Discover L (Book 2) | Editing |

~~ Ready, Set, No ~~

"It doesn't matter, it won't get the better of me, not this time."

"Wanna tell us what you know so we're not going in blind?" Nyla said, her voice low, her eyes watching every inch of the town.

Bryce peered at the two of them, he seemed to be struggling internally for a moment. L got the feeling he'd suggest they both turn back if he thought they'd actually listen.

"It doesn't have a name, at least not one anyone knows. I call it the Puppeteer, it's an evil, vindictive monstrosity that uses its darkness to control its victims; using them to do its bidding, or just for its own amusement. I don't know how it does what it does and there's no known way of stopping it, but I plan to change that."

His voice was so forceful, so emotionally charged, L could tell this was personal for him. She wanted to ask why but when his eyes darted to Nyla, who was busy staring sympathetically down at the townspeople, L knew better.

"Let's go stop this thing then, together." L said in her own forceful voice, placing a hand on his arm and squeezing reassuringly.

Bryce smiled sadly down at her, "I'd rather you ran as far away from this as possible, but I know that won't happen." He sighed heavily, "Okay, let's do it. But be careful, being Supernatural doesn't stop its abilities."

L wondered, as they crept down from the roof, stowed their bags and headed into town, just how they were going to stop a Demon that could control them. Would it be able to control her, a Keeper? Considering the lack of knowledge she held on it, she assumed that meant no Keeper had managed to encounter this thing and lived to talk about it.

"Don't let any of them see you, they'll alert the Demon." Bryce's words roused L from her thoughts.

They had reached a path that intersected with the main road, the silence of the town was deafening. No wildlife made itself known, the only noise that could be heard was the synchronised footsteps of the people mindlessly moving along.

"How will we find this creature though?" Nyla asked.

She'd partially transformed while they'd been walking, she was armed with fangs and claws, she looked ready for a fight. L wasn't sure what kind of fight they could expect, nor what precautions she herself should take. She didn't want to hurt any of the townspeople but she also knew not fighting wouldn't help any of them. She decided magic would be her best bet, for now.

"Oh, you'll know its dwelling when you see it." Bryce whispered, his tone curt.

Nyla exchanged a look with L, they shared a shrug and silently agreed to follow him without anymore questions. L knew Robbie was getting a full account of what was happening. They'd managed to fine tune the link over the previous weeks, they knew how to keep the other out of thoughts they didn't need to be involved in. He knew what they were doing and how they were, and he'd be there if and when they needed him.

Bryce led them deeper into the town, weaving through streets and hiding from people. Several streets later, down a fenced ginnel, L was about to ask what they were looking for when Bryce held up a hand. He was a few steps in front of them, they could see a gap in the fence and Bryce visibly shudder. L and Nyla stepped forward to join him and L had to put a hand over Nyla's mouth to keep her from gasping out loud.

In front of them stood a house, similar to the others in every way except it was shrouded in a black mist, swirling and undulating menacingly. However, it was the scene outside of the front door that caused their horrified reactions. Multiple people had been twisted and mutilated, though they were very much alive, and made into a grotesque archway. Their bodies set into unnatural angles, and there was no sign of how they were staying up.