RuneScape Forum Archive | \\||~Nightmare~||//

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

After two hours of work, Miss Schism informs me that she is going for her weekly shopping trip in Falador.

"I'll be back in an hour and then you may leave Noah. You've done a fine job today and will be paid well!" She said, a cheerful smile on her face.

"Thank you Miss. See you in an hour." I replied with smile equivalent to hers.

She trotted away, her labrador following her every step. I waved her goodbye and then returned to my task, reaping Miss Schism's wheat she kept in a small field adjacent to her house.

A small grin worked its way across my face as I took up my scythe. I hadn't used it in a while. Most of the work so far had involved digging up roots, scattering seeds and watering plants. But harvesting crops was by far the most exciting part of the job.

As I walked onto the field, scythe resting on my shoulder, a flock of crows that had been recently nibbling on a cob of fallen corn Miss Schism had planted not long ago, scurried away in fear. I held the scythe at my right and swung and a row of wheat.

A loud whistling noise echoed throughout the air as my blade sundered the helpless wheat. Slash! Another row fell and lay on the ground beside the other. I started incorporating spins and jumps into my slashes, no one else being around to mock me if I failed. Row after row of crops fell to my swinging blade.

I laughed as I worked. I usually did when I wield my scythe. The jumps, the spins, the sound the blade makes as it slices through the air! I was enjoying myself greatly, that I didn't even noticed that I'd finished until I tripped over the fence.

I laughed loudly to myself. I had such a great job! I then found my laughter to be accompanied by another, though the laugh was more of a cute giggle. I looked around for the source of the laughter and my eyes met Lily's bright emerald orbs, sparkling in the sunlight.

"You know, you're really silly!" She giggled.

"How long have you been standing there?" I asked, mildly annoyed.

02-Apr-2008 08:00:31 - Last edited on 21-Jun-2008 11:13:56 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"Hmm...Roughly five to ten minutes." She said, a sly grin across her face. "I never knew you could dance so well!"

"Shut up." I growled.

Lily immediately backed down though her smile never left her face. She waited for me to stand up before telling me what she came to tell me.

"Maria wasn't around so I went off walking to Falador. I paid a visit to Xavier and while he couldn't exactly talk much on duty I did manage to get him to come over for dinner tonight." She explained.

"Hah! How is Xavier anyway?" I replied. "I haven't seen him in weeks!"

"Oh he's been busy...'Defending the citizens of my glorious town Falador!' I believe it was..."

I laughed louder than I had been before at that. Lily joined in. Before long we were laughing for a full few minutes before I remembered I was supposed to be waiting for Miss Schism.

"I gotta go, Lily see you later." I said quickly whilst picking up my scythe and hurriedly placing the harvested wheat and corn in my pack.

"Wait!" She called. "Are you coming for dinner?"

"Of course! Your place at...?"

"Six! Don't be late or the pizzas will be cold!"

Without another word I hurried off.

******************************************************************************

"A wonderful effort as always, Noah! Oh, I'm so glad to have you around!" Miss. Schism exclaimed upon her arrival.

"It's a pleasure working for you Ma'am."

"Well, you've done an excellent job and earned every gold coin! here you are!"

Miss Schism handed me a small bag of coins with '5k' written in yellow letters on the front.

"Thank you very much Miss Schism. I'll see you next week."

"Good afternoon, Noah." She said whilst waving me off. With my tools & scythe strapped in their appropriate positions I left back home for Varrock, but not before making a quick stop in the Draynor bank to deposit my coins and check the time; Four thirty.

That left me one hour and a half before dinner with Lily and Xavier. Surely I could find something to do until then.

02-Apr-2008 08:00:33 - Last edited on 21-Jun-2008 11:17:19 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

~Chapter IV~

As I stepped out of the village of Draynor, I made the decision to use the shortcut across the River Lum, east of Draynor Manor. That would save me much time, though I didn't particularly like the thought of walking past Draynor Manor. Neverless, I kept my mind clear and proceeded towards the manor.

Upon reaching the intersection, I felt a terrible uneasiness grip my being. As if a voice was silently whispering into my head, telling me not to go on.

But what had I to be afraid of? Sure, there were ghosts and zombies running amuck in the Manor and I'd heard the trees outside had a habit of briefly attacking adventurers but I wasn't going inside nor walking within range of any trees. The uneasiness must have just been in my head. I continued walking.

To be honest, I don't think Draynor Manor is as scary looking as people make it out to be. It could have been that it was daytime but regardless it was just an old decrepit house with an unattended forest out the front. Sure it was infested with phantasmal beings but the average adventurer can best them in combat with minimal difficulty.

I actually chuckled, for it was while I was thinking, in my unfocused state that I felt the branch of a tree claw at me. It caused a mild scratch, not even deep enough to draw blood. I drew my scythe and severed the branch in one quick movement so that it may not trouble young adventurers. Such a fool I was for thinking this place to be fearsome and dangerous!

I looked over to the horizon to see the sun setting, enshrouding the area with the dim half-light of dusk. Around me the trees seemed to grow taller and older, twisting with the shadows. I looked back to the mansion and it too seemed to increase in size and ferocity. From inside the manor I heard the wailing of some undead creature, begging for freedom from it's supernatural bounds.

I suppose I now know why things seem scarier at night.

02-Apr-2008 08:00:40 - Last edited on 04-Apr-2008 06:44:41 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

The silence of the dead forest was morbidly unsettling. I felt as if a fiendish, otherworldly being could materialise at any moment with intentions of murder. Yet I kept level headed and focused, trying not to let any little thing startle me.

I failed miserably as a branch fell from its tree after having died and decayed long ago and landed on my foot, causing me to scream and fall backwards. Upon realising the innocence of the old branch I sat up and cursed my stupidity. Mumbling foul curses at the trees and the approaching darkness of night I thought it would be best to reach home as quickly as possibly. That is, by running as fast as I could, scythe drawn.

"I'm really glad Lily isn't around to see this!" I thought whilst running, heart a-beat "She'd pulverise me with put downs!"

Though I was in constant fear that something would grab at my leg and try to drag me down into it's underworld prison my 'shortcut' through the Draynor Manor woods was uneventful from that point on. Before I knew it, I had already reached Shortcut Rocks.

I sighed at myself as I had been doing quite frequently of late. I made my first jump onto the rock. Then my second. I stopped on the third rock. I heard something. A sound i'd never heard before. As if the wind was blowing softly yet sharply at the same time.

I looked around and saw nothing out of the ordinary. The Champions Guild master was just closing up and the farmers by the patch I sometimes used were heading off. I could see nothing that could be making the sound and the people around seemed to be unaware of it. So I looked back.

And there, in between the trees of Dranor Manor was a strange phenomenon. A thick fog, winding its way through the rotted corpses of trees and seemingly headed for the River Lum, south-stream of where I was. The odd thing about the fog was its distinct black colour. At first glance I thought it must be smoke but it was moving too slowly for that.

But there was something else about it...

02-Apr-2008 08:14:03 - Last edited on 04-Apr-2008 07:02:02 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Something...

Then it hit me. The fog did not only appear to have no source to make it smoke but was moving independently. It seemed to be moving in a set direction, across the river and towards Varrock, as if it were alive. I stopped and stared and the black fog, becoming aware of the fact that it was now only me around. Everyone else had left.

The fog floated over the river, not drifting into it like normal fogs do and continued to follow its course. I noticed that when it reached the Champions guild, it didn't float around it. It floated THROUGH it. The fog had what appeared to be a set mass and didn't change shape or form even when it moved through the walls of the Champions Guild. It was just floating ominously towards Varrock...

Suddenly it stopped. The odd noise that accompanied it ceased along with it. My blood froze and I instantly knew this was no fog. For one, fogs didn't make a sound and two they don't stop. I then felt as though something was looking at me.

"This is absurd!" I thought. "Fog can't think or move or look! I must be going mad..."

The sound came back and the fog continued its route. So, left feeling weary and confused I followed it towards Varrock. At least I'd found something to do until dinner...

02-Apr-2008 08:14:04 - Last edited on 04-Apr-2008 10:20:24 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

~Chapter V~

Thinking the fog to be of no importance and merely a trick of my mind I walked the remaining trip to Varrock. Upon my arrival I found the fog was nowhere in sight, confirming my insanity. I strode through the streets of southern Varrock and made my way to my house. The only light I noticed in the street was coming from Lily's house. I entered my house and lit the candle closest to the door with a small amount of fire magic.

I repeated the process with the rest of the candles in my house until I could effectively find my way around. In the dim light, my house looked almost as lonesome and morbid as Draynor Manor.

"Home sweet home..." I muttered to myself. I took a quick look at my clock and found it to be five to six. Time to go. I briefly thought on how long I had been in Draynor for. It didn't seem like more than an hour and a half. Then again time goes faster when you're afraid.

I decided that it would be best to head over to Lily's now and try to forget my troubles. I walk over to my tool shed and prepare to open it and place my tools inside it. I place my scythe on the rack above it and swing open the doors with little hesitation.

All is normal as I place the tools in the cupboard. But when I go to close it I find the hinges to be stuck fast. They wouldn't move at all.

"Weird..." I say quietly, deciding to let it be. I turn and head out the door and down the Lily's house.

******************************************************************************

"Good evening Noah!" Lily said, greeting my entrance all the while with a smile on her face. "How'd it go?"

"Well," I replied, finding no smile able to reach my face. "Miss. Schism paid me five k."

"Only five? You should have gotten more."

"I'm not complaining. I love my work and would do it for free if I could."

"Well, suit yourself. The pizzas should be ready in ten minutes. Xavier said he would be a little late."

I sat myself down at Lily's table, which was much larger than my own,

02-Apr-2008 08:14:10 - Last edited on 31-Mar-2009 11:28:49 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

while I waited for Xavier to arrive. Or maybe for Lily to start a conversation.

Whichever came first.

I took the time waiting to look around Lily's house. It was much nicer than my own and much brighter. Her parents had paid for it and then left Lily to make the rest of her money on her own. She'd done a spectacular job.

The interior was decorated with the various flowers and shrubs that Lily adores. The walls are made from yellow sandstone and she's even taken the liberty to decorate the floor with rugs she designed herself. The rugs are coated with intricate patterns of her favourite flowers and herbs. She truly is a talented girl.

Just then there is a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Lily yells from the kitchen.

The door opens, a little too hard and slams into the wall behind it. In steps Xavier, tall and broad in his civilian clothing. Despite this, his Dragon Two Hander is slung on his back. I don't think I've ever seen Xavier without it.

"Hi guys. How ya been?" Xavier asks upon entrance in his usual deep but smooth voice.

"I've been good though have had sleeping issues." I reply.

"Never been better!" Lily yells from the kitchen. "Pizza should be ready soon!"

Xavier unsheathes his sword and rests it against the corner of the room beside the door. He then takes his seat opposite mine and sighs.

"When was the last time we've had dinner together like this?" He asks, while flicking a lock of his hair back and forth. He had an odd habit of doing that: playing with his hair while talking.

"I think it was four months ago." I reply. "How's work been?"

Xavier smiled a great grin. He loved his job probably more than I did. I guess it would be rather exciting to be a high ranking official of the White Knights. Xavier loved telling us about it.

"Well! on Thursday, Sir Amik Varse tells us that there's this invasion of goblins coming from the north! so I figure 'Goblins? Bring 'em on! So then..."

"Guys! Dinner!" Lily shouts from the kitchen. "Come and get it!"

02-Apr-2008 08:14:11 - Last edited on 07-Jun-2008 12:22:55 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

"Meat Pizza for Xavier, pineapple for Noah and anchovy for me!" Lily declared as she sat at the table with us, placing our food in front of us as she spoke.

"Thanks Lily!" I said before I got into it. Xavier however, already had a quarter of his pizza in his mouth and managed to get a 'fanks liy' out of his mouth.

We ate while passing various conversations around ourselves. What we'd been up too, how school was going for Lily, how my work was going and so on. The discussion however, took a turn for the worse on my part.

"Hey, did you guys hear what happened this morning in Lumbridge?" Xavier asked, his voice stern and serious.

"No, what?" Lily asked.

"Well..." Xavier continued. "Some guy got murdered there. Ripped to shreds."

"Ew!" Lily exclaimed. I however, remained silent as I'd heard this story before in bits and pieces. Now Xavier would fill in the gaps.

"I was sent to investigate it. Eugh, it wasn't pretty. Blood everywhere, anyway! what was really strange was, no one had tried to break in."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, the guy was clearly murdered. Claw marks everywhere and...Um...I really don't think I should go into detail but if you were there you'd know it wasn't suicide."

"Uh huh..."

"But his doors were all locked, the windows shut and nothing was broken. We did a thorough search of the house and there were no secret entrances or anything. The fact that there were claw marks also indicates that it was no human who did this."

"Wow, that's creepy." Lily murmured after listening intently. "What do you think Noah?"

I quickly snapped to attention and concentrated.

"Well...Uh..."

"Is something wrong?" Xavier inquired.

"Well no...Just..." I was lost for words but in the end decided to explain what had occurred in my nightmares. My two friends listened as I explained every detail and when i was finished there reactions were surprising.

"No need to worry! A mere coincidence!"

"You've been working too hard my friend! You ought to sleep more often!"

02-Apr-2008 08:14:18 - Last edited on 04-Apr-2008 11:32:05 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

I'm thankful for them saying that. It puts me at ease. We ate the rest of our meals as usual, talking and laughing about random topics that had little relevance to the last topic. We were there a full four hours before we decided to wind up.

"Well, it's getting late. I suppose we should all be going to bed soon." Lily said after a minutes silence.

"Agreed, although..." Xavier replied. "I have the next three days off. I don't particularly want to stay in Falador all that time so I was thinking I should maybe stay with one of you?"

"That's a great idea! but uh...I only have one bed..."

"No problem, I have a spare." I said to Xavier.

"Excellent, I shall be staying with you then Noah." Xavier replied a smile widening across his face. "I'll go to the bank to fetch my things while you get ready at your home ok?"

"Sure. Let's go then."

"Oh and um..." Lily interrupted, a shy grin on her face. "Does uh...Anyone know what's happening in two days time?"

Xavier looked at each other and sighed.

"Don't worry Lily, we haven't forgotten." Said Xavier, his smile returning. "We'll see you in the morning. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Lily!" I called.

"Goodnight guys!" She replied as we walked out the door but not before Xavier had reclaimed his two hander. The two of us walked down the street and momentarily arrived at the front of my house.

"Be right back. I'll just be getting my things." Xavier said while walking north towards the bank. As he left my sight, I opened the door and stepped inside my house.

02-Apr-2008 08:14:18 - Last edited on 04-Apr-2008 11:46:23 by Infinity A8

Infinity A8

Posts: 10,192 Opal Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

~Chapter VI~

The candles in my house were still burning though they offered very little light. I found my way towards the bedroom and crawled under my bed to reach the spare mattress. After pulling it out and setting it neatly in the living room I turned to walk out the door to meet Xavier and help him with his things.

I stopped. Half way through my turn I saw something out of place and had an extreme sense of Deja Vu. My tool cupboard was closed and locked whereas before I left I had kept it open due to my inability to close it earlier. How had it closed?

A gust of wind? After a quick glance around the room I found all my windows to be sealed.

An intruder? My door showed no sign of forced entry and I knew I had locked it.

Panicking, I grabbed my scythe above the cupboard and raised it defensively, stepping back away from the mysteriously locked cupboard.

I stood in silence for what seemed almost an hour. The silence was broken by my screams of terror, for the room had instantly begun to grow cold. I dropped my scythe and retreated towards the back of the room, shivering powerfully. The candles begun to blow out, one by one until I was left in total darkness.

Suddenly, the door burst open and Xavier stepped in sword drawn.

"Noah!" He called. I was too scared to reply.

"NOAH!" He yelled again, louder this time. I worked up the courage to stop shaking and reply.

"I'm here" I breathed. "In the corner."

Xavier uttered some words and held up his hand, placing his sword on his back. His hand then ignited with flames much brighter than the fire spells I could cast (though probably weaker than the ones Lily could cast; she was the best in her school at magic.) Xavier's fire filled the room with light and warmth to stop my trembling.

"I heard you yelling" He explained as he walked over to me. "What happened?"

"The cupboard..." I whispered. Xavier turned and looked at the seemingly ordinary cupboard.

"What about it?"

02-Apr-2008 08:14:24 - Last edited on 07-Jun-2008 12:27:12 by Infinity A8

Forums

\\||~Nightmare~||//