To Camp
By the time Sam and Liam started to trudge through the double glass doors leading out of the apartment, it was almost midnight. By then the after-night traffic was starting to slow as the curbed snowstorm began to pick up its wrath.
Almost as soon as they walked out of the door Sam knew something was wrong. An underground Esque smell was spread throughout the lot, the smell of monsters, or in this case monster. Putting a firm grip on the handle of his dagger, he started to frantically look around in the dark.
"We have a problem," whispered Sam while still having his eyes dart back in forth in front of them.
Crap, I forgot about her. Thought Liam before he scanned the dull gray parking lot in front of him. His night vision was a boon sure but being color blind while in the dark was still annoying, that and the splotches of color near any light. It was just a mess to look at.
Liam's eyes narrowed as a figure crouched in the darkness slowly ducked between the cars in the lot. The cheer- no monster was trying her best to stay in the dark while prowling towards them and Liam wasn't going to have any of it.
Lightly touching Sam on the shoulder Liam said, "Up and to our left, she's hiding behind the Cadillac." in a quiet voice.
Giving Liam a bewildered look he muttered, "How can you...? No, it's not important; follow me."
As soon as the last word left his mouth, Sam started walking to the right out towards the street. Following quickly after him Liam asked, "What are we gonna do? The Emp-"
"Don't!" growled Sam before continuing with, "Don't say its name. We need to get somewhere where I can see...either that or run. Gods dammit why'd your scent have to change?"
The two reached the snow-covered sidewalk right next to the street as Liam wondered, "Scent? What scent, I shower every day."
Sam's lips pursed before he replied saying, "Not that you doofus. You got a smell that attracts those things. It..."
As he paused Sam took a brief glance behind them trying to get eyes on their not so secret admirer. Still not seeing it he started to walk a little faster then explained, "Yours, it changed. Dammit, it's like the thing exploded! You used to just smell like ice, but now?"
Sam's face scrunched up before he continued with "Ugh, just don't worry about it."
As they walked Liam kept taking glances over his shoulder; the Empousa was always there just out of sight. She stood in the bleak mix mash of grays with an inhuman look on her face. It was like some type of predator hunting their prey.
With that harrowing thought a small lick of flame built in Liam's chest. Why was he running? To get Sam's help with whatever an Empousa was? What would Sam be able to do? Subconsciously the beginnings of a sneer built itself on Liam's face. Lightly in the back of Liam's mind, the voice began to ebb out small whispers.
Hearing the footsteps behind him stop Sam asked, "Why did you stop?"
Behind him, Liam's cold stare quickly melted as he shook his head. What am I doing? Thought Liam before he commented, "I...nothing let's keep moving."
In front of the pair, Sam's destination finally came into sight, the bus stop. Like a lot of other cities, New York has a shuttle system that ran almost twenty-four hours a day, much like most everything else there. To top it all off the place was brightly lit with a row of three streetlights along the edge of the road.
Sam's line of sight exponentially expanded as they finished their little trek. It wouldn't be the best, but it would sure beat fighting in complete darkness. Now all he needed to do was wait...for twenty minutes. "Shit!" cursed Sam as his eyes drifted away from the bus stop's only sign.
Meanwhile, Liam was staring directly at the monster wearing a high-schooler's flesh in the darkness. The woman was still about forty feet away standing upright. Weirdly, she seemed to be just staring at them.
Her face was pushed into an almost shit-eating grin as she continued to test the waters edging ever closer to where they both stood. Thinking they weren't going to have much time Liam asked, "Sammy, what's the time on that bus?"
Sam turned back towards Liam then scoffed, "Definitely not enough. Is it still following us?"
With a gulp of air Sam drew his dagger from its sheathe. The coppery blade let out an almost intangible glow in the dull-colored light coming from the streetlamps. From where Liam stood the thing looked sharp enough to shave with and that's why he wasn't amused when Sam decided it was a good idea to throw it at him.
Fortunately for him, Liam's supernatural reflexes kicked in once again. His dominant hand shot up and gripped the weapon by its hilt. As soon as he got a good handle on the thing Liam shouted, "What in the hell was that for?!"
"Empousa they have a very annoying ability called Charmspeak. You probably already know that though. I-I doubt I'll be able to do anything against her." replied Sam as a worried look came over his face.
"What do you expect me to do? I don't know how to use a knife!" fretted Liam growing more and more concerned. What could he do? Liam didn't really know anything about what an Empousa really was besides the whole 'Charmspeak' thing and even then it was still hard to snap out of.
"Then let's just run!" suggested Liam still trying to get out of the situation. Sam's skittish look was all he needed to think otherwise. Well, that and the fact the bitch was almost on top of them by now. They would have done well to stop talking and actually do something.
Sam almost looked guilty as he replied with, "We can't! It'll tear us apart in the dark, I'm supposed to be your protector not... I-If you can't take her just leave me."
"Well boys why don't we just talk?" called out a voice from the darkness.
From Sam's point of view, he saw the most beautiful woman to ever walk the planet emerge from the darkness. Her eyes were diamonds, her hair flawless, her voice...Oh god her voice. Thought Sam with a stupid smile on his face.
As his thoughts began to glaze over more Sam could feel the nagging inner voice within his mind fully disappear. With a now almost blissful smile, Sam ran his hand through his hair then replied, "Oh we can do more than talk!"
Liam was much less affected. It took him a second but as her honeyed words left his ears Liam pulled himself back together. It seemed he was getting better at this; He didn't even need to pinch himself this time. Taking Sam's dagger in a grip that would make Michael Meyers proud Liam started to walk forward. (1)
The Empousa's eyes traveled up and down Liam's body before she quickly turned to Sam then suggested, "It's really late. Why don't you go lay down for a bit?" while pointing over to a nearby bench.
Sam let out something that sounded like a cross between a happy snort or even a bleat before he chirped, "Of course!"
While Sam strutted over to the bus stop with a smile on his face Liam wasn't so happy. He could feel that same lick of flame from earlier start to blaze in his chest as the woman turned to him. "Now what to do with you?" questioned the Empousa with a sour look on her face.
Daintily she brought up a pedicured fingernail to her lips before lightly touching it. Her face seemed to split into an evil smile as she said, "Ah, I know just what to do!"
Lighting up the night was the woman's hair. The blonde went from the color of bleached sand to fiery white in less than a second. That wasn't the most striking change though. That honor would go to her legs.
The left looked like that of some goat while the right turned into an amalgamation of different metals. It almost looked as if someone threw twenty pounds of slag into the shape of a human leg. Surprisingly, the limb seemed to be doing just fine for her.
The most threatening change that came from her 'transformation' would have to be her teeth and claws.
Much like Liam's own the woman seemed to have suddenly grown two more large canines that stretched out from her mouth. Unlike Liam however, she had two from the bottom as well, it made her look kinda like a lion. Less noticeable was how each of her manicured fingernails stretched out a couple of inches into razor-sharp claws.
"Nothing like a hunt before a feast!" the creature crowed before lunging forward claws outspread.
Diving out of the way Liam let out a small grunt. As soon as he came down the boy pushed himself back up knocking the snow off his front. He barely had time to turn before the Empousa struck again this time hitting Liam's shoulder.
A pathetic excuse for a vampire. Growled the voice as the heat of the fight started to get into Liam's head.
Liam's eyes exploded with red as he stabbed the dagger down at the clawed hand that was peaking through part of his shoulder. As soon as the blade made contact with the creature's skin a scream of pure fury was ground out before she jumped backward.
Expecting blood Liam's eyes looked down at the blade he held in his hand. Surprisingly enough, the weapon was clean. However, just below on Liam's now damaged jacket was some type of powder. Not thinking much of it Liam trained his vision back on the monster before him.
"I was going to make it quick!" raged the Empousa as she ducked down once again getting ready to lunge.
Being prepared this time, Liam jumped towards his left and out of the way of the barreling beast. Behind him, he could hear another loud hiss of pure fury as metal footsteps impacted concrete. "I sure as hell won't!" yelled out Liam as he lightly touched the wound on his left shoulder.
This time the monster slowly stalked towards Liam growling all the while. Looking at her now Liam could see a small cut on the hand that wounded him; it was slowly letting a yellowish powder fall towards the ground.
Liam's mind raced as he tried his best to find a way to defeat her. After taking a split-second to come up with a plan, a cruel smile came onto Liam's face. Slowly he looked down at her fleshy leg before thinking I guess I have a way to get you to stop lunging at least. I just need you to do it one more time.
As the Empousa reached him she raked her claws in a wide fashion towards his torso. Like before it was fast but not fast enough. She let out a small "Tch!" as she hit the open air.
Having backpedaled to get away Liam now stood at a good six feet away from her, not too close nor too far. The boy opened his semblance of a stance wide with the dagger in his left hand while his right was open wide, waiting for the perfect moment.
That moment would come just after Liam jeered, "Ha, you're too slow!"
Like a raging bull, the woman leaned down once more before launching herself at the boy. This time it wouldn't go so well for her.
Just as she reached Liam, he firmly grasped her wounded arm's wrist before stepping to the side. For his size Liam was strong. Just as she felt the pressure on her wrist, it pushed forward and behind her back coming with it was her entire body.
Liam had planned to pull her to the side and crush her donkey leg underfoot. However, no plan survives first contact with the enemy. (2) In reality, all Liam had ended up doing was throwing her to the ground.
Flaming hair and fangs met snow as the creature went face-first into the snow. Quickly, the white substance started to melt into water soaking the Empousa and putting out her glowing hair but that would be the least of her problems.
In a fight, there's one place you never want to be and that place is on the ground.
Almost immediately, Liam took advantage of the situation and jumped onto her back. With his free hand, he grabbed the Empousa's head and pulled it back, hard. An ominous pop came from her neck as the monster was forced to come face to face with Liam.
Angrily, Liam stared her in the eye before bringing Sam's dagger around the creature's throat. A flash of fear came onto her face before the Empousa felt a searing pain at the base of her neck.
The bronze dagger went in with little resistance at all, while the monster let out a loud cry of pain. Gritting his teeth Liam pulled the dagger to the other side of her neck. From the now foot-wide wound came a virtual waterfall of yellow dust. The powder quickly fell, intermingling with the white snow below.
Breathing heavily Liam pulled the dagger out before falling backward off of the monster. The cold snow would be of little consequence.
Meanwhile, the Empousa was doing her best to memorize the halfling's face to memory. One day she'd get revenge against whatever the hell he was. Her vision started to fade as her body suddenly disintegrated into a large pile of dust.
The only thing that would be left behind was the Goode High-school cheerleader's uniform she was wearing.
Slowly, Liam started to get himself up after he stopped heaving. While he was giving a glance at what was left of the monster some of his supernaturally enhanced strength left his limbs. As soon as it did Liam's eyes faded back to their chocolate brown.
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Looking over from the dust-covered uniform to where Sam slept a smile came to Liam's face. Well if he's gonna be a dickhead and not help out I might as well make him an actual one. Thought Liam before he headed over to the bench.
Quietly, Liam pulled out a black sharpie from his book bag and said, "It's always good to come prepared." with a small smile.
He uncapped the pen before drawing a certain something on his forehead.
Shifting in his slumber Sam pushed a single leg out to the side of the bunch. His nose twitched before the left suddenly shot forward into the open air. As it reached the end of its arc Sam mumbled out, "H-Huh, whazzat?"
Out in front of them, Sam's left shoe was pointing straight up in about half a foot of snow. The missing shoe didn't bother Liam at all really. What bothered him was what was under it.
-Inside the NYC Bus to Long Island-
"A Satyr?" asked Liam sitting next to Sam a few seats from the back of the bus.
Sam nodded then quietly explained, "A type of nature spirit basically. Kinda like a dryad, you ever hear of those?"
"I mean maybe? They're basically like tree people with pointy ears right-" started Liam before Sam interrupted him saying, "No not exactly. It's close enough I guess, but I think you've been playing too much Dnd."
"Oh come on, like I have anything else to compare it to. Then you're basically a goat-spirit thing." prodded Liam finally seeming to get it.
"Hell no! I'm not a goat. Say it with me N-A-T-U-R-E spirit!" fumed Sam saying each full letter of nature by itself.
From the front of the bus, a deep voice yelled, "Shut up back there! If I gotta drive all the way across this damn bridge to long Island I'm sure as hell not gonna do it listening to you two yappin the whole time."
Accommodating the man both Liam and Sam promptly shut up. Sam leaned his head up against the seat before closing his eyes and leaving Liam to his lonesome, not that he'd have anything else to do. Liam looked up to Sam's forehead before looking back down with a small snigger.
"What?" whispered Sam keeping his eyes closed.
"Oh, nothin-" began Liam before the bus driver yelled out once more shouting, "I said shut it!"
Rolling his eyes Liam thought Prick. before looking out the bus's window.
Outside It looked like a full-on Blizzard with white flurries blocking most of the view of the ocean below. Leaning upwards Liam got a glance of the murky depths and much like the storm it looked violent, almost angry in a way.
Large waves were bouncing around below the bridge every few seconds while the water itself was a murky black. Paired with the raging blizzard, it almost seemed as if the sky and the sea were fighting. (3)
Slowly but surely, the bridge came to an end as their bus pulled itself onto Long Island. After another boring twenty minutes of staring off into the distance, the bus came upon its final destination.
Out in front of them was a bus stop much like the one back in New York City. To the left of the road was a single bench with a large street sign next to it labeled, 'Bus Stop' with the local times. Unlike the one in New York however, this stop didn't have a light.
Near the front of the bus, the driver grabbed onto the handle to his right before pushing down on the brakes. Break-pads met metal as the bus let out a long winding whine of stress. After a quick three seconds of the loud noise waking everything in the immediate area, the bus stopped.
Sam's nose twitched before he groggily opened his eyes. The cerulean orbs quickly scanned the surroundings locking onto the sign out the window.
Meanwhile, the bus driver forcefully pulled back his meaty hand with the bus's handle still in place. The rusted door hinges let out a loud creak before it folded to the left. The bus driver looked up in the window at his only two passengers before yelling out, "Long Island North!"
Sam quickly stood up and started to walk down the bus aisle with Liam following not to far behind. After pushing themselves through the numerous seats and out the bus's door, the two found themselves once again in the dark.
Looking over to where Sam stood Liam asked, "Where to now?"
Sam took a second scanning the dark forest line before a small dirt trail stood out to him. Walking towards it he replied, "We go North for a bit, the camp is near the beach."
Liam nodded his head before following after him. The asphalt turned into a well-used dirt path while all around them large trees could be seen with what looked like one the towered above all the others around it. Looking up at the gigantic pine Liam commented, "That's one big tree."
Sam didn't answer; he still seemed to be looking for some unknown threat waiting in the darkness. Mentioning the tree seemed to make him even more nervous as he quickened his pace.
Liam not wanting to make the trip in complete silence asked, "So, what's this camp like?"
"It's...great. It's kinda like a normal summer camp except for...some things. The camp is the only place someone like you can be safe." answered Sam still speed walking along the main forest trail.
Liam's face took on a sour look before he thought Someone like me? A Monster?
Liam hurriedly shook his head before look back up at the pine tree they were approaching. Then a thought came to his mind. "Does Long Island even have pines? I thought there were only cedars..." chatted Liam as they finally came upon the tree.
Interrupting their conversation was the voice that growled You shouldn't be here.
Like always it didn't seem to be helpful, only seeing fit to butt in at the most inopportune times. Not saying anything back Liam kept up with Sam. Sam was the first to step by the pine. Liam looked on with interest as the air almost seemed to bubble before Sam stepped on through.
What the? Thought Liam as he noticed the falling snow seemed to suddenly stop in front of him.
Apprehensively Liam brought one of his hands forward and lightly pushed it towards where the snowfall ended. His fingertips met something. Out in the open air, there looked to be some type of thick film following the end of the treeline.
Leave! rumbled the voice as Liam began to press on the barrier.
Ignoring the thing, Liam started to put in some pressure on whatever it was that was blocking him. The air seemed to bend and stretch before, with a light pop, it snapped. Suddenly, Liam's hand shot through the border sending small ripples up into the air.
Almost struggling now to get through Liam pulled the arm down and with it the tear widened. Sticking his head through, followed by the rest of his body, Liam wretched himself through. Out in front of him, Liam heard Sam's footsteps stop.
"Liam why'd you stop?" called out Sam as he turned back around.
Trudging up to Sam, Liam lied "What do you mean?"
Sam stared at his blurry figure for a second before shrugging and continuing on with their walk. Out in the distance, lights could be seen. It was a rather large house painted a mix of baby blue with white trims. The house itself looked like the stepping stone between a normal one and a mansion.
If it were during the day the two would be able to see that there were three above-ground floors in the place including an attic. The front of the house had a few windows spread out in between those floors while on the first there was a light still on near the main door.
Inside that first floor room were three very different individuals all sitting, with one standing, around a small table.
The first of the three was someone who would be familiar to Liam. Although he would have an interesting new addition to his lower body. Chiron was standing still in the same suit as before with a tense look on his face.
The interesting new addition to his lower body was that he had the lower half a horse. Where his torso ended the body of a white stallion began. Behind him, his long tail twitched every few seconds as he continued to stare at the door.
The second person in the room was much akin to Sam.
He sat in a fold-able chair right next to the last man in the room. He was a Satyr with the lower half of a goat. Underneath the table poked out his hoofed legs while above the table he was eating an assortment of leaved goods and scrap metal.
The last person in the room looked like someone who had skipped out on his AA meetings.
The rather short pudgy man had scruffy black hair that wrapped around his head all the way to a just as scruffy black beard. In his left hand was a can of Coca-Cola that seemed to correlate to the brown stains on his cheetah print overshirt.
The last man, colloquially known as Mr. D, took a long sip from his drink before asking, "And you thought it was good to wake me why?" in a rather annoyed tone.
The jittery Satyr took another bite out of his bent tin can before replying with, "I-I...you're the Camp Director! I-"
"I-I-I'm the C-C-C-amp Director?" mocked Mr. D in a patronizing tone before yelling, "Out with it goat boy!"
The Satyr's posture seemed to sink even lower as his hand trembled before dropping the half-eaten can to the floor. His eyes darted around the room much akin to a rabbit's before Chiron stepped in to save him.
"Give the child a break, Mr. D. He's new here, he couldn't have known-" started Chiron before being interrupted.
"That the one time I can get away from this infernal place is when I sleep?" growled the portly man before glaring at the Satyr.
The Satyr seemed to have finally had his fight or flight instincts kick in as he ran off at the man's glare. Just as he left the room the Satyr looked over his shoulder at the perfectly good plate of food before looking at Mr. D's angry eyes.
With eyes full of hate the Camp Director picked up the platter filled with food and launched it at the fleeing Satyr while yelling out, "You forgot something!"
What followed his outburst was a few seconds of silence.
Chiron trotted over to the table before giving a single glance at the leftover mess. With a grimace, he commented, "I'm not cleaning that up."
Mr. D finished off the last few drops of Coca-Cola before crushing the can in his fist. Letting out a small snort of amusement the man snapped his fingers then the mix of vegetable matter and trash seemed to fade before finally disappearing.
The Camp Director let out a small sigh before asking Chiron, "What is it that you need?"
The Centaur gave another sideways look at the house's main door before explaining, "I didn't need anything, we might be having a new camper tonight. Fran thought th-"
"So is that the Satyr's name? I'm gonna chew him out at the next council." ground out Mr. D with the last bastion of anger fleeing his face.
Surprisingly, Chiron didn't seem to mind being interrupted by the man. It was almost as if he was used to it. After the Camp Director finished his bit Chiron said, "You don't have to attend if you wish, but as the Camp Director you should."
Mr. D snapped his fingers once more and a golden goblet materialized from the air. The piece of jeweled gold was quickly filled to the brim with a dark red substance, wine, before the portly man brought it up towards his face.
Giving it a small swirl Mr. D let out a longing hum.
A small scowl came onto Chiron's features as the Camp Director brought the chalice up over his head. Tilting the cup forward the red liquid fell to the black chasm that was Mr. D's mouth. Just before touching his tongue however, the wine suddenly became clear.
"Oh, come on old man! Not even a little bit?" pleaded the man before the Chalice quickly faded away. As the words left his mouth a loud strike of thunder drowned out his voice.
Mr. D let out a depressed sigh before summoning another can of CocaCola and popping up the tab. Chiron having already been used to his antics didn't show much of a reaction to the scene except for the ever-growing scowl on his face.
"Are you done?" asked the Centaur in a serious tone.
The Camp Director pushed up his eyebrows before answering him. Taking a small sip from the can he suddenly spit out a mine mist of brown sugary drink. Looking over at Chiron he cursed, "Dammit, I hate diet!" before summoning one more can.
Not even slightly amused Chiron let out a small sigh as Mr. D said, "Oh, fine...you just want me to meet them right?"
"Yes." ground out the Centaur before one of his ears twitched.
Chiron's eyes shot towards the nearby door leading into the Big House as a set of voices could be heard outside it. From outside the two could hear someone say, "So this is it?"
"Yeah, I just gotta remember where they put the damn key out here." answered another voice before more footsteps were heard.
Inside the main room the Centaur and the man saw the main door's handle turn as the other voice commented, "Sam, I think it's unlocked."
The door opened to show a kid with a head of black hair holding onto his shoulder and one Sam Greenwood staring back at them.