Time Into Time (Dicontinued)

Chapter 2

It was about midnight when the monster attacked. 

I wake up to a shrill scream, by something that was most definitely not human, at all. I jolt out of bed and run to see what happened and see a creature. A mermaid? No, that's water, but it sure looked like a mermaid, except maybe a more snake-ish tail and one hideous face.

I glance around the room, and spot Vasilia with a bronze dagger slashing at the monster, before the snake-lady attacks her, she dodges but when she sees me standing there she motions for me to go away. She yells, "It's Lamia!". 

"What?!?!?!"

That little distraction gave the monster enough time to hit Vasilia with her tail, she flies into the wall and crumples. I scream, and as much as I would like to say it was a manly scream.....

My mom rushes into the room seeing Vasilia on the floor, her knife disappeared somewhere, I didn't see where. My mom carries a pistol, wait, since when do we have a pistol? I don't have time to ask before this snake-lady attacks, I roll out of the way and barely miss getting attacked by...fangs? I see a glint of light from, a-ha, the knife!!! 

I look at the fight when I hear the snake-lady roar. The monster has turned back towards my mom. My mom shoots but misses and it hits the wall behind me and I look at it. It's a golden bullet? When did-

I'm cut off by the snake-lady turning around and starting to attack my mom. But my mom dodges and shoot again, this one hits the ceiling. I try to run and help but get hit by her tail and fly backwards, I start to move over to the knife but suddenly I hear a smack. 

I turn and see the snake-lady swatting my mom with her tail. I start to freeze in shock but recover when she starts to come towards me. I quickly run over to the knife and pick it up, but the monster grabs me and I drop it. The hilt hits Vasilia on the head and she starts to stir. Wait, does Vasilia have fur under her pants? NOT IMPORTANT AT THE MOMENT! I yell at myself

I thrash around but I can't get out of her grip, she opens her mouth and starts to move me towards it when I hit a soft spot, not sure where but she drops me and I hit the floor...hard. My head is throbbing, but I know I have to kill this creature.

I crawl over to Vasilia and try to shake her awake, she starts to wake up but the snake-lady hits me away. Luckily, she woke up and tosses me the knife. Being the klutz I am, I drop it. I pick it up and stand just in time to see Vasilia yell at the monster.

"HEY LAMIA! HOW ARE YOUR CHILDREN? OH WAIT!"

That definitely got her attention, she roars and attacks Vasilia, scraping her face. I realize what Vasilia gave me the knife for, I throw it, for whatever reason, and it hits Lamia (I think that's what she said her name was) right in the middle of her back. She dissolves into dust.

"W-what?" I say in shock, "I haven't ever killed something before but I'm pretty sure that's not how it works".

Vasilia smiles, before her expression grows grim, "We don't have time, we have to take you to camp. Now"

"But it's the middle of the night!" I protest, "And what about knowing what's going on and my mom?"

"Your mom can't come but she'll be fine, with you gone, no monsters will attack her"

"How can you be so sure?"

"Later. We have to go now, go get your stuff"

"B-but-"

"Now." Her tone was not one to argue with so I reluctantly walk away, looking at my mom as I pass her, Vasilia walks over to her and wakes her and waves me off. She starts talking to my mom. I walk to my room and pack a bag, hearing bits and pieces of the conversation.

"......blessing...off so fast...sorry" Vasilia is saying

"...known?...okay...miss..." I hear before I finish packing and I come back to a very impatient Vasilia.

"There you are slowpoke" I roll my eyes at her snarkiness, and walk over to my mom, hugging her, starting to tear up.

"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you, Vas will explain everything once you get there."

"How long do I have to go?"

"I-I don't know" My mom starts crying into my shoulder

I nod and pull away slowly, "I'll miss you"

"Me too. P-please, keep in touch, ok?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way"

We just look at each other for a little while, before Vasilia reluctantly breaks the silence, "It's time to go."

"W-where is it?" My voice cracks, stupid emotions. I wipe my tears.

Vasilia awkwardly laughs, "Um, well, technically you can enter from anywhere, as long as you say a certain chant"

"First off, that's cool. Second off, so I can visit my mom frequently?"

"N-no, sadly. It doesn't work that way, you can't leave without permission and people don't get permission very often." She turns away and looks down

"S-so just calling and texting then?" I say sadly

"And we can't have electronics....it alerts monsters" She attempts a smile, but fails.

I start to tear up, "So how do I keep in touch?" I move closer to my mom

"Iris-messaging"

"What?" I look between the two of them

"I'll tell you later, we need to go, before something else attacks"

"Won't it just attack us at camp?" I argue, I want to stay with my mom

"Monsters can't really go there without permission, magical borders"

I tilt my head, "O-ok?"

My mom must have guessed that I didn't want to go because she took my hand and said, "I'll be fine. I promise. This is the best way. Now go"

"B-but-"

"Young man, I am your mother, now go."

I look down, "So, what's this special chant"

"Look away first." After checking that I was looking away she says forcefully, "O Camp Greco-Roman, unveil thy gates to us"

A blinding flash of light appears before fading down, I look up and see pearly white gates, "I-is the camp heaven?"

Vasilia smiles, "No, but that's how the image of heaven started"

"O-ok" I walk towards the gates and Vasilia follows. Final glance back to mom, she's attempting a smile for me and waves goodbye. I wave back. Vasilia opens the gates. She walks in first but I take a deep breath and close my eyes before walking through the gates, I feel intense heat for a step but I take another step and coolness takes it's place.

"Home" I hear Vasilia say and I smile, I'm here, a place where I can be safe from monsters. One monster attack is enough for a lifetime. Let's hope that there won't be any more, ever.