The Rowlet House

The Beast in the Midst (PART TWO)

Ash looked at the reptile before him, slowly taking a step back as it stared him in the eyes. He felt his heartbeat race in his chest, pounding rapidly as he took it all in. Jessie's guilty expression wasn't helping anything, his eyes darted back and forth from Ladon to her.

Meowth poked his little head into the living room "Ey! what's with all da' noise in.. here?" The cat froze upon seeing Ladon, his hairs raising on his back.

"The heck are YOU doing back here?!" Meowth hissed as he scurried behind Ash, clinging to his legs.

Ash looked down at the cat, running his hand through his own hair nervously "You know him too?!"

"Like I wanna know the guy! He's been bothering Jess and I for years! He keeps sneaking up here trying to get Jessie to do dirty twisted jobs for him in exchange for goods and stuff. But she doesn't work for the bozo anymore because the jobs starting going too far-"

Meowth paused when he saw Jessie's expression, and his own fell.

"Aw Jess.. you didn't."

Jessie hesitantly nodded, rubbing her arms where the feathers were. "Im.. I'm sorry Meowth. I was out of options.."

"Out of options?? Jess he's insane! How long have you still been working for him?!

"Meowth you don't understand- I didn't want it to go this far I still dont! I don't want this deal!"

"What deal?!"

Ash shouted as he picked up Meowth, backing up once again.

He stared Jessie down with a glare. The look in her face stung, and he felt his eyes begin to tear up.

"What deal.. Jessie?"

She couldn't seem to find the words, her eyes wide with panic.

"Kid- Kid listen. I never wanted to agree to this. It wasn't anything personal I was just desperate!"

Ladon chuckled as he moved closer behind Jessie, the witch flinching when he grabbed her arm. "Desperate indeed. So desperate that she came crawling back to me to finally agree on the deal that would finally secure her stability."

He stared at Ash from across the room, licking his chops. "..it's very simple. She brings me a full supply of human essence, and I return the favor with her elixir."

Ash felt his body begin to shake "what.. what elixir?"

Ladon plucked a feather off of the woman's arm, holding it up for Ash to see "Shes a monster kiddo.. that medicine is her only ticket to stability. Without it, well.. I don't wanna spoil the surprise."

The reptile shoved Jessie to the side

"Now.. I think I'll take my end of the bargain."

He began making his way towards Ash, his claws extended to snatch the boy right up. Ash quickly turned around and tried to make a get away with Meowth, but wasn't fast enough. The reptile snatched him up by his hair and he dropped Meowth, clawing at the monster to let him go.

"PUT ME DOWN! LET ME GO!"

He kicked and squirmed to try and get out of Landon's grip, letting out grunts of frustration as he struggled to escape.

The reptile shifted his hold on ash, holding the boy tightly by his jaw and squeezing tight. Ash let out a cry of pain as Ladon brought him closer to his face.

"Zip it brat!"

He growled and bared his teeth, making Ash freeze up.

Landon's eyes locked with Ash's, pride meeting terror.