Hey guys, I hope I made it in time for Halloween, maybe just for the U.S. though. I thought I would make a part 2 to my first story and I hope it's just as enjoyable! Maybe give a bit of insight into a few characters and push the story along. I'm hoping to branch it to another story I've been writing but who knows ^^; But anyways, Happy Halloween!!
Quickly passing her surroundings, Liza swerved through trees and shrubs, hearing a growling sound behind her. As it got closer she sped up but the beast was right at her heels snapping at her dress. She neared a large clearing and quickly swooped upwards towards the moonlit sky, escaping whatever had been pursuing her. Glancing down at her dress she finds a large tear near the bottom; it was a formidable beast by the look of it. A pity, she really liked that dress.
A warmly lit town was on the horizon and she decided it was her best destination. Nearing closer she finds a thick fog surrounding it, but she pushed through breaking whatever barrier it created. Carefully landing on a cobblestone road she finds herself in the midst of an eerily quiet town.
"Jack, time to come out now," Liza cooed in a quiet whisper. She loved to watch his transformation, it mesmerized her to no end. Her eyes were transfixed as she watched her hovering umbrella's shadow shake and bend. Her handsome Jack stepped outside from his murky, shadowed state with his traditional smirk plastered on his face.
She grabs her hovering umbrella by the hilt and suddenly gravity took over once again. "It seems that Randal and his hairy goons were after you again Jack," she stated, glancing towards him with a raised brow.
"Yes, well Randal should know to hold his end of the deal," Jack replied with a slight shake of the head. "This is, of course, the only night I have with you after all." A chilly breeze swept her dress up and he held her in another warm embrace, bitterly letting go when the wind died down.
Liza giggled as he spun her around and held out his arm for her, which she gladly linked with. "I think it's time to visit Madam Umbra, don't you?" Jack asks her with caution, knowing how Liza felt about her.
Her face turning void of emotion she turns to look Jack in the eyes. Taking a good look she sullenly replies, "If you wish darling, I could never take anything else away from you."
Turning the corner they are met by a short man in a large brown trenchcoat standing next to a large wardrobe filled with all different sorts of magical items. They did their best to avert their eyes the man noticed them and quickly began to announce the items he was selling, attempting to persuade them to purchase one.
The man came close with a bronze lantern in hand. "Hey there, the names Reed and I'm a jack of all trades," he began with a chipper and friendly tone. "Would you like a whimsical spitfire?" He asked, pushing the lantern towards them. "Or maybe a ticky-sticky time bomb?" With the more questions he asked, the more aggressive he became, pushing each good into their face.
Liza waved her hand signaling her disinterest in his wares. "We're not here to dawdle," she said bitterly. "Find another couple to bother."
"Come as some go, but you will buy one," Reed spat with malice. "I'll curse you before you're able to leave."
His hand came closer to Liza but she quickly slaps it away before it came into contact with her face, "No means no, mister," she retorted with an icy cold glare.
Jack held in a laugh as he watched their interaction. As his eyes skim upon the seller's wares, a black coat catching his eyes. The cloak was medium in length, compared to him at least, probably reaching the back of his knees. The collar was adorned with autumn leaves leaving a different array of reds and oranges. The flame in his jack-o-lantern eyes grew as his curiosity was piqued.
"Well we wouldn't want you to be cursed as well, now would we my dear?" Jack asked Liza with sincerity in his eyes. She gives him a pout and he lets her rest her head onto his shoulder, smoothing her hair in a way to calm her. "How much for that autumn cape, sir?" he asked the seller.
"That'll be 2 gold doubloons," Reed said eagerly, his eyes filled with greed.
Jack rummages through his leather pouch and grabs 2 golden doubloons, flicking them both towards Reed. The coin flicks in the air, the pumpkin side landing onto his palm. Jack nods his thanks, discreetly taking the cloak.
Grabbing Liza's hand he pulls her towards their destination, clipping his cloak on with his other hand. The haze grew thicker as they grew closer to a large mansion, three-storys above ground. Liza placed a knock upon the door to have it open upon touch. Walking into the house they find themselves in a long hallway that exits into different rooms. Near the end of the hallway, they see a woman donning a purple cloak, hiding most of her features. In her hand was a lantern with a glowing crystal ball held by a 4-pronged silver claw.
Under her cloaked face was an eerie smile as she held her crystal lantern up to them. "I've been awaiting you for a while now Jack," she announced. "And Liza my dear, I haven't seen you since you left our establishment, it's nice to have you back for a change."
"Pleasure," Liza replied bitterly while giving Umbra a cold stare. "I suppose you know what we've come for then?"
Umbra's eyes locked onto Liza's returning the icy gaze, "Of course," she replied.
She turned heel and entered a large room that was intriguingly empty. Umbra took her crystal lantern and abruptly smashed it to the ground, but nothing in the room had changed besides a few glass shards now scattered across the room. Seemingly safe both Jack and Liza followed her in, but upon entering their eyes are full of a dark mist, and in front of them a scene unfolds.
It showed a cramped room, seemingly a basement, that was full of stuffed bookshelves and a small metal table cluttered with vials and bottles. A large desk stood out above any other furniture as it was in the middle of the small room. A man was stooped over the table, seemingly muttering to himself, an old book laid out in front of him. The man swiped the large book from the table in anger, shaking his hands in the air, his mouth opening to yell but they couldn't hear a sound. The only suggestion that they truly weren't there themselves. The book had been splayed on the ground, the title easily to see. It read A Mortals Undoing and A Beast Undone. Liza felt Jack stiffen as the book's title had been revealed but even after the haze left, her eyes remained glued to the scene.
"Reed," Liza heard Jack mutter under his breath. Her attention, now directed towards Jack, she watches as the flame in his own lantern begins to rise with his mood. She grimaced at his reaction and moves closer, trying to reach out to him, but he pushes her away and gives her a fleeting smile.
Outside, as the sun rose and peaked from the horizon, Jack felt a beckoning call and he knew it was time. Looking back at Liza with a deep, hidden longing he sees a grim but knowing look on her face. "Tonight was fun, my dear. I hope to see you next time." He gives her his signature mock bow and his body trembles and disperses once again, but without a trace.
Sources:
Midnight Sky
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