Pines Grove

Chapter 15

After hours of searching and talking to numerous people, Braxton and I stood at a door of what looked like to be a crack house. The building was made entirely out of brick and what windows that remained were blacked out, no one could see in, and no one could see out. Music could be heard from inside though it was muffled. I turned my head to look at Braxton, with a shrug of my shoulder I walked ahead and straight to the door. I knocked twice and waited.

Moments passed before someone opened the door, it was a man, I think. His hair was half shaved and died black, he had a thick line of eyeliner under his eyes and wore a crop top and skinny jeans, both black. I tried not to look at him when I spoke, "I'm looking for this man." I said and held up the picture of my Uncle Randy and me. He got closer to the picture in my hand, his eyes squinting as he strained to see the man in the photo. "OH! Why didn't you just say so!" He said and hacked out a giggle before turning, waving us inside. I looked back to Braxton and offered out my hand, which he took and we walked inside together.

I looked around for a moment, it was disgusting, what furniture remained was stained, tattered and smelled like cat piss. Speaking of, just as the thought came to mind a cat appeared, it stood nearby and began hissing and meowing angrily at Braxton and I. I narrowed my eyes and growled, causing it to scamper off and hide. The man closed the door behind us and began walking deeper into the house, he wiggled awkwardly as he walked, I tried not to stare. I kept a tight hold on Braxton's hand as we walked deeper into the unknown, as we approached a series of rooms, whose doors were wide open, the music became louder. Women in tight skirts, lace leggings and near nothing covering their breasts walked by, eyeing Braxton and making disgusting googly eyes at him. One of them had the nerve to grab his arm and attempt to feel his bicep, I almost turned around but he stopped me.

The man finally stopped and ushered us into a room, where a man stood his back to us. I recognized him after a few moments. "Uncle Randy?" I asked quietly, as he turned around I could see that it was most definitely him. He grinned and walked across the room in two strides, "Koda, I've been expecting you." He said as he embraced me, pulling my hand from Braxtons. "Then you must know why I've come," I said as I gently pulled away from him. He reeked of booze and sex. He was a very tall man, and very skinny at that. In the picture I had, he wore a nice suit, the man that stood before I wore tattered jeans and a normal shirt. "Ah, I see. Right to business." He said, suddenly his face became serious, he snapped his fingers and the entire room changed. In fact, the entire building had changed, it was no longer a crack house but a high-end apartment complex many stories high. "I apologize for the not so pleasant first impression. Dead bodies of warlocks have turned up by the dozen. We are forced to take drastic measures." He said, now he wore a suit. "I'm guessing you would like to unlock that beast that I caged up all those years ago, hm?" He spoke softly and walked to his chair, slowly he eased himself down, out of nowhere the cat appeared and jumped into his lap. It eyed me suspiciously then began licking itself. "Yes, that's why I've come." I responded, Braxton walked closer to me, he could feel I was in distress. I could feel the heat from his body which did comfort me, my tense nerves relaxed and I was able to focus.

"Well my dear, I would be happy to oblige your request." He said as he pets the feline that sat in his lap, he paused for a moment thinking. "Under one condition." He added, his eyes flashing catlike green eyes my way, my lip curled into a snarl but I forced it down. "What might that be?" I said calmly as I eyed him wearily. "I want you to retrieve something you're parents took from me many years ago." A smirk creased his lips and he licked them. "Fine. What is this thing?" I asked before he responded Braxton jumped in; "Before she gets a thing for you, she needs what she came here for. You have my word that she will hold up her end of the deal." I glanced back at him, then back to the warlock. "Do I have your word?" He asked, directing his question at me. "Yes, you have my word that If you give me what I want. I will get you what you want." It took him a moment to think before holding out his hand for me to shake, I crossed the room and shook his hand.

After we shook hand and I had pulled away a glowing globe appeared in his hand, which he offered out to me. I took it gingerly in my hands and looked at him, "Smash it." He said simply, I raised my hand in the air preparing to throw it against the ground before he stopped me, "Preferably outside, where you can't do any sort of damage to me or my people." He said quickly. Slightly confused I nodded and turned to Braxton, "Thank you." I said as began leaving the room. "Koda my dear, you'll be needing this." He crossed the room and handed me a piece of paper with a picture of an amulet on it. I took it, folded it and placed it in my pocket. "How will I find you again?" I asked. "Just call my name. I should be around." He said with a soft smile. I nodded my head and walked out of the room. Braxton trailed close behind.

Once we were out of the apartment and deep into the woods, we stopped in a clearing. I faced Braxton and sighed softly. "I don't know if I'll be able to control myself Brax. I don't think you should be here." I said quietly, the sun had set long ago, the bright full moon remained in its place, shining down on us with a pale light. His eyes sparkled as he looked at me. "I trust you, Koda." He said and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead, I sighed and looked at the globe before raising it above my head and smashing it against the ground. A small cloud of smoke rose from the broken glass that remained in the grass. It wasn't long before something inside of me shifted, something large, powerful, ancient. I fell to my knees as my mind and body were taken over, she was finally released from her prison, she was ready to come out and play.