A Princess and A Zombie (A Z-O-M-B-I-E-S and Descendants AU)

Ch. 11

Aurelia's heart raced as a warm feeling enveloped her entire being, tingling with anticipation as Seabrook drew nearer. While she cherished the time spent with her loving family in Auradon, a deep longing for her dear friends gnawed at her heart.

Seabrook, her second home, had embraced her with open arms, allowing her to find solace and forge unbreakable bonds. The familiar sights and sounds of the town welcomed her back like an old friend, whispering tales of cherished memories. The mere thought of reuniting with Eliza, Zed, and Bonzo sent waves of exhilaration coursing through her veins.

Lost in her reverie, Aurelia was abruptly jolted back to reality as Lumiere slammed on the brakes, shattering the silence. Her head whipped up, eyes scanning the surroundings, desperate to discern the cause of the sudden disturbance. And then she saw it.

There, standing in their path, was a girl. She appeared to be around Aurelia's age, her long, dark curls cascading wildly around her head, interwoven with striking white streaks. Her rich, dark skin held an otherworldly allure, a captivating contrast that drew Aurelia's gaze. But it was the girl's eerie smile, revealing pointed yet oddly human-like teeth, that sent a shiver down Aurelia's spine.

"What on earth is that?" Aurelia breathed, her voice barely a whisper.

In response, the girl unleashed a bone-chilling howl, the sound piercing the air with an otherworldly resonance.

Aurelia's heart leaped in her chest as the girl's howl echoed through the air, sending a chill down her spine. Lumiere and the others in the car exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and curiosity.

Without any warning, the enigmatic girl suddenly dashed towards the car, displaying incredible speed and agility. Aurelia's breath caught in her throat as the girl's dark eyes locked onto hers, shimmering with an intense familiarity that sent a surge of recognition through her veins.

"Lumiere, go!" Aurelia gasped, but it seemed as though he was paralyzed, unable to respond to her command. "Go!"

Lumiere shook his head, snapping out of his trance. He promptly stepped on the gas pedal, causing the car to surge forward with a burst of acceleration. The tires screeched against the pavement as they desperately fought to escape the approaching girl.

As the car sped away, Aurelia stole one final glance at the diminishing figure of the girl. Fear and curiosity waged a battle within her, leaving behind an unshakable sense of unease.

A myriad of questions raced through Aurelia's mind, but her immediate priority was ensuring their safety. She redirected her focus to Lumiere, who was fully concentrated on navigating the winding road ahead.

The haunting smile of the girl lingered in Aurelia's thoughts, leaving an indelible mark on her memory.

Aurelia's grip on the seat tightened, her eyes flickering between the rearview mirror and the road ahead. The image of the mysterious girl grew smaller with each passing moment, eventually fading into the distance. Yet, Aurelia couldn't shake off the feeling that their encounter was far from over.

As the adrenaline began to subside, curiosity took hold. Who was the girl, and why did she seem to recognize her?

With a deep breath, Aurelia mustered the courage to break the silence. "Lumiere, did you see her?" she asked, her voice still tinged with a mix of apprehension and wonder.

Lumiere's gaze flickered to the rearview mirror, his eyes reflecting a trace of concern. "I did," he replied, his voice steady but laced with caution. "There was something... unusual about her."

Aurelia nodded in agreement. "She seemed to recognize me," she murmured, her thoughts drifting back to the girl's penetrating gaze.

Lumiere furrowed his brow, clearly deep in thought. "It's strange, indeed. But for now, our focus should be on reaching Seabrook safely. We can figure this out later."

Aurelia nodded, understanding the urgency of their journey. The feeling of anticipation that had enveloped her moments ago had transformed into a sense of foreboding. She settled back into her seat, her eyes still occasionally darting to the rearview mirror, a silent promise to herself that she would unravel the mystery of the girl and her haunting smile once they arrived at Seabrook.