Drakan (The Chronicles of Eli) [#Wattys2015]

Chapter 22 - Part 1

        The unfaltering breeze weaved through the string-like grass. Daisies were sprouted here and there throughout the lime green plains, while trees surrounded the three acre area. Eli stood above a patch of weeds and waited. He wiped his brow with the thread of his shoulder and sighed. The constant waves of air felt good against his moist neck. The run was longer than he expected. He looked down at his watch. Five minutes late, dang.

            Eli cupped his hand over his brow and peered across the plains. There was no motion in sight, only the grass waving in complete unison. In the distance howls were heard. Eli turned ninety degrees, but saw nothing. His hands circled his temples as his lids slammed shut. Eldis is going to kill me, instead of Peter. That is, if Alcina doesn’t do it first. How could I have let time slip me by? Now how are we supposed to….

                        “Now what would someone like you be doing way out here all alone?”

            The words entered his sensitive ears with ease. Shock induced adrenaline to course through his veins. Eli fought back the urge to quickly unshield his pupils, as well as jumping back. How did get behind me so fast? With a deep breath, Eli turned 180 but saw no Peter in sight. Is this another vampire ability?

                        “Aren’t you afraid to be out without your bodyguard? Was his name…” Peter paused for a short time. “….ah that’s it, Liam the nobody.”

            Hearing Liams name struck gold in Eli’s sorrow. He quickly shook his head. No, not now.

                        “No, should I be?” Eli said, turning, while looking for the man behind the voice.

                        “Well, that depends.”

            Bewildered as he was, Eli kept his composure. His thoughts scrambled about, trying to figure out how he was able to clearly hear Peter without seeing him. Eli forced his eyes to dig deeper into their range. He roamed the outskirts of the forest until rustling sounds entered his ears. His head snapped to his left. Eli squinted in the direction of the sound. There in the shadows of the trees, his eyes could scarcely see the red pair looking at him. Seconds later, still squinting, Eli saw the shape of an old man.

                        “Looks like the process has finally begun.” The voice whispered in his ears. “A normal human wouldn’t be able to see me from that distance.”

            Eli gently closed his eyes. Is it really Peter? With a slight shake of his head, he slowly opened his eyes. A youthful face smothered his vision. With a tanned skin tone, a thin nose and a scruffy beard, Peter stood, smiling in front of Eli.

                        “So it is you” Eli said.

                        “You seem untroubled.” Peter said questioningly.

                        “Nothing seems to shock me lately…” Eli lied as he took a step back, eluding the suffocating hot breath. “….especially when there’s vampires around”

                        “So the truth has finally reached your ears.”

            Peter crossed his arms and smirked. The breeze blew past the two, ruffling through their hair. Eli sucked in the airs scent and briefly lived its innocence. The passiveness it held was beyond pleasure. He smiled for a second and snuck in a quick glance to the sky. Clouds began to spot the clear sky, casting several rounded shapes across the plains.