Rowan

Beautiful Creatures and Ugly Truths

A loud c***k of thunder made me jolt back to reality, for a second I panicked that my chant to Zeus had worked.

"It's just the thunder," I reassured myself, as a flash of electric blue lightning lit up the room.

Icy raindrops landed on my face, forcing me to notice the water-soaked window pane.

"All I ask for is just one night of peace." I groaned into my pillow. "Just one night."

rubbing my eyes of the residue of sleep. I fought off the heavy blanket and padded towards the violently swaying curtains. My teeth chattered as goosebumps gnawed at my arms.

I clutched the handle and tried to gently force it shut. When that failed miserably, I used all the strength I had and even jumped a little. I nearly bust a blood vessel with the amount of force I applied.

Gritting my teeth in untamed frustration I decided to try and close it from the outside. There was no way I would sleep with rain pelting my face like globs of spitballs.

I walked quietly through the dark hallway, feeling like a ninja. I nearly cursed out the door for creaking.

The rain was unforgiving, pelting my skin like watery bullets. It didn't take long for me to be entirely soaked to the bone. My once dry nightshirt clung to my body like a snake around its prey.

Ignoring the cold air nipping at my skin, I walked to the bothersome window. I felt like a soldier, marching to his death, well maybe death is a little too extreme, let's go with marching towards inevitable pneumonia.

Nodding to myself, I tracked forward, only to be stopped by a bright luminous orb of blue that could be seen from the corner of my eye. I turned around and there it was, not an orb, but a larger than normal butterfly.

It glowed brighter than an Edison bulb with blue veins that throbbed through the translucent wings.

"Unreal," I whispered to myself.

With a flap of its wings, it took off, flying into the brisk forest. Snapping my head towards its trail, I followed suit, mesmerised by the alluring beauty that it held. Captured by the mythical aura that hovered around it. I've never seen anything like it. I don't think anyone has seen anything like it.

With every step deeper into the tenebrous woodland, the lighter the rain fell. Which I was tremendously grateful for. You would think logic would kick in and force me to turn back but no, no it didn't. I was blinded by beauty and curiosity alike.

Like a moth to a flame, I stalked behind the creature. Not giving it the chance to wander past my sight.

The moist gravel beneath my feet made walking a daunting task. Twigs, stones and the occasional thorn, pierced through my flesh. I flinched as a particular torn, embedded itself into my heel. Leaning on a nearby tree for support, I reached down and yanked the offending piece of wood, out of my skin.

Something was off, it seemed darker than before, realisation dawned in, as I swiped my head left and right, searching for the luminous critter.

Am I really that pathetic that I can't even keep up with a glorified moth?

A faint glow of blue, lit up in the distance, without hesitation I took off. The dull ache in my heel failed to slow me.

Remind me again why I'm doing this?

My curiously would send me to an early grave someday.

I weaved through trees, trying to catch up to the butterfly, it led me into a clearing.

My sight betrayed me, but my senses enhanced, making up for the loss. Before fear could descend its wicked claws of panic, hundreds of those peculiar butterflies lit up space in vivid colours, tinting the trees in an array of variegated hues.

No words could justify the grandeur that stood before me. Surrounded by trees under a sky decorated with diamonds and Stardust, the butterflies danced, they swayed, they flew through the night. Each colour blending with the other, never opposing.

My breath hitched,

heart drummed,

and euphoria spread.

"This has to be a dream," I mumbled in awe.

Maybe I really was dreaming, but if it was, I'd gladly give up a thousand lifetimes than to wake up. My inner John Green thought.

The forest swayed majestically, with the grace of a gazelle. The air hummed with vibrancy as I took cautious steps forward and reluctantly held out my palm, willing one of the critters to land.

Up close, upon further inspection, I could clearly see the intricacy of the spirals, pulsing through its wings. Everything about it screamed alien. Such a creature would be the most talked-about if science knew about its existence.

A snap of a twig caused me to pull my arm back, forcing the butterfly to shoot up, flying far away from the possible threat.

It might just be an animal, I told myself, attempting to calm my nerves. Yet the weird feeling never left.

Leaves crunched under footsteps, but they weren't mine.

My body went rigid, as dread crept its way into my blood. The sense of being watched tickled my skin. The serene atmosphere lost its appealing tranquility as eeriness filled the void.

"Hello, anyone there?" I asked into the field.

What was I thinking, it's not like the culprit would pop out of the bushes saying, "Hey there young lady, hello to you too."

I should run. I knew I should run. So why wasn't I running?

A tall figure wrapt in a black trench coat, poofed out of nowhere, on the opposite side of the clearing. My eyes grew wide, so did my jaw. That's when I noticed the disappearance of my light source. The butterflies vanished. . . . Cowards.

"Rowan, nice to see you again." His smooth, masculine voice purred through the silence. A hint of nostalgia danced within his smile.

My breath stopped, how did this creep know my name?

With trepidation clouding my thoughts, I did the stupidest thing I ever could've done.

"My name is Francis" I spoke.

My heart went frantic, clawing at my chest, desperate to jump out and run far away. Instead, my legs complied with my hearts desires and bolted from there.

What was I supposed to do? Stand there and humor him until he gets around to killing me in cold blood?

No thank you, I may be a lot of things but and i***t ain't one of them. I watched way too many horror movies to not know how this plays out.

Anxiety fed my adrenaline, pushing me to run faster than I ever have. I sprinted through muddy puddles, jagged rocks, zigzagging through the trees. My muscles pulled in exhaustion.

Man, I really needed to exercise more.

This situation was too paranormal to be considered reality, from the butterflies to the shadows in the dark. The thought that this might be a dream, calmed me to an extent, but never let me slow my pace.

"Rowan," Creep sang, over my erratic breathing, with a hint of annoyance.

He sounded close, hot on my trail.

I forced myself to go faster almost rolling my ankle in the process.

My lungs burned.

My feet ached.

My heart drummed.

My body begged me to stop and test out the theory that this might be a dream. I almost did. Almost being the keyword.

Survival instincts made me switch tactics and persuade my sore limbs to haul my body up a tree. I clutched the first brunch, praying that it wouldn't break under my weight.

It didn't.

With a little confidence, I continued until I was a good few feet off the ground. I made myself as tiny as possible, trying to camouflage myself into the branches.

Creep came into view a second later, "Come out little one, I'm not going to hurt you." He spat through gritted teeth. "Can't." He added bitterly.

Well, that makes me feel better, I'll just shimmy down so we can bond over a picnic under the stars. I rolled my eyes.

I watched him stroll through the trees, eyes searching like a predator looking for his prey.

"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," He stated, coldly. "Your choice."

Who does this guy think he is, the mafia?

"This isn't an interrogation ." I scoffed quietly.

His smirk was menacing before he vanished into thin air.

My eyes roamed through the vicinity, in a messed up game of where is Waldo.

In a cloud of smoke, he appeared next to me, sitting casually on the thick branch.

"I agree if this was an interrogation you'd be too f*****g traumatized to even think about playing with me" He admitted with a splash of mirth.

"What the fu-" I screeched, losing my balance. My stomach dropped, as my grip on the branch loosened, causing me to plummet down onto the sodden ground.

My spine arched in pain. Gritting my teeth in anguish I shut my eyes, hoping to wake up in my bed. From the pain in my back, all chances that I was dreaming died along with hope.

"You always have been extremely clumsy." Creep tattered from above, sitting perched on the brunch like royalty. His long dark trench coat looked like a robe under the moonlight.

"Who are you?" I grumbled, sitting up and doing my best to dust clumps of mud out of my shirt.

"Finally ready to talk?" He deadpanned.

"Who are you? Or better yet what are you?" I fired again, ignoring his question.

A vague feeling of excitement bubbled within me, he was a vampire, wasn't he?

Thanks to the amount of books I read, what supposed to be fear was replaced by mild excitement.

He jumped down, landing on his feet, standing, near a foot, taller than me.

"That doesn't matter."

"Of course it does, this concerns my safety." My eyebrows furrowed.

"If you truly felt in danger, you wouldn't be here talking to me." He grinned, wickedly.

He's right, what in the world is wrong with me? No sane human would be out at this ungodly hour, chatting up a stranger, who may or may not be a vampire, in the woods.

Deep down he felt familiar, almost like I knew exactly who he was. The fact that he could teleport, didn't even baffle me as you would expect.

"Alright, little midget, I just want to talk. Let's be realistic here; I could probably try and kill you a hundred different ways from Sunday. But I'm not. I'm saving time, I'm behaving so you don't go around screaming like a banshee and end up passing out." He folded his arms. "If I wanted to hurt you, I would." He added. "Or at least try to." He mumbled as an afterthought.

"Do you want to?"

"Not yet."

I glared. "So what do you want with me, are you a stalker?"

He scowled.

"Hey, you were the one lurking around making me s**t bricks."

"I'm here for this." He grabbed my hand and ran his thumb over my birthmark.

It didn't burn when he touched me.

It electrocuted.

"Ouch." I pulled my hand away, frowning at the source of most of my pain, lately.

"It's fading, that's the only thing that kept you safe for this long." His forehead wrinkled. He looked almost vulnerable for a second. Who am I kidding the guy looked like he was carved from stone, him looking vulnerable would be like Liam Neeson, looking weak.

"Alright then, as fun as this has been, I've got to go now," I fake smiled "We should do this again sometime." I reared back.

This dude truly was a creep, as if a birthmark can fade. Maybe he has schizophrenia or something. On second thought that would make a lot of sense.

"Rowan, I swear to God, if you take another step back, I'll slit your throat." He threatened, coldly. The sheer conviction in his tone was enough to keep me rooted on the spot. But did that stop me? I think not.

"As lovely as that would be, I'd like to pass up that opportunity." I took a leap backwards, swallowing back my fear.

He sneered.

With a giant stride, he stood toe to toe with me. I had to Crain my neck to see his face. At least he didn't smell. . . Look at me being an optimist.

"Don't test me, little one."

He looked about three years older than me. I don't see how I was little.

He brought his knuckles to my throat, caressing my pulse. "The reason you're alive right now is because of me, I suggest you start showing me some gratitude." He whispered.

"The only thing I'd like to show you is a taser."

His feather-like caress halted, switching to strangling, with ease.

My lungs worked at double pace trying to steal whatever bit of oxygen it could get. My hands shot up clawing for escape. So much for not hurting me... jackass. Although he did look like he was using all of his strength, I should technically be crushed by now, judging from the size of him.

"Watch it." He growled, pushing me away roughly. "If your mark fades, the Council would know you're alive, then we're both in shit."

Who the hell was the council?

I coughed trying to get my breathing on track, no thanks to forest guy.

"Trust me, if they get you. It'll be worse than anything I could ever do." He continued, not paying any attention to me.

It's official, this guy's on c***k. Maybe I am too.

He stuck his hand into his coat pocket, pulling out a gleaming sapphire ring, in the shape of a teardrop.

"This ring was forged by masters of black magic, it's been in my family for over three thousand years, it's the only thing that can keep you safe for now" He walked towards me.

"Black magic" I questioned in confusion. Trying to keep up, exhausted me.

"Yes, black magic" He gave me a look that told me to shut up.

"Just trust me." He held out the ring.

"You're just as much of a stranger to me as Kim Namjoon."

His left eye twitched.

"Wear this for the next two months and never take it off, after that, things would be back on course."

He slid the ring on my index finger, carefully.

He took a step back seeming to contemplate something for a moment. Nodding to himself he pulled out a jewel-encrusted dagger.

My jaw grew slack when he flung the threatening blade straight towards my chest. My eyes tightened waiting for the inevitable pain. All I felt was a slight tickled of dust on my skin.

"Thought as much." He grumbled.

My eyes popped open and hands flew up to feel for any wounds. "What the hell is wrong with you?" I asked gobsmacked.

He snickered, "Calm down, kid, I couldn't hurt you even if I wanted too." He sighed wistfully, "And how I really want too."

"You sick mother-"

He held up a hand, silencing me.

"I'll check up on you soon" He nodded as if we just finished an intense business meeting.

Before I could reply, he held his fists out, creating a mini-tornado of black smoke around me. My eyes grew heavy with sleep.

And just like that, I vanished into the darkness.

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