The Time Capsule

Chapter 16: Hope in Darkness

Chapter 16: Hope in Darkness

The night spread its wings across the land, ominous storm clouds lighting up occasionally with the glow of lightning. It was as if the clouds held their own magic, waiting to burst and rain down hell on the mortal world below. Another midnight meeting was about to commence, but of a completely different sort than the one in the forest.For one, this took place in an alleyway in London. 

The dark, slimy alleys with bins of rubbish well overdue tossed carelessly to the side. Aren't those always the best place for information to stay secret? Where if they chose to wander, they should be one with the night? Very much was the case for the magnificent being that found herself in this very alley, the street sign of The Witches' Ball flickering on and off. 

A horror scene, this was, for the being folded her enormous wings and picked up a days old newspaper, not expecting to find anything of importance as she took a seat among the bins. She kicked her legs up, her ripped skirt and black jacket trying desperately to blend in, but failing. For the stranger that approached her spotted her instantly, her thin, wispy hair and nervous composure, almost breaking on the spot. 

"Something you'd like to tell me, darling?" the voice of the younger girl asked. 

"I'm afraid I don't know what you mean in the slightest," the older woman replied. 

The younger girl tilted her head as if to say 'really?' and folded her paper as she stood up. She looked very much at one with the alley, the shades and graffiti matching the tone of her outfit. The girl unfolded the paper in front of the woman's face, the headline reading 'Murderous Ex Husband Returns to Shadowstream. James Sparrow, pronounced dead and missing ten years ago-has returned and destroyed Shadowstream town property.' 

"Typical," the woman scoffed. "The only thing they're concerned about is the shit town property, not the actual lives at stake. Mortals are at risk, and despite the odds, ordinary life keeps ticking away. Hour by hour, no idea of the darkness on their doorstep." 

"I understand your concern," the younger girl said in a very commanding tone. "But you can be rest assured that our world has the problems under control." 

"Under control!?" the woman screeched. "A young boy was attacked and killed in the forest and you call *that* under control? Please. I know we don't have the best history, you and I, but I am asking, I am begging you. Please. Save my daughter." 

The younger girl sighed, furrowing her brow in consideration. Wouldn't the best thing to do to be to help? It was the best she could do for the woman. She had liked her when she first met her, but it seemed there was much more to her bubbling beneath the surface. She wanted to burst free, not to be suppressed. But all the same..mothers could be tiresome figures. Mothers wanted safety of their young. She extended a hand to the quivering woman. 

"You know how deals operate in our world, I presume," the girl said. "You must promise me something in return for keeping your daughter safe and returning alive by the end of every day."

"I'll give you anything," the woman said desperately, to the girl's raised eyebrow of approval. "Anything at all, just...keep her safe. Alive. Bring her back to me." 

"I'm afriad," the girl said. "I'm afraid the one thing you desire, I cannot guarantee. I will try the best I can to ensure her safety. You say...you'll do anything. Say those words to me again." 

"What words?" the woman asked. 

"Those exact words, say you'll do anything," the girl took the woman's hand. "Say it and the deal is complete." 

The woman hesitated. Anything...anything in the world. Would she really do it? What if this creature asked her to kill? To murder? It certainly wouldn't be beyond her abilities...and her mind was already unstable enough. She simply didn't know if she could go through the actual act of killing. The effect it would have on her already unstable mind...