The Damphyr

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"Oh this would look absolutely amazing on you!" Cami exclaims gleefully, stopping in front of shop on Bourbon Street. The outfit she had pointed out put what I was wearing to shame. The top was a deep navy blue with diamond embellishments and mesh, elbow length sleeves. The pants were white and flared at the legs with red heels.

"I . . . I can't let you spend this kind of money on me Cami. It's too much." I protest as she drags me into the clothing store.

"Oh don't be ridiculous. You have to have clothes!" She exclaimed. She wanders off to talk to the sales clerk, leaving me standing in the middle of the story with no idea what to do. I start looking around and notice the shop across the street Jardin Gris, Voodoo shop. I wonder what that shops about me wonder to myself. I hear Cami calling my name and as I turn around, I bump right into a blonde female. She whirls around.

"Watch where you're going! Bloody hell are you blind or something!"

"I . . . I'm sorry . . ." I stammer, looking down at my feet. Her face softens.

"You must be Lillian?" She asks, straightening her tan jacket. I nod.

"Klaus seems quite smitten with you. I can see why, you certainly are stunning." She responds as Cami walks up to me.

"Hey Rebecca I see you've met Lilly. We are getting her a few things now that's she's staying in town."

"Well I do love shopping! Come, us girls have to stick together." I fake a smile as Rebecca and Cami grab my arms, leading me to the dressing room.

"Oh my god Lillian you look gorgeous!" I walk out of the dressing room and stand in front of Rebecca and Camille.

"Well, well don't you clean up nice?" Rebecca comments. I turn to look at the mirror and I hardly recognize myself. The pants are slightly snug and the show off my curves while the shirt hangs a little loosely. I squirm, not quite used to wearing this type of fabric. My black hair hangs to my waist, partially covering my face. Rebecca stands next to me, apparently noticing my mess of a hair as well.

"Now, we've got to something about this hair of yours. It's a damn shame. Haven't you ever had a haircut?" She questions and I shake my head.

"Tsk tsk this will never do. Come, let's go do something about this." Cami pays for the outfit and a few other articles of clothing, while Rebecca throws my old clothes in the trash. We walk out into the street, sun shining brightly. I look up and take in the warmth, feeling happy for the first time in forever.

"Ah! So much better!" The hairdresser whirls me around and I gasp. My hair is now just below my shoulders. The tangles have carefully been brushed out of it and it has been washed and dried. Cami and Rebecca look on approvingly and I grin. It feels so nice to have people in my life that care about me. It's a refreshing change! We pay and walk out on the street amidst the bustling of Bourbon Street. There are so many sights and sounds it's almost overwhelming. I pause for a moment as we pass the Voodoo shop. What is it about this store that almost calls to me . . .? Rebecca and Cami haven't noticed I've stopped so I decided to sneak into the shop before they realize I'm gone. I walk in and I gasp, I've never seen so many different and odd artifacts. Of course I didn't realize what any of them were. I wonder aimlessly around the shop, unaware of the girl at the counter watching me intently. I see a glimmer out of the corner of my eye and see an object on a shelf. It almost draws me to it. It's a necklace of some sort and in the middle is a ruby surrounded by diamonds. It's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, I think as I reach out to touch it. The necklace starts to glow an eerie color and when I touch it I feel a tingle go through my whole body. I yank my hand back, shocked.

"Lillian! There you are." Cami comes running up behind me, shaking me out of my trance.

"Oh sorry. I. . . Wanted to look around a bit." I mumble, looking at the necklace in awe. The girl from the front counter, upon observing my reaction to the necklace approached me.

"Oh hey Sophie. This is Lilly. She uh. . Just moved to town and I'm just showing her around. Hope she didn't bother anything." Rebecca said, leading me towards the door.

"How did you do that? Make the necklace glow like that? I've never seen it do that." Sophie asks, eyeing me carefully.

"I didn't do anything." I say, jolting out the door before she has time to question we further. I take off down the street, trying to get as far away from that place as possible . . . how did I do that? I slow to stop and I realize that I don't know where I am. 'Oh crap' I murmur. I turn around, heading back towards Bourbon Street, or at least I hope that's where I'm heading. 'How did I make that necklace glow like that?

"Fancy running into you hear." Klaus walks up in front of me. How did he do that? Was I so lost in thought that I didn't see him. . .

"Hi . ." I murmur shyly, walking around him. I can hear him chuckle as he comes beside me.

"Mind if I walk with you? I'm in the mood for some company. Especially company as pretty as you. New haircut? It suits you." He runs his fingers through a strand of hair and I smile.

"That'sbetter. Such a pretty smile!" We continue walking in silence. What is it about this man that is slightlyterrifying? I've stared evil in the faceand he doesn't seem bad . . . but there'ssomething about him I just can't place.