Fourteen: Alpine Forest

Dad didn't came home for supper, it was just me and the boys in the kitchen. Louie proved to be excellent with the laddle, he cooked a lot and we ate until out stomach screamed surrender.

For a moment I forgot about our misunderstanding, the upcoming competition, homecoming date and schoolworks. For a brief time I was enjoying my teenage life, eating carbs, drinking beer and even cussing. No one reprimanded me, I was totally detached from my city life.

"I hid the six pack on the trunk, cuz Dr. Neville wouldn't allow alcohol while you stay here.." Louie was popping another bottle for Tristane, "so please, don't rat out on us."

"Why should I? I'm as guilty as you are."

We laughed like we were the best of friends. I raised mine and enjoyed the bitter cold taste.

"Slow down Krista, the bottle's not going anywhere." Tristane attempted to take my beer but I held onto it.

"Hey, you've finished one already. Don't be so damn greedy!"

"Ohh, you cussed!"

"O' course I did! Wanna hear some more?"

"Yeah, what you got?"

I took another swig before answering, "Faggot."

Both men exchanged glances before roaring with laughter.

"Oh you think you're funny? You ninny hammers! Nut-a-crackin'-nip! Jello bennies! Cocoa butterscotch vanilla toddles!"

"Hey, hey.. you made your point. We get it, you can cuss." Louie was still chuckling.

"Like a five year old, that is!" And they broke into another hysterical laughter.

I joined in, there's no prim and proper Mom to yell at me and no Dad to tell me otherwise.

I finished the bottle and was quite feeling warm, I never liked beer but the I was getting used to the taste. My hand reached for another but Louie was quicker than me.

"That's enough for a first time."

I pouted, "But I want more!"

"Your face is flushed, I'd say you're drunk already Krista."

"Am not!"

"And that's what drunk people would say. Off to bed, now!"

I glanced at Tristane for help but he ignored me and attended to his drink instead.

"Fine! You'd better throw these out, Dad might be back anytime soon."

I left the men and ran for my room. My heart was beating so fast I feared I was going to collapse.

30 minutes later

I waited until the house was silent. Louie and Tristane finished the rest of the beer and called it a night. Slowly, I opened the door and tiptoed down the stairs. I managed to lock Oggy in Louie's room before he retired, and I was sure he wouldn't mind.

I reached the living room and felt the walls, I have familiarized myself with the house already that I wouldn't need a light. Plus the moon was bright, bathing the indoors with a soft glow.

I found the backdoor atlast, it was locked so I picked it. Louie took the keys from me to stop further explorations. When in fact I was on my way to another exploration without them. The lock proved to be an easy one, I swung the door open and led myself out.

With a map in hand I drew out my penlight. The Alpine Forest was about a mile or two from the house, I dared not swing my light towards the trees, careful not to disturb the night creatures.

I pulled my hood up as the night air grew chilly while my boots crunched against the grass. The area was quite, not a soul ventured around. Crickets have been singing eversince I walked up the dirt path, or what used to be one. It was barely visible if I didn't have a map, basically I knew what I was looking for.

I followed the path and tried to feel something. Maybe Lucian would send me a signal to confirm if he's here? Will I feel a presence, hear a whisper or see a silhoutte? What do psychics do when they try to communicate with the dead? I just have no idea at all.

The path wavered as I neared the forest, it was barely visible because of the shadows. I looked around and found no other traces of a human made path. Its just this one.

"Guess we'll find out huh?"

I hardened my voice to drive away my fear, had to convince myself I wasn't a scaredy cat. I took one step forward and an on owl hooted somewhere. Damn, now I am just one step away of waking the forest up.

The path went on deeper, I found myself struggling with the rocky path almost stumbling every now and then. The wind was much colder here probably because the trees loomed high and was preventing the moonlight from penetrating the heavy leaves.

Thankfully my penlight was cooperative, it never wavered as I continued to walk. This time I was following the path alone since the map only led to where I could find the forest.

I didn't know how long I've been walking, I haven't checked my watch. But it must've been around fifteen minutes now. The path was still on going so I have to keep walking until I find where it leads to.

But where is it exactly leading me? Will I find the pot of gold, a witch's cottage that drew Hansel and Gretel, a cave, the edge of the forest or whatever. But it was my best lead so far.

Up ahead I saw the path was much clearer, more used than the one I have just walked. My penlight could reach about enough to reveal a sharp turn behind a rock. I may be getting close.

I took another step when a snap caught my ears. I froze and strained to hear, there's a lot of noises here but there it was again! Someone was following me and is not even hiding the sounds they make.

Quickly I dove behind the rock and turned off my penlight. If someone was indeed here I didn't plan to get caught, hey I wasn't doing anything illegal. Just taking a walk in the woods, alone. I heard footsteps coming closer, by the sound of it looks like it was just one person. I plastered myself further down the rock hoping the darkenss would just swallow me.

"Krista?"

I stiffened and peered thru the crack, "Tristane?"

He was standing behind the rock I was hiding wearing the same shirt and jeans, he didn't have any flashlight with him. Suspicious.

"Why are you hiding?" He sounded calm but curious.

"I thought an animal was following me.." I slipped a lie, lately I'm getting better at it. "And you?" I diverted his attention back to him.

"Do I look an animal Krista? Cuz I've been following you since you left the house." He smiled, his teeth shone brightly against the meager moonlight. I caught my breath, he looked gorgeous.

"You what?"

"I saw you sneak out. Can't just let you wander out here alone, the forest is a dangerous place."

"But I'm not alone, am I?"

He sighed, "You did it on purpose, didn't you?"

"What are you talking about?" I feigned innocence.

"The beer Krista, you weren't really drunk. You made us believe you needed to rest so Louie sent you to bed. Then you sneaked out." His arms crossed his chest framing his lean chest. "I wonder why? Why venture at night here?"

Crap. What do I do now?

"Why Krista?" He asked again.

Tristane slowly made his way to me.

"Something happened at the house.." it wasn't a question, "then something happened to you. You lost conciousness twice already, I don't believe you can't remember anything. Tell me Krista, what have you seen at the manor?"

I remained silent, he was getting near but I stood still. The noises in the forest provided a comfortable atmosphere.

"Tristane, I uh.. how much do you know about the forest?"

"Pretty much the in and out. Why?"

"Can you take me where Claus was found? That night when...when he chased Lucian out here?"

Tristane's jaw tightened.

"Is this what this is about? You dared walk in here alone with nothing but a penlight to find answers?"

"Tristane please, I just need to see for myself. I think something happened that night, when they both came here. There has to be something that led Lucian to ride his horse away from them."

He sighed. He probably think I'm going crazy. Well, it sounded crazy afterall.

"If I show you where Claus was found will you promise not to come here anymore?"

"I can't promise that, it would depend on what I will find."

"And what do you expect to find Krista?"

"I.. I don't know! That's why I'm here, to find something!"

Tristane flexed his arms in frustration then took my penlight.

"Fine. But if something happens that I don't like, I'm taking you home."

"Deal."

He snorted, "Follow me."

I let him lead the way, he continued down the path. His strides very much familiar with the way.

"You come out here a lot?"

He threw me a serious look, "Used to. When Dad was alive we used to hunt here."

"Thanks for helping me."

"Don't thank me yet. Far as I know your Dad could be back now, what do you plan to tell him once we got back?"

I stopped. Will Dad believe me if I tell him that Lucian called me out here?

"I don't know.."

"Better think fast, we're almost there."

I caught up with Tristane as he led me deeper into the forest. The trees swayed against the wind as it blew making the leaves rustle. It should be creepy but for some reason I wasn't creeped out. Probably because Tristane was here.

"We're here."

We stopped infront of an old Pear tree, it stood higher than other trees. The roots spreading all over the area like a virus. I couldn't see any fruits but I was sure it was a pear tree.

"It looks.."

"Creepy." Tristane aimed the light upwards indicating the vines climbing the branches.

"Sure is. Are you certain Claus was found here?"

He shrugged, "That's what my ancestors said. My Dad brought me here and pointed at that certain area," he indicated a spot covered in moss, "was where Claus was found. Unconcious and injured."

I walked over to the spot, nothing looked out of the ordinary. My eyes surveyed the surroundings, all sorts of weeds and vines grew around the tree.

Why was Claus found here? And injured? Shouldn't Lucian be found here as well? Did they fight?

I turned and faced the tree, the only witness to Lucian's last moments. What have you seen?

My hands found the trunk feeling the roughness of the surface.

Where are you Lucian?

"Krista.. get away from the tree."

I didn't. I just stared up ahead, waiting. Tristane was walking towards me.

I'm here now Lucian. Where are you love?

"Krista.."

I spun around and followed the voice. I found him standing behind Tristane.

"Lucian.."

Tristane froze on his tracks, his eyes widening. He stared at me, pleading for an answer.

"You came.."

His voice was distant as always. But it was him, it was the same Lucian.

"Yes. I promised you, didn't I?" I felt tears warming my cheeks.

"You brought a Mayer. This is a surpise."

I stiffened. He can tell Tristane was from Letecia's bloodline?

"He helped me find my way here. He meant no harm."

Tristane was still not moving from where he was. I could see his forehead sweating.

"I won't harm him. You have my word. Now, come to me."

He said it none too gently and I wanted to flinch. What was happening? He seemed different here. I stared at Lucian's eyes, those blue globes burned with hunger. Something's not right.

"Come now Krista. Walk towards me and give me your hand. Now!"

I shook my head. This isn't the sweet Lucian I knew. He never ordered me around.

"Don't listen to him Krista."

Tristane finally managed to speak. He was clenching his fists.

He can hear Lucian? He must be for he was telling me not to. When Lucian said his powers are stronger here this is probably what he meant.

"Don't make me mad Krista. Give me your hand and release me. Then we can be together."

"Don't Krista! Run!"

The next thing I knew, Tristane was wrestling Lucian. They both fell to the ground exchanging punches. I heard grunts and deep intakes of breath. Lucian was on his back while Tristane straddled him but he fought well. His fist connected with Tristane's jaw, throwing him back.

Lucian pulled himself up and kicked Tristane until the latter curled away.

"Stop! Stop it Lucian!"

He stared at me with such hatred I thought I would catch flames right then and there.

"You can make it stop Krista. Come to me and all this will end."

I had to chose now, either I sacrifice Tristane and run away or give myself to Lucian. I bit back a sob. Why is this happening?

"I won't hurt you Krista... you know that. Come to me."

His eyes softened like the way it looked when he kissed me. He extended his hand for me. Its just a few paces away.

My foot moved on its own at the same time my hand was reaching out for him. I saw him smile, oh how wonderful he looked!

My hands finally found his then he pulled me nearer. The chill was sudddenly gone, the wind continued to blow around us but just like in my dreams he drove the cold away. Lucian was making me warm, he was the sun, the light and the very delicious thing I wanted.

"Finally my love. We can be together."

He drew me close for an embrace but I hesitated. Am I doing the right thing?

His eyes searched mine, questioning why I was refusing his touch.

"Lucian, I.."

I couldn't finish what I was about to say when Tristane pulled me back and started speaking in a foriegn language. No, not speaking, chanting. Tristane was chanting something towards Lucian. His hand glowed then I saw fog was coming out of it.

Lucian was screaming and was suddenly holding his face away from us.

Tristane was casting a spell on him!

I stared at Lucian my heart was hurting to see him struggle, I was about to call out to him when he was suddenly thrown back at the tree. Then he was gone. It swallowed him.

Tristane was out of breath, I had to wrap my hands around him so he won't collapse.

"Let's get out of here." He said.

I nodded. There's no use of talking for now. I'll ask once we get home and tend to his injuries.

I started pulling him back but he pointed to another direction.

"I remembered where we came from and that's not the path we took."

"No. We have to go...there."

"Where? Where are you taking me Tristane?"

"Just get going Krista. You want answers don't you?"

My face must've showed my answer so he managed to stand on his own and started walking to the path he was pointing at. I followed his limping form and dared not look back.