“What the…!” Rob yells as the vehicle swerves but he maintains control. Then the silky black arm of Ekabar smashes down through the middle shattering the vehicle’s light darkening the inside of the car. A second later, the shadowy image of Kynar appears in the back on one side of the Professor and the larger shadowy image of Sevol appears on the other side.
“Prepare,” Kynar says.
Smash! Ekabar’s arm pierces through the roof again this time reaching down and grabbing the wheel.
“Aaaaagh!” Rob yells as he fails to keep the wheel straight. The car swerves off the road and into a nearby light pole. The light pole shatters upon impact and the car comes to a crashing halt, slamming the three men forward. The front two airbags explode out preventing Rob and Rick from slamming into the front dash. In the backseat, Sevol and Kynar disappear as the Professor bounces into the back of the passenger side seat.
A couple seconds pass before Rick regains focus. He looks to his friend beside him. “Rob?” His friend nods yes and he turns to the Professor in the back. “Professor…?”
“Fine,” Professor says. “Fine, my head hurts but I am fine.” He shakes his head as he looks outside. “We have to keep going. Rob’s house is only a mile or so from here. We have to hurry!”
Rob reaches for the door and opens it. He slowly takes a step out of the vehicle. He is not thinking. He forgets about Ekabar on the roof. The Fearling moves fast, grabs him by the shoulder, and tosses him forward out of the car.
“Mine,” Ekabar says. He drops off the roof to land on the ground near Rob as the human stands.
“No,” Kynar says. He appears behind Ekabar, grabs the Fearling from the back, and tosses him to the side before he can react. “No.”
Rick stumbles out of the vehicle. He sees his Molawner Sevol standing a couple feet away from him. “Are you going to help him?”
“No,” Sevol says.
“What?” Rick asks. He looks around and sees that the area is dark enough for an attack. “Is he here?” Rick asks. Scanning across the road, he sees nothing.
“Yes,” Sevol says. He raises his shadowy arm pointing across the car to the other side.
Rick turns to see the large shadowy image of the Molawner that has been hunting his family for generations. His name is Notav and he is very powerful and stands several feet away from the Professor.
Notav takes a step closer to the Professor and lowers his shadowy head. His tone is quiet and direct. “Mine.”
“Really,” Professor says. He stares at the larger shadowy image of Notav and shows no fear and his tone is threatening. “Touch me and more harm will come to you than you could ever escape from.”
Rick stares with amazement as Notav steps back. He turns to see Rob standing next to the shadowy image of Kynar. They are staring at Ekabar who stands without movement several feet away from them.
“Leave,” Kynar says. He takes a couple steps toward Ekabar.
“Why aren’t they attacking?” Rob asks. He is anxious. He has to get to his wife. “Professor…? Why aren’t they attacking?”
“Preventing,” Kynar says. He turns his head to his Vaun and repeats his word. “Preventing.”
“Preventing?” Rob asks. He immediately thinks of it. “They’re, they’re trying to stops us from getting to Ann.”
“Yes,” Kynar says. He turns back to Ekabar.
“Run!” Professor says. He steps toward Rob and Kynar. He continues to show no fear of the Molawner Notav behind him. “Rob you must run to them!”
“Protect,” Kynar says. He steps forward ready to attack Ekabar.
Rick joins Rob at the front of the crashed car by the pole. He looks at his friend then to Sevol beside him. They both have their flashlights in their hand as he looks forward. He sees Notav fade into vision next to Ekabar. “Rob. We run. Sevol and Kynar will keep them off of us.”
“Go now!” Professor yells. His order instantly influences the two men. He watches as they start running toward the Fearling and Molawner.
Kynar appears behind Ekabar while Sevol appears behind Notav. The four beings engage in struggle as Rob and Rick run between them. The Professor walks to the front of the car as Rick and Rob continue to run. The four beings fighting fade from vision as the men put distance between them.
“Do not stop!” Professor yells as Rob and Rick turn the corner.
Rob hears the Professor as they turn down the well-lit street. He is not as fast as the younger Rick but he is keeping up. Ahead of them, several streetlights are shattered, darkening the upcoming part of the street, but they run without worry.
Ekabar fades into vision a few feet in front of Rob but as soon as he does, so does Kynar, tackling the Fearling to the side out of Rob’s way. Rob doesn’t stop. He keeps focus and runs as fast as he can toward his house.
CAFETERIA
James sits beside Rachel as the others start to gather around them. He sees the continuing fear on all of their faces as Rachel talks to everyone. “As long as we all stay together we will be fine,” Rachel says. She holds the boys hand as she talks about his family. “Rob will get the others and bring them back here. We will figure out what to do. We can stay here till morning.”
None of the Vauns like that idea but most know it is the safest course of action. They are praying that Rob and the others get to the house in time to help Ann.
“Do you think they made it?” James asks. He watches as Rachel nervously swallows when she answers.
“If they are not there yet they will be there very soon,” Rachel says. “Your dad will call us as soon as they are on their way back.”
“You know that your dad and Kynar will not let anything happen to your mom,” Nancy says. She reaches out to the boy with love and trust in her tone. “They will protect her.”
James knows that is true but his fear is not that. His fear is if his dad and the others can get to his mom in time.
Jeff admires the boy’s bravery and knows that the boy is very aware of the situation. He wants to say words of encouragement but he doesn’t know what to say. He knows that they just have to wait.
HOUSE
Ann, Julie and Stewart are in the middle of the living room with the one remaining working lamp between them. All three have their flashlights on as they scan everywhere expecting to see the shadowy image of the attacking Nanlar but there is nothing and hasn’t been for minutes.
“Should we run?” Julie asks. She doesn’t know what to do and is beginning to allow her fear to make her impatient.
“No,” Ann says. She is scared too but she remains in control of her fears. She cannot panic. “That’s what he wants us to do.”
“Mom,” Stewart says. His eyes tear as he looks up to his Mom. “I, I don’t want him to get us. Please don’t let him get us.”
“If you see him shine your flashlight on him,” Julie says. She can’t focus on comforting words for her son. She wants him to react right. That’s all she can think about. “Shine your light on him. Ok?”
Stewart wipes his eyes as he nods yes. He’s trying as hard as he can to stay brave.
“They will be here soon,” Ann says to comfort the boy. “They will be here soon then we will go somewhere safe.”
“No,” the cold steady voice of Nanlar speaks. He is not in vision. His voice comes from the dark stairs leading to the second floor. “Not going to be here in time.”
“Shut up!” Ann yells. She is scared but she is also in protection mode. She will not allow anything to happen to Julie and Stewart. “You will not get us! Do you hear me?”
“Mine,” Nanlar says. He appears behind the three humans as he finishes his thought. “I came here for you and you will be mine.”
Julie and Ann turn around fast shining their flashlights on the larger Nanlar. He raises his arms and fades from the beams.
“No!” Ann yells. She steps forward and scans the area of darkness with the beam from her light. “No!”
Nanlar appears on the other side of the
room in the darkness along the wall. “Mine.” He steps forward as they turn and shine their lights on him. He raises his arms and the beams strike him. This time he doesn’t fade. He yells out in a wind like roar of pain but he continues stepping forward. He yells louder as he enters the area of light provide by the lamp. “Mine!” His large shadowy frame fades to reveal his silky black skin as he steps further into the light. He is in obvious pain and moves slow as he reaches his arms out toward the humans.
“Ann!” Julie cries as she and her son step back away from the approaching Nanlar. “What do we do?” She doesn’t pay attention. They are stepping back too close to the edge of the light and she realizes it’s too late.
Nanlar fades from the light and appears in the darkness behind Julie and Stewart. He pushes his mom forward crashing her into Ann and the light. The light breaks as they fall to the floor. The room is completely dark as the two women look up. They see Stewart crying as he shines his flashlight on the larger Nanlar.
“Stewart!” Julie yells as she stands. She shines her flashlight causing the larger being pain but he is still fast. He reaches out and grabs her by the neck. He turns and tosses her sideways down the hall and she lands hard when she hits the floor.
“Mom!” Stewart cries. He stands, but is too scared to move as he helplessly watches Nanlar turn toward Ann as she stands.
Nanlar reaches out and grabs Ann by the throat. He picks up the smaller woman and starts toward the stairs.
“Run Stewart!” Ann chokes out as they reach the bottom of the stairs. She loses sight of the boy as they start up the stairs. She still holds her flashlight and is able to shine it directly on the side of Nanlar’s head. His toothless mouth widens as he yells in pain.
Nanlar drops the woman as he raises his arms in pain. She falls to the stairs and tumbles down to the bottom dropping her flashlight in the process.
Ann lies on her stomach. She looks across the room and sees Stewart still standing in front of the door. A second later, she feels the strong grip of Nanlar on her ankle.
Stewart cries as he steps forward. He looks down the hall and sees his mom standing then he turns to Ann on the floor at the bottom of the stairs. He sees her eyes widen and then she is yanked back up the stairs out of his vision. He cries out as his mother reaches him.
“Where is she?” Julie cries to her son. She sees him point to the stairs and she runs with flashlight in hand. She reaches the bottom of the stairs and shines the light up. She sees Ann’s face just as she is pulled out of vision at the top of the stairs. Julie starts to run up the stairs when her son cries out, “Mom!”
Julie stops and turns to Stewart. The door opens behind her and Rob and Rick enter the room running. They look to her on the stairs as Kynar and Sevol appear in the middle of the room.
“Where is she?” Rob asks. The fear of the answer is in his tone when he repeats the question quickly. “Where is she?”
Julie cries as she points up the stairs. She gets up and runs to her son standing beside Rick at the door.
“Rob wait,” Rick says, “let Sevol.” Rick turns to his Molawner. Sevol fades from vision.
Rob already knows the answer. His wife is gone. He was too late and didn’t save her.
Sevol returns to stand beside the shadowy image of the smaller Kynar. His tone is short but shows compassion. “She has been taken.”
“Aaaaagh!” Rob yells out. He cannot control his emotions. “No! No! No! No!” He paces for a couple seconds then stops. “No. No, we can’t let this happen. We can’t.”
Rick doesn’t say anything. He knows that it will not help. He watches as Rob collapses to his knees crying.
Julie cries as she holds her son at the doorway.
“We can’t let this happen,” Rob cries.
“Rob,” Rick says. His tone is soft but also to the point. “We have to go.”
Rob stands and turns to his Fearling Kynar. He speaks with desperation in his tone, “Something? There has to be something we can do. Kynar there has to be something we can do.”
“James,” Kynar says. “Protect James.”
Rob stops. He knows that Kynar is right. He wipes the tears from his eyes. He thinks of his son at the cafeteria with Rachel and the others.
“The Fearling is right,” Professor says startling everyone in the room as he enters the house. “We have to get back to James. I have a taxi out front.”
“How did you get a taxi?” Rick asks.
“He was driving by the wreck.”
Rob stops. He turns to Julie and Stewart. “You two stay here.”
Julie understands why Rob speaks his words. There will be no Vaun in the house so there will be no chance of them being attacked.
“As long as you’re not with us you will be safe,” Rob says.
Julie nods yes, as Rob hugs her then bends down to Stewart. “You stay with your mom and protect her,” Rob says. He reaches out and hugs the boy. He stands then turns to the door.
“We will call you when time allows,” Professor says.
Julie holds her son as the three men exit the house. A second later Kynar and Sevol fade from vision. “We’re safe now,” Julie cries. “We’re safe now.”
“What about James?” Stewart asks. He saw what happened to Ann. He is scared for his friend and the others. “Is he safe?”
CAFETERIA
Thirty minutes later Rob, Rick, and the Professor enter the large room. They see the other Vauns instantly stop and turn to them. Rachel and the other Vauns notice that Ann is not with them and they know what that means.
“No,” Rachel says. She looks down and sees James staring at her. His eyes tear and she knows that he is aware.
Rob walks to his son and bends down. He hugs his boy tightly as they both cry.
“We were attacked in the car and delayed,” Professor says, “We were too late to help Ann.”
“No!” Rob is not ready to give up. He won’t. He can’t. “No! We have to go get her! If they can come here damn it then we can go there!”
They say nothing. They let Rob cry his thoughts out. They are all searching for a way to travel to the Fearling’s world but they have not found the way yet.
“There has to be a way,” Rob says. He turns to the Professor. “You can find it. You can. With Rachel’s dad’s help you can find it.”
“Yes,” Professor says. He is calm, compassionate. “We do not know how yet but we will find it. We will. We will Rob. I promise you this.”
“Now,” Rob cries. He stops as he slowly gets control of his emotions. He feels his son’s grip tighten. He cannot lose control. He has to be strong for his son. He wipes his eyes and stares around the room. He speaks in a calmer tone. “We have to find her.”
At that second, the outer lights where the ceiling and wall meet shatter. Sparks and glass fly around the edge of the room forcing several nearby Vauns to raise their arms to protect their faces. The outer walls have enough darkness for Fearlings and Molawners.
Kynar is the first to appear and instantly the other Fearlings do as well, protectors and those who are there to attack, appear scattered throughout the room. The larger Molawners appear last, directly in front of their Vauns.
Rachel’s Teelah appears along the wall twenty feet away from her. She sees Rick’s Sevol appear and then Jeff’s Rel.
James stands beside his dad at the end of a table under the protection of the light. He scans the area at all the shadowy beings and is scared. He has never seen so many and he knows that not all of them are good like his Fearlings Hydron and Drawk, who appear along the wall directly in front of him, ready to protect.
No one has moved yet. The humans are frozen with fear and caution while the Fearlings and Molawners are waiting. Outside in the hallways the lights shatter and the emergency lights turn on leaving darkness every thirty feet. Everyone reacts because they know that they are now the ones pinned.
“Dad…?” James cries. He sees his Fearlings Drawk and Hydron step as close to the
edge of darkens as they can.
Rob looks to his Fearling Kynar as he speaks.
“Protect,” Kynar whispers. “Protect.”
“You protect James!” Rob demands to his Fearling. “Do you hear me Kynar? You protect James!”
The attacking Molawner Setah, who is attached to Jeff, appears at the edge of the darkness. The Molawner reaches out through the lights. His large silky black arms grab a nearby Vaun, tossing the man straight up slamming him into the lights on the ceiling.
Fearlings Two (The Fearlings Series Book 2) Page 6