Title: Dance at Dawn, part two [So Weird]
part one
Sun Rise minus 6 hours 17 minutes
“I got us some punch, it’s tropical or rainbow but I’m not really sure what they means and the guy manning the table didn’t know either,” Jack said as he held up first the glass on the right then the glass in his left hand looking at the blue liquid it held oddly.
“Thank you and I will try the rainbow,” Aurora said with a smile as she took the glass from his left hand and sipped it.
“So what does it taste like?” Jack asked as he took a drink from his own cup.
“It taste like pineapple, orange and,” she paused and took another drink, “and lime I believe, very tasty.”
“Well I’m glad,” Jack said as he let his gaze drift around the room, “are you sure you don’t want anything to eat? The table has a lot of different stuff and it’s pretty good,” Jack asked again.
“Thank you but no, I’m not hungry. But I would not mind resting for awhile,” Aurora answered, pointing toward one of the tables set up in one corner of the ballroom’s floor.
“No problem I wouldn’t mind sitting for a bit and I’m going to get some cheese and crackers in case you change your mind,” Jack told Aurora once they reached the table and Aurora sat down. “I’ll be right back.”
Across the room two pairs of eyes watched him leave the table and head toward the buffet tables, they then turned toward Aurora.
“Man she’s hot, how did Jack land her?”
“Didn’t he say something about her running into him, maybe it’s a guilt thing?” Fi asked as she watched Aurora, “but since Jack hasn’t introduced us why don’t we go say hi,” she suggested as she started walking toward the tables.
“Uh, Fi I don’t think Jack’s going to like that very much, or like at all,” Clu told Fi in concern as he followed her.
“Yeah, that’s kind of the point Clu,” Fi said with a smile just before they reached the table.
“Hello, I’m Fi, Jack’s my brother and he’s really bad at introducing his girlfriends so I thought I’d save him the trouble, what’s your name?” Fi said holding out her hand.
“I’m Clu,” Clu added with a quick wave and smile.
“My name is Aurora, it’s nice to meet you, Jack is very nice,” Aurora said taking Fi’s hand, “but he is not my boyfriend, not as you mean it,” she added softly looking over to where Jack has started rushing back toward the table.
“Fi, Clu, shouldn’t you two be somewhere else, anywhere else?” Jack said glaring at both of them as he set down a small plate of crackers and chesses on the table, “are these two bothering you Aurora, because I can have them leave, like right now,” he offered still glaring at them.
“Man it was her idea,” Clu said backing up and rising his hands.
“Gee, thanks for the support Clu,” Fi said over she shoulder, “it’s late I thought I’d just come over here and talk, what’s the harm,” she said innocently.
“Now why don’t I believe that?” Jack told her, before sitting down next to Aurora.
“I do not mind they seem very happy and friendly,” Aurora told him while looking at the plate he had gotten and selecting one of the slices of cheese.
“Fine,” Jack said with a smile as he watched Aurora eat the cheese. “Well are you two going to sit down or what?”
“So Aurora, are you a local or just here for the solstice?” Fi asked smiling as she took a seat next to Aurora just as Clu was trying to sit in it as well.
“Wow, where’s the fire?!” Clu exclaimed as he just frowned at Fi before wandering to the other side of the table, “Hey buddy how’s it going?” he said sitting next to Jack.
“Really?” Jack said as he just looked at Clu.
“I am not from anywhere around here; I’m not sure how long I will be staying, it may be just until sun rise or…maybe not even that long,” Aurora said looking worried for a moment before putting on a happier face, “I should be gone with the dawn regardless of what happens.”
“What do you think is going to happen?” Fi as she started studying Aurora. “Is something wrong?” she asked as she realized how worried Aurora really was.
“You need not worry; I should have chosen my words better,” Aurora repeated forcing her smile to be brighter.
“No tell us, maybe we can help,” Fi said earnestly as she scooted her chair closer to Aurora.
“That is most kind, just like your brother but no, there is nothing you can do, all will be well. I have faith,” Aurora told her, smiling for real at the last words.
“Come one, there’s something going on you have to tell us-” Fi started again until she was cut off.
“Fi,” Jack said sharply as he stopped his talk with Clu to cut off his sister, “she said ‘no’ so stop asking. Now,” Jack ordered his little sister.
“Well fine,” Fi just said as she flopped back in her chair and folded her arms with a humph, “be that way”, she added.
“Wow dudes,” Clu said as he looked between the siblings, torn about what to say as Aurora just looked away from the group.
“Aurora would you like to dance again,” Jack asked as he stood up still glaring at Fi as he offered his hand to Aurora.
“It would be lovely to dance again,” Aurora answered as she took his hand and rose so they could walk out to the dance floor.
“Jack,” Fi complained as she watched them.
“Leave it Fi,” Jack told her before turning to Clu, “keep her busy will you?” he asked.
“Uh yeah sure,” Clu said grinning before looking at Fi, who was now glaring at him, “Oh boy,” his grin falling fast.
“I don’t need someone to watch me Jack,” she called after her brother but he didn’t even respond as he and Aurora started to dance.
“I’m sure that’s not what he meant Fi,” Clu told Fi.
“Yes it is but never minds that. There’s something odd about her, come on. I have an idea,” Fi said as she grabbed Fi’s arm and started pulling him toward the door.
Sun Rise minus 5 hours 04 minutes
“They have cots upstairs you know Jack,” Molly said as she walked over to her son.
Jack was on the floor leaning against the wall with his legs stretched out before him. Aurora was curled up next to him using Jack’s lap, and a folded up jacket folded, as a pillow as she slept.
“I know but Aurora wanted to stay down here and it’s only for a little while,” Jack answered back as he looked up from Aurora.
“Aurora wanted to huh,” Molly said smiling down at them, “when I told you to dance with her this isn’t what I had pictured happening,” Molly said as she looked at them both.
“Don’t you start too Mom,” Jack said exasperated as he rolled his eyes.
“Slow down there Jack, I didn’t say there was anything wrong with it; it’s kind of sweet actually,” Molly said smirking at Jack.
“Of course,” Jack replied as he shook his head. “You do know I’m never going to see her after tonight right?”
“You never know, and crushes don’t have to be practical,” Molly added.
“Please, I like her, and she needs someone right now because…I have no idea really,” Jack paused a moment to think. “Not that it matters, I just want to help her have a nice night that’s all,” Jack explained.
“Okay, okay, just a friend,” Molly conceded as she held up her hands, “well the band and I are getting some rest, they’ll still be playing music if you two want to dance later but don’t forget to get some sleep yourself, or you’re going to be a grouch come sun up,” Molly told her oldest child.
“I will mom,” Jack said smiling himself as he just laid his head back again against the wall.
“I will see you later then,” Molly said as she started heading to the door where Irene was waiting. She made it half way there before she turned around, “and if you see Fi tell her to get some sleep too will you,” she requested.
“Sure mom, I’ll get right on that,” Jack joked back as Molly turned back around and headed out the door.
“Yeah I’ll do that right now,” Jack just smiled as he closed his eyes.
He was asleep within moments.
Sun Rise minus 4 hours 53 minutes
“The moms are out of sight, we’re clear,” Clu whispered to Fi from the coat closet he had dived into.
“That as close,” Fi said as she crawled out from behind the large stuffed bear she had jumped behind when they’d sighted their mothers heading down the hall toward them.
“Why did we hide from then anyways? They know we’re here,” Clu asked Fi.
“Because it’s almost 2:30 in the morning and they’d want to drag us off to bed, well me anyways, and we’re not done investigating yet,” Fi answered as she tested the doorknob on the door leading into the entrance hall, it wasn’t locked.
“Yeah and just what are we looking for. I mean going through the mangers office was fun but what were we looking for,” Clu asked as he followed Fi into the smaller hall.
“Something about Aurora just seemed off and I want to know what her registration form says,” Fi told him as she pulled her mini flashlight out and started looking at the table to see a stack of papers, “here they are.”
“You mean we didn’t have to sneak into his office just…walk out here?” Clu asked amused, “It’s like we’re on a kid’s show or something.”
“Funny,” Fi shot back as she fingered through the papers.
“So why do you want to know more about Aurora? She’s pinging your weird radar?” Clu asked as he started looking at the stuffed moose that was next to the table.
“Maybe, something about her is defiantly off…and she doesn’t have a registration form, even you and I have one but she doesn’t,” Fi said confused as she started going through them again.
“Maybe you just missed it,” Clu said as he made a moose face, complete with hand antlers, at the stuffed moose.
“Not three times,” Fi said after a couple moments, “something weird is going on. Let go fine her and-“
“Fi there you are it’s time for bed,” Molly said as she stepped into the room flipping on the lights, “Hey Clu your mom’s looking for you.” She told Clu.
“Oh mom, can’t it wait,” Fi complained as Molly ushered her out of the room.
“No, it’s half past two, be glad I let you stay up this late. Come on,” Molly told her youngest. “You to Clu,” she added when Clu tried sneaking the other way.
“There goes my plan to stay up all night,” Clu said letting his smile drop before it shot back up again, “I’ll just have to try that tomorrow,” he added racing up the stairs.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 48 minutes
Jack wasn’t sure what woke him, but something just felt off all of the sudden. Like the pressure change on the flight or driving into a snow storm.
But nothing looked different, the Ballroom was empty save for a handful, most in chairs or on the floor resting like he and Aurora but two were still swaying to the CD player’s music on the center of the floor, they had it all to themselves.
And that’s when he felt it again, like a shiver up his spine.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 47 minutes
“Come on Fi its way too early to be up again,” Clu complained as he followed Fi down the stairs.
“Clu, it’s never too early to explore the unexplained. And something’s about to happen, I can feel it, can’t you?” She asked while marching down the hall toward the ballroom.
“No, everything feels fine. And why are we checking every room?”
“We’re looking for Jack and Aurora, my instincts are tell me she’s at the center of whatever’s about to happen,” Fi explained as she looked into the movie room to see a few of the older teens playing cards or talking, even some that looked like they were playing spin the bottle.
“Oh man I should have spent more time in that room,” Clu complained as he watched Rod, from the card game, kissing a very hot blond.
“Men,” Fi just ranted as she grabbed Clu and pulled him farther down the hall, “I should have know they’d be in the ballroom, Aurora seemed to like dancing.”
“We can do back later right, after you’ve found Jack?” Clu asked still looking back at the movie room.
“Sure whatever, just later right now we need to-“
Whatever Fi had planned to say was lost when the double doors leading from entrance hall burst open with a loud crack, Fi saw the snow flying thought the air, along with something else large and dark, before every light snapped off at once plunging them all into darkness.
And then came the yelling from both the movie room and the ballroom, the former sounded like mere complaints, the later, had screams of fright.
“Clu don’t let go,” Fi yelled as she ran forward toward the ballroom.
“Fi, this isn’t a good idea,” Clu shouted back as he gripped Fi’s hand tight trying to see his way thought the darkness.
“JACK, are you in here?!” Fi yelled as she pushed through by those racing out of the ballroom and looked around inside.
But she couldn’t see anything. Everything was pitch black with all the lights off; even the small candles on the tables were out. And without a moon the large windows that normally gave a gorgeous scenic view of the valley below and the mountains beyond showed nothing and provided no light as even the stars seemed to be dark.
“FI, GET OUT OF HERE, NOW” Jack’s voice shouted across the room.
Fi tried to run toward it but was stopped short by Clu’s unexpectedly iron grip which pulled her back.
“Fi wait,” Clu yelled as he held her tight.
And then there was a burst of light. It seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere and for a moment it filled the room.
The light was accompanied by a loud ear shattering roar of pain coming from the dark shape in the center of the room. The size of a horse it looked like a monstrous dog with bat wings as it threw back its head and cried out thrashing about in the light.
And just beyond it on the other side of the room Fi saw Jack shielding Aurora even as he pushed her through service door.
And then the light was gone as swiftly and unexpectedly as it came and the ballroom seemed all the darker for its leaving.
“Jack,” Fi yelled as she tried to chase after him only for Clu to pull her back again.
“Wrong way Fi, We’re getting out of here,” Clu told her as he physically picked her up and pulled her back toward the door even as they heard more roaring and the sound of a large shape slamming into a wall on the far said of the ballroom. “I’m not letting you get hurt.”
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 44 minutes
“What was that thing, and where is the light coming from?” Jack asked loud a few minutes later as he looked around to try and figure out where he and Aurora were.
The faint light, which seemed to have no source, illuminated the short service hall they ended up in after the mad dash to get away for the thing that had shown up in the ballroom. But the hall was unremarkable and maze like with twists and turns everywhere they looked, and no stairs in sight.
“That was the Night Beast. And it seeks me out, only my Knight can protect me and I do not know where he is,” Aurora fretted as she hugged herself.
“Look you’ve said you’re waiting for your Knight so what’s his name maybe we can look for him? Because if he knows what to do about that thing. I’m all for finding him too,” Jack told her as he looked around, “though we may need to get out of here first.”
“I do not know his name. Each time he is someone different, so much time passes. But the fates see to it I find him quickly after the Beast breaks free. But this time…” Aurora trailed off as she smiled weakly at Jack.
“Well I’m not a knight or anything but we’ll make it through this,” Jack said as he looked around for a place for them to sit, finding a couple of old chairs that had been stored down here. “So tell me what is this Night Beast, some lab experiment gone wrong?”
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 37 minutes
“That wasn’t a wild horse. I’ve seen a horse, you’ve seen a horse, was that a horse?” Fi ranted at Clu.
The two of them and everyone else that had been woken by the commotion had been lead into the movie room where, by candle light, they’d been told a wild horse busted in and caused the blackout, but they weren’t sure how because no problems with the lighting could be found, everything else electrical worked but no lights and even candles kept blowing out.
“Dude you’re right I don’t know how they can say that was a horse, it so wasn’t but what the heck was it?” Clu said as he crossed his arms and looked at Fi.
“I don’t know, I don’t know everything weird and supernatural you know,” Fi told Clu with a frown. “I just want to,” she added.
“Did you listen to anything during our card game, or read that book you won?,” Mike said as he joined them at the back wall handing them candles, “you spent enough time digging through it during our card game.”
“Yeah really you have to know what it was, you saw it,” Rod said as he leaned a hand on his mate’s shoulder.
“That was the Night Beast? That’s why the lights are out,” Fi said in understanding as she started digging around in her backpack for her book.
“Wow, what’s this? I don’t remember anything about a beast thing? What’s up?” Clu asked as he looked between where Mike and Rod were and where Fi had starting going thought her book.
“You were really annoying and left, remember?” Mike said, all too happy to remind him.
“Okay, okay let it go man, so what is this dark beast, what does it want,” Clu asked the others.
“Night Beast, and the legend-“
“Legends, it’s a whole series of them,” Rod chipped in as Fi started.
“Yeah a series of them, mostly European, going back all the way to Greek and Roman times, maybe even older,” Fi went on as she read from her book as best she could in the candle light.
“Much older, all myths have battles between light and dark. The light is normally a women, a goddess, and the dark-" Mike went on when Fi slowed down, reading something.
“Was a fearsome beast, the Night Beast,” Rod supplemented Mike’s answer.
“And their fight reflected in the length of day and night, longer days the light is winning but longer nights mean…” Fi said as she looked up at Clu trailing off at the end.
“Dark is winning right,” Clu said smiling, “that is a cool story,” he said before stopping his smile dropping, “wait it’s the longest night of the year, doesn’t that mean this Night Beast is going to be it’s strongest like right now?”
“Yes the legends say on the solstice the Night Beast had the power to kill the Goddess of the Light, but her knight always protects her, that’s what the legends are all about, the warrior defending her and slaying the beast. They rock,” Rod told Clu smiling himself.
“I love those story, they’re the best,” Mike echoed Rod.
“This is bad Clu,” Fi said as she looked up from her book and at Clu, fear visible on her face.
“What wrong,” Clu asked worried.
“Aurora, Clu. Aurora is the Roman name for the dawn, the goddess of dawn, as in first light, and Jack’s with her,” Fi told him.
“You think Aurora’s the-and the beast is after-and Jack-man we’ve got to find them and fast,” Clu told as he started looking about as if to find them somewhere in the crowd.
“Whoa, chill out dude, they’re just stories, it was a horse,” Mike told Clu.
“No it wasn’t, come on Clu we need to find our moms fast,” Fi said as she grabbed Clu and started dragging him from the room.
“Our moms? We need to find Jack.”
“First we need to buy Jack time, good feelings drive back the Night Beast, in one of the legends an all night party is what protected the Goddess. And The Beast didn’t come in here until the party was basically over, it wasn’t strong enough,” Fi explained they headed for the stairs.
“So your mom starts playing again the party starts back up, maybe drives it back again,” Clu said getting the idea. “Good plan.”
“It either that or we hope Jack really is a knight.”
“He may have fooled the dragon that one time but lets find our moms,” Clu answered Fi as he started racing up the stairs.
“My thoughts exactly.”
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 28 minutes
“Wow that’s some story,” Jack said as he stood up and paced in a circle before turning back to face Aurora not saying anything else.
“You don’t believe, I’ve never had a Knight disbelieve before,” Aurora said quietly as she casted her eyes to the floor.
“No, I don’t disbelieve it and that’s the problem. This is my sister’s gig not mine but some how…I know you’re not lying,” Jack said as he knelt before Aurora and lifted her face with one hand, “Whatever that thing was, I’ll keep you safe, okay. I promise.” He added with a smile.
“I believe you as well.” Aurora answered with her own smile.
“Good then let-“
Jack’s next words were cut off when a dark cloud of fog came pouring around the corner with the Night Beast in the center, even darker than the fog around him.
“Get behind me,” Jack ordered as he pulled Aurora up and set himself between the Beast and Aurora as it came at them.
Jack just started pulling whatever was along the walls down into the middle slowing the Beast down as it was forced to jump over or plow through boxes, chairs, bookcases and anything else the lodge had stored in the halls.
For a moment Jack thought he and Aurora had managed to put some distance between them, and he even saw a door at the end of the hall, but then the Beast roared and charged forward. The roar seemed to ripple in the air before the Beast sending debris everywhere, cleaning a path. The roar hit Jack like a punch to the gut from a heavyweight champ and Jack went crashing to the cement floor as the Beast went straight for Aurora.
Aurora’s scream was all Jack could hear as he saw it near. Gasping for breath he pushed himself up grabbing for anything he could use as a weapon he held something metal before him and braced himself for the hit.
But it never came.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 27 minutes
“I live my life in one straight line, the future
ahead an' the past behind Don't wanna go back to
yesterday But I don't know how long I can run this
way
“You really think this is going to help?” Clu asked as he watched Molly on stage, he could just make her out in the candle lit ballroom.
“It can’t hurt. You ready for the more proactive step?” Fi asked as she turned the handle on the service door Jack and Aurora had diapered down earlier.
“You know it. Now let’s go before the mom or dad see us,” Clu said as he all but shoved Fi through the door way when he saw his dad.
A tangled heart with tangled vines (in the darkness
is the light) Tangled up in my own lies (in the
darkness is the light) A creature there, in
darkness lies (in the darkness is the light) Why
is it that he has my eyes (in the darkness is the
light)
“Okay okay…you don’t have to kill me, now come on lets go fine them,” Fi said once they were through the door and in the service hall.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 26 minutes
The Night Beast let out a snarl as it reared back and glared at Jack.
Jack had to force himself to swallow as he met the blood red eyes before him, “Au-Aurora put your hand on my shoulder and start walking backwards,” Jack ordered as he let got of Aurora and brought it up to hold the metal, which looked like a sword but Jack wasn’t sure and this wasn’t the time to examine it, more firmly between them and the Beast.
Aurora did as she was told, and Jack could feel her left hand grabbing his shoulder but her right hand was only resting on his shoulder but since the beast backed up when it, and the strange new light that was coming off it, came forward Jack didn’t mind.
“What happened, why did it stop?” Jack asked as the two of them slowly started stepping back.
“Something changed upstairs, can’t you feel it?” Aurora asked as she slowly felt behind them with her foot before talking another step.
“No but what does upstairs have to do with it.”
“Good feelings hold back the Beast.”
“You said that before, you mean the party started back up again? That’s stopping it,” Jack asked as he watched the Beast take a step to match theirs.
“Yes, that and my knight has a sword pointed at it, you have the power to slay it and send it back to its chains,” Aurora told Jack.
“You mean I have to kill this thing? What if I’m not your knight,” Jack whispered to Aurora as he took another look at just how large the Night Beast was.
“You are and you can,” Aurora answered back as they took another step.
“I hope you’re right. Can you do the light thing you did in the ballroom, the one that made it back off?”
“Yes but if I do…We’re reaching the darkest moment my powers are limited,” Aurora told Jack.
“Only once, got it. On three you do it then run for that door, I’ll be right behind you got it,” Jack said as he raised his sword higher.
“Yes,” Aurora answered as she let go of Jack’s shoulder.
“1…2…3.”
Light filled the hall as Jack slashed forward not caring if it hit it before throwing himself back toward the open doorway. He hit the ground with a soft crunch as snow compacted under him.
Aurora pulled the door shut the moment Jack came through and it almost wasn’t fast enough as the center of the door dented out before Jack could even get back up as they could see the Night Beast in the small window.
“We need to get out of here before it gets through,” Jack said as he started leading the way along the ridge with Aurora right behind him.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 14 minutes
“This place is like a maze, how does anyone ever find anything down here?” Fi asked aloud as she looked down the two sides of the T-walkway trying to decide which to go down.
“Yeah you think they’d have maps or something,” Clu added as he looked around.
“Unless…” Fi said suspiciously as she looked around again, “We can’t still be under the lodge unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Unless this is a maze,” Fi said as she looked around in amazement, “we’re in a labyrinth.”
“The basement’s a labyrinth, why? To keep Jack and Aurora from running away?” Clu asked.
“No, to keep us from finding them.”
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 10 minutes
“Molly, guys its ten minutes to dawn so the Mayor wants the rest of this to go as planned so he is going to make his speech and when he gives the signal you start playing that song they want. Do you guys remember the name-“ Irene broke off trying to remember as she talked to Molly and the band.
“You mean The Sky & the Dawn & the Sun the song we’ve been practicing all week, yeah we got it right guys,” Molly asked turning to look back at the guys and seeing them all nod, “Right. So where are our kids? I haven’t seen them since they suggested we start playing again.”
“I…I don’t know, I’ll see if Ned knows, just don’t forget the signal,” Irene said as she headed off toward Ned.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 5 minutes
“I don’t see it anywhere, do you?” Jack asked as he cast his eyes about trying to see if the Beast had found them.
“No, but we’re reaching its most powerful moment. Dawn is almost here,” Aurora said as she looked out over toward the mountains.
“Then we only need to hide unti-It’s found us,” Jack said as he saw a shape, darker than the rest of the forest speed toward them.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 4 minutes
“What happened here?” Clu asked as he stepped around and over spilled boxes and knocked over chairs and a bookcase.
“They must have run into the Night Beast here, it doesn’t look like it got them,” Fi said as she followed taking everything in.
“What’s this?” Clu said as he looked at a spray of orange liquid a few feet from the door.
“I don’t know but I’d like to know what happened to the door,” Fi asked.
The door was dented and slashed, ripped from the door jam and crumpled on the snow outside.
“I think we need to find Jack,” Clu said as he took a step outside and saw a trail of stomped down snow.
“And fast,” Fi added as she started heading down the trail.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 3 minutes
“Get back,” Jack yelled as he slashed forward again almost adding another wound to the Beast’s dog like snout as the Beast leapt back snarling.
Aurora crouched by a stone as she watched the Beast lash out almost snapping Jack’s arm but missing as Jack swung the sword again.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 2 minutes
“Welcome to the 107th anural Winter Solstice Celebration,” The Mayor said as he stood on the stage, “Now I know we’ve had a few problems,” he pauses as the crowd, holding candles to light the room, laughed a bit, “But the sunrise at least will go off without any problems so without further ado,” he said as he turned toward the large windows that faced the sunrise.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 1 minute
“Clu, I can see them,” Fi shouted as she climbed onto the top of a bolder to see Jack shielding Aurora as he slashed at the large Beast maybe a half mile away. “And we have to hurry.” She added as she scrambled down.
“Oh man this is exciting,” Clu said as he changed after Fi.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 0 minutes
The first ray of night pierced the darkness joining the light coming from Aurora.
“Looks like you’re out of time don’t it?” Jack taunted as he smirked at it.
At the sight of Jack smirking the Night Beast let out a great roar and charged at him, sending him to the ground and seeming to ignore the sword plunging into it’s chest it’s teeth lunged at Jack’s throat but finding Jack’s blocking hand instead.
“Aahh,” Jack cried out as he scrabbled back pulling his sword out of the beast as he pulled his hand from the monster’s teeth. A monster that wasn’t moving any more.
“You’ve done it my Knight” Aurora said as she knelt by his side, looking at the fallen beast.
“It is really dead?” Jack asked as he looked at the beast and tried to push himself up but let out a cry as he put weight on his arm.
“Oh no your arm,” Aurora said as she brought it up and pulled back his sleeve to reveal the large tear the Beast left behind.
“It’ll heal, you wouldn’t have, not if that thing got you,” Jack said as Aurora helped him stand.
“Yes. Even with all your doubts and disbelief you saved me my Knight,” Aurora said as she looked to the dawn that was cresting the mountains. “If not for you…”
“But you’re alright, now lets get back to the lodge, just incase that thing had friends,” Jack said as he looked toward the lodge.
“Thank you my Knight, but my time here is done, the dawn has come and I must go home,” Aurora said and then the sunlight already bright reflecting off the snow was blinding.
Sun Rise plus 0 hours 2 minutes
Celtic music filled the ballroom as everyone danced under the first rays of the sun and then without warning every light turned back on and every candle was lit. The light was blinding as if every light wanted to make up for the hours of darkness joined by the laser lights going off sending their colors and patterns everywhere in the room.
“Wow where did that come from,” Ned asked his wife as he shielded his eyes from the intense light.
*BOOM*
“I think the fireworks and laser lights are working now,” Irene said as she blinked her eyes before rubbing them, “I’m just glad Molly didn’t drop a cord. Did you find the kids?”
“No I still can’t fine them. I was hoping they were in here.”
“Clu is going to be grounded when I find him,” Irene said as she headed out of the room.
“What are the kids up to?” Ned said before he went the other direction.
Sun Rise plus 0 hours 3 minutes
“Jack, your okay. Where did the Night Beast go, and Aurora? And what was that light,” Fi yelled rapidly as she ran toward Jack.
“What?” Jack asked confused as he blinked the spots out of his eyes, “Can’t you see the…empty patch of snow?” he said as he looked at where the Night Beast had fallen. The ground was empty, just a patch of trampled snow. “Aurora?” he said as he turned toward around but couldn’t see her. “She left.” He said softly.
“I can see that, where did she go?” Fi asked as she looked around, looking at the mess of snow for a moment before looking everywhere.
“Home, she went home, and we should do the same. After the fire works” Jack answered as he sat down and looked up at the fire works bursting in the dawn sky.
“Cool idea but dude what happened to your arm?” Clu asked as he sat down next to Jack and spotted the other teen’s shirt.
“Hey watch it,” Jack yelled when Clu’s fingers touched it expecting pain but none came, “What?” he said as he looked at it. His shirt was still ripped but his skin was whole, only a light scar to remind him what had happened…had it?
“What happened to your shirt?” Clu asked again, “and what’s with the rubber sword?”
“And the scar, that’s new, where did it come from?” Fi demanded as she dropped to Jack’s side.
“It’s nothing,” Jack told them as he looked at the sword in his hand, it was a rubber prop sword that bent then he moved it, “How…”
“You used that to fight the Night Beast? Wow!” Fi said as she looked at the sword.
“I didn’t fight any Night Beast, it was a stray dog and Aurora got spooked that’s all. Now can we watch the show already? It’s probably half over by now,” Jack answered looking back at the sky ignoring any farther questions.
The End
Sun Rise minus 6 hours 17 minutes
“I got us some punch, it’s tropical or rainbow but I’m not really sure what they means and the guy manning the table didn’t know either,” Jack said as he held up first the glass on the right then the glass in his left hand looking at the blue liquid it held oddly.
“Thank you and I will try the rainbow,” Aurora said with a smile as she took the glass from his left hand and sipped it.
“So what does it taste like?” Jack asked as he took a drink from his own cup.
“It taste like pineapple, orange and,” she paused and took another drink, “and lime I believe, very tasty.”
“Well I’m glad,” Jack said as he let his gaze drift around the room, “are you sure you don’t want anything to eat? The table has a lot of different stuff and it’s pretty good,” Jack asked again.
“Thank you but no, I’m not hungry. But I would not mind resting for awhile,” Aurora answered, pointing toward one of the tables set up in one corner of the ballroom’s floor.
“No problem I wouldn’t mind sitting for a bit and I’m going to get some cheese and crackers in case you change your mind,” Jack told Aurora once they reached the table and Aurora sat down. “I’ll be right back.”
Across the room two pairs of eyes watched him leave the table and head toward the buffet tables, they then turned toward Aurora.
“Man she’s hot, how did Jack land her?”
“Didn’t he say something about her running into him, maybe it’s a guilt thing?” Fi asked as she watched Aurora, “but since Jack hasn’t introduced us why don’t we go say hi,” she suggested as she started walking toward the tables.
“Uh, Fi I don’t think Jack’s going to like that very much, or like at all,” Clu told Fi in concern as he followed her.
“Yeah, that’s kind of the point Clu,” Fi said with a smile just before they reached the table.
“Hello, I’m Fi, Jack’s my brother and he’s really bad at introducing his girlfriends so I thought I’d save him the trouble, what’s your name?” Fi said holding out her hand.
“I’m Clu,” Clu added with a quick wave and smile.
“My name is Aurora, it’s nice to meet you, Jack is very nice,” Aurora said taking Fi’s hand, “but he is not my boyfriend, not as you mean it,” she added softly looking over to where Jack has started rushing back toward the table.
“Fi, Clu, shouldn’t you two be somewhere else, anywhere else?” Jack said glaring at both of them as he set down a small plate of crackers and chesses on the table, “are these two bothering you Aurora, because I can have them leave, like right now,” he offered still glaring at them.
“Man it was her idea,” Clu said backing up and rising his hands.
“Gee, thanks for the support Clu,” Fi said over she shoulder, “it’s late I thought I’d just come over here and talk, what’s the harm,” she said innocently.
“Now why don’t I believe that?” Jack told her, before sitting down next to Aurora.
“I do not mind they seem very happy and friendly,” Aurora told him while looking at the plate he had gotten and selecting one of the slices of cheese.
“Fine,” Jack said with a smile as he watched Aurora eat the cheese. “Well are you two going to sit down or what?”
“So Aurora, are you a local or just here for the solstice?” Fi asked smiling as she took a seat next to Aurora just as Clu was trying to sit in it as well.
“Wow, where’s the fire?!” Clu exclaimed as he just frowned at Fi before wandering to the other side of the table, “Hey buddy how’s it going?” he said sitting next to Jack.
“Really?” Jack said as he just looked at Clu.
“I am not from anywhere around here; I’m not sure how long I will be staying, it may be just until sun rise or…maybe not even that long,” Aurora said looking worried for a moment before putting on a happier face, “I should be gone with the dawn regardless of what happens.”
“What do you think is going to happen?” Fi as she started studying Aurora. “Is something wrong?” she asked as she realized how worried Aurora really was.
“You need not worry; I should have chosen my words better,” Aurora repeated forcing her smile to be brighter.
“No tell us, maybe we can help,” Fi said earnestly as she scooted her chair closer to Aurora.
“That is most kind, just like your brother but no, there is nothing you can do, all will be well. I have faith,” Aurora told her, smiling for real at the last words.
“Come one, there’s something going on you have to tell us-” Fi started again until she was cut off.
“Fi,” Jack said sharply as he stopped his talk with Clu to cut off his sister, “she said ‘no’ so stop asking. Now,” Jack ordered his little sister.
“Well fine,” Fi just said as she flopped back in her chair and folded her arms with a humph, “be that way”, she added.
“Wow dudes,” Clu said as he looked between the siblings, torn about what to say as Aurora just looked away from the group.
“Aurora would you like to dance again,” Jack asked as he stood up still glaring at Fi as he offered his hand to Aurora.
“It would be lovely to dance again,” Aurora answered as she took his hand and rose so they could walk out to the dance floor.
“Jack,” Fi complained as she watched them.
“Leave it Fi,” Jack told her before turning to Clu, “keep her busy will you?” he asked.
“Uh yeah sure,” Clu said grinning before looking at Fi, who was now glaring at him, “Oh boy,” his grin falling fast.
“I don’t need someone to watch me Jack,” she called after her brother but he didn’t even respond as he and Aurora started to dance.
“I’m sure that’s not what he meant Fi,” Clu told Fi.
“Yes it is but never minds that. There’s something odd about her, come on. I have an idea,” Fi said as she grabbed Fi’s arm and started pulling him toward the door.
Sun Rise minus 5 hours 04 minutes
“They have cots upstairs you know Jack,” Molly said as she walked over to her son.
Jack was on the floor leaning against the wall with his legs stretched out before him. Aurora was curled up next to him using Jack’s lap, and a folded up jacket folded, as a pillow as she slept.
“I know but Aurora wanted to stay down here and it’s only for a little while,” Jack answered back as he looked up from Aurora.
“Aurora wanted to huh,” Molly said smiling down at them, “when I told you to dance with her this isn’t what I had pictured happening,” Molly said as she looked at them both.
“Don’t you start too Mom,” Jack said exasperated as he rolled his eyes.
“Slow down there Jack, I didn’t say there was anything wrong with it; it’s kind of sweet actually,” Molly said smirking at Jack.
“Of course,” Jack replied as he shook his head. “You do know I’m never going to see her after tonight right?”
“You never know, and crushes don’t have to be practical,” Molly added.
“Please, I like her, and she needs someone right now because…I have no idea really,” Jack paused a moment to think. “Not that it matters, I just want to help her have a nice night that’s all,” Jack explained.
“Okay, okay, just a friend,” Molly conceded as she held up her hands, “well the band and I are getting some rest, they’ll still be playing music if you two want to dance later but don’t forget to get some sleep yourself, or you’re going to be a grouch come sun up,” Molly told her oldest child.
“I will mom,” Jack said smiling himself as he just laid his head back again against the wall.
“I will see you later then,” Molly said as she started heading to the door where Irene was waiting. She made it half way there before she turned around, “and if you see Fi tell her to get some sleep too will you,” she requested.
“Sure mom, I’ll get right on that,” Jack joked back as Molly turned back around and headed out the door.
“Yeah I’ll do that right now,” Jack just smiled as he closed his eyes.
He was asleep within moments.
Sun Rise minus 4 hours 53 minutes
“The moms are out of sight, we’re clear,” Clu whispered to Fi from the coat closet he had dived into.
“That as close,” Fi said as she crawled out from behind the large stuffed bear she had jumped behind when they’d sighted their mothers heading down the hall toward them.
“Why did we hide from then anyways? They know we’re here,” Clu asked Fi.
“Because it’s almost 2:30 in the morning and they’d want to drag us off to bed, well me anyways, and we’re not done investigating yet,” Fi answered as she tested the doorknob on the door leading into the entrance hall, it wasn’t locked.
“Yeah and just what are we looking for. I mean going through the mangers office was fun but what were we looking for,” Clu asked as he followed Fi into the smaller hall.
“Something about Aurora just seemed off and I want to know what her registration form says,” Fi told him as she pulled her mini flashlight out and started looking at the table to see a stack of papers, “here they are.”
“You mean we didn’t have to sneak into his office just…walk out here?” Clu asked amused, “It’s like we’re on a kid’s show or something.”
“Funny,” Fi shot back as she fingered through the papers.
“So why do you want to know more about Aurora? She’s pinging your weird radar?” Clu asked as he started looking at the stuffed moose that was next to the table.
“Maybe, something about her is defiantly off…and she doesn’t have a registration form, even you and I have one but she doesn’t,” Fi said confused as she started going through them again.
“Maybe you just missed it,” Clu said as he made a moose face, complete with hand antlers, at the stuffed moose.
“Not three times,” Fi said after a couple moments, “something weird is going on. Let go fine her and-“
“Fi there you are it’s time for bed,” Molly said as she stepped into the room flipping on the lights, “Hey Clu your mom’s looking for you.” She told Clu.
“Oh mom, can’t it wait,” Fi complained as Molly ushered her out of the room.
“No, it’s half past two, be glad I let you stay up this late. Come on,” Molly told her youngest. “You to Clu,” she added when Clu tried sneaking the other way.
“There goes my plan to stay up all night,” Clu said letting his smile drop before it shot back up again, “I’ll just have to try that tomorrow,” he added racing up the stairs.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 48 minutes
Jack wasn’t sure what woke him, but something just felt off all of the sudden. Like the pressure change on the flight or driving into a snow storm.
But nothing looked different, the Ballroom was empty save for a handful, most in chairs or on the floor resting like he and Aurora but two were still swaying to the CD player’s music on the center of the floor, they had it all to themselves.
And that’s when he felt it again, like a shiver up his spine.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 47 minutes
“Come on Fi its way too early to be up again,” Clu complained as he followed Fi down the stairs.
“Clu, it’s never too early to explore the unexplained. And something’s about to happen, I can feel it, can’t you?” She asked while marching down the hall toward the ballroom.
“No, everything feels fine. And why are we checking every room?”
“We’re looking for Jack and Aurora, my instincts are tell me she’s at the center of whatever’s about to happen,” Fi explained as she looked into the movie room to see a few of the older teens playing cards or talking, even some that looked like they were playing spin the bottle.
“Oh man I should have spent more time in that room,” Clu complained as he watched Rod, from the card game, kissing a very hot blond.
“Men,” Fi just ranted as she grabbed Clu and pulled him farther down the hall, “I should have know they’d be in the ballroom, Aurora seemed to like dancing.”
“We can do back later right, after you’ve found Jack?” Clu asked still looking back at the movie room.
“Sure whatever, just later right now we need to-“
Whatever Fi had planned to say was lost when the double doors leading from entrance hall burst open with a loud crack, Fi saw the snow flying thought the air, along with something else large and dark, before every light snapped off at once plunging them all into darkness.
And then came the yelling from both the movie room and the ballroom, the former sounded like mere complaints, the later, had screams of fright.
“Clu don’t let go,” Fi yelled as she ran forward toward the ballroom.
“Fi, this isn’t a good idea,” Clu shouted back as he gripped Fi’s hand tight trying to see his way thought the darkness.
“JACK, are you in here?!” Fi yelled as she pushed through by those racing out of the ballroom and looked around inside.
But she couldn’t see anything. Everything was pitch black with all the lights off; even the small candles on the tables were out. And without a moon the large windows that normally gave a gorgeous scenic view of the valley below and the mountains beyond showed nothing and provided no light as even the stars seemed to be dark.
“FI, GET OUT OF HERE, NOW” Jack’s voice shouted across the room.
Fi tried to run toward it but was stopped short by Clu’s unexpectedly iron grip which pulled her back.
“Fi wait,” Clu yelled as he held her tight.
And then there was a burst of light. It seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere and for a moment it filled the room.
The light was accompanied by a loud ear shattering roar of pain coming from the dark shape in the center of the room. The size of a horse it looked like a monstrous dog with bat wings as it threw back its head and cried out thrashing about in the light.
And just beyond it on the other side of the room Fi saw Jack shielding Aurora even as he pushed her through service door.
And then the light was gone as swiftly and unexpectedly as it came and the ballroom seemed all the darker for its leaving.
“Jack,” Fi yelled as she tried to chase after him only for Clu to pull her back again.
“Wrong way Fi, We’re getting out of here,” Clu told her as he physically picked her up and pulled her back toward the door even as they heard more roaring and the sound of a large shape slamming into a wall on the far said of the ballroom. “I’m not letting you get hurt.”
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 44 minutes
“What was that thing, and where is the light coming from?” Jack asked loud a few minutes later as he looked around to try and figure out where he and Aurora were.
The faint light, which seemed to have no source, illuminated the short service hall they ended up in after the mad dash to get away for the thing that had shown up in the ballroom. But the hall was unremarkable and maze like with twists and turns everywhere they looked, and no stairs in sight.
“That was the Night Beast. And it seeks me out, only my Knight can protect me and I do not know where he is,” Aurora fretted as she hugged herself.
“Look you’ve said you’re waiting for your Knight so what’s his name maybe we can look for him? Because if he knows what to do about that thing. I’m all for finding him too,” Jack told her as he looked around, “though we may need to get out of here first.”
“I do not know his name. Each time he is someone different, so much time passes. But the fates see to it I find him quickly after the Beast breaks free. But this time…” Aurora trailed off as she smiled weakly at Jack.
“Well I’m not a knight or anything but we’ll make it through this,” Jack said as he looked around for a place for them to sit, finding a couple of old chairs that had been stored down here. “So tell me what is this Night Beast, some lab experiment gone wrong?”
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 37 minutes
“That wasn’t a wild horse. I’ve seen a horse, you’ve seen a horse, was that a horse?” Fi ranted at Clu.
The two of them and everyone else that had been woken by the commotion had been lead into the movie room where, by candle light, they’d been told a wild horse busted in and caused the blackout, but they weren’t sure how because no problems with the lighting could be found, everything else electrical worked but no lights and even candles kept blowing out.
“Dude you’re right I don’t know how they can say that was a horse, it so wasn’t but what the heck was it?” Clu said as he crossed his arms and looked at Fi.
“I don’t know, I don’t know everything weird and supernatural you know,” Fi told Clu with a frown. “I just want to,” she added.
“Did you listen to anything during our card game, or read that book you won?,” Mike said as he joined them at the back wall handing them candles, “you spent enough time digging through it during our card game.”
“Yeah really you have to know what it was, you saw it,” Rod said as he leaned a hand on his mate’s shoulder.
“That was the Night Beast? That’s why the lights are out,” Fi said in understanding as she started digging around in her backpack for her book.
“Wow, what’s this? I don’t remember anything about a beast thing? What’s up?” Clu asked as he looked between where Mike and Rod were and where Fi had starting going thought her book.
“You were really annoying and left, remember?” Mike said, all too happy to remind him.
“Okay, okay let it go man, so what is this dark beast, what does it want,” Clu asked the others.
“Night Beast, and the legend-“
“Legends, it’s a whole series of them,” Rod chipped in as Fi started.
“Yeah a series of them, mostly European, going back all the way to Greek and Roman times, maybe even older,” Fi went on as she read from her book as best she could in the candle light.
“Much older, all myths have battles between light and dark. The light is normally a women, a goddess, and the dark-" Mike went on when Fi slowed down, reading something.
“Was a fearsome beast, the Night Beast,” Rod supplemented Mike’s answer.
“And their fight reflected in the length of day and night, longer days the light is winning but longer nights mean…” Fi said as she looked up at Clu trailing off at the end.
“Dark is winning right,” Clu said smiling, “that is a cool story,” he said before stopping his smile dropping, “wait it’s the longest night of the year, doesn’t that mean this Night Beast is going to be it’s strongest like right now?”
“Yes the legends say on the solstice the Night Beast had the power to kill the Goddess of the Light, but her knight always protects her, that’s what the legends are all about, the warrior defending her and slaying the beast. They rock,” Rod told Clu smiling himself.
“I love those story, they’re the best,” Mike echoed Rod.
“This is bad Clu,” Fi said as she looked up from her book and at Clu, fear visible on her face.
“What wrong,” Clu asked worried.
“Aurora, Clu. Aurora is the Roman name for the dawn, the goddess of dawn, as in first light, and Jack’s with her,” Fi told him.
“You think Aurora’s the-and the beast is after-and Jack-man we’ve got to find them and fast,” Clu told as he started looking about as if to find them somewhere in the crowd.
“Whoa, chill out dude, they’re just stories, it was a horse,” Mike told Clu.
“No it wasn’t, come on Clu we need to find our moms fast,” Fi said as she grabbed Clu and started dragging him from the room.
“Our moms? We need to find Jack.”
“First we need to buy Jack time, good feelings drive back the Night Beast, in one of the legends an all night party is what protected the Goddess. And The Beast didn’t come in here until the party was basically over, it wasn’t strong enough,” Fi explained they headed for the stairs.
“So your mom starts playing again the party starts back up, maybe drives it back again,” Clu said getting the idea. “Good plan.”
“It either that or we hope Jack really is a knight.”
“He may have fooled the dragon that one time but lets find our moms,” Clu answered Fi as he started racing up the stairs.
“My thoughts exactly.”
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 28 minutes
“Wow that’s some story,” Jack said as he stood up and paced in a circle before turning back to face Aurora not saying anything else.
“You don’t believe, I’ve never had a Knight disbelieve before,” Aurora said quietly as she casted her eyes to the floor.
“No, I don’t disbelieve it and that’s the problem. This is my sister’s gig not mine but some how…I know you’re not lying,” Jack said as he knelt before Aurora and lifted her face with one hand, “Whatever that thing was, I’ll keep you safe, okay. I promise.” He added with a smile.
“I believe you as well.” Aurora answered with her own smile.
“Good then let-“
Jack’s next words were cut off when a dark cloud of fog came pouring around the corner with the Night Beast in the center, even darker than the fog around him.
“Get behind me,” Jack ordered as he pulled Aurora up and set himself between the Beast and Aurora as it came at them.
Jack just started pulling whatever was along the walls down into the middle slowing the Beast down as it was forced to jump over or plow through boxes, chairs, bookcases and anything else the lodge had stored in the halls.
For a moment Jack thought he and Aurora had managed to put some distance between them, and he even saw a door at the end of the hall, but then the Beast roared and charged forward. The roar seemed to ripple in the air before the Beast sending debris everywhere, cleaning a path. The roar hit Jack like a punch to the gut from a heavyweight champ and Jack went crashing to the cement floor as the Beast went straight for Aurora.
Aurora’s scream was all Jack could hear as he saw it near. Gasping for breath he pushed himself up grabbing for anything he could use as a weapon he held something metal before him and braced himself for the hit.
But it never came.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 27 minutes
“I live my life in one straight line, the future
ahead an' the past behind Don't wanna go back to
yesterday But I don't know how long I can run this
way
“You really think this is going to help?” Clu asked as he watched Molly on stage, he could just make her out in the candle lit ballroom.
“It can’t hurt. You ready for the more proactive step?” Fi asked as she turned the handle on the service door Jack and Aurora had diapered down earlier.
“You know it. Now let’s go before the mom or dad see us,” Clu said as he all but shoved Fi through the door way when he saw his dad.
A tangled heart with tangled vines (in the darkness
is the light) Tangled up in my own lies (in the
darkness is the light) A creature there, in
darkness lies (in the darkness is the light) Why
is it that he has my eyes (in the darkness is the
light)
“Okay okay…you don’t have to kill me, now come on lets go fine them,” Fi said once they were through the door and in the service hall.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 26 minutes
The Night Beast let out a snarl as it reared back and glared at Jack.
Jack had to force himself to swallow as he met the blood red eyes before him, “Au-Aurora put your hand on my shoulder and start walking backwards,” Jack ordered as he let got of Aurora and brought it up to hold the metal, which looked like a sword but Jack wasn’t sure and this wasn’t the time to examine it, more firmly between them and the Beast.
Aurora did as she was told, and Jack could feel her left hand grabbing his shoulder but her right hand was only resting on his shoulder but since the beast backed up when it, and the strange new light that was coming off it, came forward Jack didn’t mind.
“What happened, why did it stop?” Jack asked as the two of them slowly started stepping back.
“Something changed upstairs, can’t you feel it?” Aurora asked as she slowly felt behind them with her foot before talking another step.
“No but what does upstairs have to do with it.”
“Good feelings hold back the Beast.”
“You said that before, you mean the party started back up again? That’s stopping it,” Jack asked as he watched the Beast take a step to match theirs.
“Yes, that and my knight has a sword pointed at it, you have the power to slay it and send it back to its chains,” Aurora told Jack.
“You mean I have to kill this thing? What if I’m not your knight,” Jack whispered to Aurora as he took another look at just how large the Night Beast was.
“You are and you can,” Aurora answered back as they took another step.
“I hope you’re right. Can you do the light thing you did in the ballroom, the one that made it back off?”
“Yes but if I do…We’re reaching the darkest moment my powers are limited,” Aurora told Jack.
“Only once, got it. On three you do it then run for that door, I’ll be right behind you got it,” Jack said as he raised his sword higher.
“Yes,” Aurora answered as she let go of Jack’s shoulder.
“1…2…3.”
Light filled the hall as Jack slashed forward not caring if it hit it before throwing himself back toward the open doorway. He hit the ground with a soft crunch as snow compacted under him.
Aurora pulled the door shut the moment Jack came through and it almost wasn’t fast enough as the center of the door dented out before Jack could even get back up as they could see the Night Beast in the small window.
“We need to get out of here before it gets through,” Jack said as he started leading the way along the ridge with Aurora right behind him.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 14 minutes
“This place is like a maze, how does anyone ever find anything down here?” Fi asked aloud as she looked down the two sides of the T-walkway trying to decide which to go down.
“Yeah you think they’d have maps or something,” Clu added as he looked around.
“Unless…” Fi said suspiciously as she looked around again, “We can’t still be under the lodge unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Unless this is a maze,” Fi said as she looked around in amazement, “we’re in a labyrinth.”
“The basement’s a labyrinth, why? To keep Jack and Aurora from running away?” Clu asked.
“No, to keep us from finding them.”
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 10 minutes
“Molly, guys its ten minutes to dawn so the Mayor wants the rest of this to go as planned so he is going to make his speech and when he gives the signal you start playing that song they want. Do you guys remember the name-“ Irene broke off trying to remember as she talked to Molly and the band.
“You mean The Sky & the Dawn & the Sun the song we’ve been practicing all week, yeah we got it right guys,” Molly asked turning to look back at the guys and seeing them all nod, “Right. So where are our kids? I haven’t seen them since they suggested we start playing again.”
“I…I don’t know, I’ll see if Ned knows, just don’t forget the signal,” Irene said as she headed off toward Ned.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 5 minutes
“I don’t see it anywhere, do you?” Jack asked as he cast his eyes about trying to see if the Beast had found them.
“No, but we’re reaching its most powerful moment. Dawn is almost here,” Aurora said as she looked out over toward the mountains.
“Then we only need to hide unti-It’s found us,” Jack said as he saw a shape, darker than the rest of the forest speed toward them.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 4 minutes
“What happened here?” Clu asked as he stepped around and over spilled boxes and knocked over chairs and a bookcase.
“They must have run into the Night Beast here, it doesn’t look like it got them,” Fi said as she followed taking everything in.
“What’s this?” Clu said as he looked at a spray of orange liquid a few feet from the door.
“I don’t know but I’d like to know what happened to the door,” Fi asked.
The door was dented and slashed, ripped from the door jam and crumpled on the snow outside.
“I think we need to find Jack,” Clu said as he took a step outside and saw a trail of stomped down snow.
“And fast,” Fi added as she started heading down the trail.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 3 minutes
“Get back,” Jack yelled as he slashed forward again almost adding another wound to the Beast’s dog like snout as the Beast leapt back snarling.
Aurora crouched by a stone as she watched the Beast lash out almost snapping Jack’s arm but missing as Jack swung the sword again.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 2 minutes
“Welcome to the 107th anural Winter Solstice Celebration,” The Mayor said as he stood on the stage, “Now I know we’ve had a few problems,” he pauses as the crowd, holding candles to light the room, laughed a bit, “But the sunrise at least will go off without any problems so without further ado,” he said as he turned toward the large windows that faced the sunrise.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 1 minute
“Clu, I can see them,” Fi shouted as she climbed onto the top of a bolder to see Jack shielding Aurora as he slashed at the large Beast maybe a half mile away. “And we have to hurry.” She added as she scrambled down.
“Oh man this is exciting,” Clu said as he changed after Fi.
Sun Rise minus 0 hours 0 minutes
The first ray of night pierced the darkness joining the light coming from Aurora.
“Looks like you’re out of time don’t it?” Jack taunted as he smirked at it.
At the sight of Jack smirking the Night Beast let out a great roar and charged at him, sending him to the ground and seeming to ignore the sword plunging into it’s chest it’s teeth lunged at Jack’s throat but finding Jack’s blocking hand instead.
“Aahh,” Jack cried out as he scrabbled back pulling his sword out of the beast as he pulled his hand from the monster’s teeth. A monster that wasn’t moving any more.
“You’ve done it my Knight” Aurora said as she knelt by his side, looking at the fallen beast.
“It is really dead?” Jack asked as he looked at the beast and tried to push himself up but let out a cry as he put weight on his arm.
“Oh no your arm,” Aurora said as she brought it up and pulled back his sleeve to reveal the large tear the Beast left behind.
“It’ll heal, you wouldn’t have, not if that thing got you,” Jack said as Aurora helped him stand.
“Yes. Even with all your doubts and disbelief you saved me my Knight,” Aurora said as she looked to the dawn that was cresting the mountains. “If not for you…”
“But you’re alright, now lets get back to the lodge, just incase that thing had friends,” Jack said as he looked toward the lodge.
“Thank you my Knight, but my time here is done, the dawn has come and I must go home,” Aurora said and then the sunlight already bright reflecting off the snow was blinding.
Sun Rise plus 0 hours 2 minutes
Celtic music filled the ballroom as everyone danced under the first rays of the sun and then without warning every light turned back on and every candle was lit. The light was blinding as if every light wanted to make up for the hours of darkness joined by the laser lights going off sending their colors and patterns everywhere in the room.
“Wow where did that come from,” Ned asked his wife as he shielded his eyes from the intense light.
*BOOM*
“I think the fireworks and laser lights are working now,” Irene said as she blinked her eyes before rubbing them, “I’m just glad Molly didn’t drop a cord. Did you find the kids?”
“No I still can’t fine them. I was hoping they were in here.”
“Clu is going to be grounded when I find him,” Irene said as she headed out of the room.
“What are the kids up to?” Ned said before he went the other direction.
Sun Rise plus 0 hours 3 minutes
“Jack, your okay. Where did the Night Beast go, and Aurora? And what was that light,” Fi yelled rapidly as she ran toward Jack.
“What?” Jack asked confused as he blinked the spots out of his eyes, “Can’t you see the…empty patch of snow?” he said as he looked at where the Night Beast had fallen. The ground was empty, just a patch of trampled snow. “Aurora?” he said as he turned toward around but couldn’t see her. “She left.” He said softly.
“I can see that, where did she go?” Fi asked as she looked around, looking at the mess of snow for a moment before looking everywhere.
“Home, she went home, and we should do the same. After the fire works” Jack answered as he sat down and looked up at the fire works bursting in the dawn sky.
“Cool idea but dude what happened to your arm?” Clu asked as he sat down next to Jack and spotted the other teen’s shirt.
“Hey watch it,” Jack yelled when Clu’s fingers touched it expecting pain but none came, “What?” he said as he looked at it. His shirt was still ripped but his skin was whole, only a light scar to remind him what had happened…had it?
“What happened to your shirt?” Clu asked again, “and what’s with the rubber sword?”
“And the scar, that’s new, where did it come from?” Fi demanded as she dropped to Jack’s side.
“It’s nothing,” Jack told them as he looked at the sword in his hand, it was a rubber prop sword that bent then he moved it, “How…”
“You used that to fight the Night Beast? Wow!” Fi said as she looked at the sword.
“I didn’t fight any Night Beast, it was a stray dog and Aurora got spooked that’s all. Now can we watch the show already? It’s probably half over by now,” Jack answered looking back at the sky ignoring any farther questions.
The End