Love in the eternal night

Love in the eternal night.


      A sudden darkness enclosed the girl who was walking through a forest. Night was fast approaching  when she first enter, she figured she would chance the wooded area in order to pass through before it was dark, for night would have completely set should the girl took to the roads the circled around.  However as she walked through it got darker faster then it should and she wasn't sure, but it seemed darker then she ever knew night to get.  All things aside she was glad she was wearing her padded black dress she usual reserved for the winter months, even for the fall season it was unreasonable cold and foggy, the dress, red scarf and the black hat were a slight relief in the short cut gone wrong. She looked the sky through a patch in the canopy of dreadful looking trees, hoping to get an idea of the time. "Well, Carla. You've got yourself in a tough situation; the moon is high in the sky." She talked to herself. She took a double take because as she lowered her head a cloud blocking most of the moon had move away. "Odd, it's not supposed to be a full moon tonight." She sighed and added the thought to the list of things that seem wrong.
    Occasional the normal noises the plagued the night came, owls hooting, rustles of leaves and branches as animal scurried away, and the distant howling of a wolf. There were also unusual noised that didn't seem to belong or if they did it was news to Carla, most unnatural thing she couldn't imagine what could make such noises, a strange moan of something unimaginable followed by a sounds of something dragging, and sometimes rubbing together making a non-metallic clinking. There was one sound though that stood out despite how out of place it was. 'shh-crackkkkk' it would go then one of the many other sounds faded.
    Carla continued through the forest, ignoring the sounds as much as possible.  She had a feeling no matter how far she ran or walk, she never moved far, but there was no way she was wandering in a circle she made sure to travel straight aside from moving around trees.  After a while wandering the endless forest she finally saw a sign that she wasn't traveling in a circle, through an opening in the trees she saw silhouetted in the night sky a castle. As odd as it was it was clearly not in a state of ruin. There might be someone there; she might have a refuge from the night and maybe a guide out of the forest. Despite the situation a small little idea popped in here head, maybe a knight that would love and protect her. Even without the fantasies the castle seemed a good idea, she turned away from her path and headed for the castle.
    As the castle slow became more physical looking, so did the eerie noises get closer and louder, but there always was that one that silenced the others. Carla grew found of the noise.  She grew so intent on listening for that crack of a noise; she wasn't really paying attention to her surroundings. She surely tripped over something. Her hat fell a few feet in front of her. It was rather windy so first thought on her mind was to grab it before I blew away.  As her hand was an inch away from grabbing it the hat moved. It wasn't blown away, it moved straight up, the ground it was moving as if something was coming pushing out. She saw what it was and finally found what the non-metallic click was from. Staring into her eyes were an empty hollows of a human skull and it still rose up clanking. "AHHHHHHHHH!" Carla instinctively yelled seeing the skeleton standing tall and walking towards her as she crawled backwards away.  "shhhh-CRACK!" something flashed passed her eyes and seemed to hit the skeleton, but it still stood. "shhh-CRRACK" again with more force and the bones fell apart and to the ground. Carla looked around panicked trying to find what happened and the source of the cracking noise.  "Well you surely aren't dead, or undead, and they don't seem too found of you so?" a man's voice came from where the skeleton was.  "Are you okay?" she looked to see a man standing in front of her with his hand stretched out to help her.  Looking him over, he was handsome, a tall muscular man, long black hair, and he wore a black leather vest over a grey shirt and long grey coat that tailed behind him, but not quite touching the ground. He had shoulder guards and leather pants, and long leather boots. Not typical knightly colors but the appearance otherwise matched the position. Carla grabbed his hand and was helped to her feet. She noticed as she stood up in his other hand wasn't just her hat, but a brown leather whip, old looking, but tightly bound, it was tainted black the closer it got to the point of the whip. What ever it was or came from, Carla was sure she didn't want to know.
       "Thank you," Carla curtseyed, not knowing any better way to greet some who saved her life. "Are you a knight from the castle?" she asked. "Knight, I've been called a lot of things, but this is the first time I heard that. But I'm not from the castle, which is good for you." She handed her the hat, which was promptly placed back on her head. "Oh and why would that be, mister…" She smiled as she asked. "Trevor Belmont, Vampire hunter. And that particular castle is none other then the infamous Castle Dracula, home of course of Dracula lord of vampires."  Carla just blinked in shock; he didn't look to be joking. "So how'd one such as you end up in the mystical woods of Castlevania let alone it's cemetery? Miss…"  Trevor said in thought more then asking her. "Carla… I just walked into the forest and ended up here…" she was too scared to ask why it seemed odd. "So you were pulled in to this realm, you are wanted here and I doubt he will let you leave. I might not be able to get you out then and I can't just leave you alone here." He sighed until I find a safe place for you, stay by my side. And don't get in my way or run away from me." He said firmly.  
    "You know I would think a terrified woman, would be more clingy then just simply holding my hand, it's more like we are lovers." Trevor laughed as they walked hand in hand; it had been a while since the last monster. "Yeah, it is" Carl said softly. At least it was dark and he couldn't see her blushing.  "Don't worry it's alright if you want to get closer, I'll protect you with my life." Trevor said and soon regretted as Carla hugged him so tightly he couldn't move. "Not so tight, not so tight." He gasped prying the girl loose. "Sorry, couldn't help myself" Carla said. Trevor, still thinking she was just being, scared shrugged it off. "It's alright," he said as Carla settle for only wrapping their arms together. The two walk cautiously through the fog ridden woods, Carla tried hiding her excitement, but was a bit jumpy.  "You must either be really scared or cold you're shivering quite badly." Trevor said. "I'm not scared, I have you," she said calmly. "What a brave woman you are, Trusting a stranger, but I guess I save you once already." Trevor said taking off the grey coat. "here to keep you warm," Trevor trying to hold it open so she could slip right in stood in shock as she quickly grabbed it and put it on and hugging it tightly. "Thank you, thank you," she said smiling happily. "My pleasure." Trevor gave a slight bow.
    They ran into a few monsters on the way to the castles, zombies, skeletons, harpies, even a giant eyeball. Watching Trevor defeat them only encouraged Carla to like him more and more. Trevor himself was impressed how little Carla squirmed when they appeared, though in secret she barely noticed until Trevor attacked them or one of them grabbed her or Trevor, they eyeball was a bit creepy though.  They came to a draw bridge lowered as if welcoming the brave few who made it that far to enter. "Well the castle is ahead, I'll find a safe room for you to stay in, and then go find Dracula or whoever wants you so badly." Trevor said as he stepped on the bridge. Carla followed. "No," she said outright. "Don't worry, the room will be safe, there are many rooms where monsters can't enter or get near, not even the greater servants can get to them. They were enchanted, weather by Dracula himself for when his wife lived, or by old vampire hunters as safe havens, I have no idea, but I have rested myself in several of them." Trevor said to encourage her but didn't work, but he was arguing a point that had little to do with the situation at least from Carla's view. "I'm not scared." She said turning her head. "Oh really, then why? I can't take you out of the forest if that's it." He said as they stepped of the draw bridge. It suddenly started to rise stranding them in the castle. The conversation stop for a moment as this went on.
    "Even to prove my point, I can't even try now," Trevor turned and walked not letting Carla speak. "That's not it," she said a few times but Trevor didn't seem to notice, well he did, but he was interpreting it as she didn't want to admit she was scared.  It wasn't until they crossed the courtyard and pushed open the main gate to the castle. "I'll need to carry you, a bit. For what ever reason, Dracula doesn't believe in stairs that go to the next level, I have to jump it, and I don't think you could jump as high and far." Trevor lifted Carla up, not wanting to hear her complain, but to his surprise she didn't struggle. Carla rather liked it, all the more reason she didn't want to be ditched in a room.  Trevor jumped up a few flights of stairs, narrowly dodging the stream of bones tossed by skeletons at the top, there were no apparent loss of bones from their body, but if they were undead, already their existence boggled the mind.
  After many stairs, hallways, monster and unheeded protests from Carla, Trevor managed to find a room that was safe.  "Here we go, and it even has a bed and chair. You can sleep, but the sun won't come in the morning, not here at least. I'll be back for you, when I'm done or to check in," Trevor laid her on the bed and turned. Carla sat up and grabbed his arm. "No, I don't want to you to leave me." She said defiantly and with more force then Trevor expected.  "You'll be safe if you stay in the room." He said trying to pull away.  Carla held tight. "Let me go." He said. "I'm not afraid to be here. I want to stay with you." She stood up.  "Why?" he asked confused. Instead of answering with words she got on her toes to reach up and kissed him.  "Ohh…" Trevor said in shock after being released.  Not thinking off it until now, he got a good look at Carla in the light.  Oddly enough his jacket was good on her. "You are a good looking lady," Trevor said out loud by accident.  'thank you for finally noticing, but I want to stay with you." She said. "I don't think it's wise still." Trevor said, but made no turn for the door. "I don't care, I want you and if you want me to stay in this room, you'll stay in this room."  Carla stamped her feet. Trevor thought for a moment. "Taking you is out of the question…" he said with a sigh. "Guess I'll have to stay." He sat on the bed. "Maybe we get lucky and another vampire hunter might show up and take care of things for us..."  Carla overpowered by joy, pounced on top of him screaming, "Your mine."
    After Carla calmed down and a barrage of squishing and kissing, the two got to talk of each other, and flirted.  "You're very cute, even with my jacket." Trevor said. "Do I look tough like you," Carla asked posing and positioning he hat. Trevor looked her over. "A little, "he said.  "Ah… let me hold the whip maybe that'll do it." Trevor shook his head and immediately said "NO."  Why not?" Carla asked pouting. "For one thing the whip will be overkill; you already scare me enough then to give you a weapon. You might not look as tough as me, but you nearly squeezed me to death." Trevor said then laughed. "It's not that funny," Carla said.  She sat down next to Trevor who immediately put an arm around her. "If we weren't stuck in a vampire's castle I would take you somewhere, but got to make due for now."  Trevor rubbed her back. "Feels so good." Carla said as if she didn't hear a word he said.  She laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. She slowly drifted into a slumber. It took a bit before Trevor realized she had fallen asleep, but when he did he laid he down on the bed. "Looking at her, kind of makes me forget of the dangers on the other side of the door."  He bent over and gave kiss on her forehead. "We'll meet again."
    Carla woke up at the edge of the forest where she had entered it the night before, the sun had risen and was nearing noon. She wondered if it was all a dream and she had fallen asleep on the road, but wrapped around her shoulders was Trevor's jacket.  She looked over it carefully, not sure to be happy, angry or just confused. She found a note in a pocket. She read it:
'Carla    
    sorry, I left you, but all is well now Dracula once again sleeps, but I must go for a bit, I'll come see you when I can, take care of my jacket.
   ~Trevor Belmont.
    Carla was excited she'll get to see him again, she was positive he would come. She walked along the road, half tempted to go back in the forest to see if she could get rescued again.  As she walked she heard a rustling in the trees, and caught a glimpse of grey move between branches.  She smiled and continued.

The End. For now at least.