chapter 3
I ran into the woods. The thing about Dave's house was that it was far away from everyone else's. It was situated on a hill in the forest. It helped with training.
I saw lights behind me. They were chasing me, and getting closer but I knew these woods like the back of my hand. I knew about this strangler tree. It had already destroyed its host so it was now hollow. It had an entrance at the top so I ran in its direction.
My quick footsteps caused the leaves on the ground to rustle so my pursuers heard where I was going and were gaining ground. I jumped, grabbing the nearest branch. My grip was good so I continued swinging till I got to the tree I needed. I quickly climbed to the top, trying to be as silent as possible and then I hid in it. I heard them closing in. They stopped right in front of my tree and I had to stop my breathing from being so loud. My heart was pounding in my chest and ringing in my ears and I feared they would hear it, then I would be done for.
"Where is she? We were right behind her", one suddenly said. His voice was deep and cold, nothing like my dads'. There was no compassion to be heard in it. Suddenly as if on cue there was a rustle in a nearby bush.
"Over there!" the other said and they both ran in the direction the noise had come from. Living me nearly breathless, in my panicked state. I didn't even realise that that two men were missing. There were four in total.
I stayed quite long after they left, just to make sure they were really gone. It was cold that night and I had nothing but my PJ's on. I missed Dave and David. I wanted so badly for them to be with me. To hold me. Their hugs were always the warmest. I guess all that running and fearing for my life must have exhausted me because I found myself drifting of to sleep. But it was not a peaceful one.
My dreams were plagued with dreadful images of my father and brother. Bloodied asking me for help and why I left them. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry", I recited in my sleep. I woke up panting from the nightmare. My red eyes seemed cordovan because of my tears.
It was morning and as I climbed out of the tree I was smoke coming from were my house... no my home was. I moved without thinking, running back home. I should have probably stopped, gone the other way. It would be dangerous to return. But I didn't care. I wanted home, but home... was gone.
I walked into the area of my house, or what was left of it. Ashes, some parts still burning was what I returned to. My legs nearly gave out. I couldn't believe it. Everything was gone. my belongings, things I collected along the years for memory sake. Gone, burnt to ashes. My house, my family. I was alone again. I noticed some fire fighters and police around. I took in the scene, one last time. I needed to leave, but as I was about to leave I heard a familiar voice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Only two bodies were found, burnt beyond recognition sir. We suspect they belong to the father and son." an officer said.
"What about the daughter?" his commander asked.
"Uhm, there is no record of Dave Marklous having a daughter sir", the officer answered confusion clear in his voice. Everyone in the town knew Dave, better known as 'Mr. Marklous'. They considered him as a strange but kind man. Always kept to himself. People hardly ever saw him. All they knew was that he owned the house at the top of the hill and he had a son. The officers' commander happened to be a close friend of Mr. Marklous, so it confused him as to why his commander thought the man had a daughter.
"Oh right" his commander coughed out as if remembering something. "Anyway I want..."
"Uncle Duncan?"
Both men turned at the voice that just spoke. The owner was just a young girl, roughly 16 years of age and with dark brown, almost black hair. She was in just her PJ's which was... odd, especially for the time of day and that she was in public. She was tall-ish probably 5,6 and you could see she had a well trained body, but coming from a grown man that sounded weird. The most noticeable feature about the girl though was her crimson red eyes. They looked a bit dark and it looked as though she had been crying but they were still visible to those close by. It took the officer and other spectators by surprise but the commander had a relived look on his face. "D", he said fondly.