Peter Piper And the Cursed Vampire

"Peter Piper! Won't you please slow down!" The boy, Peter ran down the river path with focus and glee. Even though he knew it was massively against the rules to be out here at this time, he could not care less. He had already missed four evenings, today is the penultimate evening before it all goes away. That's if what Mr Hawkins said was true. He was a great theologist and historian and if anyone could predict or calculate the rhythm of the appearance of the creatures, it was him. He had told him that in the second week in the month of the summer solstice, when the moonshine strikes the gentle waters of the Lux River at twilight, the Nymphs, wonderful creatures of the world would come ashore to play. He got to see it by himself, that was a sight worthy of breaking the rules. He couldn't sneak out three days ago, Father was all over the place and yesterday, Aunt Diane was sick (as usual) and throwing her tantrums. Indeed, such commotion are good avenues to steal away but he was stuck as her personal help. Annoying woman, she could choose out of the million maidens that were around but she just have to choose him. She says she wanted a personal family touch, someone related to her in more than one ways, whatever that means. Yesterday was one of his worst day and to that effect he deserves this day off. Quick, he must get there and back again, before anyone notices he was gone. He looked over his shoulders as he jumped over a puddle. Back there before the curve leading to the river, was Ed, his best friend. He was the only who knew about his mission and he volunteered to accompany him. He was trying his best to catch up but he was still way behind. Ed was not only his best friend, he was also his cousin. He was Uncle Standford's son (Sir Standford to the populace!), his father's younger brother. "Come one Ed, we are going to miss it, hurry!" "And if we do, we still have a night, don't we?" "And who knows what will happen tomorrow? Come on, we are here already, come on, come on" "Ah, Peter!" Peter stopped when he was at the river. River Lux was so peaceful this evening. The way the water twinkled in the moonshine as it meandered along its way was enchanting and heavenly. Little wonder Nymphs come out ashore to play this times, who wouldn't want to enjoy such a spectacular imagery, scenery and glory. Ed met Peter at the shore. He was clearly out of breath and panting hard. As he wanted to talk, Peter shushed him. He should not disturb the peace of the river. Look the water minding his business, why ruined the peace with loud uncultured words. "Peter?" Ed whispered "Yes, Ed" "Where are the Nymphs?" "They should be here any minute" "Well, let's get to sit somewhere, we could wait for them" "Good idea" They got under a reed beside the bank. It was a perfect waiting place. There were two rocks placed under the reed, as if they were waiting for spectators. Now they wait. Peter stared intently at the river. For the first few minutes nothing happened. He wanted to believe Mr Hawkins was correct so he waited longer. "When is it going to happen?" Ed asked As if on cue and that his voice was the trigger, look the peaceful river, started bubbling. Large bubbles came out of the river and floated weightlessly in the air. It flew on the bank and popped! From every bubble, there was a Nymph! More bubbles came through and more Nymphs appear. They were of different kinds and hue. Some were blue skinned like people from the Northern Alps while others were brown. Some others were multi coloured like the rainbow while some were transparent. It was a festival of extravagance. Something was common to everyone of them though, they were beaming with extreme beauty. "Wow" Peter beamed. They were playing by the water, sprinkling water on themselves. Some were swinging in the tree by the bank while some others were gliding on the water! They were enchanting and what a glorious scenery it was. Well until a Nymph came close to the boys. She didn't see them, but was merely chasing a bubble that had escaped from her belongings, she floated to their hiding place going to retrieve it. Seeing the beautiful Nymph so close, the boys panicked. Ed lost his footage and tumbled down into the river! The splash alerted the Nymphs and they scrambled in a fright! "Humans! Run for your life!" Before Peter could help his cousins and friend out of the water, the Nymphs were gone. "And where did you two scallywags come from! Now you've ruined my Nymph party!" suddenly came a voice. The boys turned around to see the owner of the voice, a young girl, their age. She was wearing tarted clothing and a bad frown. If only frowns could kill and they will be dead. "Now you've done it, hours of hard work all gone to waste" "What do you mean? Your Nymph party? How can anyone own a Nymph party?" "Well if you spent three long hours playing a song for them to come out and play, you ought as well claim that they are yours, don't you think!" "So you are claiming that you are the one responsible for them to come out?" "Yes! I don't see you with a flute, my friend!" "Well, sorry about scaring away your Nymphs" Peter turned to Ed "Let's go, Father will kill us if you sees you like this" "Go? Go where! You are not leaving until you bring back my Nymphs!" Peter looked at her like she was crazy. Of course she was crazy. No one in her sound mind will detain him in the Leaf. And certainly not this riff raff. "You must be joking" "By God I am not. You won't leave unless you bring back my Nymphs ashore" "Forget it! Ed let's go!" As Peter turned to leave, they saw it. A line of horses pass over the Lux River in its shallowest point. From the robe and the fact that their wands are drawn, they can be only one explanation.