Sweeter Than Wine

Two Down, Three Out

***John's POV***

As soon as Samuel and I step outside I turn to him and demand, "take me to your house. _______'s parents and Auntie are still missing,  and I intend on bringing them back
for her."

"Oh, well that shouldn't be too much of a problem. They're all probably waiting for me to get back. I'll be able to inform of the...changes."

I hold my arm out for him to lead the way.

We trek through the woods, across the river, to the looming mansion.

I frown, the sight of the house stirring something deep in me.

A single, nearly imperceptible meow comes from the side of the house.

Nadya steps forward from the shadows at the side of the house.

She sits, tucking her tail neatly around her feet as she stares through me with those knowing green eyes.

"Nadya? What are you doing here, la? Shouldn't you be napping on a warm rock somewhere?"

Her eyes shift slightly to the side toward the house, a soft noise I've never heard leaving her small frame.

The noise seemed almost, apprehensive. Like she's feeling just as nervous as I am.

"Something feels...off...." Samuel says, voicing our mutual concern. "Perhaps we should bring some of the others before going in..."

I shake my head, ".....no...I don't want to wait any longer..."

"I assure you, John. They have been kept comfortable...enough..."

I shoot him a look, climbing up the stairs of the seemingly abandoned home.

"I'm sorry, Samuel. I'm not waiting. And I need you to call off the guard dogs."

He sighs, then slowly follows me up the steps.

Nadya makes another worried sound, but doesn't move from her spot.

Samuel and I enter the house, deafening silence reaching our ears.

The house is still and unnatural feeling. The sense of Impending Doom strong, demanding our attention.

I hear a faint creek from behind, turning in time for a fist to connect with the corner of my jaw.

I fall backward into Samuel who falls to the floor under my sudden weight.

I roll off of him quickly, jumping back to my feet to assess the situation.

"Well??!" I yell impatiently at Samuel, rubbing the throbbing spot on my jaw.

He scrambles to his feet, "stand down, men."

The five goons look to each other for a moment and laugh heartily.

This pisses Samuel right off. "God damn it, I said to stand down! What's so funny?"

"You ain't Emma. She's in charge now. All your cowardly little shit men already disbanded to lead better lives or whatever the fuck. You have no power over us, Samuel. And we've been told to guard this place with our lives."