Chapter One ★ Bitten :: Cont’

｡☆✼★━ Luna ━★✼☆｡

“Yessss. Masssterssss will know… yesss.” The creature agreed and back peddled into the wood fence behind it. It’s leathery skin sounded like sandpaper against blacktop as it edged its way out of the yard. Ugh, I hate that sound. It’s almost as worse as the sound of Styrofoam. Ick. Jus’ thinking of it makes my skin crawl.

The boy still slept on the ground undisturbed. Still I kept watch on the critter to make sure that it left and didn’t try to pull a fast one on us. Surge of energy sung within my veins. The battle ain’t over yet. Pearl and I followed the creep with our eyes as he exited the yard. The stench of foul eggs lifted I duly noted when he truly left our presence.

Blech. Nothing worse than having that rotten egg smell linger. I smacked my lips and searched for my beer. Maybe it survived the whole thing… maybe… I can only hope.

“What are you standing there for?” Pearl interrupted my search. “Go and check on the kid you were so darn determined to protect.”

I rolled my eyes. That’s right… the kid. Did I mention that I have this habit of getting sidetracked? I’m worse than a dog who saw a squirrel. Pearl pushed me aside, “Oh for the love of Triton, Luna. You’re about as useful as a bag with a hole in it.”

“Hey, a bag with a hole can be of use.” I shot back.

I ambled over to where she was squatting over the boy. She was picking through his pockets looking for something. The genius that I was asked, “What are you looking for? He’s a kid. He doesn’t have any money.”

Pearl stopped and placed her hands on her hip. She lifted her head slowly and gave me a look that topped even my own mom’s stare. Now, if she weren’t squatting over the boy and looking like a chicken with her arms hinged outward then I might have not laughed. But I did.

Her face got even more red which made it worse. I laughed, “Stop! You’re gonna make me pee myself.”

“I’ll make you do more than pee.” She snapped back. “C’mon you butt head. Get serious. Use that pudding between your ears that you call a brain and think.”

I had to turn away from her because she was still squatting over the kid with her arms out like chicken wings. Snerk. It’s too funny not to laugh. Okay… okay… gotta stop laughing. Giggle. Chicken wings… on Pearl… ha-ha-hahaha… okay… easy now Luna. Gotta get myself back under control.

Breathing in through my nose I let the cool air travel through me. Then blew it slowly out through my parted lips. I repeated the ritual a few more times and relaxed. The smell of rotten eggs no longer hung in the air.

With my mind centered I turned back to Pearl. She puffed out her cheeks, flapped her arms and squawked, “Bwa-bawk!”

We both busted out laughing. She fell backwards and rolled on the ground. I fell to my hands and knees clutching my sides. Man, I really needed to pee. Between each gasp for air as I laughed, “Now, you’ve dun done it…. I had myself all under control… and you jus had to go make yerself out like a chicken.”

Pearl guffawed, “I couldn’t… help it. I realized… what you were smirking about… and… and… *snort* … went along with it.”

“Jus stop,” I laughed. “I’m gonna pee myself if we keep this up.”

The kid let out a groan and stirred from where he laid on the ground.

Pearl and I stopped laughing.

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter One ★ Bitten :: Cont’

｡☆✼★━ Luna ━★✼☆｡

I couldn’t even finish my sentence when Pearl literally yanked me inside the doorway and then shut the door fast.

“What about the kid–” I tried to say before Pearl slapped her palm over my mouth.

“Shhhh.” She hissed.

My eyebrows knitted upwards. She continued to look over her shoulders at the closed door still keeping my mouth closed with her hand. Gravel crunched under the heavy footsteps that walked in our tiny unkempt garden. The dark presence that we felt coming our way became palatable with the distinct ick of rotten eggs. That poor kid.

What in tarnation could be out there? Is this what we were supposed to find on our mission? Is this the evil that lurked about in Tybee Island?

Darn it all. I need to take a look at what this thing might be… the taste of salt danced along my buds as my tongue glided against Pearl’s soft hands. She pulled away with a frown and shook her hand before rubbing it on her khaki capris pants. In return I smiled at her and she held her hand in a fist as a playful warning.

Crawling on my belly I made it back to the doorway side windows and peered beyond the curtains that hung on the side windows. The figure was intentionally keeping his details blurred for I could not make out who or what it was. My heart stopped when it bent down to where the boy lay prone on the ground.

“For Ursula’s sake…” I hissed. “It’s going after the boy.”

I shot a look back at Pearl. She shook her head no. Her eyes were wide in the dark illuminated by the little light that streamed in from the top window above the door.

Darn it. We are supposed to look after mankind. Even though the kid bit me I felt obligated to keep him from harm. I leapt up to my feet and turned the knob. It slipped because of my blood soaked towel. Yet I was determined to save the kid. So I grabbed the knob harder in and turned it feeling the latch slid loose from the its nestled cave in the doorjamb.

It didn’t matter that I was choosing to put my life in danger. It really was about that kid. Sure, yeah he bit me. Bit me real good. But heck, he deserves a second chance. Everybody did.

I threw the door open wide and Pearl yelped, “Don’t!”

Too late now for the door slammed against the wall with a loud bang and bounced back a little. My foot stopped it from smacking me in the side. The pain in my hand throbbed. I was ready to face whatever it was that chose to feast on the little perv outside…

Hunched over the boy was a dark figure. No way it could have been human. I could feel Pearl standing by my side which gave me the courage to shout, “Hey buddy!”

I took one step forward. Blood boiled under my skin as it hardened and readied itself for battle. Tiny spikes emerged on my arms and the ends of my elbows. I continued to the end of the porch, “Leave the kid alone. You want him? Well, you gotta go through me first before you can even touch him.”

The dark figure whipped around with yellow eyes that glowed in the dark. It bared its many elongated teeth right back me. It’s muzzle was long like that of an alligator. Behind me the faint whisper of Pearl unsheathing her blade sent a wave of reassurance through me. The beast reached towards the boy on the ground.

“Ya deaf?” I shouted at the creature. “The kid’s off limits.”

“Merlock?” It asked in a low growl and cocked its head to one side. Its one shadowed paw held over the boy.

I spat to one side. “No. Not even close.”

Pearl stepped up beside me and pointed her blade at the creature, “Leave. You are not welcomed here.”

It hovered and tapped its chin. Then glanced down at the boy, “But such meat will go to waste. Such waste. Such tasty tasty waste.”

The wind buzzed in my ear as Pearl’s knife embedded itself in the wood fence behind the creature. It stood with wide eyes then clapped its hands against its own cheek. It screamed, “Aieeeee. Mercy young ones. Mercy… mercy.”

“Begone foul demon.” Pearl jutted her chin out. “And tell the witches that we know they’re here.”

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

Chapter One ★ Bitten

｡☆✼★━ Luna ━★✼☆｡

“We got a code moon.” Pearl said into the phone. “I repeat code moon.”

“Dag nabbit Pearl!” I growled at her. “It ain’t no code moon. Quit yer gabbin an git me a towel.”

Pearl leaned against the doorway and glanced down at me. The phone still close to her ear. I held my hand close to my chest. The blood dripping from the wound blossomed on my white tank top. She arched an eyebrow, “You sure about that, Luna?”

The kid laying on the ground not too far from me was out cold. No way could he be a werewolf. T’aint no such thing in these part of the states. Or so our reports said so the last time that I checked. I grimaced, “Yeah, I’m sure.”

Pearl leaned forward and spoke into the phone, “Cancel that. Must of been a trick of the light.” She folded the clam shell phone and placed it back into its holster on her belt.

Her heavy boot footsteps faded as she went into the kitchen of the small house. Hinges squeaked as the freezer door opened and closed. Few more doors to cupboards opened and slammed shut.

Man this bite hurts. This was supposed to be a scouting mission only. For lands’ sake I didn’t expect to be bitten by some perverted tween.

Cold traveled down my spine and I fell forward. Pearl giggled at my misfortune. I shot her a dirty look and regained my composure and sat on the ground indian style. She certainly has become more quiet since our first mission. That’s who Pearl is… a gal that takes it upon herself to improve where she’s lacking.

As for me? Ah shucks. I prefer to get the mission over and done with so I can go goof off. But no, that’ don’ happen with me. Nope. I happen to be the lucky daughter of a chief supreme. So, no slacking for this missy here.

Pearl tossed a bag of frozen peas at me and a kitchen towel. I snatched them out of the air with my good hand. Using the towel I wrapped it around the wound and placed the bag on top. Yeah sure, I know you’e supposed to wash your wound but I just want the bleeding to stop right now. Besides, I’m not human anyways.

Nope. I’m a mermaid believe it or not. One hundred percent mermaid with a killer tan, blue eyes and sandy white hair too.

And here’s the real kicker… my kind is stationed throughout the entire world to make sure mankind doesn’t royally baked themselves into a heaping load of horse dung.

Yes, when we get in water our tails do take shape. It’s who we are and all. My tail is a light lavender… rather pretty.

What’s with the southern drawl? Well, I happen ta pick up local cadences and dialects. It’s a quirk of mine. Sometimes it helps me to blend in and other times it can single me out.

I glanced back up at Pearl who was sitting on the top steps to the porch. The moonlight glinted off her dark blue hair. She took a long pull from a local brew in her hand then nodded her head my way, “How’s the hand?”

“It twinges.” I lied because it stung like heck.

She narrowed her eyes, “Liar.”

“Fine.” I grumbled, “It hurts like a mother.”

“Do you want to go back to headquarters and have doc take a look?”

My eyes widened, I pressed my lips firmly together and shook my head.

Pearl laughed and held her hands up in surrender, “Okay. No seeing doc. Got it.”

The crickets of the evening were chirping. Fireflies were flitting here and there in the air. Taking another peek at the kid passed out on the ground I took note of his breathing. I guess it was normal.

Not sure. I’m not an expert on humans or anything. All I know is pervs about his age are all about snapping pics of naked ladies in the middle of the night.

“Do you think we should call his parents?” Pearl asked then took another swig of her drink.

“Naw, let him sleep it off.” I answered and got up to sit down next to her.

She took another drink and smacked her lips. “This is some good stuff.”

“And where’s mine?” I drawled.

The corner to her lips pulled upwards, “I drank it, already.”

“You brat!” I slapped her with my bad hand, “Ow! That hurts.”

“Ick. You got blood on me.” She laughed.

I whimpered and gave her puppy dog eyes.

She rolled her eyes, “Serves you right for hitting me.” She then produced another bottle that she had hidden away. She shoved the cool bottle into my injured hand and twisted the cap off it. “This’ll help.”

“Thanks.” I said as we clinked our bottles together and leaned back against the porch with smiles on our faces. Nothing like a cold brewsky to mellow out injuries. With fireflies… wait–where’d they go? And the crickets? They’re not saying a peep.

What in Triton’s name is going on?? Everything was being still. Like it was holding their breath waiting for whatever evil was lurking to pass us by.

The growing miasma of fear continued to ebb its way into my self control. I whispered, “Pearl–“

She held out her hand, “Shhhh. I feel it too. Let’s get back inside.”

“What about the kid?” I tossed my chin his way. “We can’t leave him there…”

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ – TO BE CONTINUED… –☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙