Legends Four

Chapter Four

“How did you get in here?” roared Ivy.

“I’m Ben Savo. Father Donovan let me in.”

“Father Donovan? How do you know him?”

“It’s a long story, but he said that you could help me.”

“How do I know you’re telling the truth? You have thirty seconds to prove that Father Donovan sent you.”

“He told me that Samantha Karcon introduced you two a year after the Karcon parents death.”

“Anyone could find that out.”

“Your dog’s name is Mars ” Ivy’s grip loosened a little bit but she didn’t pull the gun away from the back of his head. Ivy turned her eyes to Mars and whistled to him. The dog trotted over to her contently.

“You let him in here?” she said looking down at the animal. “Some guard dog you turned out to be.” Mars barked. “Turn around Savo.” she said taking a few steps away. Ben turned slowly to face her. His expression was calm, but his eyes were lifeless.

“I need your help.” Ivy pulled her arm down then brushed passed him. She rushed into her room and pulled out three suitcases.

Ben followed close behind watching her work. What was he suppose to say? Was he suppose to say anything else at all. To him it seemed Ivy was a very self absorbed person. She didn’t seem to want to help him. He began to doubt Father Don’s decision in taking him to see her.

Ivy ignored him as she pulled everything together. In one suitcase she placed all her clothes, the only two pair of shoes she owned besides the ones on her feet, a brush, and some books she had been writing in. She flung open the second suitcase putting all her ammo, guns, knives and stakes inside. She drug the cases out to the living room then rushed into the kitchen. In the final suitcase she placed a large brown box.

She opened her fridge. Inside were three separate pints of blood. Gently placing them in the brown box covering what laid underneath she zipped up the last case.

“I need your help.” he said again.

“I know that.” said Ivy looking up at him. She pulled her black curls into a ponytail as she walked back to the living room. “But I can’t do anything if you don’t open your mouth and tell me what it is you need from me. Though I assume it has something to do with the sleeping girl on my sofa.”

“Mia, my sister. She was bitten by a werewolf last night. It had been waiting in our home. I . . . I didn’t see it till after I had shut the door.” Ivy stood up straight. She looked Ben up and down quickly. Going into the bathroom she got a damp cloth to put on Mia’s head. She bent over the little girl and brushed her cheek gently.

“Why are you unhurt?” questioned Ivy.

“I’m not.” said Ben raising his shirt. There are a massive bruise on his left side. Ivy walked up to him. Pressing on it she watched him wince slightly. “You need a doctor. Why don’t you just take her to a hospital?”

“I can’t. There isn’t enough time.” Ben slammed a fist on the wall.

“HEY Did I break into your house unwanted? Did I start smashing my fist against walls to draw unwanted attention? I don’t think so. So cool it or the only way you’ll draw attention is by having no hands.” Ben’s body tensed up but he said nothing. “Look, it ain’t like she’s dying. She’s just becoming a werewolf. Take her to the hospital in a few days. They can give her the cure.”

“I need help now. We aren’t talking about some animal. We’re talking about an innocent little girl.”

“There is no such thing as an innocent person. Look I’m sorry . . . Ben is it but I have things to do. I can take you to some other slayers that will help. I’m busy for the next three days. I can’t be bothered by you or anyone else. Get your sister off the couch.” Ben grabbed Mia quickly. He placed her on the ground next to Mars.

Ben followed Ivy as she went back into her room. Grabbing her by the arms he shoved her up against a wall. A loud thud echoed as her head made contact with wood.

“If you don’t help me, I’ll let the vampires know everything I’ve learned tonight.” Ivy kneed him then kicked him backwards.

“Don’t touch me. Let’s get one thing straight.” She said kicking him again. He flew back into a wall. “I could kill you before you even made it to the door. I don’t like threats. I won’t do what you want because of a threat. Now I think it’s time for you to leave.”

“I need help.” coughed Ben standing up. He clutched his stomach staring at the woman. “Father Donovan specifically sent me to you. You can’t leave without helping me.” Ivy ignored him as she started to push the dresser out of the room. Ben shouted over the screeching of the dresser’s feet. “Haven’t you ever a lost a family member to the werewolves or vampires?” Ivy stopped moving. Ben smiled to himself. He knew he had said something to finally get her attention. “You’re a slayer. You are suppose to help those who need it. So why won’t you help me now?” Ivy turned to face him. She folded her arms tapping her foot on the floor. Thought after thought flew to her mind. In a matter of seconds she made her choice.

“If you want my help you’ll have to come with me. I’m leaving town tonight.”

“Thank you.” said Ben stepping forward holding out a hand. Ivy sneered at him returning to the dresser.

“Help me get the dresser into the living room.” Ben walked over to the other side and pulled on the large wooden block. “There are a few conditions to my helping you.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes. First you do not question what I do. Second when I say something you had better listen because I know what I’m talking about . . . unlike yourself. Third, you never met me. If someone asks, all you know is my name. You don’t know what I look like. You don’t know where I spend my free time. You know nothing.”

“Fine.”

After the dresser was thrown into the livingroom Ivy got the mattress, everything that was in the bathroom, kitchen and threw it all into one big pile. Ben didn’t ask any questions. He just waited patiently for her to finish.

“Grab your sister and wait for me outside.” said Ivy grabbing her suitcases. Ben did so. Stepping outside he stood on the porch looking around. The stars were out tonight. It looked so beautiful. The breeze felt good against his face. It was hard to believe that anything bad ever happened in this town.

Briefly out of the corner of his eye Ben thought he saw a large ebony shadow standing across the street. When he turned his full attention to that spot there was nothing there.

“All right let’s go.” said Ivy stepping outside with Mars at her heels. The small group walked down the darkened street back to her van. Ivy laid her suitcases in the back. Mars jumped in and Ivy helped Ben get his sister buckled.

Ivy adjusted her mirror then made a sharp u-turn in the other direction. Ben watched her carefully as the van started the other way.

“Why did you put everything into the living room?” he questioned. Ivy waited silently. There was a loud boom. The earth rumbled underneath the van briefly shaking everyone inside. Ivy looked in her rear view mirror. A large orange flame began dancing, praising the stars and moon.

“Insurance.” she said simply. As they pulled to a stop Ben’s mouth hung open.

“You’re getting me help at the old pottery store?” he asked in disbelief.

“No. I have someone I need to talk to. Stay in the van.” Ivy locked the doors then ran into the store. Ben watched intently as a blonde haired woman with green eyes walked up Ivy. They stood conversing about something. He couldn’t quite make out what they were saying. He caught a few words like “Savo, Leaving, and Gothikar.” Ben sighed and turned his head to look out the other window.

Leaping up slightly Ben gasped. Bright scarlet stared in at him. An ocean of white stood before him. Black strands of stringy hair fell forward as this creature reached for the door handle. Mars scurried into the front seat. He put his front feet on Ben’s lap.

The hackles on the dog’s back went up. He started growling which progressed into loud barking. Mars kept lunging at the window. The vampire opened his mouth and hissed. Blood stained his teeth. With a bony hand the vampire pointed to Mia. Ben blinked and the demon was gone.

A bell rung. Ben turned his head and Mars stopped barking. Ivy was walking back to the van with another box in her hands. She jumped into the van with a sigh. Throwing the box on the floor she started the engine. A quick glance at Ben made Ivy turn to look at him more carefully.

“You’re awful pale.” she said gazing at him. Wide eyes met her stare. “Why was Mars barking like that? What happened?”

“Nothing. No one, he just saw another dog.” Ivy looked at Ben a little longer. When he said nothing she drove off. The scenery flew by the van as Ivy left town. The darkened blurs of white, black, and gray quickly turned to green and brown. Ivy was driving them into the middle of no where.

They came to their final stop in an abandoned horse barn.

“What are you doing?” asked Ben.

“We are sleeping here tonight, then we’ll walk the rest of the way to the Karcon home in the morning.

“Why?”

“Because it’s safer that way. It wouldn’t be to wise to drive down there in this van, especially since you saw someone back in town. You won’t tell me who it is, so I’m not leading them to the house. I’ve taken enough chances exposing everything before it’s time because of you.” Ivy got out of the van turning to him. “Stay here with Mars and Mia. I’ll be outside.”

Slamming the door Ivy rushed away leaving Ben alone with the shepherd and girl. She was very agnry at the moment. Mostly with Father Don. She had no idea why he sent this man or his sister here. There were so many other slayers out there who could help. Lou probably would of been the best choice. His wife was very good with curing the werewolf’s bit. Ivy made a mental note to call Lou as soon as she could.

Shutting the doors to the stable she let her eyes adjust to the new darkness. A little ray from the moon’s beam shone in from the window. Pacing she thought about her earlier conversations with Ben.

“All right, this girl was bitten by a werewolf. Ben claims that the werewolf was waiting inside the house for them. But yesterday was the full moon. Werewolves wouldn’t of been able to think straight. It couldn’t have had enough reason to plan out what it was going to do. It would have broken the door down and Ben would have known about it.

So then there had to have been someone else in the house already that he knew. Maybe a parent or another sibling. But he didn’t bring anyone else with him. He didn’t mention anyone else being attacked. That werewolf should have bitten Mr. Savo as well.” Ivy slid down the wall and leaned back in a deeper thought. “That must be it.” she finally exclaimed. “He probably didn’t get out of the house before he changed.”

Gazing at the van Ivy pulled a gun out from under her shirt. She held it close to her thigh. If Ben had lied about this who knows what else he’s been hiding. He might even be working for Gothikar. What was Ivy suppose to do if he was? She knew exactly what she’d have to do. But then what should happen to Mia? Everything was occurring at once. Ivy hated not feeling in control of the things around her.

Ben let out a long ragged sigh. He laid Mia down next to Mars then stretched out. Wiping a hand over his face he began talking to her. Tears stained his eyes.

“I’m so sorry baby girl. I never meant to hurt you. Your won’t suffer long. I promised I’d take care of you baby. I won’t break my promise. Not now, not ever. I’m so sorry Mia.” He brushed the girl’s hair gently as he gave way to haunting dreams.

Three or four hours passed when Ivy opened up the barn doors. Her eyes were heavy and her legs were asleep. She had to move or she’d fall asleep and she would never forgive herself if she did. Looking up at the night sky it seemed like it would be another two hours before down. Then she would get Ben so they could go to the Karcons.

Chilling sensations ran up her spine. Shutting the barn doors behind herself Ivy looked around. Her eyes darted to the dirt road. There was a black figure standing off to the right. Blinking Ivy never turned her head, but the shadow was gone. The feeling of cement settled into her stomach. Turning in a complete circle sweat started to roll down her forehead. She tried to find the mystery silhouette. There was nothing. Taking one last look at the road she let out a sigh.

A hand flew over Ivy’s mouth. She was shoved hard into the dirt and flipped to face up. Gothikar stood over her. His red eyes leered down at her. Ivy immediately slipped into the vampire’s speed. She got off the ground, trying to make it back to the barn. Gothikar was too quick for her. He reached out grabbing her arm roughly. Before she could make even one move he took her by the neck. Lifting Ivy off the ground he tossed her backwards hurling her back into the ground. He knelt down beside her only inches away from her face.

Staring in Gothikar’s eyes Ivy’s heart seemed to stop. She could recognize something almost human in him. An overwhelming fear gripped her as he spoke into her ear.

“Not yet. It’s not time.” Gothikar threw Ivy again.

She got up shaking. Gothikar disappeared. This time he really vanished. She went back into the barn. Opening the van door she checked up on Ben and Mia. Mars charged out of the van. He raced outside, pacing around sniffing the earth. Other then Mars no one seemed disturbed by Gothikar’s little visit.

Stepping into the van Ivy felt Mia’s forehead. The poor girl was burning up fast. Letting herself back out Ivy shut the door again. She felt her own heart. It was racing hard. With a few deep breaths she calmed herself. Sliding down the side of the van Ivy leaned against the door trying to think. Mars came trotting back inside. He licked her hand then curled up right beside her.

“Good boy . . . good boy.” she laid down petting his soft fur.

She felt completely alone except for when Mars was there. The dread of being forgotten haunted every day of Ivy’s life. What was she suppose to do? Gothikar was ten times more strong then he used to be. He was faster now. He had a greater influence of fear. She had never been afraid of him before. He was sharp. How was she to beat him? How could anyone beat Gothikar? Unfortunately the answer laid right before Ivy. It would take a miracle, and someone unhuman to destroy this lover of death.

All this meant to her, though, was that she’d have to train harder. She’d have to push herself past the limit. There was no other choice. Running was not an option. Something else bothered her. He could have killed her. He had the perfect opportunity. So why didn’t he do it?

Ivy didn’t know how much more she could handle. She had no desire to do this any longer. She was ready to completely give up. Shutting her eyes Ivy finally gave way to sleep. Mars stayed close to his master’s side.

Early the next morning Ivy was up. She had, had only about an hour of sleep. Shoving the doors open Ivy let the morning’s light flood in. Standing with Mars at her side she knew things were going to get much worse.

With a simple whistle she called Mars back to the van. Opening the back doors she pulled out all of her things. She put them aside then sat down by Ben who was still sleeping. She shook him but nothing happened.

“Savo. Get up.” she said loudly. Ben shifted his position so his back faced her. “Good lord.” she sighed. Ivy let her hand fall on his back. A loud thump startled Mars.

“What? I’M UP ” He cried flying off the seat. Looking up from the floor of the van he saw Ivy staring at him with an arched eyebrow. Rubbing his back he got up scowling at her. “Why did you hit me?”

“Because you wouldn’t wake up. Get your sister and let’s go it’ll take about an hour on foot to get to the house.” Ben scratched his head. With a swift motion Mia was back in his arms. The four were off again. Mars jumped around freely. His tail waged, and he was quite content chasing after every squirrel he could find.

Ben looked at Ivy. Her arms looked bruised.

“I don’t remember you having those marks yesterday. Are you all right?” he questioned her.

“I’m fine. I’m no stranger to bruises.”

“All right. What house are we going to by the way?”

“Samantha Karcon’s.” Ivy tried to repress a yawn.

“She still lives out here?”

“Not really. She owns the house, but she rarely comes up here. Not since her parents deaths at least.”

“Then why are you coming up here?”

“She won’t mind.”

The wind was slightly cool today. It gave the two just enough energy to keep going. It was actually a very beautiful day, which put both Ben and Ivy in fairly good moods.

After about fifteen minutes of walking they had to stop. Setting her things down Ivy walked a little ways a head to look around. Ben sat down with Mia still in his arms. The girl twitched a little. A white puss started to come from her wound.

“Ivy ” called been. Rushing back Ivy saw the wound. Falling to her knees she opened Mia’s eyes. All white appeared where brown should have been. Mia was getting worse quicker then Ivy had anticipated. Ivy had to get the cerium to her now, or there would be a chance that Mia would die when the medication was administered.

“Come on. We have to get going now.” Ben got back to his feet. Ivy scooped her things up as they hurried through the tall grass.

“What’s wrong?”

“She is going to be a full werewolf soon. I need to the cerium to her before that happens.”

“Don’t you have the stuff with you?”

“Yes.”

“Why can’t you give it to her now.”

“Because, unless you want a bullet hole in your sister the only way to give the cure is by needle injection.”

“Fine, but what happens if you don’t get it to her in time.”

“Then there will be a fifty percent chance that your sister will die.”

“An hour is too long. Isn’t there another way to the house?” Ivy stopped walking for a moment to think.

“Yes. I completely forgot about it. Follow me.” she veered left. Mars stayed close on her heels.

Soon trees were the only scenery around them. Old rotted leaves covered the forest floor. There was an eerie feeling about this place. Ben shivered every few minutes as they journeyed further into woods. An uncontrollable sensation came over him when they started to near the end of the brown tunnel.

Dropping to his knees he quickly placed Mia down. He started to breath heavy, and he wrapped his arms around himself. He fell back into a tree then hit the ground. There was something there. He could smell it.

“What is this place?” he cried throwing his hands up to his ears.

“What’s wrong?” asked Ivy.

“I don’t know. There’s something horrible. Ugh. I can’t think.”

“Pick up your sister we don’t have time.”

“No . . . No. I, I can’t.” Ivy walked over to him. Taking a look around she saw what was making him crazy, this also confirmed her suspicions about him. Giving him her things she picked up the girl. “Fine, you don’t have to worry about dropping my things. Now come on. It won’t take long to get through now. Just don’t breathe from your nose.”

“What is this place?” he asked again.

“Samantha’s parents were murdered here.” Ivy nodded in two different places. There was a place next to a tree. There was no grass, and the tree itself was rotting horribly. Red was permanently stained on it. Her mother’s death occurred there.

“And her father?” asked Ben trying not to loose control.

“Over there.” said Ivy. Her gaze fell on another bare path. There was no blood here. There was nothing. Getting past this place the small group out in a field. The old Karcon home was with in view now.

Time seemed to go much quicker as they finally made it to the steps. Ivy put Mia down onto the porch swing. Ben dropped Ivy’s things. It felt like she had bricks in her bags.

It seemed like a nice home. The handwork of the home itself was beautiful. The woods was incredibly smooth to the touch. But it looked like such a sad place. All the curtains were shut so you couldn’t see in.

Ivy walked around the porch, bending over here, tiptoing over there.

“What are you doing?” asked Ben.

“Looking for the key to the house. Ben took a quick sweep over the porch with his eyes. Walking to the swing he reached underneath. Feeling a lump he pulled down. In his hand was a silver key. It looked as if no one had ever touched it before.

“I found it.” he said holding up his prize. Ivy stopped and grumbled to herself.

“Why didn’t I think of that?” she said to herself. Ben handed her the key. One more time everything was picked up. Ivy stood playing with the key for about a minute. She finally got the door open. The two shuffled into the house. Mars came dashing in ahead of them. Ivy put her things in the livingroom.

“Just put her on the couch. I’ll be right back.” Ben carried Mia over to a black couch with a gold flower design. The floor was dark brown wood. Tan curtains hung loosely in front of the windows. Two chairs that matched the couches pattern sat on either side of the huge sofa. A clear coffee table sat between the furniture and medium sized television set.

Ivy reappeared in the living room. She put a needle on the table then went to the windows. She quickly moved the old cloth back. Sunlight spread throughout the room. Rushing over to the cough she sat down, and lifted Mia to her lap.

“Grab me the cerium from the bottles. It’s In the largest suitcase.” Ben reached down. There were transparent bottles with a metallic silver liquid inside. He handed one to Ivy. Pumping the needle about half way she flicked the needle a few times to get rid of any air bubbles. She handed Ben the needle so she could rub down Mia’s arm with alcohol. After she administered the cure to the small body she lifted the girl up.

“She’ll be staying in a room upstairs.” Ben trailed close behind Ivy, being led through the house. Going up a narrow set of stairs Ben felt a little nervous. The stairs seemed sturdy enough, but they creaked with every step.

Ivy led him down the left side of the second story. There were three rooms on the left, Ivy took them to the last one.

This was probably the most un-morbid room in the entire house. The carpet was a dark emerald green. Blue skies with white clouds went racing along the walls. A snow white dresser rested by the only bay window in the home. Stationed next to the door was a small bed, with a shelf above it. Teddy Bears of all sizes laid neatly on the little storage rack.

Mia was soon lying on the bed. Ivy went over to the closet. Ben expected her to pull out a blanket or something.

“Ben come help me with this.” said Ivy yawning. Ben walked over to the closet then jumped back. She was pulling chains and a weight out from the small space.

“What do you think you’re going to do with that?”

“What do you think? I’m putting it on Mia.”

“Like hell you are ” said Ben stepping in front of her. “I’ve had just about enough of you. You expect me to follow whatever order you give me. You don’t tell me what I want to know unless I drag it out of you. You have given me no reason to trust you thus far. Now you want to chain my sister so she is completely helpless? ” Ivy stood up stiffly. Her eyes were hard. Taking a deep breath she tried to unclench fists she was making.

“Need I remind you, we only met yesterday.” she started as calmly as she could. “So number one . . . you have no right to know me. Number two, you are the one who came to me for help. It wasn’t the other way around. Number three, if anyone should be distrusted it’s you. If you think for one moment that I would have helped you if Father Donovan hadn’t brought you to me then you’re a fool. You’ve thrown off my entire schedule. You don’t ask for help you demand it. If you don’t like the way I do things then you can take your sister and leave.”

The two stood staring for a moment. Rival pride collided in the other’s eyes. After a tense moment of silence Ben bent down grabbing the chains. He yanked it over to the door then Ivy took over, shoving the weight beneath the bed. She quickly chained Mia’s hands and feet together trying not to acknowledge Ben’s presence.

“Why are you doing this? What does this cure do that makes it so she has to be chained down?”

“Because,” replied Ivy as they went back down to the living room. “there are bugs in the cerium still. For a few hours it has the full moon effect. I don’t know why it does that but it does.” They both sat down on the couch as Ivy grabbed another needle. She got a cotton swab dousing it in alcohol. Lifting Ben’s sleeve she wiped off his arm.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa . . .”

“No whoa. If you are going to be around here, I’m not taking any chances. You’re next so don’t fidget.”

“How do you know that . . .”

“Oh come on Savo. Do you really think I’m that stupid. There was no werewolf waiting in that house. You would have known by some smashed window or something. My guess is that you are the werewolf. I think you didn’t get out in time, and that’s why your sister is lying unconscious in that bed right now.”

“So you’re smarter then I first thought. You still aren’t going to stick me though.”

“Why not?”

“It’s too late for me. I’ve been a werewolf for years. I don’t do any harm to anyone. Not besides the full moon at any rate. There’s no going back now.”

“You aren’t a vampire. You can turn back whenever you want.”

“You said earlier there would be a fifty, fifty percent chance that when given the cure as a full werewolf that a person could die. If that happens who will take care of Mia. I wouldn’t be here.”

“Well you obviously aren’t doing a very good job right now. What will happen the next time? How do you know you accidently kill her?” Ben sat thinking for a few minutes. Ivy just waited patiently still holding the needle to her body.

“Who would take care of her?”

“There are many slayers with families. They are good people who’d be willing to watch after Mia. If no one else would, then I could take your sister in as a foster child until a better home could be provided.” Ben nodded slowly and held up his sleeve. Ivy stuck him quickly before he changed his mind.

“Come on.” she said walking to the back door.” Ben rolled his sleeve back down then followed her. They stepped outside into the backyard. There was tree here, a bush there, nothing to amazing. No fence laid on the premises which did make the Karcon house even more appealing though. It seemed like such a free place to live.

Ivy led Ben over to the storm cellar by the side of the house.

“Um. I don’t get a bed?”

“There’s a cot down here.” she said climbing down the steps. Ben sighed as he submerged himself underground. Ivy turned on a light. It actually didn’t look all that bad. There was actually a restroom there so it wasn’t all that bad.

“Why do I have to be here?” he asked as Ivy stepped back outside.

“Mia can’t break through the chains. You could, so maybe cement doors can keep you contained. I’ll see you in about twenty four hours.” She shut the doors on him. Ben listened as the click of the lock signaled he was stuck in the cellar. Walking back down the steps he went to the cot. A day? In a cellar? He wondered if he had made the right decision.

Ivy dragged her feet back inside the house. Reaching for a phone she plopped down on the sofa. She leaned back as her hands danced across the numbers.

“Hello? Cierra? Is Lou there? Yeah thanks. Lou? Hey, look I need you to come down here tomorrow or the day after? I have a situation . . . Father explained everything to you? All right. See you guys then.” Ivy hung up the phone then dropped it on the floor.

Finally getting a chance to relax sleep over came her. Letting out a sigh she clutched onto a pillow. The sight of the coffee table and black fought over her. The sandman finally won.