And What I Found There - Book Two

28. In the Back of My Mind

I trail along after Vyndren for a while, we're both uncharacteristically quiet but for the life of me I can't think of anything to say to break the ice. Maybe it's for the best though... I think with dolor.

We both stop abruptly on the edge of the woods as a building looms before us on top of yet another colossal hill. It's a glorious gothic cathedral like church. "Whoa..." I whisper in amazement. But I've never seen stain glass windows like these before. They depict gory crucifixions of Vampires. Yikes, I cringe.

Vyndren hisses softly as he glares up at it. "Charming," his eyes dart over all the cross headstones that line the hill like tiers on a cake. He makes a face of disgust.

I roll my eyes. "Oh c'mon, the ground isn't hallowed anymore so you have nothing to worry about."

He shoots me a look. "Don't tell me what to worry about."

"Well I want to look around," I state.

"Want to look around?" He repeats in astonishment. "Yeah," he snorts. "Good one. But I'm gonna have say hell no." I scowl. "Look, we need to fence around this hill somehow and get to the next one, your...precious lil' friends are there," he rolls his eyes.

"Why'd they go deeper into the Hills?" I tilt my head back, trying to see the hill beyond this one, but the mist is too thick.

"Well..." he clears his throat. "They haven't been able to find you down here, so..."

"Aha! So you admit it!" I exclaim with frustration. "You have been purposely keeping me from the Knights! Ugh, I can't freakin' believe you!" I huff and shove his shoulder. "I have stuff to do and I'm on a deadline!"

"I know, I know," he rolls his eyes again. "And I already said I was sorry or whatever. Anyway," he anxiously breezes on, unable to look at me as I glare at him. "Let's try to get our shick together, all the Hills after this one are bound to be full of stupid shick like churches and tombs and are gonna be crawling with Myx, MaCaw birds, Goyels, and Tyranspines, y'know, fun stuff..."

"So the other Hills were picnics before now, huh?"

"Short answer; yeah."

I hesitate. "Look, I... I can't really explain it, but I feel the need to look around here," I gesture up at the church. I had a vision about a church and for all I know, it's this one.

"Oh yeah? Well I feel the need to keep you alive so I'm going to veto this stupid idea and say we push on. I thought you were in some big hurry to find your precious White Knights?"

"Hey, chill," I give him a look. "And look, Quill and Adisonia were telling me stories about how before Ghost Hills was cursed people used to come here for cures to Dark magic. What if there's something in here that could help me out?"

"Are you insane?"

"Coming from you, that doesn't offend me." I scoff. "You can stay here if you want. But I gotta check this out."

"What?!" He glares after me as I briskly set off.

I quickly trot up the stairs winding up the massive hill. Thunder rumbles loudly overhead and the chaotic wind nearly knocks me down as I reach the top.

"Whew," I wipe my forehead and turn to look down at Vyndren.

He hasn't moved an inch.

I give a big elaborate wave and now cup my hands around my mouth like a megaphone. "Hey! Care to join me? C'mon! I don't wanna poke around alone!" No reaction. I try again with a faint grin. "I'm sure whatever is up here is more afraid of you than you are of it!"