The Pearl Of Vynes - Chapter 8 Danger

As the sunshine broke through the window and disturbed Alice’s sleep, she woke with a start. It was exciting to finally have Miles back, but not only that he would be staying with them for a little while. It was a great opportunity to probe him questions she had always wanted to ask. The adventures he had been in places far away. Exotic lands that Alice could only dream about going to. Getting out of bed, Alice walked into the kitchen to find Miles was gone from his place in the kitchen. Looking out the window she could see Miles was out walking already. His direction was towards the woods that were at the back of her father’s field. Hurriedly Alice ran back into her room, throwing on her dirty dress and shoes she ran outside as he disappeared in the tree. Trying to be as stealthy as possible, Alice crept from brush to brush in order to avoid being noticed and turned around from whatever secrets Miles kept to himself. Alice could still glimpses of Miles as he made his through the trees, he trekked an already worn path that Alice knew was the local game trail where many of the deer and bucks ran through. Miles disappeared from sight as Alice tried to keep pace. Alice hiding behind a tree, peeked her head around to see where Miles was heading. Alice having lost track of Miles tried to backtrack and see if she could find his tracks. As Alice wondered the forest, a haze started to form around her. The mist had surprised her but she paid it no mind as she intently studied the ground but could not find any trace of Miles’ foot prints. Raising her head, Alice noticed the mist had gotten thicker, trees that were easily visible before now disappeared in the white fog. Alice wondered around blindly until a noise perked her ears up. Whispers could be heard, but they had a sweet tone. A little unnerved Alice continued walking slowly through the woods, stepping over and avoiding gnarled roots that sprang out of the ground. The faint whispers she heard before became much louder and attracted her attention. Following the sound, the mist had closed in around her even tighter. Despite this Alice still felt relax as she let the whispers fill her mind, offering sweet nothings into her ear. The voices were beautiful and so clear now, Alice strained to make out what they were saying to her. Faded hands appeared out of the fog bank and caressed Alice’s cheek, relaxing into the cold feeling along her face. More hands formed and slowly brought her into a tight embrace, the voices becoming ever clearer as she stared at the fog, the musical tones almost irresistible to her ears. Suddenly Alice had trouble breathing as the hands continued to embrace her tightly. Faces started to shape themselves out of the mist, eye sockets empty and groaning in despair as Alice snapped out of her dream like state. Alice could make out the voices clearly now, and she struggled against the hands wrapped around. A face came close to hers and breathed a final word at Alice.

for visiting.

“Food”

The sharp clap echoed all around and made Alice freeze for a moment, the see through hands also withdrew slightly but still firmly holding on the prey it had managed to ensnare.

“I’m sure that’s enough playing. Unless of course you wish to play with me as well” someone said dangerously far out of the corner of Alice’s eye that she couldn’t pick out as she was held tight. The filmy hands withdrew slightly but then gripped even tighter than before, the many faces of the fog searched for the source of the person speaking to it.

“Shame”, the sound of a loud firecracker caused the fog to back off, giving Alice a chance to retreat. The mist let loose a screech of pain, fleeing from the area and the mist begun to clear almost instantly. Coughing and taking heavy breaths, Alice appreciated the sweet air of the forest filling her lungs, still able to hear the howls of the creature that was so close to consuming her before. Alice caught her breath and looked up from the ground where she had been dropped so heavily, Miles was staring dangerously at her and where the creature had disappeared to. Seeing it was safe again, Miles’ face broke into a smile.

“Are you feeling alright missy?” Miles asked from his standing position, occasionally looking around warily. Still trying to catch her breath, Alice nodded at Miles.

“You’ve got to be careful around these parts. There are all sorts of nasties that are ready to pounce on the unwary. Stay by myside and you’ll alright” Miles said trying to comfort her with his usual jovial self. Miles offered his hand to Alice while she was still crouching on the ground. Alice reached out for it and was launched back to her feet; Miles gave her an intense look.

“I’m in the middle of doing a job for a client of mine. So you’re welcome to join me as long as you stay quiet” Miles said to her. Alice nodded and clutched on to his arm, Alice looked around worried the mist might come back for her.

“Don’t worry about it dear, it’s going to be a while before it feels ready to snatch something else while it recovers. And I’m right by your side” Miles said, almost seemingly reading Alice’s mind. Alice nodded but still felt nervous as the continued to walk through the forest. Alice noticed that the colour of the grass and trees had started to slowly change, instead of the lush greens of summer the forest had splashes of reds and orange decorating the leaves. The grass shimmered and moved from the light breeze passing through the now sparse trees. Alice could see the edge of the forest.