This is a continuation of a short story I'm writing across contests whenever I get inspiration to continue it. I heavily ask you to read the first parts before reading this, because otherwise you will be lost.
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But without further ado...
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"What should we do?" I turned, fear clutching my heart as I stared into Draven's orange eyes.
Draven glanced over at the ruins of my apartment again, then turned back to me. "I know a place."
He grabbed my hand and picked up his cat, Phantom, then muttered those strange words again. closing his eyes as he pulled me close to him. I ignored the immediate flush to my cheeks, knowing that he was just trying to get us away from the other shadows.
I couldn't hear anyone running toward us, and as Draven continued to mutter the incantations, I felt the world spinning around me until everything went black. I felt like I was in a daze, the world swirling as I heard hushed voices as well as strange shrieks. I jammed my eyes shut, the only thing keeping me from screaming was Draven's hand gripping mine, tethering me to him. I didn't dare think of what might happen if I let go.
Finally, it stopped. I felt dizzy, the world spinning in my eyes. Draven dropped my hand and clutched his chest, doubling over as he gasped.
"Are...are you okay?" I tentatively asked, holding a hand up to touch his back. but he held a hand up to stop me.
"I'm fine," Draven muttered, his body shaking as he slowly stood up again. His face seemed flushed, and he bit the inside of his cheek as if holding back a scream.
I didn't know what to do. I didn't know where to go. We were in the middle of a field, with nothing but grass for miles.
For a moment, I thought about running. If I could somehow make it back to the city, I might be able to find my parents' apartment complex.
But then I looked at Draven, who was still trying to stay on his feet, sweat beading on his forehead. Besides, I chose to follow him. I couldn't leave him now.
"What do you need me to do?" I asked, crossing my arms to still seem tough in front of him. He glanced at me in confusion, raising an eyebrow as he straightened up. 203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmuVWkTfRYk
"...We need to get to the lake. The other shadows won't even think I'd come here." Draven scooped Phantom onto his shoulder once again, picking up his top hat which had fallen off his head when he first doubled over.
Draven began to head west, as the sun began to paint the sky with pinks, oranges, and purples. We at first walked in silence, as I continued to think about my apartment complex crumbling to the ground, engulfed in flames.
I didn't know too many people in the building, just a crazy cat lady here, a middle-aged man who visited elementary schools there, but I didn't know any of them personally. 203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTS95JQw1RM
Still, they were people. And my building was targeted because I was there. From the teleportation, to the creepy eyes, to the destruction of my home, I was beginning to worry that all of this was real. Draven wasn't just some guy trying to sell me drugs.
Finding the silence a little unnerving, I started off with an easier question to figure out just what Draven's motive was here. "What's with the top hat?"
"Oh, this?" Draven's hands immediately went to the brim of the hat, nervously straightening it just as he had in the alley, "It was my uncle's hat. He gave it to me before he was...nevermind. But he gave it to me when I was a little younger and I've had it in my closet ever since."
There was a moment of silence following that, and I asumed what happened with his uncle was a touchy subject. I opened my mouth to say I was sorry, but Draven held his hand up to stop me.
"It's fine," Draven stared at his boots as he kicked at the grass, "It was a long time ago and I wasn't exactly too close with him. Besides, who doesn't like to be fashionable?"
I tsked, "What, you mean walk around like Abraham Lincoln? I'm sorry, Drave Babe, but 1800's isn't exactly in right now."
Draven laughed, his silent chuckle carrying throughout the silence of the field, his face for once dropping the usual smug look. His laugh no longer sounded sarcastic or condescending, he seemed truly...happy.
"No, it's not that," Draven shook his head, "I just wanted to look my best for today. The top hat just seemed to go with the suit."
My smile slowly fell into a small frown. 203Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB60HkKkXqc
"Why would you need to look your best?"
Draven smiled, his face looking down on me as his orange eyes once again bored into my soul. "I was going to see you," was his answer.
My cheeks felt hot and I looked away from him, flattered by the fact that he dressed his best to give me that stupid box.
"Like I said before," Draven continued, "Not all shadows are as respectful while in the presence of a bright. I wanted to at least look nice while being in the rare position to meet you."
His comment heightened my questions about what really was happening here.
"You said there are more shadows. You said I was a bright. You said you were...different from the others. But you haven't given me any answers yet. How do I know I can trust you?"
Draven sighed. "I don't have the words to describe to you everything you need to know. But maybe...I can show you."
Draven gripped my hand as he said he would teleport the last mile or so to the lake.
I opened my eyes and gasped as I looked at the stretch of water before me, the water so still it reflected the near dark sky like a mirror.
"It's...beautiful..." I whispered.
"Wait for it..." Draven muttered, as Phantom jumped off his shoulder, landing on the ground.
There was a moment as the sun set, where the world seemed still. Then, everything lit up. It was like a million lanterns were lit at the same time, lighting up the night sky.
"What..." I started to say, as Draven answered one of my questions.
"These, Rose, are the brights."
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