Dreams of Darkness

by D L Pitchford et al.

  When Mayze snapped out of it, she stood weak at the knees barely able to stand, she gently placed her friend's body back to the ground that cradled her moments before she found her.

  “I will catch the creature, no matter the cost. Your murder will be avenged. Your death will not be in vain.”

  Mayze wiped the tears from her face with one hand and the other she had Dazielle left hand in her other as she laid it gently back towards her body and began to stand up. With Mayze’s blood boiling like she left it on the fire too long, her body became overrun with fury bumps. She had never noticed them before, but there was no time for her to worry about it. She had a purpose, a reason to keep going. She drew her sword out of its sheath and then bolted from the place where she found her lifeless friend.

  “Wait, Mayze. You're going to get yourself into tr—” Wyatt yelled at her receding back, but all she could concentrate on were the tracks that the monster had left in the Misty Quagmire Forest.

  Mayze went from sapling to sapling, picking up on his scent as she smelled the air and the trees. Wyatt’s voice grew more distant until all she could hear was a faint echo. She clenched her blade so tightly that a sharp pain radiated up the side of her arm. Ignoring it, she focused instead on the satisfaction of having the creature meet the curve of her chakram. Seeing his gruesome body wither away like her friend’s had, seeking revenge on the beast that had ended her life so quickly—it was all she could think about. It drove her to keep pushing through the pain and agony of her loss.

  A stream cut across her path, and Mayze knelt beside it, cupping her hands and reaching them into the crystal-clear water to take a sip. The shimmer of the moon reflected off the water as she continued to drink. The excess trickled down the backs of her hands and returned to the stream. She was not far behind the creature, though she would be prepared for it just in case it decided to show its repulsive skin.

  As the water swayed back and forth, she could see Daz and her playing by the stream when they were little girls, and the fun and laughter they shared. The memories rushed over of her, and suddenly she was in a cloud with no way back to her life before Dazielle’s death. Though she was no stranger to hunting, being her whole family were trackers, this night felt completely different. The air seemed abnormally cold. Not to mention, she had a much higher need to catch her mark than before, for she had a personal stake in his death.

  “Mayze, watch out!” Wyatt’s voice startled her out of her reverie.

  Something cold and unsettling towered over her, casting a shadow on the water. She snatched her sword and maneuvered swiftly around until she was face-to-face with the vampire who had taken her sweet Daz away from her just hours before.

  The stone-like being stood stoically before Mayze. His face was elongated and covered in dark blemishes. He had deep purple circles around his eyes. His fingernails had a glossy sheen. When he flexed his forearm, she could see the blue tint to his skin.

  He seemed enthralled by her, staring at her as if she were a piece of a puzzle to be figured out. Mayze took advantage of his distraction striking him and tearing the flesh on his arm, leaving a gash that exposed midnight blue blood.

  “Oh, you can bleed, you monster?” Mayze shouted as she quickly changed her stance and kept circling the vampire, never letting him close enough to attack.

  The beast clenched his bicep. “What on nine suns was that? Nothing has ever pierced my skin or even gotten close to me. Where did you find this weapon?” Blood dripped through his fingers, though it didn’t seem to faze the vampire, as if the pain didn’t bother him.

  “Don’t speak, you savage! This was given to me by my father. I don’t care about its origins as long as it can rid the world of creatures like you.” Mayze flexed her sword toward the beast as they faced off. To show off her skills, she made circular movements in an infinity direction over and over until she had her sword raised just above her right shoulder, ready to strike the creature again if he advanced.

  He didn’t, though. He seemed more inclined to talk to her in his native tongue. “Will you just listen to me for a moment? I have come far. Please, hear me out. I beg of you.”

  Wyatt forced himself between Mayze and the vampire. “Get away from her, you despicable monster. You shall not harm her. Now, back off.” He drew his sword hastily. It shimmered as he twisted the grip and raised it behind his left shoulder, ready for the creature to make its next move. But instead of attacking, the vampire considered them for a long moment then turned and fled, impossibly fast.

  Mayze and Wyatt gave chase deep into the forest. They were on high alert, their hearts racing. Though this was not the first time they had encountered a creature like this. Mayze and Wyatt had been on many hunts with their father, the queen’s huntsman, so they were no strangers to the breed and their movements. There was once a vampire that took them on a two-week hunt and they learned alot from that creature: its habits; how quick its movements were; the color of its skin; a vampire’s erratic behavior.

  They stopped in a clearing surrounded by marshlands. With each step, they fought their way through thick brush and limbs, making it impossible for them to remain quiet. Wyatt stepped on a thick branch that crunched beneath the heel of his boot.

  Wyatt and Mayze finally caught up to the beast. It was just on the outskirts of a gigantic dark castle so large people could see it from a distance, but as they followed the creature further away from the forest, everything behind them faded like they were in a dense fog that blocked all sight.

  The fog finally faded as they got closer to the castle. Seeing the vampire leaping from rock to rock, they caught a glimpse of it suspended in the moonlight, showcasing the shimmer of his skin as light struck it. Seeing his chance, Wyatt struck the vampire. The vampire quickly spun away, only to come face to face with Mayze, her weapons drawn. She tried to strike the vampire, thinking she had the element of surprise, but the vampire maneuvered around both of them.

  Mayze raised her right hand in the air to Wyatt. The she made a gesture pointing to the right she tucked her hand inward then up followed by immediately down low. She wanted him to come from behind down low while she came high.

  “No, don’t you dare.” Wyatt raised his voice until it cracked under duress.

  But Mayze was already in position. This time, instead of her chakram, Mayze brandished their father’s sword, the one he would tell stories to them about when they were young. One time, he spoke of how the sword was enchanted by the queen and would always glisten if vampires were near. Feeling as if all the stars had aligned, Mayze lashed out at the creature of the night.

  Even though the sword cut into its arm, the creature did not stop fighting. It scooped her up in his arms like a mother rescuing its young. She tried to escape, but she could hardly move a muscle, bound in his tight grip.

  Kicking and screaming, Mayze demanded that the vampire release her. He, of course, did not listen. He ran, leaving Wyatt far behind. He darted quickly that she choked on her own breath, Soon, they approached a vacant castle, one she’d never seen before.

  When they reached inside the castle it was pitch black black and extremely dusty with no one in sight. Mayze tried to yell thinking there was someone close but instead her screams echoed off of the walls.

  Mayze coughed as she let out the last yell asked, “Don’t you ever dust or haven’t you heard of light?” She recanted. But the monster was unmoved by her anger and sarcasm.

  In the kitchen, he placed her on an aged hardwood floor over by a two-tone sandal marble counter. He took a few steps back, surveying her. Looking at her in awe like he was seeing his daughter for the first time. She went for her weapons the first chance she got only to find that her hip harness wass empty.

  When had he done that? She thought to herself. Regardless, she would not cower to him and be a trapped animal.

  She stumbled to her feet on wobbly legs. Gaining her balance, she stood tall and stout, and exclaimed, “Release me at once. I made you bleed once I can
do it again.” Mayze tried to bolt past him, but the vampire was always one step in front of her. When she tried to move in a different direction, the vampire reacted quicker than she could even see, never allowing her a clear path to the door.

  When Mayze collapsed back against the wall, the creature grinned. Leaning over a counter, he took out a large bowl that he filled with fresh spring water that was pumped in by a water wheel.

  “What’s so funny?” Mayze barked, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “I find it hilarious you are trying everything you can to escape, but you are not in any danger. I give you my word.” He reached over to offer the water to Mayze.

  Mayze reacted instinctively to his nearness, knocking the bowl from his hand and lashing out with her fist. The creature bellowed in surprise, but she did not cower as they stared at each other. She remembered what her father told her—if she was ever caught, the quickest way a vampire could know her actions was by her thoughts. So, she did her best to keep her mind racing, never focusing for too long on one thing, so she didn’t give the vampire a chance to have the upper hand. Instead she blurred out in anger not allowing the creature to win or defeater her.

  “Why did you kill my best friend? She did nothing to harm or anger you.” Mayze took a step back out of his reach and brushed off her body from her chest down to her lower extremities, trying to rid herself of his stench.

  “I did not kill anyone. I do not feed on humans. You are the one I seek. I mean no harm to you or anyone in the village. I only wish to speak to you. That is all, I promise.”

  “Seeking me? Why?” Mayze asked, as a narrowed stare appeared on her face, masking the fright that sank into her gut. Was all the death and destruction somehow her fault? “I don’t know you from anywhere.” She screamed in hate as she displayed another mixed emotion only this time it was more intense it was like she was getting lost in her rage as it was consuming her not allowing her to stay in control.

  “I’ve been searching for you your whole life, ever since the hateful queen taunted me with the news of your existence. You became my new reason for living, so I could get to know you. I only recently got wind from my scouts where you were living. I know all about Wyatt, and Solomon, who has been a father to you. I do not wish to take you from them, or to harm anyone you love. I only want you to have the chance to know me and where you come from, my daughter.” As the beast spoke, he moved closer to Mayze.

  Mayze watching him like a hawk never allowing him to get close. She would not let him get close to her like he had in the forest she would keep a safe distance away. As Mayze backed away everytime the creature advanced she was now in a position she didn’t want to be in.

  She blurted out. “You say you have been searching for me, but answer me this. When was I born? What’s my favorite color? What did I love to do when I was little? What have been my struggles? If you truly are who you saw you are, you would be able to answer each of them. But, no. Here you stand, with only a blank stare on your face.”

  “I would have been there if your mother had not hidden you from me all those years ago.”

  But Mayze had already put up a wall between them. All she heard was rubbish while her mind raced, trying not to display a moment of weakness.

  “Get away from me, vulture of the night. I can’t accept anything you say. It's all lies just false statements. All you vampires do is use us human as cattle. Why are you any different?”

  The creature gave a blank stare like she was talking something foreign to him. He attempted to speak, but she cut him off. She was on a roll and nothing was going to stop her. He had taken her away from her family and even more in her eyes he had taken away the one true friend she ever had.

  “I don’t want to hear another word from you. All you speak are lies. Let me out of here. I want to go home, now.” Mayze moved away from the creature and toward the door. She felt immense rage, but also a great power, like she may be able to take him on after all. Like all the power she needed resided inside of herself and she only had to tap into it.

  A shield hung on his wall. Rustic planks placed side by side covered the front, flanking a design that showed two horses on their hind legs, ready to battle the other. The horses were black stallions, with eyes of fire red and smoke flowing from their nostrils.

  Mayze had only to think it, and instantly, it was in her hands. She was stunned, but not frozen. There was another piece of weaponry on the wall. She reached out with her right hand, grabbing it mid-air as it soared toward her. It was an ancient, double-headed axe that had runes from a different language etched on the blade. When Mayze held it up, it was light, but the metal was one she had never seen before. Thin leather twined in a crisscross pattern, joining the handle to the head of the axe and spiraling down the handle.

  The monster did not seem threatened or even surprised. “You don’t understand. Why would I have any reason to not speak the truth, my dear child?”

  “No, I say! I just want to leave. I can’t trust what you say. You killed my friend and now you're keeping me here against my will. If you think you can fatten me up only to kill me, take your best shot. I will not go down without a fight. I harmed you already once this evening, and I’ll do it again.” Mayze crouched, weapon drawn and shield held in front of her on one arm, waiting for the beast to make his first strike.

  But again, he surprised her. Instead of attacking, he began to shimmer as if his whole body were made of air. And then he was gone.

  He reappeared just before her, and was gone again, reappearing beside the wood stove. Over and over, faster than her eyes could follow. Mayze wanted to scream, wanted to grab him and hold him down and stab her sword through his unbeating heart.

  When he did stop, though, she wasn’t ready for it. He was close—too close—and her eyes met his. She was surprised by how much the sapphire orbs looked like her own. And then, all will to fight left her body. She couldn’t explain why, but she dropped the shield and sword, and then fell into his arms.

  The beast leaned into Mayze, lowering his mouth to her neck and biting down, barely leaving marks. Blood trickled from her skin. When the creature blinked, they both plunged into the same vision.

  A fragile queen in a carriage was tormented by three creatures of the night who were trying to tear the carriage to pieces. Scared and panicked, she called out for help. Another beast—her father, the very same vampire who held her now—came from the woods like a bolt of lightning, quickly killing the savage creatures and rescuing the countess.

  Unexpectedly, she was taken to another vision where the lady and the beast were getting dressed after having a romantic evening. She noticed similar surrounds like the bridge that lead to the gates of his castle. Even the location of the trees and the unique odor that lingered the air reminded her of the woods they had hunted him through.

  Even the castle was more vibrate and full of dark plush colors. He even had a large staff of people that was working outside in front of the castle in the fields full of corps.

  “Thank you kindly, sir, for your brute force in rescuing me from those savages. I don’t think I would be here if not for you.” The queen answered as she picked up part of her dress off the ground trying to keep her dress clean from the filth that had laid underneath her feet.

  The vampire grabbed the woman’s porcelain hand, bent over, and kissed it when he replied, “My lady, you should not apologize, for it is I that should. They are my kind and there is a rule against attacking beautiful women such as yourself.” The creature chuckled as he helped the lady to her feet. Then he showed her a different time, when the lady was heavily pregnant. Even in her condition, she was escorted to a place deep in the forest where a group of men with rifles aimed at her as she stood perched on a hilltop. Standing frantasicly scared for her life and her unborn child she stood shivering uncontrollably unable to stand in one spot for too long.

  Pleading for her life she called out, “ Don’t kill me. I’m innocent of the charges. The king do
esn't know what he is talking about. His mind isn’t right these days. What can I do, for you not to follow through?”

  A man instead ignored her and called out, “By the order of the king, you are to be killed by his hand for the crimes committed against the crown and his honor.” But instead of gunfire, screams echoed through the forest when a huntsman took his axe and killed each of the men until only she stood, weeping and holding her stomach tightly as she cried for help.

  Mayze blinked her eyes at the familiar face. Maybe the creature had not been lying to her after all.

  “Come with me, milady.” The huntsman helped the woman to her feet. “I’ll keep you safe. I have a place not that far from here. It may not be much, but it will be a place no other will come looking. Plus, I have a wee little boy that will keep you occupied, you’ll see. Now, please come with me.”

  She only hesitated for a moment before taking his hand.

  Another vision came when she saw the birth of a small baby girl with dark green eyes and hair as golden as the sun. On her lower back was a mark she recognized, the same dragon birthmark that Mayze had.