The Twilight Homicides Vol. 2 - Missing Persons (Twilight fanfiction)

Chapter 9 | The black goat of the woods | Clary Frey

I've been having these awful nightmares since we went to pandemonium. I wake up in this strange, dark house that I've never seen before. Outside the rain continued lashing down as the great black storm raged on. The thunder and lightning gave me only a moment to see that I was back in the enormous living room next to the open kitchen. It's filled with things from my family. My grandmother's mirror hung over the dimly lit fireplace, grandad's old clock, my mother's ornamental candles and our all old furniture from when I was younger. It was all so familiar yet I felt no comfort or desire to stay, especially when I couldn't stop looking towards the glass doors to the forest outside. They were always locked in my dreams and this time was no different as I turned the handle, trying again. There was something about knowing I couldn't go outside but also that there was something there, someone looking back at me from the darkness. Last time I swore I saw eyes looking out from behind the trees. Not this time. I didn't know if I should feel better or worse. With the next flash of Lightning, I lit another of my mother's candles on the fireplace along with the others on the mantle under my grandmother's mirror. I saw that this one had yellow butterflies painted on it. I just hoped that the other candles were still where I left them as I walked towards the staircase. During my previous dreams of the house, I'd taken a different candle to each room.

The house was genuinely massive with its extravagant layout and large windows that seemed to make up most of the house, giving a stunning view of the surrounding forest, which didn't help the thought that I was being watched. I tried the light switch again to no avail. As I climbed the stairs a chilling image of those eye's watching me from the forest crept into my mind. The killers from Pandemonium, I thought to myself. The one that looked me straight in the eye. There was no way to not be seen in this glasshouse. They would know every move I made and see everything I did. The painting on the two flights of stairs leading to the top floor didn't help either. It was a large college of animals consisting of a snake, a great winged Condor, a black cat, a big spider, a swollen fat hog and at the centre was a vicious-looking black goat. It was certainly not one of my mother's pieces. Too dark and grim looking.

As I reached the top of the stairs I saw the door at end of the hall was wide open. I hadn't been in there yet. Making my way towards the door, I started looking around for the green Dragonfly candle I left behind last time. Luckily it was still on the shelf. I quickly lit it with the butterfly candle, not caring if anyone really was watching me. I'd rather risk having light and seeing where I'm going than stumbling around in the darkness. As both candles illuminated the hallway, more pictures appeared from the shadows. Even the normal pictures look like they're fucking possessed. I thought to myself as I moved towards the door, the eyes of each portrait appearing to watch my every step. And then I saw it. The painting of my father in his military uniform. He died long before I was born. He looked so proud and strong in the painting. I'd give anything to have him here right now, protecting me.

I didn't have long to look at my father as a small creaking noise coming from down the hall drew my attention. After a moment another crash of thunder and lightning illuminated the hallway revealing a scruffy disfigured man in a trenchcoat at the window between the open door and another room. Without thinking I thinking I bolted to the stairs before turning back towards the man with my candle raised to defend myself. As if it would help, but luckily he hadn't moved fast or that far from the window.

"Who are you?" I demanded, trying not to trip as I carefully backed towards the stairs. For a moment he stood smiling at me with a mouth full of missing and misshapen teeth. His gleeful expression was almost childlike. As he slowly stepped forward his bulging eyes that appeared too big for their sockets followed me as I took hold of the bannister and slowly edged my foot down a step.

"Don't be afraid, I know you. Tip tap over the bridge. Blood in blood out." He giggled. His lispy voice was as odd and offputting as the rest of his features. He walked closer towards the candlelight. I nearly fell backwards as the light revealed that his eyes and teeth were not his only abnormal features. His skin hung so loosely about his face, neck and hands as if it were a suit that didn't quite fit him.

"Stay back. Don't come any closer." I turned and made my way down the first set of stairs. When I turned to look up at him he was standing at the top of the stairs. He's a raving lunatic. I thought to myself as I inched toward the second set of stairs. Keeping my eyes on him at all times.

"I know what you are, little goat. My master tells me about you. Fed you your fill of the dark, burning fields inside her." He took a step down the stairs and forgetting that my foot was only inches away from the steps, I panicked and tried to run. With one slip of my foot, I clattered to the bottom of the stairs with a painful bang. Another flash of lightning lit up the room but didn't fade away this time.

I raised my head from the floor to see that it was daylight outside the window and saw that I was now back in my bedroom. Exhausted, I got to my feet and pushed my window open to get some fresh air. How long had I been asleep? Why am I so tired? I thought to myself as I brushed my hair from my face. All I could think about was climbing back into my bed until I looked at my hands. They were caked in chalk. So were my pyjamas as I looked down and saw smudges of colour all over me. Where did it all come from?

Turning away from my window, I was hit with an overwhelming wave of fear. My room was covered in drawings of that symbol. Dozens plastered across my walls, piles of them on my bed and the floor. Every sheet had that same cubist-looking rabbit symbol, although now it made me think of that big black goat in the painting. I can't let Mum see. Oh god, crazy aren't I? I thought as I frantically ripped page after page from the walls, fighting the urge to faint. Did I do this? I don't remember doing this. Oh god. I pulled out my bag and shoved as many of the pages in as I could before piling the rest under my bed. By the time I was done my hands were shaking and covered in paper cuts.

I quickly threw on the clothes I dumped on my bedroom floor. Grabbing my bag I ran down the stairs and grabbed my jacket. I had to get out of the house. I had to think. I could let mum see me like this.

"Where are you going?" Mum called out as was reaching for the door handle. I nearly vomited as it felt like my heart jumped into my throat.

"Out. I won't be very long." I said trying to keep it together as she grabbed my arm and pulled me around to face her.

"You didn't sleep at all last night, did you? You look exhausted." She said, brushing my hair from my face. I noticed then that she looked as worn out as I did. "Anyway, never mind all that. There's something very important we need to talk about." She urged, trying to pull me towards the kitchen, but I pulled away from her.

"Not now," I said as I swung the front door open and kept walking. "I'm sorry Mum but I have to meet Simon," I called out to her. I know I was being a bitch but I just had to get out of there. I had to clear my head.