"A monster that refused, sometimes, to behave like a monster. When a monster stopped behaving like a monster, did it stop being a monster? Did it become something else?"
-Kristin Cashore, "Graceling"
I didn't tell Ezra about the shadow, even though I've seen it multiple times now. It didn't hurt me, just stalked nearby and never went about harming anyone. I didn't think it was a big deal. I didn't think it was that much of a danger. I guess I was wrong...
The moment I read Ezra's last message, the shadow threw a boulder at me. I stared wide-eyed at it, thinking it had somehow gone completely crazy. Only, it threw another one. I rolled and slammed into a tree, just barely missed getting hit. I glanced at it and saw glowing red eyes. My heart jumped into my throat and I was truly afraid now. For the first time in seeing a monster of any kind, I was afraid and I wasn't sure if I'd be able to forgive myself if my family got hurt. I went to grab my phone but saw it had been smashed to pieces, unrecognizable in the dirt. I whimpered and started running home.
Once I got inside, I headed straight for my room and started packing again. I stuffed everything into a backpack that I needed and found my debit card. My mother was out back in the vegetable garden and my brother and father were out in the pasture with the horses, so I was honestly free to do whatever I wanted. We all had phones of our own, and never owned one of those corded phones you see on walls or tables, so basically I was without contact with anyone. I was out of contact with Ezra as well, which was highly dangerous.
I ran out the front door and down the driveway. I was pretty good at running, but going down the highway for five miles wasn't my idea of fun. I did it anyway if only to get somewhere crowded. Ezra was right, this thing is a stalker, though why he didn't tell me it was a shadow is a mystery. That small bit of info would have been great to know since I was letting it stalk me just to have it kill me at some point. I didn't care what Ezra's excuse was, but I was going to kick his ass when I walked up to him at the gate.
Sighing, I started running and didn't look back. I didn't know what I was going to do between now and my plane flight, but I couldn't be alone for any reason. Killers don't try to kill if there's a bunch of people around, so maybe I will be fine when I enter town...?
The cold air hit me hard and something wrapped around my arm. I began to choke, my lungs felt as if they were frozen solid, my heart slowing down as well. I turned and saw the faceless shadow, red eyes fixed on me and I imagined a malicious grin on its face. I collapsed onto the road, gasping for air. The shadow didn't let go but held me to make sure I died for good.
Lights bloomed in the evening and the shadow disappeared, but the cold feeling inside didn't. Before I could make out what might happen next, I passed out.
I felt a warm cloth on my forehead and something soft beneath me and around me. Groaning, I open my eyes to see I was in a house, and it wasn't mine. Sitting up, I took in my surroundings: a small house that felt homey, we were in the city, and I was in a boy's bedroom. I looked to the door, only to scream. The shadow was there watching me again, only this time, the eyes were dark.
It disappeared and in stepped a man that looked to be in his late twenties or early thirties. "Are you okay?" he panted. "What's going on?"
"Where am I? Who are you?"
His brown eyes widened for a moment before he ran a hand through his hair. "I'm John. I found you passed out on the road and brought you to my house. You were freezing cold and I barely got you in the heated car in time."
"I need to go," I hissed and jumped out of the bed, only to have cramps everywhere.
"Yeah...I don't think so," he said slowly. "You still haven't fully recovered from whatever illness you obtained, so you won't be going anywhere."
"I have to meet someone!" I hiss. "It's important, life or death!"
"Well, this life and death situation can wait until you're healed," he said and started to walk away.
"No, it can't!" I cried. "I'm serious! He needs my help! I'm supposed to already be there, but something held me up. He could be in real danger by now!" Not exactly the truth considering it was I who was in danger, but I didn't need John asking questions.
John turned back to me and tilted his head to the side. "Where are you going?"
I hesitated, if only because I was starting to doubt myself. "Portland Oregon."
He raised his brows. "You think you'd have been there by now when you were on the street a few hours ago? Lady, even a flight there is going to be a few hours long. You might as well forget about this journey and just call the police."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"He'll die."
John sighed and slipped a phone out of his pocket. He dialed a number and left the room, speaking quickly. I waited on the edge of the bed, searching for any sign of the shadow, but a noise outside caught my attention and I slowly went to the window. My eyes widened at the sight before me and my mouth must have dropped to the floor.
The most magnificent bird was sitting just outside my window, Its body looked like that of a bald eagle except it had back legs like some kind of dog, with talons for feet. In one of its fore-talons, it held a note that was held out to me. Carefully, I opened the window and took the note from it, feeling its soft feathers against my hand and its scaly legs scraping against my fingers. "Edna," I say and it became alert. Smiling, I opened the note and read.
Nicole,
Edna is an Adar Llwch Gwin and can understand human languages. If you must, use her to your benefit before sending her back.
There is a shadow loose on the land and it's in your part of the country. It's touch is fatal and it's ability to follow you without being seen is like nothing else in this world or yours. If you see it, do not engage. If touched, do not give up the fight, you must do whatever it takes to get free. The cold is meant to make you fall deep within yourself and eventually kill you if you're not careful. It can and will harm you if provoked.
I'm not sure if it can be led back here or not, but it won't go by command. Edna can help catch it but don't try anything to force it to do anything. There is no way of killing it. The only way it can be contained is if it is back inside the Gate and in it's natural habitat. Contact Ezra if you are in any sort of danger. He has his device on him all the time. He will answer with clear orders and a way for you to get to safety if for some reason you need one.
Be careful,
Tracy
I look back and hear John is still somewhere in the house, so I grab my backpack and climb out the window. Edna watched in fascination as I do so, her head lowering when I reach out a hand. She presses her beak against my palm and her golden eyes look intelligently into mine. "Take me to the gate. Take me to Ezra."
She gave a soft squawk before lowering her body for me to climb on. From inside the house, I see the shadow watching with red eyes. Gasping, I get on Edna's back and wrap my arms around her neck.
"Hurry!" I cry and hold tighter as she shoots into the sky, the stars becoming brighter the higher we go. My hair whips behind me and the wind stings my face, but I don't try to move, afraid of falling out of the sky and splattering on the ground below. Edna gave another squawk and I felt us going faster. I peek one eye open to see land zooming and blurring. Houses blur with land, streets blur with vehicles and before I can blink, a new landscape is spread out before me. it was incredible, absolutely indescribable yet it was happening before my eyes.
I buried my face in the thick feathers of Edna's back and let her warmth flow into me. She didn't falter once and didn't protest at my tight grip. All in all, she was the perfect pilot anyone could ever have.
I must have fallen asleep because Edna gave a chirp and a peck at my legs before she was able to sit up. We were on the ground and in a place I didn't recognize. It was not Oregon, but it wasn't the United States either. It was someplace else entirely. When Edna saw I was awake, she gave a loud screech that shook the land and made me cry out, slapping my hands to my ears.
Creatures seemed to come out of the woodwork, appearing in many shapes and sizes. There were beings I never thought were real, beings that I've only heard about in books or legends. There were spirits and ghosts and pissed-off dark floating things. There were hybrids and giants and sea creatures. Some were larger than the trees that seemed to reach for the sky, while others were smaller than even a mouse. There were little balls of light dancing around my head like fireflies, though I knew better. Birds, mammals, little humans, old humans, disgusting humans. It was overwhelming.
"Edna, you're back early!" I heard a feminine voice call out from ahead. I gasped at the beautiful creature. She was a woman, but from the waist down, was the body of a large snake. Her upper half was that of a human – kind of if you don't count the scales – but her hands were weird looking and the fingers long.
Edna crooned and walked up to her, putting her head down for a rub.
That was when the snake-woman saw me. "And you brought a guest?" She slithers around the large bird and over to the side where she can get a better look at me. "You must be Nicole, the fearless human girl Ezra talked about."
I just stare at her as Misrey appeared. Her eyes widened at the sight of me but then a grin spread on her face. "You're here! Hold on, let me go find him!" With that, she disappeared again.
"Why don't you get off Edna?" snake-woman asked. I shake my head quickly, not wanting to get off the safety of my perch. "Come, now. The Adar Llwch Gwin has other matters to attend to."
The crowd pressed closer, but I held my ground and glared down at her. "I'm not getting off. I'm not here to answer to you, so leave me alone!"
She smirked as Ezra's form appeared, smirking at me. "Tracy, I got this. The rest of you can go back to what you were doing!" The creatures groaned and all slumped away except for Tracy, the wolf I saw my first time, and the old hag that was following Ezra. "Get off, please."
We locked eyes and I knew he wanted to talk, knew he saw the confusion in my eyes. Slowly, I slid off Edna and backed away from her. She ruffled her feathers and galloped away, happily going on her merry way. I turn to Ezra and open my mouth to say something before Tracy beats me. "Maybe you should take her inside before she faints?"
Ezra nods and gestures for me to follow him. Turning on his heel, he begins to walk, and I follow since I am in a place unfamiliar and dangerous to me. "Why didn't you call?" he asked, slowing down to walk beside me.
I hug myself and glance down at my feet. "It smashed my phone and I didn't know the number you used. I was already on my way here when Edna appeared."
"How long after our conversation were you attacked?"
"Immediately?" I say and sigh. "I had finished your last message when it threw a boulder at my head. I dropped my phone when getting away. I ran home, packed, then started going to the airport, only it caught up..." I trailed off and swallowed.
"And then?" Ezra asked. I could feel his eyes on me and shudder.
"And I'm now looking over my shoulder because I'm scared."
Ezra stopped and took my shoulders in his hands, looking me over. "Nicole, did it touch you?" I nod slowly only to feel his grip tighten slightly. "How are you alive?"
"A guy was driving past when he saw me passed out on the road. He helped me and took me to his house where Edna found me."
"And how do you feel?" I looked up at him, seeing the sincere question in his eyes, eyes that became softer when meeting mine. "Come, we need to get you inside and find some food for you. You're not going to be in the best of mind for a while."
"Where are you taking me?" I ask softly.
"My house. I have medicine for you there and some food." He stepped back and looked me over again, furrowing his brows. "Have you been working out or something?"
I give him a soft smile. "I live on a ranch, Ezra. I've been riding horses and hauling hay bails for at least thirteen hours every day, save the day I got home and the day I was attacked."
Ezra nodded, his lips turning upwards a little, and turned away, continuing to walk. We walked for an hour or two before I see a large mansion looming on a hill ahead. I pause, staring at the huge dark house, the same color as the gate. He had large windows and beautiful fountains with water falling from the top. There were little pools of water spotting his yard. "Coming, Nicole?" Ezra asked with a smirk.
I followed him up to his front door and watched as he pricked his finger and put it on the doorbell. Immediately, the door opened and he stepped aside to let me in first. Cautiously, I walked past him and inside holding my breath. "Somehow, it's what I thought it would look like," I whisper. There was a pair of stairs leading up the second floor, spiraling towards each other. A hallway was leading behind the stairs and on the second floor to the sides.
"Go upstairs and to the left, all the way down the hall, last door on your right," Ezra announced before throwing his coat on a nearby chair. "I'll bring you up something to eat in a few minutes. There are a shower and women's toiletries inside the adjoining bathroom. Make yourself comfortable and don't leave the house. Just because this is my property, it doesn't mean others will be as nice to you for being human."
"So, am I a prisoner?"
He turns and looks at me. "You're not a prisoner, Nicole. But you are unwelcome by most in this world and will be killed if you are not careful."
I nod. "So, I'm supposed to live with you?"
He smirks. "Is something wrong, Nicole?"
"No, just don't want to be a burden to you since I'm not welcome."
Ezra sighs. "Unless you have a better idea while you're here, then yes."
"How long am I going to be here, exactly?"
"Until I can put the shadow back where it belongs." He runs a hand down his face and turns his whole body towards me. "Nicole, what you want and what you need are two totally different things. I'm giving you what you need."
I nod and start up the stairs. When I get to the top, I go in the direction he said and end up seeing two doors on the end wall and a door on the wall to both sides of me. Confused, I select the door n my right side instead of the other one. It's locked. Furrowing my brows, I jiggle the knob but it doesn't open. I look to the other door that is on the right and sigh. I put my hand in the knob and turn...it open.
I step inside and look around, seeing a light blue room with white curtains on floor-to-ceiling windows, fine furniture, an adjoining bathroom, and a huge bed. I realize this room has been used before when I see clothes in the closet, dresses and shoes and hats of all kinds. Before I have any thoughts, I turn to the bathroom and lock the door behind me, heading straight to the toilet.
~~~
Ichchadhari Naagin (Tracy)
Definition: In real life, it is a snake with a gem in its forehead. People like to poach these guys for those gems. In myth, it is a snake woman who also has a gem in her forehead. They protect it with their life.