Hyrule's Vengeance: A Modern LoZ

Chapter 2 - Stalker

"I'm going to go with you," says Crue as he puts his books in his bags, concluding their social at the campus coffee shop.

"You worry too much," says Zelda laughing.

"He's right Zelda," says Adriannah clutching her books to her chest. "If that weirdo from yesterday has been loitering outside the girls' dorm then maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to have reinforcements. I mean... the way he looked at you," she says letting out a little shutter.

"I said I have seen him before but I never meant that I have seen him loitering outside the dorm like that."

"That creepier," says Luke. "Where have you seen him then?"

Zelda pauses as she thinks. "That's the thing. I can't put my finger on it."

"That's worse!" says Adriannah. "You might have a stalker. Crue, make sure she doesn't go anywhere alone. At least for a while."

They exist the coffee shop and walk in silence for a moment and Zelda ponders why she isn't sharing their concerns. She looks at Crue, his face stern. He keeps his head down as he walks, his jaw clenched.

"Crue, are you alright?" says Zelda.

"I'm pissed that someone like him is interested in someone like you. You're better than that."

"Hold on now," says Zelda. "We have no proof I have a stalker or that he is of any threat... but if it makes you feel any better, I won't venture alone, especially at night."

"Anytime," says Crue sternly. "This is a large campus but there aren't a lot of people. It's not hard for a man to get someone small like you and–"

"Ok, ok, I get your point." The campus clock chimes and out of habit, Zelda looks at the time. "I have to get home to study. Walk me back?"

Zelda says her farewells and it isn't long until she and Crue are alone and outside her dorm.

"Thanks for taking seven minutes of your time to walk me back," she says.

"I was ten minutes. Besides, a lot can happen in a short about of time."

She laughs, as she leans against the building. "I am appreciative, Crue. Thank you."

She lets her guard down and allows him to hold her gaze. Crue reads her body language, soft and inviting. Zelda doesn't reject him so he takes it as an invitation moving closer and closer until their lips meet.

"Sorry," he says, their faces still close. "I know you wanted to wait until after exams."

"I said I wanted to wait until then for a date."

He smiles down at her and they kiss again.

"But I do have to go in," she says.

"Not going to invite me in?"

She shakes her head. "No boys allowed after ten on week nights," she says.

"That's even hotter. Sneak me in," he says coming in for another kiss.

"See you tomorrow morning?" she says changing the subject.

"Yes. And call me if you have any trouble," he says looking around.

"Of course."

Zelda enters her room, throws her bag aside, and she plops on her bed. She knows that intimacy between her and Crue is going to happen. Their relationship has been evolving and it feels right, so she is prepared to continue to take it to the next level. She pictures her and Crue laying in her bed, as he brushes her blonde hair across her bare shoulder.

"Don't get distracted now, you got work to finish," she says to herself.

She puts her fantasies of Crue aside with the intention of revisiting them later and takes out her school agenda.

"Oh no! I got the dates of my assignment and exam mixed up."

Her assignment is due tomorrow, not the exam. A mistake rarely made by such a scholar.

"That's ok, nothing to worry about. My assignment is pretty much done except I need some pictures of the ruins to go with my essay."

Which is off campus and more than seven minutes away. She taps her phone to check the time. It's already after ten but she really doesn't want to bother Crue again. He has more important things to do than to dote on her over something that is likely blown out of proportion.

She grabs her camera and her bag. If she leaves now, she'll be able to get some pictures and print them at the lab before midnight.

She leaves the dorm and ventures off campus. A left here and a right there and a few minutes later, she is at her destination. It's a place close by campus only known as The Ruins. At this point, all that's left is what appears to be slabs of mossy stone of unknown origin. She walks around the ruins and delicately touches their cool and grainy surface.

To her, it's amazing that not even historians and archeologists know much about these ruins, only that they have been around for thousands of years and may even suggest that ancient civilizations who worshipped unique deities. Zelda is honored that she gets to follow in these professionals' footsteps. She knows it's a long shot but she also hopes to unveil the truth about these ruins.

She puts her backpack down and adjusts the camera's settings, ensuring the flash is on. She starts taking pictures, the flash of her camera illuminating the dark mossy terrain for a few seconds. She checks the picture, dials the shutter, and repeat. After a few repetitions and some clicks and minor adjustments, she looks down at her picture and then her stomach sinks. There is a figure in this picture. She flickers back a notices the same figure. It's a person. Someone is here.

"I'm not stalking you," says a voice.

Zelda jumps, dropping her camera. She holds up her flashlight revealing both a strange and familiar face.