Shadows of Darkness

3. Runeville

Like a chameleon, Runeville blended with the skirt of Mt Hood National Forest, Oregon. Locked in feral vines was its only door. Had there been the best hiding spot on earth, it would be this mysterious settlement. Some people called it a myth, for Runeville sometimes disappeared. There was one way in and one way out, the very path which many hopeful visitors who had heard of it missed. The rumors concluded that this little town was too isolated and too unimportant, but David knew the truth a little more than most people. Runeville was not only hard to locate but impossible to find without an invitation.

The road, gray and narrow, slithered through the forest. The ethereal sky sprinkled light filters through the foliage on their fifth set of transportation. They shouldn't draw attention, but for Simon's sake, David got a G-Class to hush Will's restless whine. Behind the SUV was a friend of Angelica's ashy black Camaro, which she had borrowed for Luke. David thought of Everett and the deal.

Because I love that girl, and you have to watch her for me while I'm gone.

David had been keeping the promise. He glanced at Cyan, her drenched blue eyes, her silky brown hair, the terribly pale skin of her shrinking body, tucked between John and Will, wondering why he had never glimpsed this one before.

Simon's purposeful cough nudged David back to the road. This land was the opposite of Colt—wet, cold, and dark. Ferns, mosses, and lichens burst across the forested canyons. He wondered if the deserted creatures like his brothers could get used to it.

Gradually, a portion of Runeville appeared. The uniformed residences were systematically lodged under the sleepy pine and oak trees. First, the houses were scarce and then mushroomed to the heart of town. The buildings were monotonous. Disciplined, David thought. The theme was subjected to white walls, blue roofs, and numbers, just like Bill Watts's South-Central Lane.

"Where the hell are the people?" Simon looked through the windows.

The Watts boys weren't just invited but expected.

***

Before a colossal stone church, the G-Wagen and the Camaro halted. David fixed his hair and adjusted his shirt before stepping out of the van. The boys, tired and unpresentable, had already hated this place.

Angelica took Cyan's arm and instructed, "Stay close." She turned to the Watts boys. "Behave!" Her eyes sharpened, but she had to know that even her fabulous jab would never intimidate those brats. To John, who had lost a quarter of his previous size, she said, "Trust me."

David reluctantly trod to the church and turned back to Cyan. The deprivation of food and sleep took a toll on her. His power hadn't been doing its work right. She firmly held on to Everett's death. But regardless of what she wanted, her life would forever change with just a step across this threshold. David spun around, holding his breath, and pushed the door with his trembling hands.

Anticipating this very arrival were grimaces and scowls. David strutted along the broad aisle between the people of Runeville. Three men jolted to their feet, shivering in the urges of cursing. This was expected, but David was used to it. His worry was that one of the brats would say or do something stupid.

Cyan clung to her youthful grandmother, worming in a semicircle of the Watts boys and her father. Her breaths were faint, but David had made her strong enough to walk on her own. If the girl had to be carried inside like a wreck, there might be a big misunderstanding.

"David." A man in a blue shirt nodded behind a big desk. "Angelica." He bowed, but his towering figure made his posture a nod. "And you are Cyan Cooper." His smile vanished suddenly. "I'm glad you all made it." He scanned the Watts boys and John.

"Nice church," was the first insult coming out of Will.

"What the hell is that?" was Luke's. The mess of photos, papers, and strings on the board behind the man captivated him.

Simon sized up the plain ceiling and stone panes of the west-facing church. There was no altar, no religious art, statue, or even a cross, but one giant investigation wall decorated with the Watts Prime Branch boys' photos. He made a step, but David clutched his arm.

"Hunters," one man shouted, and the crowds buzzed.

Rancor fumed the air. Cyan shifted against Angelica and glanced back at the crowds nervously. The townspeople hushed upon the flash of her eyes. Even the men who were standing flopped on their seats. Cyan frowned, barely, as much as her weak muscles could manage. Perhaps, she really never had a clue.

"Runeville is a sanctuary of peace and truce." The man deliberately looked at David before he faced the newcomers. "My name is Aric. Welcome you all to this humble town. You'll be provided support and protection while you're our guests." He scrutinized the Watts boys as whispers rippled in the hall again. Swishing through the visitors, he posted before the crowds. "But no time can be wasted, so I must once again uncover the prophecy." Runeville awakened to listen. The light in the church weakened to bear. "When the huldreke world crumbles, Black Stallion will be born from three mothers, and he shall lead and rule all realms. Darkness belongs to him." Aric turned back to Cyan and inclined his head reverently. "Darkness."