Chapter Text
|-Saturday morning. April 6th, 2024. The Cordelia, 4721 Azalea Landing Drive Room 3G, Wilmington, North Carolina-|
Couldn't sleep last night. Murim was out there. Heard him tapping on the window. Damn brooch was talking to me too. Jus' my luck, huh? Of course it is and knowing my luck things won't ever go back to normal after all this occult shit is done. No way in hell dat it can. So now here I am, laying on this flimsy air mattress, staring up at the ceiling. I reach over to grab my phone so I can check the time. Five thirty in the morning… How fun… I shoot a glance at Bo… seems he's still out cold. How he can be so unfazed by certain things baffles me. We have one more day to figure something out before he sends me up to Burgaw. Don't know what's gonna happen after that. Not like I want to.
Contact her.
Senara? Doubt she's even awake.
You don't know that.
What? And you would?
Contact her.
Damn jawn's gettin' pushy. Cuz dat's exactly what I needed right now. I reach for my phone again and start texting Senara, knowing full that this will annoy her.
'Need some help. Got any ideas?' I send, watching as the three dots appear almost immediately. Guess she ain't get much sleep neither.
'Doubtful, me 'ansome.' Senara responds, something that neither surprises me or disappoints me. I start processing it when the three dots come back. A few seconds later, another message. 'You may have to go along with whatever Bo has planned for you.' I know she's right. And I hate it. A whole lot. But if we can't find something that can deal with Murim soon… What choice do I have?
I sit up, hearing something move in the living room. No way. No. Murim can't have gotten in here. I slowly stand up, making my way to the door and pushing it open gently. I spot my hammer on the nightstand. Might need that jawn. But as I turn my attention back to the living room, I see Maddy. Thank fuck. Wait. Why is she up so early? It's a Saturday. She doesn't have any classes today. I slowly make my way out of Bo's room, approaching Maddy quietly. Doesn't matter, seems she noticed.
"Oh, Cam. You're awake. That's surprising." She says as she makes her way towards me.
"I can say the same about you." I respond as she reaches me. Something's off. But I can't tell what. There's a certain look in her eye that… Feels wrong somehow.
"I was… wanting to wait a few more hours but this can work." She says as she heads into her room. A few second later she comes back out with her laptop. Wut's she got goin' on?
"Uh… Maddy?" I ask as she sets her laptop down on the coffee table. She opens it up, and turns it on. The first thing I see are a lot of notes about "Walpurga". Oh great.
"I was, uh… What do you know about this?" She asks, gesturing for me to sit down next to her. I take another look at the notes she took. Seems she was working on this for a good while. Maybe most of yesterday. Wudn't be surprised.
"That depends. Is this Saint Walpurga, or…" I trail off, making my intentions known. And Maddy seems to pick up on it. Guess this "research" of hers goes deep.
"Not a saint. A witch." She says with a huff. All this occult stuff is messing with her too, huh? Miss "Woman of Logic".
"Venerated in an old Austrian village called Keiferberg. Of course, no one alive today knows where the hell the place is. Only that is was in Austria." I say, watching as Maddy's eyes go from me to one of the photos on the walls. Something tells me I know which one she's looking at. The picture of Heilige Castle that Reilly took when she was in Austria. Fuck! I don't wanna get her caught up in this. "No… We are not-"
"It's worth a shot." Maddy cuts me off before I can finish the sentence. She seems intent on this. "Look, I don't want to be doing this to her as much as you do, but… if it helps…"
"We don't know if it will help, Maddy." I say, darting my eyes between her and Reilly's door. She even awake or what? "Can we at least wait a few more hours? It's not even six." I say, watching as the gears turn in Maddy's head. Seems this is a compromise she's willing to make. But then my luck decides to get in the way of this plan as I see Reilly's door slowly open. Guess she's an early bird. She steps out into the living room, yawning, not really paying attention to anything before she stops. Looks like we've been noticed.
"Okay, so… This is some of the video footage we got on day two and it goes into the night. Unless it's not the castle you're interested in." Reilly says as the video starts playing. Me and Maddy exchange looks, and that's enough to tell Reilly that we want to see something else. And for once, my luck is actually useful. "Kieferberg? I'm still not 100% certain that this was the right location, but I'm confident in saying that it was." She says as she pulls up a different video. This time, she's in a forest and there are some ruins visible. Looks like a gate of some kind, followed by a fountain and maybe a church. Can't tell wit all the vines 'n' shit on da stones. I then look down at the small map Reilly pulled out. Seems to be a rough sketch of Kieferberg's layout. And it looks like certain things do line up. Which begs the question…
"That fountain and church seem to be in the right places according to this map. Why are you doubting yourself?" I ask, watching Reilly's head turn towards me. Seems she's already got an answer.
"This was like, an hour's hike north of Panidorf. Heilige Castle isn't too far from there, just west. Go any further and you'd be in Germany. I knew that places like Kieferberg and Primeldorf were close to the border but I just didn't know how close. There were spots in both villages where you could see the castle." She says as she starts the playback on the video again. Reilly then takes a deep breath before speaking up again. "There are also at least two districts in each village that are damn near identical. And with all the ruins and foliage obscuring sight lines, it made it hard to tell which district we were in." I lean back, not really sure what to make of Reilly's words. On the one hand, yeah, that's good reasoning for her hesitancy. But on the other, this map… Too many things are lining up to be coincidental. I'm not one to believe that kind of stuff, but sometimes… It's hard not to. I take a glance over at Maddy, who is fully engrossed with the video. I watch again, noticing how certain things in the forest just don't seem right. Another question to ask.
"There wasn't anything weird in those woods, was there?" I ask, noting how Reilly doesn't turn her head this time.
"When the sun went down, we all felt like we were being watched. Didn't even take that long for it to happen. First night." She says as she rewinds the video a bit. "Look, right here. Sun's finally dipped down the horizon and already you can see a lot of eyes shining in the bushes. Wasn't even all that dark yet. That was usually our sign to tail it back to Panidorf." She follows up. And now that Reilly's mentioned it, yeah, there are a lot of eyes shining in those bushes. Too many for it to be foxes, lynxes or other wild animals. Making me a little uncomfortable, honestly.
"Was there… Anything else?" I hear Maddy ask cautiously, getting Reilly to turn her head again.
"There were all these sounds coming from the woods. Bit unnerving. Got real loud around three in the morning. Still don't know why." She says. Of course…
"Witching Hour…" I mumble, not fully cognizant that it was out loud until Reilly taps me on the shoulder.
"And what would you know about that?" She asks in an accusatory manner.
"Like I fuckin' know." I respond, not sure on how I can explain this. "It's like, this weird time where ghosts can easily come into the world of the living. Great time for witches to have black masses too, apparently." I say, trying to remember everything Senara told me about the Witching Hour. Guess I'm explaining this poorly, judgign by their reactions.
"I mean, that's the basics of it." Reilly says as she looks back at Maddy's laptop, giving me some form of relief. "Bit more complicated but it's a good enough explanation. Don't know why it never crossed my mind when we were there." She then turns her head back to me. "Curious, though: How do you know about this? Got anything to do with your little crow friend?"
"Unfortunately." I respond. The dead look in Reilly's eyes is all I need to know what her thoughts are. What her next words will be.
thud
The three of us all turn to face one of the windows. Shit. Murim. I quickly close Maddy's laptop and dash over to the window, wanting to get the curtains closed as I see something fly by. Couldn't get the best look, but it seemed to reflect light off it. Nothing else can do that. Not that I know of, at least. I get the curtains closed and turn back to face Reilly and Maddy just as Murim hits the window again.
"This little golden jagoff…" I mutter under my breath as he taps the glass. We all sit in a tense silence as this goes on for a few seconds. After that, Murim seems to give up and flies off. I don't trust dis, though. Little murderbird could just be waiting. Laying a trap. I swear, if he tries to use Maddy to get at me… I take a deep breath before walking back to them, sitting down next to Reilly as she opens Maddy's laptop again. Another video starts. This time, fully in the dark.
"Oh, how bold." I say, watching Reilly almost trip over a log.
"It was a stupid decision. We shouldn't have gone out there after dark." She says as she looks at all the eyes staring at her from the bushes. Then, a moth lands on her flashlight. "Hate those things."
"What? The moth?" I say, looking at the moth itself and realizing something… interesting: The brooch is shaped like one of them. I quickly pull it out of my pocket, holding it up as Reilly pauses the video. Good timing too, a big moth is center frame. Perfect occasion to compare.
"What the… You know what? Not gonna ask questions." She says as I inch my way closer to the screen. I look at the brooch, then at the moth, instantly taking ntoe of how the coloration of the stone is similar to the moth. It's almost that exact same shade of unnaturally deep and vibrant purple. Just thinking about it is enough to make me nauseous. How fun. My life just keeps gettin' weirder 'n' weirder…
|-That same morning. Fort Fisher, 1000 Loggerhead Road, Kure Beach-|
So Murim 'ave marked me again, 'as 'e? Course 'e 'as. Why did I ever think 'e wouldn't? 'Tis bad 'nough Aziel be chasin' me like a hound. Now I gotta fret about that damn blasted Crow again. Somethin' tells me this'll be the end o' my road. I draw a deep breath, lettin' the salty air fill me lungs while I rack me brains fer how to save my skin this time. Tes no way I'll let neither of 'em have me. I'd sooner go down fightin' than give in. I've put too many hours in stoppin' more folk endin' up like me fer that.
I start walkin' down the beach, feet hittin' the sand softly as the waves crash on the shore not too far from me. I think back to Lydia. How she deserved so much better than me. How I had no right to treat her the ways I did. How greedy I was. The self-absorption and the narcissism. How I could be so blind to everything that was happenin'. When all I wanted was a better life for both of us. An' because o' bein' greedy, I've got nasty spirits on me tail and the only person who made life worth livin', the only woman who ever showed me real love and connection is gone. Some partner I was. I turn me 'ead to look at the ocean. The beast that is the Atlantic. The thought… 'Tis temptin'. really is. Just walk into that wide blue and never look back. Let the waves take me. Damn sight better than lettin' Aziel, Murim or God forbid Him from rippin' me soul from my body. Just walk into those azure waters and sink once I'm deep enough. But at the same time, if there's a way to really stop 'em, I'd lose it. I'd give up right before findin' whatever it ends up bein'.
Can't'ave that, can I?
So I ignore that song, reject the call of the grave. Spite got me this far. 'Twill be enough to keep me goin'. 'Tes only for a little while, like.
The swishin' o' the waves 'pon the shoreline don't do much t' ease me mind. I don't think owt can, really. Not wi' all that's happened since I come to Wilmington. Vain 'ope… That's wot the damn Snake called it. I dunt care if 'tis a lost cause. If there's anythin' that can stop someone from makin' my mistakes, then 'tis worth everythin'. Even if 'tis one soul. So I'll keep traipsin', knowin' that Aziel'll find me sooner or later. Let 'er. At least I'll go down knowin' I 'ad a go.
I tek one last breath, sal a-scratchin' at me lungs as I do so. Not the most pleasant smell, but 'tis one I'm used to/ One I'm familiar with. Reminds me of Penzance in an odd way. I sit down at a bench an' brush the sand of me feet 'fore I slip me shoes back on. Time to head back. Face whatever's waitin' for me in that bloody house. Knew I weren't safe there. But where else'm I gonna go? Can't go back to Britain. Not now, at least. Now when Murim's chasin' Cam. Or maybe I could. Deprive the Crow of a way ter get at 'im. Would certainly work. Then again, 'e'll find a way ter bring me back 'ere. 'E always does. Bloody Crow, too damn smart fer 'is own good.
The one ting I 'ates most 'bout Murim, 'is cleverness. An' unlucky-like, I always fail to reckon with it. Always fall for 'is bluffs an' 'is tricks. 'E likes to play the gorm, act the daft 'un. An' that's dangerous. Too dangerous. Aziel's straight to the point, 'er. You can tell when you walks into 'er trap. She's too 'onest like that. Too obvious. She thinks she be smarter than she really is. Ironical for a Snake like 'er. But Murim? 'E knows how smart 'e be. Exactly. And 'e knows 'ow to use it to 'is advantage. 'E uses 'is small stature as a cudgel. You'd never expect the mastermind to be someone what looks like 'e wears potato sacks as trousers. Someone who controls crows that spout the most nonsensical things imaginable. Yet despite all that, Murim was the one I dreaded seeing most in that castle. In that hall. 'Cos I know what 'e be. What 'e can do. 'E's too. Damn. Smart. 'E knows 'e's too damn smart. An' 'e makes it everyone's trouble.
I starts walkin' back to the car, the feelin' of eyes never leavin' me as I goes. She's watchin'. Hopin' for the chance to strike. But I'll see 'er comin'. Aziel won't get me today. Once I 'as the vehicle in sight, I unlocks the doors and then slides in once I reaches it, feelin' antsy as I puts the keys into the ignition. I catch as glimpse of somethin' reflectin' light in the rear-view. Looks like gold. But it isn't a snake. Dammit. I quick start drivin' to get some distance on the road, but 'tis no good. Next I look in t' rear-view, there's Murim loungin' in 't backseat, all smug-like. I take a deep breath, knowin' exactly what 'e'll try to do.
"And here I thought you'd be happy to see me again, Senara." 'E says, voice drippin' with sarcasm, tryin' to act like 'e didn't put that damn hex in me eye t'other night. Birdie bast'ard.
"Like 'hell I'll bring 'ee to 'im." I tells 'him, thinkin' 'bout drivin' the car off the road an' into the sea past the rocks. Seems Murim 'as caught on to me plan, though, the sly fuck.
"Now, now. You wouldn't want to risk something so reckless, would you? Become another statistic. Another tragedy. I wouldn't. I'm sure Cameron wouldn't appreciate the gesture either." 'E starts goin' on, annoyin' me now with taht scratchy voice of 'is.
"Like I 'ave much to live for any'ow." I replies, watchin' Murim shift from lyin' down to sittin', placin' 'isself in the middle of the seats so I can see 'im well.
"Yes, you would think that. But life has silver linings, you know. Lead me to Cameron, and you will have a second chance at happiness. Another opportunity to have your deepest desires realized. Is that not what you want, still?" 'E says, tryin' to tempt me now, 'e is. But 'twon't work. 'E'll fail just like Lucifer did in the wilderness. The difference be that Jesus were the righteous son o' God. I bain't. I be a sinner. An' a pathetic one at that. Don't stop Murim from his monologue, though. "You can do much than resist. You know that all your efforts are futile, just like Cameron's. So give in. Lead me to him, and I'll put in the good word to my Master. All of this business will be forgotten, and you'll have the better life you so dearly craved. It really is that simple, Senara. Bring me to the proxy, and be rewarded. Continue to resist… And you will wander my Grove for all eternity. The choice is yours."
"That don't sound like much of a choice, do it?" I says, wacthin' the road close, still thinkin' about lettin' the Atlantic take me. If I'm lucky, she'll take Murim, too. But I bain't lucky. 'E'll find a way out o' that mess. So instead, I keeps drivin'. Drivin' while this damn blasted bird sits in the back 'n' taunts me. Makes me want to clout 'im right 'ere 'n' now. But that wouldn't be a good idea.
"Of course, a small price must be paid, but you're used to those, aren't you?" Maek 'e stop…
"It would be nothing serious. No items of value would be lost." Why 'ave 'ee forsaken me, God?
"Now that I think of it, no person of value would be lost." What did I do to deserve this 'ere? "Have you considered that, Senara?"
"Have 'ee considered shuttin' tha fuck up?" I retorts, wantin' nothin' more than silence in the car. Nice an' peaceful silence. The sort that could put a babby to sleep. But of course, I don't get that. Not wi' Murim.
"Oh, how rude. Is that anyway to talk to your old friend?" Ar, this bit again. Guilt trippin'. If I was younger, I'd fall for it. But I'm smarter than that.
"Us two were never mates. An' if you keep yappin' like that, I'll shove my fist down your throat. See if you got a gizzard like a turkey." I say, eyes never leavin' the rear-view mirror. I watch as Murim actually stays quiet for a few seconds, thinkin' up a reply in his head. Then, somethin' in the air changes, an' the next thing I know, Murim's changed his looks. 'Cause of course 'e 'as.
"My, my. Quite the threat, Senara. But you know as well as I that it is a hollow one. Even more unfortunate that our time together must end now." 'E starts, eyes driftin' to the side o' the road. Me thinks I passed a church. What might 'e be wantin' there? "There's an opportunity to go back the way you came. There's an old… acquaintance of mine in the sanctuary you just passed. I wish to follow up on some discussions we've had in the past." 'E follows up, and then in a blink 'o an eye, 'e's gone. Murim ain't in the back seat no more. Though when I look in one o' the side mirrors, I sees this uncanny figure standin' by the side o' the road, wavin' at me. Whiche'er poor soul in that church… Yow won't see 'Eaven. Not if you've 'ad dealin' with Murim. I knows that fer a fact.
|-That evening. Johnnie Mercers Fishing Pier, 23 East Salisbury Street, Wrightsville Beach-|
Just one bite. That's all I'm askin' for. It'll get my mind off things, even if just for a few minutes. I don't wanna think 'bout this whole crow mess. An' I don't wanna think 'bout how we ain't findin' no solution. Feelin' like Paw-Paw ain't got one neither. He's done had over fifty years to find it an' never said a word. Plumb disheartening.
I give my line some slack as I slowly reel it in, fixin' t' cast again, this time aimin' a bit further out. Maybe that'll snag me a fish. Comin' out here always was a good pastime. Me, daddy and Paw-Paw just out on the pier fishin'. Castin' out lines out into the sea. Ain't got no worry in the world. The three of us made sure there weren't never a dull moment. Even when the fish weren't biting and avoiding our lines. Might see a pelican dive down and snag a fish that come up too close. Maybe a gull'll try to steal my bait. All I know is we made some good memories right here.. And it's a real fine spot to try and clear my head.
I got my line back and cast out again, watcin it fly out farther than before. Now I'm just sittin' here waitin'. Don't feel nothin' on the line after a few seconds. But then somethin' tugs. Ain't the hardest, but enough to feel it. I start reelin' the line back in, but not too fast that I'll shake the fish off. Just enough to bring it home. After a second or two of wobblin', I get the fish up in the air, checkin' out what I snagged. Looks like a sea bass. A big'un too. He's a heft little feller. I grab him quick and yank the hook outta his mouth afore chuckin' him back in the ocean. Ain't lookin' to eat nothin' from the sea tonight. Not really hungry at all, now that I think on it.
I cast again, shootin' for the same distance when I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. Could be Cam or Maddy, wondering where I'm at. Could be Reilly, wantin' to go grab some grub on a whim. Nice little trip when that happens. But I know it ain't none of them. Not from how it's vibratin' against my leg.
It's Paw-Paw.
I take a deep breath, sighin' as I go and pull the little black box from out o' my pocket, answerin' his call and holdin' my phone up to my ear.
"Need somethin'?" I open up, knowin' full well where this is gonna go.
"You might wanna come on up here sooner 'n you think." He says, voice all scratchy like always. But more on edge. More… spooked. Like he done seen a haint. Can't be good. That damn Crow'ss messin' with him. Pokin' at him like he poked me yesterday when me and Cam was up at State.
"How soon? Tomorrow?" I ask, knowin' full well it's tomorrow. What else could it be?
"Tonight, likely." Paw-Paw answers. That messes things up good. A whole lot. And I don't take too kindly to things gettin' messy. I take me another deep breath, ain't crazy 'bout the spot I'm bein' put in. But if I know Paw-Paw like I reckon I do… He'll have somethin' for me and Cam.
"Tongiht? Ya want us… I ain't fixin' to argue with ya at this point." I hush up real quick 'cause I know I ain't gonna talk that old man outta it, He's too damn stubborn for that.
"Yeah, tonight." He says, takin' a deep breath after that 'fore he keeps talkin'. "Better not keep me waitin', Bo." Then he hangs up, leavin' me with a whole lot to sort out. I know Murim did somethin' to cause this. He had to. But I cain't prove it. Not yet. And just how's Cam gonna take that news? I cain't see him bein' too happy 'bout it. He weren't too keen on goin' up to Burgaw after I told him 'bout my first talk with Paw-Paw.
sigh
It comes out with a huff. What in the world am I fixin' to do now? I look back out at the ocean, goin' back to my rod 'cause it's the only thing that'll settle my nerves at this point. Might pull up another sea bass. Could be a king mackerel this time. Ain't hooked one of them in a right long while. Been itchin' to land one again. I'm castin' out, aimin' a bit further than the last two times. Mackerel don't usually come too close to the shore. They like to stay out yonder. And deep. But when the sun goes down, they get brave. Bold even. And the sun's gettin' right low. Perfect time to snatch one of them little fellers. I hold my breath a hot minute, nothin' bitin' right off the bat. Even now, at a time like this, they still ain't rushin'. Good for 'em. But I got patience to spare. And when you're out fishin', patience ain't just nice- it's how it's done. It's how you win. You leave that bait just a-swayin' in the tide like a carrot on a string in front of a hog. Temptin'. Tantalizin'. You wait for the right time. The perfect minute. Don't you even think 'bout pushin' it. 'Bout testin' your luck. That's how you run the fish off. After that, you gotta start all over from scratch. Ain't fun for nobody.
tug
tug
tug
I feel somethin' yankin' on my line. Could be a fish, nibblin' at the bait. Might interested, I reckon. But it might also be some sea weed I snagged, meanin I gotta haul it back and cast out fresh. Durn hate that.
tug
tug
tug
Three more pulls means a fish, for sure. Got to be, so I start windin' the line in slow-like. Don't wanna lose the fish out yonder. I feel alittle shiver as I go. Means I done got me a fish, alright. Right on the hook, too. Good. You ain't gettin' away now. I speed up, bringin' the line in faster an' faster. This here's when you take a chance. Any second, that fish could shake itself loose, and you gotta start all over again. I finally get the line to the pier and I start liftin' it up. He's squirmin' now, tryin' to get loose. But it ain't no use. I've already got him. This is just the victory lap. I pull the line over the rail and see a mullet on the hook. Ain;t what I was hopin' for, but I'll take it. Ain't nothin' wrong with that. I grab him quick, takin' the hook out 'fore I toss him back into the water. Then my phone buzzes again. I pull it out and see it's a text from Cam. Wonder what he's thinkin'. I then open and read it.
'How much time do we have left?' Is what it says. Beast to ease him into it, I guess.
'None. He wants us in Burgaw tonight.' I holler back, catchin' Cam's defeated sigh from clear through the screen. Knowed it was comin'. He runs hot and cold, typin' then erasin' 'fore he finally sends somethin'.
'Murim?' That says it all.
'Wouldn't be surprised.' I sigh back 'cause I know that damn Crow had a hand in this. It's the only thing that adds up right now. Cam don't write back, so I start packin' up all my gear, quick and careful like. I don't like leavin' fokls waitin'. That's just rude. No matter what Murim's done, I'm gonna find out. Paw-Paw's had all he can take of his shit. He needs some rest, and I'm gonna make sure he gets it. For Darrel.
|-Earlier that evening. 680 Old Savannah Road, Burgaw-|
I perch in the tree, watching the house closely so that I can take note of it's inhabitant. This old house. One look and you'd think nothing of it. And yet… It has seen tragedy. I took delight in tormenting Darrel and Thomas all those years ago. All those months of planning playing out in real time. All to my pleasure. the final climax of luring Darrel into the field, then taking him to the Grove where he tried desperately to escape. To return home. All futile. All vain. His physical body now gone. Only his spirit remains. And soon, that shall be gone too. A shame, really. For he was my favorite snack, after all. But enough reminiscing. I have a proxy to turn. And this old house may prove useful again.
I take flight, the wind beneath my wings feeling fresh and light. But it is short lived. I perch on the roof of the domicile, tapping the tiles with my beak to draw out Thomas' attention. After a few seconds, I hear footsteps beneath me, meaning that my ploy has worked. It is clear that I have brought some… pleasant memories for the old man. I feel a thump beneath me as Thomas tries to find out what is going on. Though it doesn't take him long to put the pieces together.
"You got some gall comin' back here, you little sumbitch!" He shouts, prompting me to tap his roof once more. I do enjoy this game. It draws out so many wonderful flavors form my prey. How unfortunate that I am not here to feed or to hunt. I hop over to a new space on the tiles, noticing that I must be above a window. So I hop down to the windowsill, tapping my beak on the glass, jumping down to the ground below so that Thomas does not see me. not that it matters. He already knows that it is me.
"I swar, when I git my hands on you…" I hear him grumble as he comes into the room. Thomas White, still a simpleton all these years later. One would think he would grow wiser in his old age. But alas. Some things never change. Perhaps for the better.Once I am sure he has left the room, I circle the house. I find another window, but I do not tap immediately. Nor do I move to the windowsill. Instead, I linger below it, listening close and Thomas walks in, expecting to see me on the windowsill.
"I swear to Gawd…" I hear him mutter as he turns the light on. He then moves deeper into the space, can tapping on the hard wood flooring as he goes, all while muttering to himself. "It musta been him. But why? Why'd he come back here? He didn't hearken me t'other day, did he? What'm I sayin'. Sho 'nuff he did." I hear, taking delight in the small amount of suffering that I am causing on this night. Is this really all it took to rile up that old fool? He's more pathetic than I thought.
I linger underneath this window for a while, waiting for the moment Thomas leaves the room before I continue with my pestering. Once i am sure, I hop up onto the windowsill and tap my beak against the glass once more before flying back up to the roof. The old fool's groans of annoyance are such a delight to hear, even after all this time. It takes me back, really. But enough of that. I wander over to the chimney, lingering by it's small opening. I could use this. But how? I ponder for a few moments, listening as Thomas wanders around his home, paranoid that I may now be inside the domicile. I am not. Not yet, at least. I can hear him through the chimney, muttering to himself as he goes.
"Why didn't I put no cameras up yonder? Lord, what a idjit I is." I hear as he continues to pace around the space below. Once I am certain that he is gone, I slowly make my way towards the chimney. It won't be the most comfortable fit, but I can slide down it easily. I carefully insert myself into the chimney, slowly sliding down it's length without making a sound. I do not want Thomas to know I have entered the abode. I continue to make my way down until I have cleared the fireplace, where I then glide to the nearest perch that can provide me with cover. I move silently, every change it position a calculated effort to stay hidden. Once I am sure of my new location, I simply sit and observe. I hear footsteps nearby, indicating that Thomas is returning to the living room to see if anything has changed. I watch as he enters from the right, eyes scanning every corner for anything that might look suspicious.
"I know you's in here…" He mutters to himself as he continues to watch every dark corner he finds, monitoring it for movement. For anything that seems out of place. But he does not find it, so he leaves the room, allowing me a moment to continue our game. With a wing, a nudge a picture frame until it falls to the floor, using the sound of the glass breaking as cover to change my position. This time, I move under a chair, allowing me good sight lines of the room, albeit with next to no good verticality. Thomas quickly rushes back in, investigating the sound, almost immediately seeing the fallen picture upon his reentry. He picks it up, carefully setting pieces of broken glass back into their places as he examines the frame.
"Hmm… Just the glass that got busted. He's gotta be in here now. Damn Crow." He says as he reaches into his pocket, procuring a small rectangular device and doing… something with it. I hear it ring for a few seconds while Thomas holds it up to his ear. A few more seconds go by, and he speaks into it. As if he is having a conversation with another person. This advancement of human technology has always fascinated me. If was none the wiser, I'd call it magic.
"You might wanna come on up here sooner 'n you think."
"Tonight, likely."
"Yeah, tonight."
"Better not keep me waitin', Bo."
Ah, Robert. It seems I have caused enough duress that Thomas is bringing my prey to me. Good. Very good. Exactly as I intended. Soon, Cameron will be within my grasp. And I will take delight when I close my talons around him. Bending his soul to my will. To His will. All I need do now is wait. To be patient. Cameron should be here later tonight. Meaning that the real fun can begin. Oh what grand plans I have for you, Cameron. Such grand plans indeed…
"There ye are."
It's sudden. It's fast. It's… unexpected. I had become distracted. Complacent. That allowed Thomas the opportunity to take one last look within the living room. And more thorough look.And now I am found. But it matters not. I quickly flee from my hiding place, darting out from under the chair with speed and precision. Thomas is unable to grab me, but that does not mean I am safe. Not when I see the crude device in his hand.
"I knowed it. I KNOWED it. You just cain't leave me be, can ye?" He says,voice tinged with anger as he brandishes his lowly firearm. It will not deter me. He knows that. Or perhaps he doesn't. Thomas is, after all, an old fool.
"Now is that any way to greet an old friend of the family, Thomas? Surely you of all people can appreciate a visit from someone like me." I say, sliding the knife into the flesh ever so subtly so that this new game may begin. Thomas aims the gun at me, intent on firing the weapon. But I know he won't. Not inside his domicile.
"You ain't no friend of mine, you damned dirty bird." He says, voice gruff, as if trying to intimidate me despite knowing that it will not work. How very cliche…
I swoop down from my roost, passing by Thomas' head, but not making contact. I already have enough eyes in this place. No need for any more. Then, as quickly as I came in, I exit. I fly back out through the small chimney, perching on the roof as I hear Thomas shuffle to his feet, cursing under his breath. He then moves into a different room, presumably to rest and wait for dear Robert to arrive with Cameron. That is when I can put the next stage of my plan into motion. But as I wait, I notice something in the field beside the house. Through the thin line of trees. The tall stalks seem to sway in ways that are unnatural. Ways that pique my interest. I take flight once more, vanishing between the branches of the trees and then eventually the crops. I feel the oddest sensation in my mind. As if someone is calling for me subconsciously. It is not like how it was when Cameron foolishly uttered my name, revealing his position to me for the briefest of moments. It is not like Aziel, who always has this tinge of annoyance. No, this is different. This call is one that is powerful. One I am familiar with.
My Master, He is here. But for what purpose? Perhaps to question why I torment this poor soul so. Perchance it is to question why I still pursue Cameron. All will be revealed when I lay my eye upon Him. It does not take long for me to find Him. Or rather, for Him to find me, as I hear his uncannily childlike voice be carried on the wind through the stalks.
"Murim… Always so persistent with your prey. Why come here? What do you have to gain from this?" I hear, simultaneously far off and close by. He has a habit of doing things to that degree.
"We both know why, my Master." I respond, hearing the stalks thrush close to me. I watch as He slowly appears through them, coming closer and closer, outstretching His arm so that I may perch upon it. I take the opportunity, red eyes tracking Him fast as I close the distance. "All I need is just a few more scant days, and Cameron will be broken."
"I am still uncertain as to WHY you think he would serve me well." My Master says, eye piercing through my being from underneath His mat of hair. "Why not simply consume his essence, as you have done countless times before. Or put him on the road to have his deepest desires realized."
"Oh, but you see, that dirty Celt has other plans. Time and time again she interferes, along with Cameron's other acquaintances." I say as I puff my feathers, letting my thoughts be known. "Who is to say that he does not take the same path Senara did. How unfortunate that Cameron has the gumption to take action when he deems it necessary." I say, taking the briefest glance towards my wing. The one Cameron had injured only a few days prior. The event is still fresh in my mind.
"Hmm… perhaps THAT is why you deem to make him a proxy. Though why for me I still do not understand. After all, I have you and Aziel." He says as he processes what I have told him. The gears spin. The key turns. And then He gazes out through the stalks, as if admiring a long off monument to sin that stands tall in the distance before returning His attention to me. "Very well. You may continue in this endeavor, Murim. But you must first separate this Cameron from the others. Starting with Senara." He then says, running His finger underneath my beak as He does so. "If the celt wishes to stay on the stage of this play, so be it. I'll leave her ending up to you." My Master says as as He then sets me down, turning on His heel to walk through the stalks from whence He came. After that, I do not see Him again, though His presence lingers, as signified by His voice ringing through my head. "Do not disappoint me, Murim."
woooooosh
The sound of a vehicle catches me by surprise. I fly to the nearest tree, wanting to see who it may be, and find a familiar automobile slowing on the road. A 'truck' as these lowly humans call it. Robert. He has arrived, no doubt with Cameron in tow.
Good. I will not fail my Master.