Hellwalkers

The Bite

Though he spent most of his time inside the house, Moxxie would be lying if he said that he didn't like enjoying some fresh air every now and then. Granted, he usually takes it within the safety of Lamian's walls. 

But he had to admit that the untouched part of the woods was quite the sight to behold. 

The oak tree where he was supposed to meet Jake was a few minutes walk through the forest's edge, crossing a small creek. Moxxie hadn't been sure to go back in there alone after the last time, but he was determined to get back Millie's present no matter what. 

So, with bag of food in one hand and pistol—just in case—on the other, Moxxie sat down in the shade of the tree, keeping an eye out for a speck of orange in the surroundings. He placed Jake's crossbow on the ground next to the food bag and lay against the bark of the tree, humming contently to himself.

An hour or so passed. Moxxie glanced at his watch. 14:16. That's odd, Jake said he'd be here at midday. Had he forgotten? Or perhaps it'd been another trick? No, that's not it. The impling was quite adamant in getting his crossbow back yesterday, there's no way he'd back out on their deal.

Unbeknown to him, he was being watched from the shadows.

*HB*

Striker didn't show himself immediately, instead opting to examine the town imp from afar for a while. He had to admit he was surprised. He didn't expect the little dude to return to the woods after the fright he gave him. Guess there was more to him than met the eye.

As Jake said, the town imp had his crossbow alongside a bag of town tasties. Man, whatever that thing is must be really important if the town imp is willing to risk his hide by coming here.

The Hellwalker smirked as he noticed a few vines hanging from the upper branches of the tree. It's been a long time since he got to play a trick on someone, especially now that Brash is... unavailable for pranks. The sight of the town imp just sitting under the tree was too tempting. 

Magic flowed from Striker's fingers as he focused on the vines and the plant tendrils snaked down towards the unsuspecting victim.

Moxxie was abruptly caught off guard as something pulled on his leg. Seconds later, he found himself hanging upside down. "What the-?!" he looked up, but saw a green vine instead of a rope wrapped around his ankle. 

"Really, ye town imps are so easy to deal with. But ye certainly take the cake, little dude." Moxxie looked around in a panic. A tall, pale snake Imp with a fur cloak had come out of the woods and came to a stop a few feet away, hands on his hips.

"H-Hey, think you could lend me a hand?!" But the imp merely picked up the crossbow and the food basket. "Hey, don't-! That's for someone I'm supposed to meet here!"

"I know, my boy told me about yer lil' trade. But he's grounded, so I came to pick it up in his stead." 'My boy?' Is this Jake's father? Well, he did see the resemblance. This imp had the same ringed eyes and snake-like face as Jake.

"Okay, you got it. Could you put me down now?! I really should get back to town before sundown!"

The snake imp eyed Moxxie for a few seconds. Then, he smirked. "Nah, I think I'll leave ya here a little longer, vermin. It might teach ya to stay away from my forest." 

"What?! Hey, come back! You can't leave me here!" Moxxie's words went on deaf ears as the snake imp disappeared into the foliage. "I hope you get eaten by a hellbeast!"