Evading Darkness

Chapter 2

My eyes narrowed on the small, two story house in front of me. The black shingles glow strangely in the moon light. Was this really where instinct drove me? A house in the middle of suburbia? I moved to the large bay window at the front of the house and peered in, beyond the curtains. It seemed to look into a dark, empty dining room. I made my way slowly around the house, searching for any reason for me to be here.

I peered into one of the windows on the side of the house. The only window with light shining from within. A young woman sat on a leather couch, a book nestled gently in her lap, as her eyes slid over the black lettering. The book looked relatively new, especially when compared with the condition o the books that lay strewn across the small coffee table, in front of her. I couldn't quite make out the titles of the books, though most of the covers featured half-naked men and women, most locked in an embrace of some kind. She was reading romance novels.

Something from within me told me this girl was not my reason for being called here. I looked up the side of the house, towards the second floor. There was a small balcony on the side of the house, which seemed to look over the forest behind the house. I decided I'd better climb. After scaling the brick wall by sinking my sharp claws into the hard, rocky surface, I finally made it to the stone balcony. I turned around as my feet gently touched down on the stone floor of the balcony. The view was astonishing. The forest, which seemed to wrap endlessly around this small suburban town, lit up beautifully under the moon light. After taking in the glory, I turned back around and stepped up to the balcony doors. I pressed my face against the glass, and peered inside. The darkness on the other side was unbearable. I gripped the handle tightly and slowly turned it to the side, slightly surprised to find the door wasn't locked.

The door opened with a click, and swung slowly into the room. I stepped inside, taking in a deep breath, before closing the door, behind me. I moved slowly, as to not make noise. The house didn't very many creaky boards, and the ones that did creak, only did slightly so, not near enough for anybody to realize. Looking around the room, I realized I was in what must have been the master bedroom. A small picture on the bedside table caught my attention. I moved towards it and picked it up, examining it in my hands. It was a picture of a man an a woman holding each other, seemingly on their wedding day. Something seemed familiar about the couple, but I couldn't quite place it. I heard the sound of wheels on pavement, just as a bright light shone into the balcony window. I quickly ducked towards the balcony, peering out the glass door, at the scene below. The woman who stepped out of the slick black vehicle looked almost exactly like the young woman from the photo, but slightly older. My eyes returned to the picture that still sat on the table. I looked back out the window as the young girl who had been sitting in the living room walked out of the house.

"The kids had Mac and cheese for dinner, and they're all in bed, asleep." The young girl informed the older woman with a smile.

"Thank you, Trisha," the woman replied. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

I had heard enough. I turned from the window and exited the room, finding myself in a narrow hallway. As I moved down the hall, I heard a soft noise from a door to my left. I slowly turned the handle, and pushed the door forward, into the room. A small figure lay on a small bed, before me. I entered further into the room, a small stream of light following my wake. I moved forward and peered down at the small child. He was bundled tightly in a large comforter, sleeping soundly. I couldn't place my fondness for this child. I placed a gently hand on his cheek, before I left the room, closing the door gently behind me. As I turned to continue down the hall, I was forced to stop in tracks. I nearly ran face-first into the woman I saw outside.

Her beauty was astonishing, unlike anything before her. She held a fire extinguisher threateningly in her hand, ready to smack me in the temple with it, but her hand was stayed. She stood there, still as a statue, staring into my eyes with an awed look on her face. Her face went even paler than it was, before, and she slowly lowered her make-shift weapon. Her porcelain skin radiated a soft glow in the moonlight that snuck through a window at the end of the hall. I was shocked that one creature could hold this much beauty. I longed to touch her. To feel her skin against mine, her hot breath on my neck, to slowly lick up her body, savoring her sweet taste.

"Cas?" she asked, quietly. I couldn't have replied if I wanted to. I was too distracted by her beautiful, emerald eyes, long black hair, and full lips. Just as I reached up to lay a finger against the soft flesh on her cheek, she came out of whatever paralysis she had been under. She lifted the bottom of the extinguisher, and planted it directly between my eyes. The blow caught me slightly off guard, and knocked me back a few paces, as well as disorient me, leaving me blinded. Not even three seconds after the first, and I felt another smack to the face with the thick metal of the extinguisher. A third blow, directly to the temple, finished me off. My back hit the floor hard. I saw a bright, flashing light, before darkness slowly drifted heavily over me, as if a thick blanket.

Victoria stared at the unconscious man at her feet, her eyes were nearly popping from their sockets. Was it really him? Was it really Cas? There's no way it could be, she had witnessed his death. She kneeled beside him, and pressed her fingers against his neck to ensure she hadn't killed him. She sighed in relief as she felt a pulse. She placed her hand gently on his face. His skin was colder than she remembered. She slowly moved her hand over his face, observing his facial structure. She lifted his upper lip, peering at his teeth. He bore the same sharp canines she had remembered. She didn't know what to do, but she had to act fast. If this really was her long-dead husband, she knew he wouldn't be out for very long.

As quickly as she could manage, she lifted him from the floor and slung him over her shoulder. She thought hard, as she tried to figure out what to do with him. She stood for several minutes, pondering the possibilities. Maybe she could tie him up somewhere? Then when he awoke, she could ask him questions to make certain it's Cas. But where? It would need to be somewhere her children would stay away from. The basement was the only place they refused to enter. "It'll have to do," she whispered quietly to herself.

Struggling, she carried her unconscious husband, still slumped over her back, as if a bag of potatoes, down the stairs, and into the cold, dark, damp basement. She dropped him on the floor and allowed a deep sigh to escape from her throat, in relief from the pressure his body placed on her back. She scrounged around the basement just long enough to find a sturdy, metal chair, and thick cord to tie him with. It wasn't until several minutes after he was tied down that he began to move in his bindings. His eyes opened to meet Victoria's. Her eyes widened and her heart felt as though it stopped in her chest. Both of them just sat in silence, neither knowing how to react to the situation they found themselves in.

Finally, Casmiere spoke. "Where am I?" he asked in the same soft, yet tough voice he has always had.

Victoria swallowed nervously. She hadn't expected to ever see him again. "You're in my basement," she replied, not knowing what else to say.

He looked at the cord that tied his hands to the chair and lifted an eyebrow at it. He shook his head quickly and looked at the woman that stood before him. "And who are you?" he demanded.

Victoria felt as though her heart was about to explode in her chest. "You...you don't remember me?" she asked slowly, her voice trembled in emotional pain.

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Quick author's note:

Be sure to tell me what you think about this addition, so far. Has it been what you expected? What do you think will happen now that Casmiere's found his way back home? Be sure to comment, and if you enjoy reading my works, vote and follow, please.