Venom (Book I) ✓

Chapter Four

Very little light managed to make its way through the thick foliage of the forest. The trees pressed in on passerby's, swaying in the dark as if pushed by some unheard and unfelt breeze. There was no silence among the greenery. A hundred steps and scampers and whispers breathed among the underbrush, all combining into an eerie song that aided in deterring visitors. Shadows of all shapes and sizes darted through the trees now, shocked and curious by the stranger that had wandered willingly into their domain.

All of the creatures twittered and called and exchanged worried looks. All of the creatures, that is, but one. One shadow moved silently, following the girl in the red hood's every move. He was dark and careful and fluid and when an insubstantial figure materialized beside him he didn't flinch.

"Who is she?" The misty form asked, its voice as vague and airy as its figure.

"I don't know." The young man answered, his voice low and rough.

The ghost drifted beside him, a face shifting in and out of being. Sometimes long, weightless hair was visible, sometimes wide, fearful eyes, or a button nose, or full pouty lips. "Why do I get the sense that you do know?" The girl's spirit whispered, though there was no accusation in her voice. 

"She's--just a girl from the town out there." He answered, sneaking a rueful glance toward his translucent companion.

"What is she doing here?"

"How should I know?"

"And why are you stalking her like prey?"

"I'm not! I just...I want to see where she goes."

"Maybe you should go to her. You could ask her what she's looking for. Maybe you could even help."

"That's a terrible idea." He growled, ducking beneath a fallen tree.

The ghost drifted through it, seemingly unconcerned by the sharpness of the young man's voice. "Is it?"

"She would run screaming for the hills."

"Why? You look almost human now. Especially in the dark."

He didn't answer, only shot the spirit an unamused glare.

On the overgrown path, the girl still wandered. Her face was covered in a vivid red hood. Who was she hiding from? That cloak was like a beacon. She couldn't have chosen a more obvious wardrobe. She wouldn't last a night out here.

"She's awfully pretty, isn't she?" The ghost whispered, a chill on his neck telling him his companion had slipped closer.

"I don't know, I can't see her face."

"I can make her take her hood off."

"Don't do anything stupid." He hissed, but it was already too late.

A projectile shot past his ear, ruffling his hair. He could only watch in horror as the little rock hit the hooded girl in the back of the head. Among the anger and embarrassment clouding his mind one thought stood out.

It worked, she took off her hood, and she was pretty.

**

Ruby twirled, throwing her hood back and tearing the knife from her belt. It felt odd in her hand, but she made an effort to wield it confidently, as if she had done so before. Only shadows greeted her, waving among the swaying trees in an almost mocking manner.

"Who's there?" She called. Behind her, a bird took flight with a loud complaint. "Come out and face me!"

There was a struggle in the shadows. Muttering and shuffling echoed loudly through the otherwise quiet area.