Dullahan [ COMPLETED ]

Talking with IT

CHAPTER 5: Talking with IT

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My gold earrings shone slightly through the dark and it made the creature whine in frustration as we approached the school gate.The moment its back touched the cool metal bars, I stopped, stretching my arm towards it, my eyes showing determination, and it merely stood still. Slowly but surely, I let my fingertips graze the head of the horse, carressing it, and when I was sure that it was as calm as me, I placed my hand on it solidly.

Smiling, I looked at Zeige and the camera with a triumphant look and did a victory sign, "Dullahan, proven!"

The air went silent, and I'm sure that it wasn't the tension between us mortals and a mythological creature. Suddenly, the headless rider began shaking, while its horse swooned its head side to side.

"I think it's laughing at you," Zeige snickered and I glared at him, then to the rider, pointing a finger at its non-existent head.

"Stop laughing! Do you know how much nights I spent thinking about a plan to capture you?!"

The Dullahan raised a hand, stopping my rant, and he slowly got down from his horse. I backed away, instinctively and Zeige stood infront of me, holding the camera as if it was a weapon of mass destruction.

"You humans amuse me," Came a voice from it.

I really went eye-wide at his voice that was a combination of something soft, low and as smooth as silk, yet still along the age line of a teen.

"You can talk?!"

"Telepathically, yes. Physically, no." 

I looked at Zeige, who nodded at me and shut the camera. The Dullahan motioned for us and we cautiously stepped towards him.

"Since you humans already know me, I want to ask assistance from you,"

My eyes sparkled in interest, and Zeige sighed from the sidelines. I smiled at the being, "Well, do you mind another member?"

It was already quarter to 10, and Penny joined us with slight hesitation and fear, but then observing the Dullahan feed its black horse with my tuna sandwich melted every weird thoughts about it away. It looked so human. He looked so human. He was human.

“What are you doing here?” I asked all of a sudden that even I didn’t realize that I said it out loud until their stares went to me. “A-ah, I mean…why..are you here?”

            A tense air hung within our small group and I couldn’t help but gulp. I wished I had used softer words that didn’t sound so accusing at it. Still, the Dullahan replied.

“Of course, I’m looking for my head,” It said as its hands caressed the horse’s mane, “My search for 10 years led me to this small town,”

“10 years…hmm…must be hard, right?” Penny asked while munching on another sandwich, “How do you look like anyways?”

            I smirked while I took a seat beside the being, poking his arm, “Since you’re after handsome guys, I bet you really think you’re handsome, huh?”

“Naturally,” I couldn’t help but feel the slight joke in the tone of his voice and I smiled back.

“So, Dullahan, who’s-“

“Duan.”

“Huh?”

“Just call me Duan.” It- he- motioned to his horse, “This is Schyle the Second,”

            I put my hand on my chin, looking thoughtful, before extending my arm at him, “Well, I’m Jeffy, that guy is Zeige and she’s Penny,”

“A pleasure to meet you mortals,”

            I gave a cough, “Anyways, Duan, who’s your next target?” Silence greeted me for a while. The only one I could hear was the unwrapping of more sandwiches by Zeige while he gave me a pressing glare, telling me ‘You’re an idiot!’

“I don’t know,” He turned his direction at me, as if staring, “I don’t know who I should be after next,” He clasped his hands together, gripping tightly. Troubled. I placed my hand on his shoulder, wincing at the still different feeling of his being under my touch, but I tried to make him feel as comfortable as us three.

“Don’t worry,” I whispered, "We'll help you find your head,"

           Zeige suddenly coughed out the juice he was drinking and Penny stared at me with impossibly wide eyes.

"W-we will?!" Zeige blurted out. I glared at him and nodded my head with pride. I made my way beside the two and pulled their heads under my arm.

"This is a once in a lifetime encounter and experience," I said with enthusiasm, "We should make the most out of it!!"

"Y-you're out of your mind!" Penny retorted, "What if it kills us?!"

"He."

         She rolled her eyes and repeated with my correction, "What if HE kills us?!"

"We'll manage," I released them and smiled at Duan, "Anyways, let's turn up for the night, okay?"

               Duan gave a nod (no head?), and stood up. Schyle followed after him, and with one last wave, they vanished into the night. I looked at my watch and saw that it was quarter to 11.

"Well, goodnight guys,"

TBC---------------