Out of the Darkness. 5

No sound of animals or insect could be heard as she slowly crept her way through the forest toward the house on the cliff. Rain splattered her face. It felt good to her. It had been a long time since she had smelled fresh air or felt the rain. But it didn't matter. She felt the hunger, that and the pain would keep her weak if she didn't feed. She pushed her way closer and closer. The scent of life driving her on. At the edge of the trees she looked on the house. She could see the was a fire burning in there. Smoke drifted up out of the chimney. Whoever lived here was cooking their supper. The smell of food turned her empty stomach. But the smell of life pushed her on. Closer to the house she moved until she stood at a front window. She could see a man inside. He was repairing harnesses for his plows. Getting ready for his next busy day. He would do.
[COME TO ME.] She whispered.
She saw his head come up, he had heard her. She called again.
[COME TO ME.]The man stood up and shook his head. He thought he was hearing things. Something was drawing him outside. He walked to the door and looked out. He didn't see anything, but the voice sounded again.
[I AM HERE. WAITING FOR YOU.] The picture of a woman in black appeared in his head. She was beautiful he thought. He pulled open the door and stepped out to find her. His passions were in flamed. Suddenly a withered old hand reached out and grabbed him by his throat. In shock he was looking into the eyes of a decrepit old woman. Her eyes burned red and she drooled with sharp fangs curving in her mouth. Fear totally paralyzed him as she pulled him to her mouth and bit into his throat, blood rushing into her mouth. Screams echoed through the room as Athene woke covered in sweat. She had just had the most horrid dream of her life. She heard footsteps hurrying to her door. Then someone was pounding on it.
" Athene!!" Jander called. " Let me in! Are you all right?"
She got out of bed and pulled on her robe then answered the door. At the door stood Jandar Tyr, Master Mage werewolf and her friend dressed in cotton sleep pants. He came in and hugged her.
" I heard you screaming." He said. " Are you alright?"
" I don't know. I had the worst dream." She told him as they sat at a table in a living room of her apartment.
" Dream?" He looked at her worried. " Your dreams always scare me. They always mean something. What did you dream?"
" I dreamt, I was an old witch of a vampire." She told him. "Feeding on some man in a cottage on a cliff."
Jandar looked at her with a strange look. This wasn't like her at all.
" Why would you suddenly start feeding on people?" He asked. "You've never done that before. And it would condemn you into darkness."
" I wouldn't." She told him. " Mine isn't a curse. Its a birthright. There's no point in sacrificing my soul to feed. Jandar, the dream puzzles me. My people don't feed on humans anymore. I'd lose the ability to walk in daylight, and the hunger would come. Why would I want that?"
"Athene." He put his hand on hers. " In the past, your dreams have aided me to help others. We know they don't always mean just what you see. But they do mean something. And it has to do with the future and things going on now. Rage and I and the others will do what we can. But for now, I guess we have to wait. We need more information."
" I know." She said. Athene smiled at him. " You go on back to bed. I'll be alright. I just need rest."
" Sleep well." He said. Jandar got up and left her apartment. He was worried about her. Athenes dreams of horrible future things helped him prevent disasters. She was an asset he wouldn't do without so he had to see what he could do.
[Love.] Rage sent out.
[ You should be sleeping.] Jandar told him. [You have a long trip ahead of you.]
[ I know. But I heard Athene. I think Cutter can help you. He may be able to look in to the dream.]
[ I'll check with him now.] Jandar turned and started up the stairs to Cutter and Ariel's Apartment. Outside he called to Cutter through his mind.
[ Jake, are you awake?]
[ Yes, I was meditating.] He answered.
[I'm sorry I interrupted you.] He told him. [I'll come back later.]
[Nonsense. I'll be right out.] Seconds later, Jake came out of the rooms dressed in a tan robe. His hair had grown and was now down his back. He tied it back as he walked up to Jandar.
"What can I help you with?" He smiled.
" Athene." Jandar told him.
" I see." He said. "Her dreams. I caught some of it. I didn't mean to but her dreams are so powerful I couldn't help it."
" Then you think there
s something to worry about?"
" I'm not sure." He told Jandar. " But I don't think that was  her in the dream. You want me to look into this?"
" Yes, please. She's really upset by this dream."

Sunlight shined down on a field of flowers. There was a man laying there with dark brown hair. He was a handsome man with regal looks and simple clothing. He looked like he could be the son of a king. The sun warmed him and woke him up. He sat up and looked around. The sun and the smell of all the flowers in the field made him feel good. He got up and brushed of the stray leaves and dirt of himself. Who was he? Where did he come from? He didn't know. All he could remember was that he was searching for someone. But who? He started to walk from the field and found a road. It didn't matter where he was going at the moment It just felt good to be alive and free? Why was that? Had he escaped from some kind of prison? He didn't know. So off he walked down the road. What a beautiful place to be he thought. He looked up at the sun and felt like there was something he should know about the star in the sky. As he walked, he saw a young man walking toward him on the road. He was a handsome boy with red hair. He was dressed in brown pants and a deep reddish shirt and coat. He looked familiar to him. Maybe he knew who he was.
" Good day sir." The boy said.
" Yes, it is isn't." He said. " You look familiar to me. Do we know each other?"
" I'm new to these parts. My name is Jack." The boy told him. " I'm searching for my brother. He's been missing a long time."
" I'm sorry, your the first person I've seen today. I haven't seen your brother."
" That's OK." Jack said." Whats your name?"
" I don't know. I don't know who I am."
" Where are you heading. This is a long road and theres many village along it. Maybe one of them is your home."
" Maybe." He said. "Where are you headed?"
" To a place called New Keanna." Jack told him. " A wonderful magical place. I might find my brother there. You want to come along? Maybe they can help you find your way"
" That's an idea. I'll come with you."
Together they started to walk. Jack told him all about himself. About his brothers and sisters, family problem. It seems Jack loved to talk.
" I have to call you something." Jack said. " How about Aramis. I like that."
" OK." He said with a smile. " Aramis it is. Until I know who I really am."