Chapter 3: 3. A Creature Named Iris
I suddenly realize how much time has passed because the chirping of birds fills my ears as the house comes into view at the end of the road. My step quickens as I am sure my appearance would startle most anyone who sees me. I can't risk being seen.
The creature pounces on me as soon as I walk inside. Petting it absently my attention turns to some mail sitting on the table.
My eyes zero in like binoculars and focus on the writing on an envelope on top of the rest. The address says:
5742 Palm Drive, Piconi, NY.
Guess that must be where I am, though I'm not sure how I got here. It's addressed to a woman named Nikko Sparks.
"Is that MY name?" Thinking to myself; wishing, and frustrated that I can't remember. Something then catches my attention, with a jolt of unpleasant surprise, I notice the name of the person who sent the letter is Ava Star!!
"Ava!?!?" Gasping and startled my fingers tear the envelope open, hands trembling. Inside I find a small note which reads:
"Travel by moonlight.
Keep your new pet safe at all costs.
Many will seek to destroy you both if one falls so shall the other.
Seek refuge in places marked thus...
-Kisses, Ava"
Depicted is the same symbol I saw before on the metal door of the strange tower! Flipping the note over, thinking there has to be more than that piss poor instruction and hissing in frustration.
"Nope. Blank." I sigh, suddenly tired.
The creature who is at my heels grumbles feeling my emotions. Kneeling down I scratch between its horns soothingly.
"It'll be okay little one." Reassuring notes in my voice seem to make it relax again. I tilt my head and lift the creature gently into my lap. Checking discretely between its legs disappointment floods me as there is nothing to indicate gender.
"How am I supposed to give you a name if I can't tell if you're a boy or a girl?" I ask it exasperatedly.
The creature cocks it's head at me and chirps sharply.
"I've got an idea!" Hope sparks in my chest.
"How about one chirp for yes and two for no? Can you do that?" I try holding my breath.
The creature chirps once excitedly.
"So are you a boy?" Two chirps.
"So you're a girl?" One chirp.
"Okay let me think..."
"Hmmm..."
"What shall I call you...?" Musing softly, thinking.
"What about...Amethyst?" Two chirps.
"Hmm...picky aren't you?" The creature clucks softly sounding like laughter, making me smile.
"Alright then... Aurora?" Two chirps and a squeak.
"Okay, definitely not. Ummm..."
"Iris?" A single chirp followed by happy clicks and whistles. My heart melts as a peal of laughter which sounds like music escapes my throat.
"Iris it is then." Iris then jumps to the floor and hops around happily flapping her wings. I stand and look out the window the sun is rising over the horizon and feel sleepy finally as the first rays hit my skin. Yawning and stumbling toward the bedroom Iris follows close behind. I lay down wondering where in the heck I'm supposed to go next as I drift off to sleep.
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
Gasping, heart racing, and suddenly awake; a loud resounding crack echoes through the entire house! Jumping to my feet I search for Iris as she comes running from under the bed and jumps into my arms appearing scared. This to me says it's time to go. I crouch low and pad quick, but silent through the house. Changing directions rapidly when I see that the loud crack is from what was the front door, its remains are strewn across the floor of the kitchen. In the entryway, I catch a glimpse of what caused the damage and fear runs down my spine. It looks like something out of a nightmare! It has a large gnashing mouth with rows of sharp teeth, a large central eye with several tendrils each tipped with more eyes and it seems to be searching for us! Whipping around in the other direction I run for the living room.
"Iris fly up the chimney!" I whisper urgently. Feeling her worry and reluctance to leave me emanating through our link.
"Just go!" I urge, "I'll be right behind you!"
Iris nods once and flies up the chimney. I boost myself up by standing on the still untouched wood in the hearth and start the slow ascent up the chimney after her. It takes serval breathless minutes to reach the top and I pull myself out carefully onto the roof and scan for a quick way down.
The sun is setting on the horizon and there is a tree with branches that are just shy of the roof; I try to judge mentally if they will hold my weight. Deciding they will, I run the length of the roof and jump to the tree digging my nails into the bark. Jumping from branch to branch using my nails to anchor me and looking for the nearest tree to cover more distance quickly. I spot the nearest one a few feet away in the next yard and push off the branch hard with my legs jumping into its branches. Twice more.
Jump.
Jump.
My heart still pounding as I run out of trees. I slide down the trunk of the last tree using my nails to slow my decent. Landing soundlessly on the ground, I look around and start running through the yard. A high fence bars my way, bracing myself, I push off the ground hard with my legs. On the other side I see a few shops and I notice that one of them is a Gothic Victorian clothing store...thinking fast I walk to the door and twist the knob, hard. The mechanisms inside crack as they break and I push the door open, an alarms sounds as I dart inside. Scanning the room quickly to find what I'm looking for. A long hooded trench coat dangles on a rack at the far wall. For good measure, I also grab some leather gloves that are on display by the door. Putting the coat and gloves on quickly I dash back out the door as I hear sirens in the distance, coming closer. Climbing up the side of the building to the roof and I jump from roof to roof aimlessly, just trying to put distance between myself and the shop.
Several miles away, I stop on one such roof to catch my breath. Iris lands beside me her sides heaving. I look at her in concern.
"Are you okay? I'm sorry I had to make you fly so far." Speaking softly, voice heavy with guilt. She looks at me her eyes softening. Through our link I sense her trying to ease my worry, that she just needs to rest. My mind is whirring with everything that just happened.
"What was that thing back there?" More than a little shaken. Sitting down to rest for a few minutes.
"I need to come up with a plan...and with Iris I'm going to have to be careful." I muse silently. Iris walks up and nuzzles my hands with her snout as if to comfort me. Smiling at her absently.
Beginning to feel hungry; I sit and open my senses to the sounds around us. Listening intently, I hear the sound of glass shattering in the alley below. Standing I peer over the edge of the building to the ground, my eyes focus like those of a bird of prey and I see what appears to be a homeless man. He is staggering about with a broken beer bottle at his feet.
My throat begins to burn. I argue with myself internally, I don't want to hurt an innocent man but the pain in my throat presses me. It feels as if someone is ripping my throat to shreds from the inside out. Panting I try to lessen it with smaller breaths, though it has no effect. I can't think straight. My only thought is pain.
Pain.
Pain.
PAIN!
"No! I can't! Oh god make this stop!" My mind cries. I grip the edge of the roof so hard my nails dig into the metal of the gutter.
"It was one thing to kill that scum rapist but this poor guy didn't do anything wrong..." My knees buckle and I hit the roof.
"But when will another meal that no one will miss come your way? How long can you bear this pain?" A sick, snide voice counters in my head. Weeping in earnest I feel my resolve waiver and start to slip away.
"What have I become?" I drown in anguish...
"I really am a Monster."
"If you're already a Monster, you might as well..." The voice counters. Pushing myself reluctantly to my feet, gritting my teeth and hating myself. I climb onto the edge of the roof, Jumping to the ground. I land silently in the shadows near the homeless man. He has only a moment to register the glow of my eyes emanating from the shadows. It is the last thing he sees.
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
Running, Despair, the light fading from his eyes...my mind plays it over and over in front of my eyes. I can't see. I don't know where I'm going. Anywhere to make me forget the ghosts in my head. Somehow I end up at a library and the strangest thing happens...I see the symbol above the door! Impulse pulls me inside.
The air inside smells of old books and carpet freshener. There are two floors one for children and one for adults. Climbing the stairs to the adult floor; I open the door and step inside. Luckily no one seems to be here but me. Scanning books on the shelf I notice a lot of strange titles like "Ancient Magical Arts" and "A history of the Sirius Acolytes." Picking the latter up I flip through the pages and see more of the same script that flashes across my skin! This seems to be no ordinary library.
"Where in the world am I?" Feeling lost, I send for Iris to come inside. It seems safer since this place is not what it appears to be.
I feel like this place holds the answers I seek and decide I'm not leaving without some.
"I guess we will wait little one." Iris chirps in response and curls up at my feet.
🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷🔷
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone