********
Red's POV
********
This was my first night in a long, long while that Lia was not with me. I ached to smell her scent, hold her close to me as we did every night. I was sleeping in town, since it had been mentioned the little chaos makers liked to hit the harder towns at night. People spoke of spooky things and beings that came with them. I sorta believe it but, had the feeling it was not going to be torwards me. Perhaps it was the having spent so much time with Lia, or that a random black dog with ice blue eyes spoke to me and gave me the necklace that I currently have around my neck. I smiled likely that last bit set me at ease a bit more then I should be.
I sat the fire near where everyone gathered on the fairgrouds. Thinking sleeping together would be better then in spots around the town. I agreed keeping everyone together a good idea should there be another battle. I figured first watch would be good for me. Hell, I couldn't sleep anyway. Not during things like this. I would lay there just tossing and turning getting madder and madder because I was there but couldn't sleep.
I had no idea what time it was. I was just adding more wood when I heard it. It was a lone scream, then another, and another. I got up to walk to the spot everyone was bunked down in. I was not sure what I was going to find, but was hoping it wasn't going to be the shadow things. Those thin red eyed creatures were rather something that tickled the fright faster then anything even on me.
Opening the door to the building, there was less light causing, a momentary light adjustment with my eyes. I scanned the room, looking for the person screaming. I didn't see anyone thrashing or jumping up, but I heard another shortly after I started looking. I seen no movement just the scream. I took a breath and walked in, slowly I started walking around the group looking. I the corner just to the right I heard what sounded like a pitter patter of feet but, saw nothing. Continuing my walk around, I heard another yell near that corner. Changing direction I moved straight towards the corner. I heard the faint whisper of feet again. Racking back a round I, went into sheath mode with my feet. Lowering myself a bit more I inched closer. The sound of movement getting a bit louder. Stepping into the shadows from the light outside side my eyes adjusted just in time to see a whisp of miniature human form. It turned back to expose pointed teeth and fire orange eyes. I heard it giggle. Sucking in a breath hard, I immediately started waking people.
"Get up!" I hollered loud and rough. Shaking people around me I noticed several were dead. Shock hit me hard, I knew these people. "Wake up people!!" I yelled again. I seen people stir others not moving. "Let's go, Let's go!" I yelled once again.
I watched people get up, though I noticed a few did not, Kennedy, his wife, and a few that their names escaped my shock. Laying there gone, eyes wide open in fright. What ever that thing was, took them while they slept. People were noticing that they were gone. They were starting to freak a bit.
"It was a creepy little thing with orange eyes and sharp teeth." I heard myself answer. I didn't even remember the question. Inadvertently I realized I was holding the necklace. "What was it?" I thought to myself.
"What the hell!" I heard Jay say as he jumped to the side.
That snapped my attention quick. Walking quick to him I looked around while asking "what happened?"
"Something grabbed my leg!" Shock heavy on his words.
I looked around to see it running towards the others who were looking frantic. Moving fast I made a dive for it, but missed. It jumped to the side and and whipped around looking for me. But could not see me and hissed at Jay. It corrected its path and oddly landed right into my outstretched hand. Slapping my grip on it, the little creature started snarling and snapping, wiggling to move. I got up slow, others were freaking out. I had it, what was I supposed to do with it? I wondered. Jay and others mentioned throwing it into the fire. I figured not a bad idea, walking through the door towards the fire pit, I made way.