[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

"Now, before she finds us - the eye has already seen this place!" panicked Mick, flying around Shaya's head. She quickly began to run again, away from the treeline and towards the safety of the nearest village. She hoped the Magistrey - or whatever it was that was following them - would have given up.

"Which way Mick?" she panted, racing through the outskirts of the village, desperately trying to find her way to the inn. "This way!" he called out confidently, racing ahead as far as possible in order to guide her.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

As they neared the inn, a haunting, cackling noise burst out through the darkness. "You got away this time dearie; be warned, next time I might remember to shut the door!" squawked the voice of the old Magistrey, echoing through the night.

Shaya doubled her efforts, and with a last push they crashed through the inn door and raced up to their rented room. "Quick" called Mick, "Seal the windows! Place a Granliik bulb on the window to ward off the dead!"

Shaya was almost to tired to react, but she couldn't suppress a giggle. "Then what will happen to you?"

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Mick paused his panicked zoom around the room to sniff at her. "I'll be fine; I'm already haunting you, remember? Just get to it before she finds us again."

Shaya groaned, but got up and did as she was told anyway. The sooner this was all over, the sooner she could relax. She had no doubt Mick would have them on the first coach away in the morning.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

"Ok, so the windows and door are locked and sealed, there's a Granliik bulb on the sill and the floor, and the owner downstairs thinks I'm crazy for asking for both of them. Is there anything else I need to do?" Shaya giggled nervously; her heart was still racing, but the thought of the innkeeper's mystified look when she had requested the bulbs was too much for her. They had thought she was odd before, with her habit of talking to herself (they could not see Mick) but this clearly took the cake.

"We should be okay for now" Mick said, still jittery. "Pack your things and sleep in your clothes; I want us out of here at dawn."

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Shaya snickered; predictable as ever, she thought, but she did as she was told. In truth, she couldn't wait to get out of there either.

Once she had finished throwing her belongings in the suitcase, she lay on the bed. "Wake me up if anything happens, yeah?" she asked, yawning slightly.

"You know I will, now sleep - we're out of here early" Mick said. He would keep watch as he always did when she slept.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Shaya tossed and turned through the night. Visions of rotting, twisted hags gave rise to nightmares, and she called out for Mick in her sleep.

Mick called to her softly, and lulled her into calmness as best he could. It was difficult, however, given how unsettled they both were. The sooner we leave, the better, he thought.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Morning came, as morning does, and brought with it a creeping grey mist which filled the town and made everything seem eerie. Shaya awoke, feeling as though she had never gone to sleep, and packed the bulbs in her belongings - 'just in case' - as Mick had suggested.

Mick, being a ghost, did not sleep, but he too felt drained by the experience. He would be glad to get out of here - it didn't matter where they went, as long as it wasn't another Forest. "Come on; let's get downstairs and settle the bill before the coach arrives" he said, checking that they hadn't left anything behind.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Shaya paid the bill, noticing with some amusement that they had indeed charged her for the Granliik bulbs. Its just as well I'm taking them with me she thought to herself; at least I'll get some more use out of them. Next to her, Mick anxiously zoomed about keeping an eye on the time and waiting for the morning coach to arrive.

At last, arrive it did, and Shaya and Mick locked themselves securely inside it with their bags on the other bench. The coachman had assured them that there were no other passengers, and he would not be stopping until nightfall.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

It came as some surprise, however, when the man stopped outside of a large fortress and another passenger got on board. Shaya stiffened, and moved to sit with her luggage, whilst Mick pondered the familiarity of the man.

The Batti - tremendous for his species, almost six foot tall - waited until the coach had begun to move before he said anything.

"Good evening; I shall not be disturbing you long." The man tilted his chin downwards slightly, as though to look at her more intensely. "It has come to my attention that you have recently had an experience with the undead."

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Shaya was shocked; how could anyone know about- well, anything, considering Mick was beside her and technically she was having an experience with the undead all of the time. She merely raised her eyebrows, however, and waited for the man to continue speaking.

"These things are not as unusual as some might think; I believe your friend there can attest to that." The man stared directly at where Mick was hovering, pausing to let his words sink in before he spoke again. "However, there are some things that are an abberation - such as that which you encountered in the Forest, and which follows you still."

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Shaya began to tremble. How was it possible that that - thing - from the night before was following them, through broad daylight no less!

"She will work the mists, and will seek you as long as you run. Eventually you will be drawn back to her lair and either you will vanquish her, or like many before you, you will succumb and be devoured, forced to dwell as nothing more than bones until she has use of you."

The man leaned towards Shaya and Mick slightly; "I can prepare you for that encounter, and I am offering to do so. That abomination has claimed too many to be allowed to dwell in peace."

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

The man leaned back again, towards the back of the seat. "If you choose to accept my offer, you will be provided with training, equipment and protection until such time as you are drawn to face the inevitable conclusion of this matter. You are free to decline, however, but know that by doing so you will bring your fate much closer - she will hunt you, then ensnare you, then finally consume you, and you will not realise until it is too late."

Shaya shivered, and glanced at Mick who - for once - was incredibly calm and at ease.

"You always were too dramatic, Drake - you should have just offered her the help" Mick stated haughtily.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

What? Thought Shaya, now frowning; if Mick knew this man, why had he not said anything yet? And who was this man anyway, who knew about her goings-on and could see the dead?

Mick shook his head, and sighed; clearly this was going to be one of those mornings.

"Shaya, this is Drake Van Gelsing - Paranormal specialist, and over 700 years old. Tell me Drake, how long was it since the last time you fed on a sentient being?"

"Seven Hundred and Seventy-Two years, Mick - and not a day less!" the man replied cheerfully, completely at odds with his former severity.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

"Yes, well, that's wonderful - good to see you're still on the bandwagon. Mind telling us how you knew of our little excapade the other day?" Mick grouched, clearly not impressed with Drake.

"Let's just say I have 'eyes' everywhere" the man grinned at his own joke, but Shaya didn't find it at all funny. She was starting to feel very uncomfortable in his presence, and the gleaming fangs which appeared when he smiled did nothing to set her at ease.

"Mick, was he telling the truth about the danger, or is he just here to wind us up?" she asked, irritated at the intrusion.

[ToxxicRenegadeAngel]

Mick sighed, and Shaya glared at him. "Unfortunately, he's telling the truth. Drake never messes about when it concerns the undead - he's made his, well, living out of them and takes it very seriously." He turned to Drake, and asked "how far behind us is she?"

"About two days, and gaining all the time - we let  the coach through to shorten your journey, and have diverted it through safer routes than those originally planned." He smiled, and turned to face her. "You're always welcome to join us at the castle; we can provide food, warmth, help - bathing facilities."