Masquerade of Madness: The Idea of saving Creed

Vincent wandered mortified, his head hung low. His brother was probably hurt or food by now, all because he had let him come to the humans. "Stupid," Vincent murmured.

Terrence tried to talk to his friend. "You need some rest. You will find your brother, but first, get some help from the Azure family. I will head back to Casalynn and contact you if anything new pops up."

Vincent nodded his head. "Are you sure this is the best way to go about rescuing Creed?"

Terrence reflected on today's events and then said, "You will need a couple of hours sleep before you even attempt a rescue. Besides, if what you said is true, Mininna will not touch a hair on Creed's head until word reaches Casalynn. If I gather enough Intel, I can probably tell you what is going to happen next. Remember, Vincent; fighting is not my thing; it's information gathering."

Sue felt so worn out her insides hurt. Crystal began to study her friend as they both walked toward the decimated house.

They arrived to find a crew already working on the damage. Gin had cleared out the debris of red eyes before workers came. From the outside, you could see some walls still standing, and the garage looked safe. The plumbing and part of the electric still functioned, too. A gaping hole in the roof over the living room, the hole in the side of the house, and the roof lying in the front yard all displayed the intensity of the recent clash.

As they maneuvered through the mess of rubble and tools to get up to the house, Sue could not think of the intended fate she barely missed. The pain had gathered on her face. She looked up to see Gin standing in the doorway.

His daughter's pain was apparent – seeing that she and Crystal were alone left little doubt as to the source. "Where is Creed?" he abruptly asked.

"I am going to save him." It was the only answer Sue could summon.

Crystal spoke up, "Well if you're going to save him, count me in!"

"No, it's too dangerous," Sue muttered.

"If you think it is too dangerous for Crystal, then why should I let you go? What are we talking about here? Leave this to the police!"

"I can't," Sue screamed. "The things that took him were part of the same race that gave birth in our living room."

"I can see how important this is to you. But I don't know what you think you can do alone. I want to help Creed, too, but I must protect you at all cost first."

"Goodnight, isn't it?" The voice seemed to come out of nowhere. No one had noticed the stranger that had come up behind the two girls.

Gin threw the stranger a startled look but said nothing. What next, he thought.

Crystal showed signs of her former self. "You're a hotty! Are you related to Creed?"

Vincent nodded, letting her candor bring out a brief smile in him.

"Creed isn't here," Gin replied, a direct tone to his voice.

"I know." Vincent's voice was low, filled with regret. "I am going to save my brother," he said emphatically. "My friend, Terrence, has relocated back to Casalynn to try to find out any news."

Gin looked at him, now with compassion and calm. He motioned for everyone to come inside, such as it is. As they passed, he asked quietly, "Is he even still alive?"

"At least, for now, he is alive."

Gin suggested everyone try to get some rest, and then they will form a plan.

Later, quick knocks on the door brought everyone's thoughts back to the present situation.

Terrence abruptly poked his head through the hole that used to be a wall. "I knocked," he said defensively, then burst into the room.

No one expected to see him this soon. Vincent braced himself.

"Vincent, this is bad! Creed is still alive, but . . ."

Sue followed them out of the room, trying to listen. She needed to know it all.

". . .Their demand is for the king. They want the king and all the heads of the Council of Casalynn."

"They will not get that with one Casalyian, maybe the council, but not the king."

"But you know King Fredal, he would willingly give himself up for another. They have a week's time, and the king has only given us three days. Good luck, they're at the Temple of Salvation, just as you suspected."

"You are not coming, are you?"

"No, I'll take care of the front communications."

Sue breathed in, announcing her presence. "I'm going with you!"

"No," Vincent replied calmly.

"I am going to save Creed, and that's that!" Sue looked Vincent straight in the eye, arms crossed, standing her ground.

"Do you have a weapon?"

Sue said nothing, only held up her gloved hand.

Vincent tilted his head, raising his eyebrows, and then gave a defeated shrug. "You must be prepared for anything that comes your way. The temple has hidden paths. And monsters sometimes take refuge there, waiting for 'food' to appear."

Sue nodded. "I understand."

"Let me see your face."

She turned her face to Vincent. He could feel the determination bubbling inside of her. He smiled. "We will separate for a time in the temple. It morphs every day. It is the best way to find Creed."

"Don't worry; I'll be all right."

Crystal looked at them both. "I am coming, too!"

"No!" Sue stared directly at Crystal. "This isn't a game!"

Crystal returned the glare. "He was my friend, too, and I thought I called dibs!"

"No," Vincent replied darkly.

"I am going, and besides I have a feeling the more involved I am with Creed and you, the more chances that I'll probably see Yin."

Vincent looked at her somewhat confused. "You could lose your life," he said bluntly.

"That little girl is worth it, and I guess Creed is, too."

"Then try to survive." Vincent gave in. Arguing was of no use.

Sue understood Crystal's motives. "Then stick by me. I will protect you."

"Sorry to cut in, but I have a date tonight with the school nurse." Terrence left the house the same way he came in, yelling back to Vincent, "Are you coming?"

Gin replied for him, "You don't have to go. Stay here and get some rest."

"I think I will do that. Thank you."

"When do we leave?" an anxious Sue asked.

"Tomorrow at dawn, if possible, set the alarm for five." Vincent slouched on a sofa and was soon out from exhaustion.

Sue ran off to her room while Crystal called her mom and told her she would be staying the night with Sue.

Gin prayed for the safety of Sue and Crystal and the stranger's safety, as well. He gently tapped on Sue's door.

"Yeah, Dad?"

"Sue," he said as he opened the door, "I would like for you to make it back alive, along with Crystal."

"Don't worry; I will take care of her."

"Sue, do you really have to do this?" He needed to give her one last argument.