A Key of Blood

Chapter 3

"What do you think it was that smelled so bad?" Sean asked curiously, looking at Daniel as they were walking back to the guest room.

"Probably something rotting there, nothing to worry about."

Serena assure him, but Daniel knew there was something there. They all felt the presence, and Daniel saw the eyes, it was the one thing he couldn't get out of his head.

"See you tomorrow." With that Serena left quickly before anyone can say anything else. Daniel closed the door and remained silent, thinking about what he had saw earlier on.

The only explanation he had thought of was that it was just an illusion, he must had been too tired until he imagined the pair of red eyes. When he snapped out of his thoughts, he realize that Sean was already getting ready for sleep. Dismissing whatever had happened, he went to get ready for bed himself.

Daniel was woken by the sound of footsteps in the hallway, he thought he was still in his own dream but the sound drew closer to the door. He did not know what time it was but it was clearly pass midnight, the room was dark but he could outline the environment enough to be able to move.

Waking Sean up didn't seem like a good idea for him and he was curious to who was walking around in the middle of the night so he decided to check it out. He moved slowly towards the door, then he lie down on the floor to see through the bottom gap of the door.

At first he did not see anything, he can only hear the sound, but a few seconds later, a feet suddenly pop out in front of his vision and he almost jerked from the sight of it.  He began to sweat, because whoever it was outside had been bleeding. The person outside move on slowly, as if taking their time.

Just then, Daniel felt a hand on his shoulder which made him almost gasp. Sean was facing him with a face of concern.

"What are you doing?" Sean whispered, his tone indicate that he hasn't completely waken from his sleep.

"Shh... There's someone out there."

"Huh? But it's the middle of the night, everyone should be sleeping happily."

"Well I don't know what this person is doing, but it seems he's bleeding."

That seem to be able to fully wake Sean from being half asleep. "What do you mean bleeding?"

Daniel ignored the question to resume looking at it, he suddenly froze. The person outside was standing in front of their door, Daniel signaled Sean to remain quiet which he did. Fear had rooted Sean, he could barely move even if he wanted. For both of them, it was as if the air went still yet Daniel was still looking through the gap. His eyes transfixed, unable to shift his gaze.

It felt long for them, but eventually the person moved on. Daniel struggled for air as he had forgotten to breath, he assume a crouch position and Sean stood behind him.

"What are you doing?"

"Aren't you curious who was standing outside?"

"No, let's just go back to sleep." Sean pleaded, he almost cried from what was happening.

Daniel placed his hand on the doorknob and turn slowly, he stopped when the door revealed a small gap that is large enough for him to see through.

He managed to get a glimpse of the person before she managed to get away. Yes it was a she, a woman with long raven hair, from the looks of it.  Sean gasped at the sight, apparently he too had seen her. Daniel had seen enough, he closed the door and locked it before turning to face Sean.

He was staring at Sean who was fear struck, "I think what Serena said might be true."

"Can we go to bed now, please?"

"Alright, we'll tell Serena tomorrow." 

The next day before Daniel woken up by someone knocking continuously at the door, he went to answer it dreamily. Serena appeared impatient, the only thing she said was. "Come quick, you're father wants you now."

The next moment Daniel was leaving Serena's house, leaving the town for good without knowing why. His dad came abruptly in the morning, everything was packed in his truck, including Daniel's belongings.

He couldn't comprehend what was happening, he couldn't believe he was leaving the place he had stayed since birth, the place he called home and his best friends behind. He was in a way, in shock, from the moment he was told until he was on the way to his new home, another town similar to where he was.