Gods And Monsters

Chapter Twenty-one:

The sun vanished below the horizon, painting the sky in moody hues of bruised purple, indigo and ink black.

Meanwhile, below surface level, the underground bedchamber of Spike's crypt was dimly cast in  warm, amber candlelight. Her back propped up against the headboard, Hel glanced sideways at Spike, who had fallen into a deep sleep around ten o'clock. She thought back to the day before before. The two of them had talked until sunset, swapping stories from their past.

She sighed. Boredom got the better of her, and she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Silently, Hel slipped away, so as not to disturb his peace.

She snatched up a dark blue button-up of his from the oak chair in front of a matching desk, both of which were tucked into the far corner of the room. Donning his shirt and fastening the buttons, she crossed the room.

The soles of her black, borrowed converse sneakers made not a sound against the packed earth floor.

She scaled the ladder rungs and emerged on the upper level. Starting for the door, Hel yanked it wide open. At first, she thought it odd that he wouldn't lock it, especially in a town located directly above the Hellmouth.

But then she realised that as a vampire, there wasn't much for him to fear. Demons came out at night, and so did he, therefore he would be capable of defending himself should an intruder enter.

Although the cold barely affected her, she was grateful for the second layer of comfort his shirt provided against the cool night air while wandering amongst the headstones. It wasn't long before Hel found herself crossing the threshold of a dense thicket.

Towering, barren trees crowded her. Their branches intertwined like gnarled fingers, lacing a canopy above her.

She felt an eerie sense of foreboding, as if the thick trunks were prison bars and ever-watchful eyes peered out at her from the dark. Snapping forest floor debris crunched close behind her. Spinning around, she scanned the shadows for movement.

"Show yourself." She commanded calmly.

The bushes rustled, parting for the creature that crept from their midst.

It was a magnificent beast. Akin to a wolf in shape and nature, it had a thick, sleek coat of charcoal and large eyes that shone a fierce silver. Padding over to her, the beast bent her knees and bowed respectively. She was built like a true warrior, strong and hulking. At full height, her nose was parallel with the crest of her mistress's shoulders.

Hel knelt before her. Outstretching a confident hand, she placed it atop her head. She stroked her fur and felt the softness between her fingers. "Hello, old friend." She gazed into the round, moonstone depths of her wise eyes. They scrutinised her in return.

Sighing contentedly, Hel rested her forehead against her hound's broad shoulder. "It has been far too long." She continued gently stroking the slope of her warm, fluffy neck.

The creature uttered a low whimper and straightened, turning to face an opening in the tree line.

Hel stood, frowning. "What is it?" She followed close behind as her friend guided her between the ancient archway of tree trunks and entangled branches, brushing aside foliage that crossed her path. "What do you see?"

Twigs and leaves prickled the bare skin of her hands, throat, and face. The hairs on her arms and the nape of her neck stood on end, goosebumps dotting the chilled flesh beneath her two shirts and baggy sweatpants. It was so very dark, nearly pitch. The unbeaten trail which lay before her was lit only by the pale moonlight that trickled from from the night sky above and down to the forest floor.

No more than a few moments passed before the wooded thicket began to thin. Her guide breached the border first, and Hel did not hesitate to follow suit. An expansive clearing stretched outward on either side of them, a circular field of overgrown grasses that swayed softly against her knees. 

The ivory orb of a full moon hung high above the tree line, shimmering across the glassy surface of a small lake at the very centre of the field and kissing every leaf, rock, and blade of grass. Stars peppered the darkness, scattered crystal dust. There was an air of enigma accompanying her surroundings, an ethereal whisper of something unearthly having touched them quite recently.

She was led to the circumference of the lake, whereupon she promptly dropped to a low crouch. She peered into the darkness. It was impossible to determine the depth, given the iridescent onyx of the water.

However, a beacon shone from the very bottom of the lake, a pale orb akin to the light of the moon.

Without a second thought, Hel yanked her sweatpants down to her ankles. Stepping out of the legs and kicking them aside, she started on the buttons of Spike's navy blue shirt. She then stripped it right off.

Discarding the shirt, she began unlacing her black Converse trainers. Once they were off, along with her socks, Hel tossed them over to join her other clothing and approached the water's edge. The earth felt clammy beneath her naked soles. She glanced sidelong at her hound, whose return stare was confirmation enough for the unspoken question communicated between them.

The frigid water lapped against her shins and nipped at her toes as she stepped into the shallow end. The chill bit her exposed skin. Wading in until she was submerged to her shoulders, she took a deep breath, tightly screwed her eyes shut, and dunked her head deep under.

Hel ignored the numbing cold, reopening her eyes. Gazing into the murky, green-tinted abyss and facing downward, she propelled herself further into the dark.