Red Moon ~ A Twilight Fan-Fic

Chapter 1 and ½: The Visitors

Author's Note: So, here is the tiny chapter that I prefer to call a halfling. It's one of the many that are going to be posted and I meant to give you insight about the whereabouts of other not so important (yet) characters of the story. The old readers of the story know the main character of the outtake already, but I wanted to let you know I did a little change. Okay it's kinda big. I changed Dawn's name to Lilen. So don't be confused, she's the very same person. *wink wink*

There are some very short bits of dialogue written in Portuguese, but next to them in the parentheses I've added the English translations.

I hope you all enjoy the halfling; I'll be back with chapter 2 soon!

Lots of love, Nessie

Chapter 1 and ½: The Visitors:

Early December – Amazon Jungle, South Brazil

The old man was sitting by the riverside, weaving a basket. The air was even more  moist near the water. Beads of sweat were running down his forehead. The busy twittering of the birds was pleasant in his ears, the jungle's sweet melody. The swooshing behind him didn't even make him turn. He could hear it alright, but there was nothing he had to worry about. The sound could be nothing more than an opossum. After all, Lilen, his little treasure, would be there if he was in danger.

Lilen... she was such a precious child. Aku wasn't really her father. He'd raised her as his own though. He took her in when she was still a baby, a little, crying bundle, placed right by the river. Not too far away had been who he assumed was her mother, probably having bled to death hours ago. He'd brought the baby to his village, but as soon as everyone heard about the mother's unfortunate ending, the baby was called a demon. Aku, refusing to let go of her, left, bringing her up in the jungle the best way he could.

She might have been a demon, like his villagers had said. She had a kind soul though. She grew up fast and was curious to explore and learn, always trying to help him, even when she couldn't. She was a strong and fast child, always understanding what had to be done right away, far more intelligent than her years should allow.

He smiled as her childish face took shape in his head. His daughter was no demon. She was a child with an heart of gold, far better than the children in that village could ever be.

A shady figure crept over him.

Before he could turn to look, Aku was grabbed by his neck, gripped so tightly he was gasping for air. The hands holding him were cold, sending shivers down his spine. Lilen's picture evaporated as terror overtook him.

"Por favor... (Please...)" he stuttered, trying to push the hands away.

"Where is she?" the voice hissed.

Aku's eyes widened as more figures gathered around him. They stood around quietly, wrapped in dark cloaks, pale and still as if marble statues. His lip trembled. "Eu não posso falar bem Inglês... (I can't speak English well...)"

"Oh, you can speak English just fine," the cold voice hissed.

"Eu não posso falar bem Inglês, eu não posso falar bem Inglês... (I can't speak English well, I can't speak English well...)" he repeated over and over again.

"Let the man breathe, Demetri. He can't go anywhere anyway." This man's voice was calmer, like flowing water, and Aku thought it had a hint of madness in it too. Aku was released suddenly, causing him to lose his balance, staggering, and then falling hard into the thick underbrush. "Onde está a menina? (Where is the girl?)" the crazy man said.