RIVER VALLEYS PAST

Chapter 3

          Peace, that was the atmosphere surrounding the people of River valley. Knowing that there was no threat are harm coming there way.

          The ray of light shining down on the city, giving the people reassurance that they're was hope in the world that the lived. Everyone went about their daily lives looking forward to the bright day ahead.

         "Marco stay where I can see you" a mother said to her seven year old son, watching as he kicked his ball freely with other kids playing by the sandbox. That was the life they lived. The peace and comfort that they enjoyed. It was four in the afternoon, the sun was slowly descending, giving the town one last glitter before it said goodbye for the day.

      "He's really growing up" Misty smiled at her aunt, watching her cousin running around with the others playing with his orb sized football in hand. Her aunt smiled, gazing up from her clipboard. Unlike Mist and the rest of their family, her aunt Chloe was not blessed with the gift of magic. Even though she knew how to create strongest the potions known to supernatural kind. She had no magic. But that didn't stop her from becoming the number one herbalist in town.

        "He is" Chloe replied with a gentle smile, before glancing down at her clipboard. Looking over the herbs she had to collect for Mrs Grace's medicine.

"Are you ever going to allow him to see his father" Mist asked in curiosity, watching the boy before turning to face her aunt. Chole simply shrugs, turning away from her burning gaze. Mist sighs, turning to see her cousin and his new friends surrounding something by a bush on the far side of the park. The curiosity ate at her stomach as she slowly made her way towards them, a rotting scent made her crinkle her nose In disgust. The closer she got the more rancid the scent.

Once she stood over them she gasped, clasping her hands over her mouth. The sight before her was gruesome. She couldn't help the wailing scream that penetrated her lips, sending everyone on high alert. Their attention diverting to her as the children ran off screaming and clinging themselves to their mothers.

"Mist, Mist sweetie, what's wrong" Chloe asked, rushing to her side with Marco clinging to her side. But the moment she caught sight of the gruesome display. There laid a decomposing body that was barely recognizable. Flies covering the rotten corpse, the flesh was completely gone, leaving organs and skeleton on display, she gasped, using her free hands to cover Marco's eyes. "Oh my god... Someone call the patrols now" she called out but no one moved, everyone stood confused, baffled at the commotion. "NOW" she exclaimed, everyone began to shuffle around pulling out their phones, murmuring shakily into their phones. "Mist.. Mist sweetie come on" Chole rushed out pulling her away from the sight.

The neck lining on her blouse was slightly damp from the salty tears rolling down her cheeks. The Patrol team came marching in wearing their usual yellow and blue uniforms. Demon hounds being held on short chains as they sniffed the area around the corpse, trying to pick a scent.

"Are you ladies okay" Jeremy asked, strolling over to where Misty sat with her knees resting under her chin, her arm wrapped around her shins. "Misty, are you okay" he asked, kneeling before her. Jeremy was one of the many male's in the city with a reputation, but unlike most, his was a clean one, being that he was the head of the cities patrol team. He was also a part of a past long forgotten.

Gazing up from her knees, her eyes swollen from all the crying. She simply nods, not daring to look into his eyes. Something about the look in his eyes made her want to jump into his arms, but she couldn't and she wouldn't.

"Are you sure" he asked, reaching out to touch her trembling arm.

"Paws off" Corey hissed, grabbing his hand in a death grip. Jeremy chuckled, standing to his feet, glancing down at his hand then up at Corey with a smirk. This made Corey's hold tighten. "Touch my mate and that pretty little face of your will be-"

"Corey that's enough" Chloe said, resting her hand on his shoulder "Take Mist home, I'll speak with the Patrol team and come over" she added, nodding towards Misty who was rocking back and forth. He simply nods, leaning down beside his shaking mate, scooping her fragile body into his arms. Sending one last glare in Jeremy's direction before turning away. Sauntering towards his car, resting her gently on the leather car seat. After strapping her in, he pressed his lips lightly against her forehead.

"You okay" he reluctantly as he closed his car door, glancing over at her briefly before starting up the car. The drive to her house was drop pin silent as they pulled off the highway and onto the dark road leading to her coven. He listened as her heart beat pounded against chest.

"Why is this happening" she mumbled, glancing down at her hands. What she had seen reminded her of the day she saw the body of her best friend. That was her first time seeing a lifeless body. He glanced over at her briefly.

"Everything is going to get better" he tried to reassure her, but in all honesty he himself didn't believe in his own words. Nothing was getting better, by the looks of it everything was only getting worse. His gaze flicked to the dark figure standing in the middle of the road blocking their path. Slamming down on the breaks. Their body's jerked forward almost slamming into the dashboard.

"What is that" Misty asked in a weary tone, gesturing towards the figure standing there. It's lanky form slightly leaning back, and it's head facing away from them. The figure slowly began to turn, it's glowing silver eyes staring back at them. Misty held her breath, hoping whatever it was, couldn't sense the anxiety rolling off her. The figure took a step forward, slowly the headlights began to trail jump it's pale ripped jeans and washed out t-shirt with many stains and rips, barely hanging from its shoulder blade.

The dark beard draping around it's face was filled with dirt and dried blood, covering it's pink lips. It's nose pointed, it's checks covered in scratch marks.

"That's a guy?" Misty said to herself, mostly questioning her eye sight. "Right" she asked, poking Corey who was still staring at the creature. Their gaze locked, mystery swirling in the eyes of the young man standing infront their vehicle. A scold forming on his thin lips. Rolling his shoulders back, blue dragon wings sprouting from his back before he flew off.

"What the actual f-"