’ listened, its anger rising. The feeling it got from her mixed and now it knew why. She was no longer mortal, Vampire, she was a monster and unclean, the demons bitch.

Arla clutched at her head, the voices inside yelled at her, insulted her. She was to blame had told the Vampire to do it….it was her fault. ‘It’ growled, the sound low at first built inside Arla till it filled her mind. Bursting forth the sound filled every room, every corner.

The house came to life, doors banged; ornaments flew across the room smashing against the walls. The sound became deafening. Two ghosts appeared, their faces twisted with hate. “We have to get out of here” Adam shouted above the roar. Grabbing her arm Wolf made for the door only to find it blocked. ‘It’ glared at her, she was to stay, become one with it but she was useless now, nothing but skin and bone to discard. Gabe found her self being wrenched from Wolf and thrown across the room. “It’s angry with Gabe, it wants to kill her” Arla shouted to Wolf. Leaping across the room Wolf pulled Gabe to him and held her tight. Michael made for the windows, if he could break one, but he too was thrown, the two ghosts moved towards him.

Arla stood still, paying no attention to what was going on. She started to mumble, the language foreign to most of those around her. The light exploded from beneath Arla as if the sun itself had burst through, golden orbs danced round her then shot to every corner dispelling the shadows that lurked there , ‘It’ recoiled at the sudden brightness. she was bringing it, calling it forth. Arla kept her eyes on the darkness; her mouth moved quickly calling for the emanation to come, to banish the shadows that lurked here. She didn't notice the dark orbs. They shot through her, stabbing at her chest her heart but Arla ignored it, ignored the pain that it caused. 

Adam watched in alarm as Arla fought with the darkness, Light and Shadow collided like two planets. It coiled round her heart squeezing it tight. He could see the strain on her face, the pain in her eyes, she was loosing. Still she persisted, using every ounce of strength she had, she shouted to the others to get out that she couldn't hold it much longer. Michael bolted for the door closely followed by Wolf carrying Gabe. Dropping Gabe on the grass he ran back inside.

Arla’s arms felt heavy, unable to hold any longer she fell. Hoping they had enough time to get out she bowed her head and waited. Sensing her weakness the darkness shifted, moved towards her, Gabe was of no use now but her but the Fae she would make an excellent addition and a fitting punishment to the one that had ruined its plans.

Arla felt someone behind her; strong arms wrapped round her waist and pulled her to her feet. “Don’t know if I can help but I won’t leave you” Arla stared into Adams eyes “You should get out; I can’t hold it any longer” Adam shook his head “Either we leave together or we stay together” Arla felt his strength; it pulsated through her causing her body to crackle. Lifting her hands she pointed to the darkness. Balls of light shot from her fingers and hit the darkness. “ARLA!” Wolf shouted as he appeared. “Go, stay with Gabe” Arla shouted back. Wolf looked at Adam who nodded “We’ll be fine” Wolf doubted it but obeyed. Joining Michael and Gabe in the garden he waited.

Arla felt she was bursting, the energy being drawn from Adam was intense; closing her eyes she placed her hands in her lap. She stared to mumble, the soft musical voice grew as she repeated the verse.

Light erupted from her, its brilliance illuminating the entire house burst from the windows. Every nook, every cranny was bathed in its radiance preventing the shadows from escaping. The Darkness squealed in agony as it shifted back and forth looking for escape, it rushed at Arla but another blast sent it reeling and suddenly it was gone.

It took several minutes for them to realise it was over, the battle won. He pulled Arla towards the door and together they joined the others. “It’s over, finally over” Gabe whispered in relief. “No” Arla turned to her “The battle is won but the war, It still lurks in the shadows, weak from the light, it may take several years to regain its strength but it will be back” Gabe looked up at the house she wanted to destroy it, burn it to the ground but Gabe still felt a connection to it. “I will board it up and place condemned signs hopefully it will stop people from entering”

Joining Wolf and Gabe at the castle they showered, ate and slept. For the first time in weeks they were safe to sleep deeply. Waking late they made arrangements for their journeys home that evening. While waiting for their hosts to rise they went over the last few weeks. Michael decided he would carry on with his work but knowing what he knew now he would try to remove them than disprove. Wolf and Gabe joined them later and told them they were returning to Spain. “You don’t go to the other place” Adam asked. “I was banned from the Realm many years ago; I broke the only rule of my kind” Michael was intrigued “Only rule?” Wolf looked pained as he remembered his past “I killed one of my own, it was him or me and unfortunately I won” Adam wanted to ask more but decided not too. The cab pulled up and Michael climbed in “I won’t say goodbye as we may just meet again” slamming the door the cab pulled off.

Wolf Shook hands with Adam and hugged Arla “Let’s not leave it to long again?” Arla gave him a squeeze “One day I will come to Spain, I would like to see it” Turning to Gabe she gave the girl a huge hug “I know Garwolf is happy, I feel it, he loves you deeply” Adam turned to pick up his bag, turning back he found the two Vampires gone. “Well that just leaves us” he turned to Arla “You’ll be heading back to this Realm?” Arla felt the pain in her heart “I must, I am needed there” Adam looked down and kicked the dirt “I can’t convince you to stay here?” Her finger caressed his check the touch sending waves of desire flowing through his body “I wish I could” reaching up her lips pressed gently on his “Goodbye Adam” Turning she started to walk away, the tears in her eyes threatened to role down her face. “Wait, Arla….take me with you” Arla stopped “You would do that, give up your life here” His arms slide round her waist, his lips nuzzled her neck “I love you, I’d travel to the moon and back with you”

Slipping her hand into his she stared into those wonderful eyes of his “Let’s go home”

The house stood, empty and forgotten but it wasn't lonely. The souls that dwelt there still moved through the rooms. The only sign of life was the youths who went past, threw rocks at it. A storm hit, loud and violent, the thunder roared and the lightening cracked hitting the roof, the fire worked its way down, the old rotten wood didn't stand a chance. The house was too far away; people tucked away in their homes didn't see the smoke in the night sky or smell the acrid smell of fire. Abandoned and alone it sat burning, the souls wailed and screamed but no one could save them even if they were alive. By dawn all that was left was a shell. Firemen sifted through the debris but to their relief found no bodies.

The insurance paid out but Gabe decided not to rebuild, Instead it would lay as a reminder that sometimes things can go bump in the night.

The locals warned their children not to play near it, learnt to avoid it at night. For the few that didn't know or chose to ignore the warnings they reported strange goings on. Balls of light that would hover above the ruins, the sound of a child crying and if you listened, really listened you could make out the sound of banging, as if someone was hammering…..