Black Snow - Extract

3

As I woke up Cael was watching me whilst caressing my hand. He was smiling. "Hey there. I see you still have the talisman." He chuckled. "Since when are you up? How are your wounds?" I asked. "I'm up since dawn, so I'd say five in the morning. My wounds have gotten better. That dream was very lovely." He said whilst he stroked my palm. "By the way; where are the thugs I beat up yesterday?" I wondered. "I laid them outside. They should be gone now. I'm really sorry for this mess here." He answered. "Oh no worries... I could help you build it back up again... But only after a good breakfast!" I chuckled. "That's true. But you have to buy it first." He said. "Yeah sure. I just need money." I said. "Oh... Well then let's look if they left me my money..." He answered and went even paler. Then we both got up and ascended the stairs and a ladder to the attic. Everything was dusty there, but it wasn't destroyed. Up there Cael had stored many crystals, herbs, old dusty books, posters with symbols on it, bones and skulls and much more that looked like Wiccan utensils. He even had weapons and clothes that looked similar to rite clothing. "I'm very sorry to have pulled you into this and I'm sorry to be weird and creepy." He said as he pulled a book out of the shelf and opened it. In it was a hole and in there were a lot of banknotes in it. "That's my little safe here. Here, take these. I won't come with you; it would get you in trouble - even more trouble then in the last few days." He said. "Fine. I'll be back soon." I said and descended to the locked door.

As I stepped outside, I looked in all directions to check if we were alone. Then I hastily proceeded my way to the supermarket. There I bought everything I needed and paid. Everything with my hood pulled in my face, so nobody would recognize me. Then I almost ran back to Cael, crossing fingers, hoping that nothing had happened to him.

But fate was a bitch once again.

Cael sat on the stairs in front the front porch. He was bathed in blood and had severe wounds all over. He was shaking and his eyes where opened wide. He was terrified. "Cael? What happened?" I asked shocked. I dropped the food and ran over. "The... The church... They wanted to..." he mumbled. Then he broke out in tears. I picked him up and carried him inside. I put him on the broken and burnt couch, then got rid of his soaked clothes. I started to take care of his wounds as he started mumbling again. "They... Came here right after you went off... I... I... I didn't know what to do... I used... my abilities... and... I killed them..." He mumbled. "I'm only troubling you... Kay leave here and start a new life... without me..." He added. "I won't run away. I said that I'd help you!" I said and used lots of Band-Aids on his wounds. "Where have their corpses gone?" I asked. "Crows... I..." he muttered. "It's okay... You don't have to explain..." I said and patted his head, then pushed it into my shoulder. "I'm not mad!" He cried. "I know. And I'll protect you. We'll leave here soon. I just have to get a car. And I know where..." I said and hugged him tighter.

That evening as Cael was fast asleep I decided to get the car and some materials we would need. I put my hood up and went straight to the hill street. There I looked out for a khaki green Jeep. As soon as I've had it, I cracked it open with a picklock and drove it into our driveway. When I returned I was surprised when I found Cael standing on the threshold and rubbing his eyes, clearly tired. "What are you doing?" He asked once he was done yawning and stretching. "I got the car. Pick up your stuff, we're leaving at dawn." I said. What Cael didn't know was that I stole a tent, some water containers, food, blankets, medicine and some CDs as well. We would be on the road for some time and we couldn't know what would happen. As I got out of the car Cael already came down with cardboard boxes full of his utensils. Thirty minutes and fifteen boxes later, the sun started rising. I start the car and Cael sits down next to me. "Here, put your hood up and put these shades on. People won't recognize you like that. Are you ready to leave?" I asked. "Yeah. And Kay... Thank you..." He said and caressed my hand. My heart skipped a beat. Then I drove to the city walls. As we cross them Cael just stared straight out to the road ahead.