Shadow Taking Over

14- One stop

All of her energy was exerted into running. It left little fire to go toward the over sized hood. So for a good ten miles, it remained intact. It was remarkable that she was able to last this long. However, when they stopped to rest, the hood combusted into an array of flames. From the waist up, Eve was a massive torch. Which would've been fine- if they weren't in the dead center of a heavily vegetated forest. Eve dove onto the ground, rolling left and right to put herself out. Shadows from the night piled on top of her to assist in covering the flames. After it was all said and done, the shadows retreated to their sanctuary. Eve laid flat on her stomach, steadying her breathing.

"We have to get a move on." Ace knelt to lift her to her feet.

"If you hadn't noticed," Eve huffed. "I nearly started a forest fire. I think I need a minute."

Ashes covered her from the waist up. Eve dusted it off onto the forest floor. A small cloud enclosed her from the amount of it. During this time, Ace wandered a bit. He scouted which direction they would travel next. Despite the dark, he seemed to be able to tell where they were just fine. Eve on the other hand hadn't a clue where they had ended up. All she knew was that they were far from where they needed to be.

Something little struck the back of her neck. She yelped and clapped her hand over the spot. Ace turned back to her in question. She waved him off. It was Senka that hit her, finally returning after hours of absence. Senka shaped into a circle and planted firmly in her skin. Eve could tell that the shadow would be inactive for awhile. In the back of her mind, she worried what had taken them so long to return to her. What trouble did they cause in her absence?

"We need to head north of here if you're finished with your minute," Ace interjected.

"I'm pretty sure that we need to head that way," Eve pointed in the opposite direction. "to reach Lance. We have been sprinting in the wrong way for quite a long time."

"I have to stop somewhere before I see your boss again. Don't worry, we will meet your deadline." Ace marched in the direction he chose.

"This isn't how you abduct someone," Eve shouted after him.

"Yeah, but it's working isn't it?" He retorted without stopping.

I guess so, she thought inwardly.

They continued forward toward his destination in silence for three fourths of the trip. He primarily lead her along with distance between them. Eve took the peace and quiet to reminisce on her past.

This forest looked nothing like the back woods of her home. It certainly wasn't as grand as this one. The trees here were massive and towering. There was a nearby river and the occasional boulder or fallen log blanketed by moss. Most of the various wildlife were burrowed away cowering or asleep. Behind her house was nothing but skinny twigs, flat grassland, and mice. Despite how plain it was, she still adored small adventures she had gone on there as a young child with her friends. Most of them went away after a time, but in her teenage years the woods acted as a private hang out for her and Tanner.

After awhile, he slowed to walk alongside her. She had lost herself in a sea of thoughts, but came to after he drew nearer. Eve unconsciously crossed her arms over her chest. Her hand gently stroked her left bicep. Ace pulled off his navy blue overcoat and held it a short height over her shoulders.

"Are you cold?" He mocked a caring smile.

Eve raised an eyebrow at him. "You're kidding, right?"

He shrugged and slung the jacket over his shoulder. "Figured I would offer."

She bit back laughter, then smiled. "Eve."

It was his turn to raise an eyebrow.

"My name is Eve," she said.

"Eve," Ace echoed while staring straight ahead. "Welcome."

They had reached their destination, which was not at all what she was expecting. Then again, she didn't know what she was expecting in the first place. Before them was a mansion. Not overly large in size but built three stories in height. The mansion had a Victorian-esque style to it. There were tall, pointed spruce columns to either side with spiraling bricks. The exterior peeled white paint in places. To the far left, there was a sizable garage that had a more modernized touch. A rusted fence with spikes at the top enclosed the property all the way around. Cobblestones lined a pathway to the lengthy roofed porch.

"This is.. an improvement," Eve commented, astounded.

"My friend owns this place. It's not mine."

Ace approached the gate. He retrieved a key from his back pocket and unlocked the bulky chain. It thumped quietly in the thick grass. It took him a few tries to pry the gate open from the undergrowth. The sun yawned over the mansion as it rose. Eve estimated that it was now 5 AM on the second day. She wondered how long she had before Lance or Alice would come after her. And why they were here in the first place?

Looking forward, she realized that Ace was already several feet ahead, climbing the porch steps. Eve rushed up the cobblestone lane behind him. She expected him to knock, but instead he let himself in with a second key. Obviously, Ace knew this person well since he had complete access to the house. With such a secluded, domineering home, Eve would have thought the owner to be closed off from others. Ace held the door for her with his foot while he flicked on the lights. Eve burrowed her hands in each pocket and followed in his steps up.

Taking a look around, the interior contrasted the exterior significantly. On the outside, the mansion appeared to be old and withered. On the inside, the furnishing was somewhat modern with just hints of that Victorian style. Presently, they were in an atrium. At its center was a glass, circular table with a once full aqua vase neatly set. Eve craned her head back to see the stretching windows with misted glass. A silver chandelier hung up above. They then moved through a living room to reach the first set of stairs. The stairs were wide and expansive, cast with a light colored wood. Ace stepped ahead of her.

"Stay down here. I'll be back momentarily," Ace whispered.

"And what am I suppose to do while you're gone?" Eve retorted in a hushed voice.

"The kitchen is that way, to the left. Go have a snack or something. This won't take long."