Return of the Valiors
I pulled up to the entrance and Truff got out. “I’ll see you later.” I called as he began to close the door. “Aren’t you coming?” he asked. I shook my head “I can’t stand another three hours. I need a night out.” “Ok, then I guess I’ll stay after for some quiet time myself. Pick me up around ten, ok?” I nodded, he shut the door and I drove off as he climbed the stairs to the school.
I went to the nearest Borders, bought a drink, took a book off a shelf that I had been reading on and off, sat in a chair and began to read. A few chapters later I glanced up at the clock. Ten to ten. I stretched, finished my drink, replaced the book and left for the school. I got to the building a few minutes after ten and parked away from any lights, turned off the engine and waited. Truff had said that the Valiors wouldn’t return to the same place twice but I was still uneasy. Looking out the passenger side window I could see the spot where Truff and the Valior had fought. No evidence remained of the incident a week ago except for my vivid memories. I glanced up to the building. Truff had yet to appear and it was almost quarter-past. I decided to give him a few more minutes. I laid back and looked up at the sky out my window. No moon, no stars. Just like that night.
I suddenly sat up and scrambled into the backseat, hoping that I didn’t see what I thought I saw but at the same time knowing the truth: the moon and stars weren’t being blocked out by any clouds, but by something much more sinister. A noise like a strong wind sounded right outside my car. I watched as out of the darkness stepped a vampire. No-it was a Valior.
Another sound of wind and another Valior stepped out of the shadows. Another and another; soon the car was surrounded. They slowly approached my small Saturn as I tried to curl up in the center of the car. The closest one had reached the driver’s side door and I listened as he tried to open the door that I luckily forgot to unlock. It was then that I heard that voice.
“Back away, she’s mine.” A guttural sound followed those words and the Valiors all stepped away from the car. I look out the back driver’s side window in terror as the figure moved into my line of vision. “Hello, my little escapee.” said the Valior who had tried to kill me a week ago.
The locked door opened and he got in. I immediately scrambled into the backseat on the other side of the car as he closed the door and moved towards me. Even in the darkness I could see the fangs protruding from his mouth. I clenched my eyes shut but that didn’t help to block out his voice as he chuckled, “oh, don’t worry. You’ll hardly notice anything.” I managed to shake my head back and forth until something held my head. I knew it was his hands although they felt too cold and hard to be skin. My head was raised and again I felt his breath on my neck. Summoning every ounce of courage I had I could only chock out “You aren’t supposed to be here.” He let go of my head and asked “what do you mean?” I took a breath to try and steady myself and began “Truff said that Valiors never return to the same place twice.” The Valior grinned, “that may be true in other parts of the world,” he explained, “however since he is the only Zerenix in this area we have different standards.” “Why are you hunting his kind anyway? Money? Power? What do you gain from their suffering?” I asked, hoping to keep him talking in order to keep me alive. However my time was running out. The Valior frowned “sorry. That’s secret.” He moved closer to me until we were an inch apart. I swallowed my fear and stared back.
A sudden noise startled both of us and as the Valior tried to find the source of the noise I attempted to crawl between the door and the passenger seat and get to the front of the car. The further away from him I was, the better. I had my upper half in the front of the car when something grabbed one of my legs and pulled with incredible strength. I gave a cry of surprise and pain as I was dragged into the backseat. I was too terrified to move or even close my eyes as the Valior lunged for my head…
“That’s enough now, James.” The Valior stopped, his face less than an inch from mine. As I regained control of my thoughts and actions I realized who’s voice it was: Truff’s! I tilted my head behind me and saw the Zerenix heading towards the car. No other creature moved outside; Truff must’ve beaten them all! It wasn’t until he was close to the car did I see that he was hurt: there was a cut along one cheek, he had a black eye and his clothes were torn. I felt James’ cold hands on my head again and saw Truff say “let her go or you’ll meet the same fate as your allies.” Reluctantly I was released and with surprising speed Truff ran over to the door, opened it up and I fell out. Something black passed over me, just missing me. I got up and held onto Truff and the black mass landed on the ground and James stepped out of it with an evil grin on his face. Even from the parking lot lights a distance away I could see his fangs glinting. Suddenly Truff grabbed my arm and dragged me away at a very fast pace. I heard some familiar noises “Truff, we’re not alone!” I called to him. He ran into some nearby woods and we dove into a thick shrubbery that smelled fruity. He put a finger to my lips and we sat there silently as we heard some things rustling around nearby. The woods finally fell silent again until the normal buzz of woodland creatures began. Then we left.
On the outskirts of the woods we finally stopped. “I’m sorry,” Truff said, “for not being there sooner. I knew they were outside for some time and it wasn’t until I had enough guts to look out the window did I notice your car and remembered that you had come to pick me up.” “Well in the end you saved me,” I said, “and I want to thank you for that. However how did you know his name was James?” “Jaemond, James for short, is the leader of the Valiors in this region. I knew this and yet I put you in danger!” “No, Truff-” I began, but was cut off, “Yes! Yes you were! And you still are! James will hunt us both now. He will never stop. Never! But you don’t need to worry. I made this mess and now I’m going to make things right again. They’re only after me, so I’ll disappear! Goodbye Megan, forever!” I held out a hand to try and get him to stay but he had already turned around and walked away.
