Dusk Till Dawn Triple Town

Roses are Red

Alice's POV.

"Stupid party," I muttered as my feet carried me down the dark sloppy alley of Triple town. The moon shone brightly and the sky was decorated with tiny white dots. I could feel the prickle on my skin as the wind blew at me, and I tried to suppress a sneeze. It was my day off at the inn back home. I decided to go clubbing with some friends, and it turned out to be... Boring.

Loud music, people groping each other, chugging with all those drama and the ridiculous singing. Nope, not my idea of fun. And to top it off, two idiots tried to pick a fight with the bouncer. Nope, no fun in that, except for a few broken bones, dislocated joints and sore muscles. Seriously how can people live like this? I thought to myself. I guess you'll never know.

That's why I'm here, all alone in the cold night, not a care in the world. Not afraid, not afraid, not afraid, I repeated these words in my head as I turned to a corner. The place was lifeless, only the howl of the wind and hooting of owls could be heard.

I should be lucky. By this time tomorrow I would be home cleaning more than fifty dishes till my fingers are wrinkled. Yeah well, at least the seven sisters would be there to keep me company. Except Lilly, she's the only one that can't hold a sane conversation at night.

My thought were suddenly interrupted by a flash. I stopped to check whether I was being followed. In this town you have to expect the unexpected, here's why.

Exhibit A : Feline, rich black fur, small and could definitely fit my palms or the pockets of my apron. Electric blue in one eye and emerald green in the other.

Adorable, and if I were to name it, Pebbles would have been perfect. That's because it's Pebbles and he must have followed me all the way out here. How do I know? There's only one kitten that goes everywhere I go. Just like Mary and the little lamb.

"What are you doing here all by yourself, Pebbles?" I asked kneeling down to pick up the notorious feline.

"You can't leave your favourite pal, all alone with that demon!" He snapped back his eyes twinkled.

"So Lady Georgia is a demon? Last time I checked, she was the woman of your dreams."

"That was before she tried to scrub the life out of me. Everyone knows how cats hate water." I let out a chuckle which made pebbles a lot more pissed than he was before.

Before you assume anything, Pebbles can't talk. I just have an ability to understand felines and other weird stuff you might find out later on. I did say to expect the unexpected didn't I? Oh and by the way, I'm not some kind of doctor do little.

"But she loves you." I added as we moved through the quiet alley. Although, I wasn't expecting an answer. "Why were you following me?" I asked placing him on my shoulder.

"What are you talking about? I wasn't following you, I was with you the whole time. I fell through the hole in your pocket which by the way, needs fixing." He said a little confused. "Anyway, why did you ask?"

"What did you mean by 'with me the whole time'?" I was confused, if he had followed I would have known.

"For a witch, you're so slow and not very observant. All your clothes have pockets, and I mean every one." Oh, that makes sense, I thought as I move on only to stop again. If he wasn't the one that made that passed by, then who was it?

Before I could voice out my thoughts, Pebbles stilled. He jumped off my shoulder running as fast as he could, and yelled for me to follow. He's sudden behavior made me startled as I remained where I was. I felt a chill run down my spine with goosebumps covering my skin. If I had thought this night couldn't get any colder I was god damn wrong.

I ran, for It wasn't long before I realized that something felt off. "Pebbles where are you?" I called out, increasing my speed. I hopped over a log and I knew that I was in the woods and almost at the inn.

The woods is actually not far from the inn. I jumped over the white fence that barricaded each section of the woods. I could feel that who or what was after me was surely faster than I, and it was getting closer. Now I regret not being very athletic.

I brushed past bushes and trees, getting scratched by some. I stumbled a few times and got back on my feet running. I would have been tangled in some vines, if not for the adrenaline pumping as I rip them apart.

I was running out of breath but close. Only a few more laps and I would be safe within the walls, protected from whatever's out there. I could already spot the windows of the large four story building of the castle like inn.

Before I could take more steps, a huge force hit me, pushing away from the inn and smacking me onto a tree. The air was knocked out of my lungs and my eyes clouded and I felt dazed. I scrambled to get back up then ended back on the ground.

I tried to catch my breath only to be hoisted up by cold fingers, which held my neck in a tight grip. You remembered I said something about expectations? Well, here we go again.

Exhibit B: White skin, tall, pink lips, cold hands, and male. I can tell he's strong from the grip around my neck. One wrong move and that'll be total end of me, well, one ninth of me. And the eyes, lidded with very thick lashes and bushy brows.

Yes, this dude could make almost anybody wet their pants, if you know what I mean. Oh but the eyes, my oh my, those blood shot red eyes. To sum up, this guy is beautiful and a demon. A beautiful demon, ah! what an irony.

Looks like I've got myself a vampire, or could be a wanna be.

Wait, a what?

I starred at the eyes of my predator, well since I'm trapped I'm the prey, right?. The thing is, I don't feel scared. Yes I'm exhausted, but not as scared as I was before.

"Look, let's be civil. You want my blood and I want to live. Lets make a deal." I gave the no named vampire my most loved cherry on top smile. Don't judge me, it works on all the dudes at school, okay maybe just one of them, at least I could try it on hotshot here. Yes, I've decided to call him hotshot.

And from the look on his face, it shows that he read my mind, he obviously likes the name. "You know how it works little girl. You're to beg me to spare your life or distract me and runaway. And I'm to suck your blood and may be... Kill you." He smirked, showing long sharp fangs.

"But here we are, not wanting to do any of those things. You on other hand, you're just lucky. If I had killed you right here, near this tree it will only backfire." His fingers brushed my neck then he released his hands placing them at either sides of the my head. I wanted to rub the spot on my neck, but I stood rigid as he sniffed me.

He leaned in and sniffed at me again, "You do know the story about this tree, don't you?" he whispered softly, his cold breath fanning my face. Of course I know about this tree, anyone who has lived here long enough knows about the harvest tree.

It was said that long ago, right here before Triple Town ever existed, a wizard and his wife came here to have a family. It wasn't long he found out that his wife, the witch was barren, and so was the land which they tried to cultivate. They tried so much still, nothing. Then, they lost hope.

One day during the autumn season some hunters came to cut down this tree, for it was the only tree left. Being the only surviving tree back then, the wizard prevented them from doing such, still they refused. He turned them into rain which wet the roots, bringing life to the tree.

The tree was magic and it granted them a wish. They were blessed with triplets all boys, together with abundant vegetation.

Then, that dreaded day came. After some years, the wizard decided to expand the town, get more people to come here, to start a business and to add to the limited population. He decided to build an inn, what better way to invite people into the area than to build one.

He needed wood.

After a lot of consideration he cut down the tree. Of all trees, he decided to cut this one. It wasn't over. Lady Georgia, the cook once said that the inn was his first and last structure. Legend as it that he used all the wood from the tree in building the inn. Yeah, that big.

His wife assisted him, but what they didn't know was day by day as the structure was beginning to resemble an inn, they began to loose their life force. To cut the story short their life force served as seeds for the new tree, or reborn of the old tree. They call it, harvest tree.

The tree that brings both good and evil. A least that's what we tell the guest at bonfires.

The story wasn't complete, know one knows what became of the boys. Some believed they disappeared, or they left the town to fend for their own. All we know is that the tree is cursed. The story might or might not be true, who knows.

Well since I'm not gonna die, I felt at ease.

"Oh don't think I'm not here to kill you. In fact I'm here to do just that. The only problem is it's useless, you have feline blood." Confused, I frowned. He wants to kill me, he doesn't want to kill me? Is this guy bipolar or something? And how did he know about my gift? My one and only gift that serves as a blessing and a curse. My nine lives.

"How did you know? Who are you, what do you want from me?" The previous chills that left came crawling back.

"Tell them we are coming in millions. We've come to acquire the land that was once ours. No more hiding in the shadows, for the Lost one would soon return. Let them know that we'll burn those who imprisoned us for a thousand years and those that refuses to kneel before the lord." He chanted.

"What in the world are you talking about?"

"I have not come with a message, but a warning. Be prepared, this world you're seeing would be nothing but memories. The contracts has been signed, the deeds has been done. The inn would ours before tomorrow's rising sun.

Tell whoever you can, there's nothing you can do, than to prepare for the war between the demons and your troupe.

You tell them, Alice." With that he vanished, or sped off.

And again I was alone, with only one thought in my head.

"What war?"

***

"You son of a b*tch!" a vase flew past missing me by a few inches as I opened the door leading to the kitchen. "You monster... You... Savage... May all the curses of ... thunder shall strike you naked... You fish brained idiot."

This time it was a kettle and I thank heavens I was able to duck on time. Though it wasn't aimed at me no, it was aimed at the supposed fish brained i***t, Jonathan. And I guess our lovely Rose is at it again. Speaking of fish, I'm hungry. I saw a pack of Reese's and started stuffing them in my mouth, moaning at the deliciousness.

"Leave before I hail mortars and pistols at ye, you good for nothing porcupine head." She threw another dish. "Don't let me see your worthless face here ever again." She nearly missed him with the wet rag before he left. "Begone you savage." That was her last statement before bursting into tears.

"You finally done with him?" I asked hugging her. From the looks of it, the kitchen was a mess. Broken dishes everywhere, it wouldn't take time to fix with the right spell. But with Rose like this, it's best if I do it. It's just right now I'm too tired and my neck still hurts.

I noticed the other sisters coming in except Lilly, she can sleep forever. "For good this time, I never want to see him again."

"That's what you said the last time." Her sister, Daffodil reminded her. Well it's true Rose is so stuck up on Jonah. They breakup almost every day. She'll get over it and get him back, their love life is just so puke worthy. But something tells me there's no making up this time around.

She never fights with anyone physically especially with Jonah. She loves the dishes and kitchen utensils to death, it's like break one dish you are disowned forever. And she never curses, like ever. She sees it as a sin. Rose is like a book of manners with limbs. And being the eldest of the seven sisters, she takes responsibility seriously.

"I'm sure, this time is totally over, for good. Can you imagine what he did?"

"What did he do, Rose tell us." Sunny asked giddily, always the girl eager for gossip.

"I found him in my room making out with Penny." The rest if the sisters gasped. I on the other hand was not surprised, I knew about this, warned her about this, does she listen?

"I'm so going to make her pay. She's gonna suffer my wrath or my name isn't Rose Ann Jacob." Oh dear, not Penny. I mean what she did was wrong. But it's totally oblivious Penny we are talking about. She's just a girl in a woman's body.

Before she could further make comment, I quickly said "Lets not get too far, you done enough in one night... Okay?" She got pissed.

"You want me to leave that b*tch, and let her walk around like she own this place? No, no no no and no, not happening not ever. I want to see her suffer."

"This is Penny we are talking about, she wouldn't even know the difference between onions and garlic. You know she's as dumb as Barbie with her fake blonde hair and false boobs." Marigold added. I choked on one Reese, didn't see that coming.

"Come on Rose get your act together and forget both of them they're not even worth your time, you're smarter than that." Violet advised her, while patting on the back.

"You are right, I should just get some sleep." She stood up, "I'll clean this first thing tomorrow." She continued as she walked out, followed by her sisters.

"You better." I hollered after them.

"Sleep will surely do her some good, and a good distance from that lad, don't you think." Ally mutter coldly as she walked past me. "You better tell me what happened to your neck, but I'll wait till tomorrow." I touched my neck remembering what happened earlier tonight. Of all sisters, Ally is one to notice every tiny detail.

Since there was no one left and I was tired, I decided to sleep, there's a big day tomorrow. I climbed the stairs leading to the attic. For that's where I sleep. The cold yet comfortable attic, lucky me.

I opened the door, running to the bathroom. I might be tired but I do need a shower even if I hate to shower, like hotshot said 'feline blood'. After a few minutes, I put on my hello kitty PJ's and headed to my bed not far from the window.

"Took you long enough."

I turned around as I watched Pebbles coming in. "Well you left me all alone in the woods without a signs or warnings."

"I did warn you..."

"A real warning Pebbles." I sighed, already under my covers. I left it wide waiting for Pebbles to join me.

"Does that mean you forgive me?" I just rolled my eyes in reply, well he took the hint. Climbing up, he whispered good night.

I love the cat so much, he saved my life. If I hadn't met him I wouldn't be here breathing, but that's a story for another day. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep, but the encounter with the vampire kept playing in my dreams again and again.

"Aunt Mary has some explaining to do tomorrow."

***

Copyright 2018© Soffiyah Orewole.

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