Black and White chapt 6

Crystel and Isaac spent the rest of the night cold, wet and very unhappy cramped inside a rotting tree stump. At first when Isaac had suggested it, Crystel had refused, but after too long of searching for anywhere else dry to sleep, they both realized that it was pretty much the only option.1

When they finally did get situated in the dark dirty stump, Crystel felt as though she only had time to blink before Isaac was shaking her awake, and she had to get walking again. The next hour or so afterward was just a blur. The whole time Crystel was hazy with exhaustion. But much to Crystel and Isaac’s relief, they reached a small town very soon, and when they did the two of them walked straight to the closest Nuse inn.2

As they approached the door step, Isaac turned around and looked at Crystel, “Listen Crystel, We are probably going to stay the rest of the day here and the night, you can do whatever, but remember, you are Sarah McDover, not Crystel White.”3

Crystel nodded, and he knocked on the door. Moments later it was answered by a very tall, broad, friendly looking man.4

He looked down at the two tired travelers, “How can I help you two?” he asked.5

Isaac reached into his pocket and pulled out two gold coins, we’d like a room for tonight and some breakfast.”6

The man took the two old coins, staring at them with surprise. “Yes sir,” he said. He let the two in, then turned around, “Joanna!” He yelled, “Make our guests some breakfast.” He turned to Crystel, “Your room is upstairs, first door to the left,” he said, and without waiting for Isaac, she headed up to where he had directed her and closed the door. Immediately, she changed out of her dirty blouse and skirt and slipped into a black dress Isaac had packed her. Then, she turned around and flopped down into the soft bed, and before she had the chance to sink into the mattress, she had fallen asleep.7

* * * * * * * * * * * * 8

Crystel woke up a few hours later, stomach growling. She sat up, feeling much more refreshed then she had in a long time. Crystel was about to get up to get breakfast when suddenly her door swung open, and Isaac stormed in. “We’re leaving!” He said with so much hostility Crystel shivered.9

“Leaving?” Crystel asked, startled, “Why? We just got here!”10

“Because, there’s a goblin here! I’m not staying in a town that has a goblin roaming the streets.”11

“But I don’t want to go!” She said defensively, “I’m tired, and we probably need to get some supplies. Like matches maybe, that’ll at least keep us warm at night. Did you pack matches?” Isaac solemnly shook his head, “see? Apparently neither of us knew what we were going into before, and now that we know. Maybe we can gear up properly. We can’t just act on impulse like that.”12

` “I don’t think you understood me!” He said louder than necessary, “There is a goblin in this town.”13

“But if there’s only one…” Crystel started.14

“It doesn’t matter if there is one or one hundred Crystel,” Isaac Growled, “A goblins is a goblin.”15

“What’s wrong with goblins anyway?” Crystel asked, “I really don’t want to go Isaac! They can’t be that bad!”16

“Oh, they are,” Isaac said in a deep growling voice, “They’re worse then bad. If you were to meet one you would know.”17

Crystel was surprised by the amount of hate that filled her voice, “Why?” She asked.18

“It’s impossible to put into words,” He said scowling angrily, “I’ll just say they are cruel, sick and worse then anything that has ever walked this earth. They do things even the devil himself wouldn’t do.”19

Crystel looked at him wide-eyed, trying hard to push the uneasiness out of her chest, “well then,” she said nervously, You don’t have to leave the inn, but I still say we stay unless it actually does something. It has no reason to do anything to us.”20

“No.” He said shortly, “We are leaving.”21

“O.k., then you can go ahead to the witch’s castle. I guess I’ll catch up with you later then, because I am not leaving, and I am going to buy supplies.” She held out her hand, “I need money in order to do that.”22

Isaac glared at her, and she could feel the hatred surrounding him. “Fine,” He said, “you win, I guess.” And he handed over some money.23

She looked at him sulking, and began to feel guilty, “look, Isaac, I’m sorry Ok? I don’t know what it is you have against goblins, but you don’t have to leave the inn, and I’ll be back soon. It won’t make any difference to you. If it makes you feel any better, if any thing even remotely suspicious happens, I’ll run away or hide.”24

Isaac didn’t say anything. So soon, Crystel decided to just grab some breakfast and go. 25

When she finally did get out the door, the first thing she noticed was that the streets were completely bare. This made Crystel uneasy, but seeing a store that was open, gave her the confidence to step away from the inn. She walked through the empty streets, and tried to think of something they needed that she should get first. Matches, she decided were first priority. She couldn’t believe Isaac didn’t pack any, but then, she didn’t think of it either. 26

Crystel looked around at the shops surrounding her, and wondered which one she should go into next when suddenly a shrill screeched broke the silence the town had. Crystel jumped at the sudden noise. In the near distance, Crystel heard the sound of kids, running, then a door slam. 27

Crystel was about to turn and go back to the inn, when she realized the shrill sound of a woman screaming was beginning to get closer, and she did not have time to run back. So, suddenly wishing she had listened to Isaac and left, she jumped into some bushes to hide.28

She landed in a horribly uncomfortable position, in a bunch of thorns. But she could tell that she was well out of eyeshot from any one unless they poked their head above the bushes and looked on purpose. Not a moment after she did jump in, although, She saw in a space between the bushes and the building they were next to, a huge green creature with large green eyes, no hair, pointed ears and a nose almost to big for him.29

She stared at him a moment, barely being able to register the strange sight, ‘this must be the goblin,’ she thought nervously.30

Suddenly behind him followed a shriveled old lady with skin about twenty sizes to big for her. Her was risen above her head and in an earsplitting voice, she shreiked, “A GOBLIN!!!!! OH! IT’S A GOBLIN!!!RUN MY BABIES! MY DEAR GRANDBABIES! MY WEASELS! MY PETS! RUN AWAY FROM THIS BEASTLY CREATURE!! WHILE GRANNY HOLDS HIM OFF!! OH! THE HORROR!!!”31

All the while Crystel saw her bringing her cane down upon the goblins back, resulting in a completely pathetic smack. The goblin meanwhile looked as though he was using every ounce of self control within him to keep from hitting something, “stop screaming me you old bat.” He muttered through his teeth as he continued to walk away from her.32

Then, yet another person came out with a horribly white face and knees knocking together so hard, Crystel was amazed he was still standing. “Mom” He half whispered half yelled. He crept over to the old women nervously, flinching at every shriek she let out, “OH!!! MY BABY!!! MY DEAR SON!! RUN AWAY! RUNN AWAY! MOMMY’S GOT IT!” She screamed, hitting him with the cane again.33

The white faced man glanced nervously at the goblins back as though hoping that he had not heard his mother’s screams, he grabbed her by the wrist then tossed a bag at his feet, and pulled his shrieking mother away.34

The goblin looked down at the bag at his feet and sighed, picking it up he turned around, “I don’t want your money!” He called out, but when no one returned the goblin sighed and stuck it in his pocket, “waste not, want not,” he muttered, “idiots.” And he began to walk away. 35

A few minutes passed, and the streets seemed silent again. Crystel felt relief wash over her, and she began to get up and out of the bushes. But as she struggled to get up from her horribly uncomfortable position she soon realized that it was not only uncomfortable, she was also very stuck.36

After a while, Crystel gave up. “Help!” She cried, “Help! I’m stuck!!”37

She listened for someone coming, but when she heard nothing, she struggles to get up again, “HELP!!!” she called louder, “I NEED HELP!” this time she heard someone approaching, so she struggled around some more to try and show them where it was she was stuck. But the Creature that stuck his head over the bushes was not someone whom Crystel expected, for it was the great green head that she saw above her. Her eyes widened, but she was surprised when she was merely startled, not scared of its appearance.38

“You stuck lass?” he asked.39

Crystel’s eyes widened more if possible at the unexpected accent, and at loss of words, nodded.40

He reached down, and taking her hand in his giant one, he pulled her up with ease. Soon, the two were standing, Crystel looking up at him with interest, him looking down at her. After a moment of awkward silence, the goblin began to turn around, “So there you are then…” he said, “best be going.” He turned around, and began to walk quickly away.41

Crystel watched him go, when suddenly, an overwhelming curiosity washed over her, and without realizing it, she started after her, “wait!” She called.42

He turned around, and Crystel caught up with him, “thank you or saving me.” She said cheerfully.43

“Your welcome,” He answered.44

“What’s your name?” Crystel asked.45

“… Jeff.” He answered, “Yours?”46

“Crystel Whit-” She slammed her hands over her mouth, as is eyebrows raised “SARAH!” She yelled, “I meant Sarah! That’s my name! Sarah McDover! My name isn’t Crystel White!” Her eyes widened as amusement stuck onto his face, her heart began to race, “l-look,” She said, eyes beginning to tear up, “P-please don’t kill me! I’m just an idiot! Ok! Just, forget I was here! Don’t tell anyone!”47

“Ok.” Jeff said simply as he began to leave, Crystel watched him go, body trembling; she knew what was going to happen. He was going to go tell the witch, and everything would be over for her. And only on her second day too! But… Crystel thought a moment. There were supposed to be two people in the prophecy, one to protect her, one to try and kill her. Isaac of course was the one who was protecting her. What if this guy was supposed to be the one who tries to kill her? Then it wouldn’t matter. She would be able to tell who the good guy was and who the bad guy was. That would make her job a lot easier, along with Isaac’s because there would be no question for her who to hide behind. 48

Crystel smiled, “Wait!” She yelled, running after the distant goblin.49

Jeff kept going, feeling horribly confused by this girl’s persistence to talk to him. He didn’t like it. Every word she said made his heart jump, he ignored her second call, pretending that he didn’t hear her, but as she called him for the third time he realized that he didn’t even want to leave, and he stopped and turned around, just to look at her pretty, if not a little pale face again.50

“I’m sorry,” She said, “I was rude, yes, my name really is Crystel White, you got me. But it’s those kinds of slips that I need a protector for. You see, a while ago, I made the same mistake, and now my partner is trying to kill me! I need a big strong goblin to protect me. Do you want to come with me?”51

She smiled at him, and Jeff felt a strange melty feeling fill his heart. Of course he knew she wasn’t telling the truth. She wasn’t really expecting him to protect her but… such a pretty girl…52

Jeff didn’t say anything; he couldn’t say anything so he just curtly nodded in reply.53

Crystel smiled as brightly as she could at him, “Great!” She exclaimed, “Meet me and Isaac at the inn at sunrise! See you then!” and with that she left him standing there so she could go find some matches.54