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[Billie]

This is just a rough draft of a rough draft, but if you don't mind giving your opinion or suggestions I'd be thankful.

  Chapter One


The sky was ablaze in a fiery sunset, streaks of red slashed through the sky as if the artist painting it was having a muscle spasm.
   Billie gazed at the valley below where all of his families sheep lay strewn about, the colors of the dying light magnified everything into sickening detail.  “ Come on there’s nothing you can do here, we should really get back,” said a tall red haired boy with pointed ears, putting his hand on Billies shoulder in an act of comfort.  “You go, Tell my brother what happened, and anyway I should probably move this,” Billie sighed gesturing wearily to the tattered sheep. “Good luck with that, but you better not take to long, the moon will be rising soon and what with the werewolves and all..”.“ I know, I know,” Billie muttered as friend disappeared over the hill.
   Looking at his hands in dismay. At the sheep that now covered his hands and most of his body, Billie walked the gloom that had descended over the valley.  The fiery colors earlier had been replaced by dark Blues and Grays. The town wasn’t that far, but far enough to make Billie nervous, to get to town he still had to go through the woods... A chilling (but well placed) howl broke through the night air. Much to Billies surprise the moon had risen, floating high in the air like an overinflated balloon. Silently as he was able Billie began to walk faster. “Calm down,” he told himself, “Don’t panic, the werewolves won’t notice you...”. Unless they smell the sheeps blood all over you. Replied a traitoress in Billies head. “Maybe not, the werewolves haven’t been in the valley since the last massacre,” replied Billie with confidence, it was false. Sure, then what was it I wonder, that killed all those sheep? The traitoress voice asked, Billie had no answer. My point exactly. Tomorrow they’ll find your body, or what’s left of it, shred to pieces. The traitoress voice continued smugly. “Shut up ” Billie said allowed, recoiling as his voice echoed through the silence. Good, call the werewolves to you, no sense in waiting. Laughed The traitor, Billie ignored the voice.
   He had come farther then he realized, the woods, that led to town, loomed over him. Go on then, their waiting two steps in and they’ll have you. The traitor continued with determination. “If I die at least I won’t have to listen to you anymore,” Billie retorted angrily to himself, taking one step into the woods, nothing happened. “See? Everything’s fine,” Billie goaded, but was only met by silence.  The woods were dark, the trees branches had grown to catch all light, leaving barely any to reach the hard dirt of the woods floor. This is how it starts. The traitor spoke up. “Shut up, and besides its not that much farther,” Billie snapped, but only halfheartedly. Ooh touchie .. but in all honesty do you know where you ARE?.  “Of course I do I’ve known these woods all my life,” Billie said, quickly casting an eye over his shoulder.
    Then you also know what lives in them? Not just werewolves, there’s vampires, pixies and long legged beasties, then of course there’s he.. The traitor trailed off.
   “Will you be quiet  I think I hear something,” whispered Billie, coking his head sideways. What started as a faint squeaking turned into quiet sobs. Don’t just.. just go back to that little town of yours. The traitor said anxiously. Billie ignored the traitor and carefully followed the sobs into a small clearing, where a girl with long black hair that was impossibly luminous, sat huddled in the grass. “Miss?” Billie called softly, stepping into the clearing. The girls body stiffined, her head turned slowly in Billies direction . “Miss are you all right, can I help yo..” Billie stepped back as the girl jumped to her feet, fists clenched at her sides. “Help Me, Your Kind Doesn’t Know The Meaning Of The WORD ” The girl snarled.  “My kind? Your not a werewolf are you?” Billie asked, prepared to run at the slightest hair he would see grow from her body. The girl only snorted in disgust.  “I,” she said, “am a witch, so why don’t you run back to your village or town or wherever you came from and tell them what you’ve found, they’ll be happy to have one more victim to burn, just like the countless innocence before,” Her eyes flashed from a dark emerald green to a cloudy gray.  “I..I’m sorry, I’ve never met a witch before,” Billie stuttered unable to look away from her eyes.  “That’s just what you want me to think, the girl snapped, but the malice was gone from her voice.   “Is there anyway I can help?” Billie repeated as her eyes turned a deep hazel.    “Do you know a place I can stay? Just one night, hopefully I’ll be gone tomorrow afternoon if not sooner,” the girl replied wiping the tears from her face.  “If you don’t mind sleeping outside I know a place, it might not be very big though,” Billie offered apologetically. “That won’t be a problem for me,” the girl laughed her eyes lightening.
   Billie led her through the forest.
“What’s your name?” the girl asked suddenly.  “It’s Billie,” said Billie quickly, glad to have some company besides the voice in his head.  “Billie,” the girl paused thoughtfully, “I’m Marie,”.   “What are you doing here, if I may ask, I’ve never seen you in my town before nor the surrounding ones,” asked Billie growing uncomfortable as the girl stared directly at him.           “I think I’m lost, I must be, I don’t see any signs of he... what are you doing in the woods?” Marie questioned immediately.   “My towns sheep have gone missing recently, my brother sent me to check on his,” Billie replied in a bitter undertone. Marie continued to stare at Billie then asked quickly,  “What happened to the sheep?”.    “They were ripped apart, why?” Billie asked reproachfully.    “Oh, no reason, “ Marie answered, dropping her gaze from Billie, “what do you want anyway?”.  “Nothing,” answered Billie simply.
   The trees thinned out enough to let someone pass through without difficulty but still provided camouflage.  In one of the many ancient trees a small crude box was built in ones entangled branches, this is the tree Billie stopped at.  “It probably still has a few blankets in it, it may be small but its virtually undetectable from the ground,” Billie said awkwardly as Marie made her way over to him.   “Then how did you find it?” she asked pointedly.  “Well I did build it..er most of it,” said Billie, swelling slightly with pride, “I hope it will be ok,”.   “Its perfect,” Marie whipped around suddenly to face Billie her eyes glowing the fierce emerald green angry golden sparks shot off her body and hung in the air. “If this is some kind of trick.. If I find that this is some kind of trap, I’ll make you suffer until the last breathe in my body leaves,”.   “Honestly,” Billie said softly taken aback by her sudden anger, “I just want to help,”.
   Hesitantly the golden sparks faded back, Marie’s body shivered with exhaustion, Billie barely caught her before she hit the ground.    “What’s wrong?” Billie asked worriedly carefully putting her into a sitting position at the bass of the tree.   “Nothing, I’ve just been travailing to much, must be a strain on my magic,” she muttered faintly.   “What are you looking for?” asked Billie resting his back against the trunk of the tree, giving Marie as much space as he could.  “Something that shouldn’t be here,”   Marie sighed getting clumsily to her feet.   “You should rest, not offence but you don’t look so good,” said Billie carefully, getting to his feet.   “No I’d imagine not,” she smiled, “and resting is what I intend to do,” Marie said looking the tree up and down.   “How are you going to get up there, you look to weak to stand,” Billie asked curiously.  “You really don’t know anything about witches do you?” Marie’s smile widened, “If you don’t mind could you stand back?” she asked. Billie scrambled back posthaste, unsure of what he was about to witness.
   One moment, as if frozen, Marie was standing there, the next she wasn’t.
“Up here,” came a faint voice from the tree tops. Billie looked up startled to see Marie standing in the box holding onto the door less doorframe for support.    “That was amazing,” Billie called up to her.   “Not to my kind, and unfortunately that used up my last bit of strength, Billie could you quickly join me up here?” Marie added as an afterthought as she disappeared into the box.  I’d go. The traitor voice said.   Without looking back Billie grabbed the metal wrung in the tree that moss had hidden from view and hoisted himself up without hesitation.   “You said something, back down there,” Marie said as soon as Billie sat himself in a corner of the box. “You said you “mostly” built this,” she gestured around the box, “who else built it?”.
   “My friend Shaem helped me build it when we were younger, we used to play in these woods all the time, before the massacres with the werewolves,” said Billie, his eyes grew fogy with reminiscing memories. Seeing the look on Marie’s face he added, “He wont tell anyone,”.  “Are you sure?” Marie asked warily leaning against the wall of wood and woven reeds.  “Yes, I’ve known him as long as I can remember, I trust him,” Billie replied solemnly.    “That’s good enough for me, for now anyways,” she said closing her eyes.   “I’ll come back here tomorrow with some food and water,” Billie said quietly standing up in his corner.    “I won’t be here tomorrow, not if I can help it, I don’t think I’m supposed to be here transporting I must have screwed up the directions,” Marie muttered not opening her eyes.    “How do you know this isn’t where your supposed to be?” asked Billie, stopping at the doorframe of the box.  “There would be some sign or evidence if this was the right place,” Marie replied mumbling as she drifted off to sleep. Grabbing the crumpled up blanket from the floor Billie spread it over Marie and climbed down the ladder almost slipping halfway down.
   The sun had risen.
The town will be suspicious. The traitor spoke up as Billie made his way without pause through the woods, here and there sun patches would nearly blind him with its brilliant light. And you know what happens when they start to get suspicious of someone. The traitor continued.  Billie was immediately deeply depressed that his only company was, once again, himself.    “They have no reason to be suspicious, I was moving the sheep so it didn’t attract unwanted attention,” Billie retorted smoothly, shielding his eyes from a particularly bright ray of sunlight.    Do they normally have a reason for their suspicions? And what if they find that girl in your tree house, the only thing the people of that infernal village hate more then Supernaturals are Supernatural sympathizers.  The traitor said matter-of-factly.      “They won’t find her, the only ones that know about that place are Shaem and I, and he wouldn’t tell them,” Billie replied.    Because he doesn’t know, how do you know he’s not on their side?. The traitor asked smugly.   “He’s part Supernatural, why would he take the side of those who would want to persecute him for something he has no control over?” asked Billie stumbling over a tree root, catching himself by grabbing on to a low hanging branch.     He could resent that he’s part Supernaturalist and want to help in the persecution of others that remind him of his “abnormality”. The traitor said as if this was the most obvious thing in the world.     “Shaem’s not like that, Billie argued stepping out of the woods onto lush grass, the sun seemed determined that Billie was to go blind.
   How do you know? Just because you grew up with someone doesn’t mean you know him, you don’t know anyone really not even yourself, I’m proof of that. The traitor prodded. “I know Shaem, he’s a good person he wouldn’t persecute anyone,” Billie responded.  The tratoir was silent as Billie neared the village.
“Where the hell were you?” demanded the red haired boy with pointed ears, the sun was now high up in the sky and Billie had just reached the edge of town.  “It took longer with the sheep then I thought,” Billie answered immediately, stepping around his friend and walking slowly into town.  “Fine,, you weren’t attacked were you?” asked his friend falling into step beside him. “No, not attacked,” Billie muttered as the traitor whispered in his ear, See? He’s suspicious already, and he’s supposed to be your friend, the one you”trust”. “Then what happened?” his friend persisted, his pointed ears wiggling beneath the loosely hung red hair.  “Nothing, like I said Shaem the sheep took longer then I thought, did you tell my brother?” asked Billie stepping quickly out of the way of a passing horse drawn cart. “Yes, he’s been up since the crack of dawn waiting for you,” Shaem said nonchalantly, picking up an apple that had fallen out of the cart and bitting into it. “When did you get back here?” Billie asked suddenly aware that he was very tired. “About three maybe four half hours ago,” replied Shaem taking another bite of the apple. “Is he still at home?” Billie asked desperately.  The town was alive, as alive as a town can be with a population of one hundred and thirteen can be can be, Shop stands were crowded, the sound of happy chatter and whispered gossips filled the small streets. Giving a wave to Shaem Billie bolted through the streets, dodging and weaving his way around people until he found himself out of the shopping lanes and in front of a small cabin doing its best to pose as a house, a fence on either side of it led for eight or ten feet before connecting to another house of roughly the same size. The house looked like it had been built out of bits and pieces of wood that happened to be lying around, then sanded down in an attempt to hide this fact. They all looked like this. Billie quickly made his way up the pathway and to his door, wincing as he saw the expression his brothers face was wearing as it stared at him from the window.
The lawn was bare.
“What took you so long?” his brother, that was two times taller and easily ten times bigger then Billie was, demanded loudly. “I had to take care of the sheep before the werewolves,” Billie murmured stopping at the :laughing” of his brother. “Werewolves? We wiped their species out around here but could, pity more people are to lazy to do the same,” his brother snorted, giving Billie a look that said everyone-knows-that look and-if they-don’t-they-are-seriously-disturbed “I would of had to have moved them anyway, the carrion birds would have been attracted to the smell, last time they came all the cattle were infected,” Billie said quietly. “That’s no excuse, and how many times do I have to tell you, it wasn’t those pest birds faut it was that spawn of a witch they burned last of the month,” his brother “laughed”again, “and since you were so late I had to send Liany to the shops, I know I promised mom and dad I’d take care of you but if you continue on like this I’ll kick you into the streets,” his brother snorted again and flopped himself down in a small chair that creaked in painful protest. “What are you doing just standing there? Got to the shops and find Liany, she’s probably lost again, maybe one day she’ll stay lost and rid me of the trouble she bring me,” his brother continued mumbling but Billie didn’t stay to here anymore. Shutting the door Billie sprinted back into the crowded streets before his brother decided to call him back.
   He found Liany standing in front of a seamstresses stand, gazing longingly as she watched a woman weave a long piece of cloth around a spinning wheel. “Hello Billie,” Liany said dreamily, not taking her eyes off the spinning wheel. “My brother,” Billie said shuddering at the constant reminder that he was related to someone who thought a pig was just what they called bacon before it was cooked, was a blood relative, “was looking for you,”.  “You shouldn’t talk about him like that, Marcus means well, and he did take care of you after your parents accident,” Liany said still following the spinning wheel. “Yes ma’am,” Billie said dutifully. The cloth on the wheel began to give a hint of a shape of a sleeve. “What did he when?” she asked giving rapt attention to the wheel. “He was curious to know where you were and wonder if you had gotten what he asked for,” Billie said struggling to find a polite way to phrase what his brother had said.  “Yes I got everything,” Liany said dreamily pointing to the small bags at her feet, “I’m glad you didn’t get attacked, Marcus didn’t want to wait around because he didn’t want to miss the witch burning they held the s’mmorning,”.  “What?” Billie asked more loudly then he had intended, several people turned to stare, Liany herself tour her gaze to look at Billie questioningly. “Yes, last night they caught a witch, said it was the cause of what’s been happening to the sheep, Marcus was very excited about this one, more then usual, especially when your friend, the tall red haired one, told him what happened, your brother was in the front of the crowd when they lit the fire, of course I wasn’t there don’t much like..” Liany’s voice droned until it was just another voice to Billie. “Last night,” he thought to himself feeling relived that it hadn’t, couldn’t have been Marie, but not by much. “Liany,” Billie asked noticing she had at some point stopped talking and had gone back to gazing fondly at the spinning wheel. “Hmm?” she asked not looking up. “Will you be alright? With the rest of the shopping I mean, I’d stay and help but I just remembered there’s something I have to do,” Billie asked as quickly and courteously as possible. “Yes I’m fine, go, go,” Liany said, vagly waving a hand in Billies direction, almost hitting a passerby in the face.
   Randomly walking a direction Billie bumped into someone, saying a many “excuse me’s” Billie walked off without ever have seeing the strangers face, the new weight of the gold in his pocket jingled. Shaem had taught him some things.
Billie bought bread, cheese, a slice of meat and a small tin of milk for all the gold he had gotten off the stranger plus three of his own he had already. Worming his way out of the shopping streets, it seemed like everyone was packed into its small lanes, and paused only long enough to tie everything into a bundle from a sack that had been left in the streets, unnoticed Billie made his disappearance into the woods.
   The box looked deserted, but that’s how it had been built to look like to an outsider. Slinging the sack over his shoulder Billie climbed the hidden wrungs of the ladder into the box which was, empty. Only it wasn’t. There was noone there and there wasn’t anywhere to hide, but a presence filled the small enclosed area. Billie laid the sack infront of him and exposed the food, “I know your there,” Billie said. There was a hesitation as a small ripple cut through the air, in a matter of moments Marie appeared infront of him. “You learn fast,” she said looking at him reproachfully, “maybe to fast,”. Her gaze dropped to the food, Billie pushed it toward her. Marie grabbed the food ravenously and at it in a frenzied, she then turned toward the milk , uncapping it and guzzling it down.  “Thanks,” she said setting the tin of spent milk down.  “Do you feel any better?” asked Billie, making himself comfortable in the corner once more. “My energy is higher then last night, but not as high as I’d like it to be, I can’t protect myself as well, right now I could only defend myself a little better then you could, no offence,” she added hurriedly, “You didn’t have to come back,” she stated.  “I was worried, I heard..” Billie stopped quickly looking at Marie and dropping his gaze to the boxes floor.  “What did you hear?” she asked, her looking curiously at Billie again.  “When I got back into town I heard they, well, I heard the burned another witch,” Billie finished getting the sentence out of his mouth as fast as his tongue would allow.  “Oh,” was all she said, Billie saw she was fighting to keep calm, the golden sparks rose to the surface of her skin, outlining her in a deep glow. “Those people don’t know what a witch is, not a true one,” she paused, “When did they catch him?” she asked in a tight voice. “Last night,” Billie answered watching her very carefully. “No, it can’t, not here, this place, it isn’t right this can’t be ” Marie cried. The golden sparks danced around her body. “Did you know him?” asked Billie before he could stop himself.  “I, I was supposed to meet up with someone here, a bards underling, he was going to, this can’t be it are you sure? Are you sure about the time?” Marie asked, the desperation in her voice made Billie sick inside. “She said they caught him last night and, did it this morning,” Billie said softly. Marie cried out in anger, the cry grew and grew until it broke up into harsh tearless sobs.
Hesitantly Billie moved to sit beside her and awkwardly patted her on the shoulder.  “Its all ruined, this it, we spent so much time waiting and preparing for this meeting, this sets back to much progress,” after quelling her sobs Marie sat hunched next to Billie and stared blankly at the wall. “Its funny,” she said after such a long pause of silence that Billie jumped at the sound of her voice, “Your town thought they burned a witch,” she chuckled hoarsely, “But what they burned was the last hope their kind had of surviving,”.
   The sheep, Billie thought, if what Marie said was true the world had been condemned because people hadn’t taken better care of their live stock, they had burned their one remaining chance at life over something they themselves would only have slaughtered in much the same fashion later, Billie understood now. They weren’t angry the sheep had been killed, they were angry because it wasn’t their hand that had spilt the blood.   When Billie asked her what she had been on her way to save them from she merely shook her head and said, “What does it matter now?”.  Hating himself for leaving her when she was in her current state, he promised he would come back as soon as he could with more food and drink,
   Billie climbed down the tree and walked slowly as he could back to town.
The shop streets had thinned out but a few hagglers still remained, His brother and sister-in-law among them. “Where have you been off to this time?” Marcus demanded for what seemed like the umpteenth time in Billies short life. “ I had a few errands of my own to run,” Billie said quietly, always he talked quietly around Marcus.  “What possible errands could you have? I gave you a simple order, find Liany and make sure she didn’t make a mess of things, was that so hard? What were these errands that were so important anyway, don’t think I don’t know what you’ve been doing, running along with that red haired mutt making trouble for the whole town,” Marcus said in a loud voice, stopping to draw an exagertated breathe. “Don’t talk about Shaem that way,” Billie said forcing his voice to remain level.  “What did you say?” Marcus asked mockingly, “did you say something?” Marcus “laughed”. “ Don’t talk about Shaem that way, he’s far better a person then you could ever be,” Billie said meeting his brothers eyes that clenched in anger.  “Him? A half-breed, better then, you best watch what you say to me,” Marcus yelled growing red in the face. Billie knew he should stop but he couldn’t not now, he had listened to his brother for longer then he’d liked and what Marie had said stuck in his mind, “What they burned was the last hope their kind had of surviving,”.  “What makes you any better then anyone else? You watch them burn you watch and laugh at their screams, their cries for help for anyone to show mercy in this madness that has trapped them,” There was no going back now but Billie could not stop the words that continued to spill forth as if a dam had broken, it could not be contained anymore.  “Marcus, he’s tired he spent all day in the field tending to the sheep, things have been stressful all over town today, Marcus just leave him, please,” Liany said holding on to Marcus’s arm, he had begun to approach Billie and she had held on so that her heels had dragged through the dirt. “Pleases Marcus,” she tried again. Marcus shook her off and walked up to Billie stopping centimeters from him, his brother wreaked of sweat and hog fat, Billie met his brothers gaze unflinching, though he had to look up to do so. “Say anything like that to me again, anything like that at all and everyone will know the truth about our parents,” Marcus turned away from Billie and dragged Liany with him.  Overwhelming fear suddenly filled Billie, everyone continued to stare at him. Forcing himself to walk slowly he passed the shops lanes, he past his house and its clones, not stopping till he was at least five miles from town, he continued down his determined path untill he sat at the river he and Shaem had discovered several Falls ago, Billie sat at the waters edge gazing at the ripples the small water sprites made in an attempt to amuse him. It didn’t work.
   “I thought I’d find you here,”said an amused voice by Billies ear causing him to jump up, lose his footing and fall into the lake, scattering the water sprites back into their shelters. “Shaem, I really wish you wouldn’t sneak up on me,” Billie smiled weakly getting out of the water and joining his friend on the bank. “I didn’t, you just weren’t paying attention, whats wrong?” Shaem asked, his face suddenly a mask of concern. “You weren’t in town?” Billie asked absently flicking loose stones in the water. The water sprites dodged playfully at the stones, chittering excitedly flashing their blue speckled wings.  “My brother, said some things he shouldn’t have, I said some things,” Billie waved his hand in a continuos motion and watched the sprites play.  “Why do you let him get to you, just ignore him, he’s just like the rest of them you learn to ignore them after awhile,” Shaem shrugged tossing a stone far out into the middle of the lake. “They just fear what they don’t understand, like these little guys, their harmless enough right?” Shaem asked, Billie nodded, “But to some people they pose a threat because their pint-sized have wings no bigger then two fingers and live in water you see?” Shaem finished. The sprites looked at Shaem haughtily at the mention of their height.  “But they shouldn’t be killed because of it,” Billie replied. The sprites became uneasy with the turn of the conversation and resumed their game on the other side of the lake.  “Alas for now that’s the way it is, baring a war It’s going to remain that way,” Shaem said watching the sprites jet across the water. “C’mon you can’t sit here all after the noon,” Shaem said affecting a cheery voice and getting to his feet gestured for Billie to do the same. “Where do you propose I go, back to my brothers house?” Billie asked, Shaem winced, “Right bad plan, well come to my house, my dad loves having company I’m sure he won’t mind,”. Billie continued to stare at the water.  “Come on, before the streets get crowded again,” Shaem said tugging at his arms, Billie noticed genuine anxiety on his face. “What do you what to avoid?” Billie asked staring hard at his friend, Shaem became uncomfortable and began to fidget. “I’m not trying to avoid anything,” Shaem laughed, turning into a squeak halfway through, “Its just I’d like to get home, my dad worries when I’m not home early anymore, It’ll save a lot of explaining on my part if you’d come with me,” Shaem said, after seconds of Shaems begging Billie gave in and followed Shaem. When they passed the crowds on the streets they were met with dirty looks or no looks at all.  “This is getting bad,” Billie whispered once they were out of earshot, Shaem nodded, his ears twitching nervousley.

[dreamer]

hi there firstly I am not a writer but do love reading, so for what it is worth I will tell you what I think of your chapter.
 !)   I think the story line is very good.
 2) I was able to see the characters and locations in my mind from your descriptions which I think is good.
 3)It left me wanting to read more so again a good sign.

On the drawbacks.
 1) I personally think the name Billie is wrong for the character.
 2)With the above name being mentioned so many times  (I E ) billie said . billie did etc.I just got a bit fed up of hearing his name.
 3)as I have said i know nothing of writing and do not know how you could get around the conversations without saying billie all the time but Im sure there must be a way. maybe instead of putting his name first, if he has already been introduced  into the sentence, you could just say " he said " This would work especially well  when he is with  Marie , two different sexes so the reader would know who you are talking about.
 4) a couple of spelling mistakes which can be sorted.

I hope you are not offended by what I have said, but it is my opinion, as I have said before I think you have a good story there and look forward to reading the next chapter.

[Billie]

This is a little late in answering  sorry

thanks for your opinion, i've always had trouble with the "he said" or "Billie said". What name would be better?

[dreamer]

hi MM I havnt a clue what name would be better,  maybe a shorter name, I notice you are still at school so I am sure your english literature teacher would be more than willing to give advise about that,have  you been carrying on with the story or have you put it on hold for a while?

[Billie]

I have been working on it a little, and I never thought I'd say this but, unfortunaly I'm on summer vacation now so my English teacher can't help me.


Heres what I have so far. unedited.


Shaem shut and locked the door as soon as Billie was clear of its path. “What’s with the new security?” Billie asked as his friend fumbled with three locks placed in a row. “Nothing really, its just with the way things have gone recently, lets just say its moved beyond the occasional slurred remark,” Shaem explained finishing the last lock with the twist of a hand.   Billie stared hard at Shaem, who merely shrugged under his friends gaze. “Believe me it’s nothing I can’t handle,”.
   Billie followed Shaem into the small living den. It was decorated with odd knickknacks that seamed to delicate in detail to be real. “Oh, those,” Shaem said giving a casual glance to the items that hung from the shelves, “My dads been home a lot and I guess he has to keep himself busy somehow, bit scary really,”.   “Look Shaem, I’d love to stay. Believe me, but as much as it pains me to say it I..” Billie stopped, Shaem was starring at him determinedly.  “Your staying here even if I have to tie you to a chair in order to do so, my dads in his room, if your not here when I get back I’ll hunt you down, ok?” Shaem asked cheerfully, without waiting for a response from Billie he disappeared into one of the many alcoves the small house had. 
   Smiling, Billie looked around the cramped room, this place had been a getaway from so many things in the past that he felt at home here. Shaem appeared moments later worry, spreading on panic filled his features.  “What? What is it?” asked Billie seeing his friends expression. “He’s not in his room, its probably nothing,” he gave a nervous laugh, “but, well a few days ago the shop my dad owns was trashed,”. Shaems eyes darted around the room restlessly. “He wasn’t hurt was he?” asked Billie as Shaem passed around the room.  “No not exactly but before that he’s been having problems with business, noone would come to him anymore because,” Shaem fell short looking downcast. “He’s probably all right, your fathers been in this town for awhile. I don’t think anyone would go so far as to hurt him,” Billie said in what he hoped was a comforting tone.  “Do you really believe that?” Shaem asked sinking onto a small wooden stool. Before Billie could replied there was a muffled knock at the door.  Cautiously Shaem walked back to the door, Billie beside him.
   Several locks later the door was open.
Relieve immediately stole over Shaem’s face as the figure at the door walked into the dim light of the house. “Where were you?” Shaem asked as his father shambled into the living den and dropped into one of the wooden chairs. “The council put up a lease on my shop, they said that I was disturbing the peace, oh, hello Billie,” the tattered figure said tiredly. “But they can’t do that, how will we make a living?” Shaem asked bewildered. “I don’t think they care, but don’t worry we’ll manage somehow,” Shaem’s father replied sinking lower into the chair. “They can’t,” repeated Shaem, at helplessly looking his father.  Billie, feeling awkward slowly inched to the door but Shaem caught him before he could reach the door knob.  “Its alright if Billie can stay here tonight right?” asked Shaem loudly, circling Billie and pushing him towards one of the wooden chairs.  “Of course, he’s always welcome here,” Shaems father smiled sitting up straighter in his chair. “No really I should go, I wouldn’t want to impose or anything,” Billie stammered caught between Shaem’s set gaze and his fathers friendly one.
   Early the next morning Billie awoke from his small downy mattress to Shaem’s face staring directly into his. “I was wondering when you’d wake up,” Shaem said in a mock exasperated voice. “What was it that was so dire that I needed to wake up for?” Billie asked rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Oh come on, the day is bright and shining, full of possibilities for people such as ourselves,” Shaem said pulling Billie to his feet and practically shoving him out the door. “Shaem,” Billie protested as his friend continued to shove him down the street, “where are you taking me?”. “To the lake,” Shaem whispered in a surreptitious manner. “You could have said that, and I can walk by myself,” Billie snapped breaking Shaem’s grip.  “Right sorry, but time is of the essence,” Shaem said simply.
   “Do you mind telling me why we’re here?” Billie asked kicking a stone into the shimmering lake. “Well for one, if you we’re paying attention, they left,” Shaem said impatiently.  “Who left? The sprites?”asked Billie walking over and peering into the now clouded water of the lake. “They must have left last night, some of them at least, the rest were captured, while you were sleeping I saw men carrying them in cages,” sadly Shaem shook his head. “But they were leaving not because of the men, I think that was just coincidence, things have been strange lately and its not just here, Supernaturals are being hunted, which is my second point,”.   “They haven’t tried to do anything to you have they?” Billie asked seeing uncharacteristic fear in Shaems eyes.  “Two days ago  I got attacked, I was minding my own business ,just walking, when I got ambushed, and I actually knew some of these people, they beat me pretty badly, I didn’t have time to react, I suppose that’s the whole point,” he laughed humorously, chucking a stone into the murky water. “Why didn’t you say anything?” asked Billie, “we could have done something,”. “What could we have done, we don’t know how to fight, well you don’t, but what would that do? Get us executed, this isn’t a safe time for Supernaturals or their friends,”.
   Billie left Shaem by the lake after he had waved Billie off and said he’d be fine. The streets were overflowed with people gathering around a small booth, as Billie pushed his way through the crowd he could see the water sprites contained in small cages, displayed on the table for the gawking crowd. The sprites banged their little fists on the cage, their wings beat incessantly.  “Where did you find them?” a woman, with a wool scarf wrapped around her face, asked. “A small, dirty little lake, we were out on the nightly patrol and saw these ghastly things flashing across the water,” replied a tall, broad man shaking the cage for emphasis.  “Stayed out all night rounding ‘em up,” added a short man sitting behind the booth that Billie could now see as he pushed to the front of the crowd.  “What’re you going to do with them,” asked a small boy, clutching on to his mothers hand.  “Dispose of them I expect, council past a decree, any Supernaturals are to be brought to them so they can be dealt with appropriately,” the broad man said much to the pleasure  of the crowd, “About time ” someone from the back shouted.
    “They can’t honestly do this,” Billie whispered to himself as the two men at the booth began addressing the crowd.  “And why not?” asked a balding man, looking at Billie indignantly, “something ought to be done about them, If you ask me their nuisance,” the man sniffed and turned his attention back to the front.  “But those sprites didn’t do anything, their harmless,” Billie cried,, the sprites had stopped struggling and merely at in the cage looking at one another. “Its that magic it can’t be trusted, their a danger running around with all that power,” replied the balding man glaring at the sprites.  “If their as dangerous as you say they are then how can they be caught so easily,” Billie questioned angrily. The man looked affronted then sad quickly, “Best watch what you say, some people would get the idea that your on their side,”.  The broad man at the front held up the sprites cage as if emphasizing a point. “This is cruel,” Billie shouted but it was lost in the scattered applause from the crowd.  The man behind the booth gave a curt nod to his associate.
   “Times are changing for the better,” the broad man announced facing the crowd but looking past it, his eyes burned with malice, “people will have to see our views are the right, they will aid us in our mission,”. The applause was louder but it was made by the same people as before. Disgustedly Billie tried to back away but the crowd moved forward to circle around the booth even tighter. Smiling the broad man set the sprites on the table, his associate joining him amongst the crowd.  The two men began answering questions as the crowd closed up around them.
   Billie moved closer to the table unnoticed.
   It can’t be that easy, it’s some kind of trap. protested the traitor. They wouldn’t just leave their captives unguarded.  Billie quickly looked back at the crowd, they had their backs to him. They could have put a plant in the crowd. continued the traitor in distress. As soon as his hand touched the cage there was an angry shout from the crowd. Without bothering to turn around Billie grabbed the cage and sped away, pounding footsteps followed him closely.  Tell me you have an idea of where your going.  The traitor pleaded as the footsteps behind him gained in their speed.  “Don’t really know, this is kind of a spur of the moment thing,” Billie replied aloud, his pursuers looked questioningly at each other.  Feigning left Billie turned sharply right slipping between two closely built houses, the pursuers skidded as they tried to change directions but easily caught step with Billie again. The ally opened suddenly, blinded by the sun Billie’s foot caught on a loose cobblestone causing him to crash to the ground.  The cage flew from his hands and bounced to the ground next to him, the cage broke open easily.  Billie scrambled to his feet coming face to face with his pursuers.  One was blond and of average height, but seemed seven feet tall compared to the man next to him who, Billie recognized as, the man who had sat behind the booth.  “You’ll pay for that, do you have any idea what price those would have fetched?” the short man shouted angrily advancing on Billie, who noticed to his relief that in the rush they had not grabbed weapons.  The blond put a restraining hand on the other mans shoulder, bending over in order to do so, “easy, they will be easily recovered there is no need for anything..rash, but I am curious as to why someone would take something that could easily end with him in a dank cell,” the Blond looked thoughtfully at Billie.
   “It wasn’t humane,” Billie replied meeting the blonds eyes.
   The short man snorted, “You people and your unjust morals, they aren’t  human, just give them to me and nothing unpleasant will have to happen to you,”. Billie moved aside and revealed the broken cage, the short man gave a cry of outrage and struggled under the blonds restraining hand.  “Why is it you care?” asked the blond holding Billies gaze, unable to stop the word as they escaped from his lips Billie begrudgingly said, “They’re my friends I had to help them.  “You knew were they were?” the short man said growing excited, he turned to the blond and said, “maybe there’s more  We only caught the ones that had gotten to the gates of town but if this whelp knows were more are..” the man trailed off looking questioningly at the blond who shook his head. “He said they were friends of his, do you think he’ll tell us of his own will?” the blond asked.  “We’ll make him tell us, he has no choice, just get the answer out of him with that..thing you do,” the short man finished lamely, gesturing in a vague pantomime. The blond shook his head again, “I can’t it wouldn’t be just,”. “Just ” the short man asked angrily turning his full attention on the blond, “you helped capture them once already  You have to help I command it ” the short man realized his mistake as soon as the words were out. The blond towered over the short man a cold blue fire laced across his fingertips, jumping out hungrily at the small man. “you do not command me,” the blond echoed in a voice that shook Billie to the very bone, the short man quivered in terror, “I assisted you because of a favor I was in det of, now that the det is repaid I owe nothing,”.  “I..only meant that..it would be much appreciated if you could..aid in my problem,” the short man continued carefully,”If you could only slip one small hint as to where the others are?”. “I will not aid you further,” the blond replied coldly, the blue flames disappearing under his skin leaving a faint glow for several seconds. 
   The short man opened his mouth to argue but thought better of it, sighing he turned back to Billie, who had just disappeared around the corner.
   You ran. The traitor stated as    Billie continued his blind run through the streets. “What would you have me do?” Billie asked, “besides I had no cause to stick around, you heard what that short man said, I’d be put in a dungeon of some sort,”. No your right, I just didn’t think you had the commonsense to run. The voice replied simply.  “But he’ll be looking for me, and in this place it’s all to easy to find anyone,” Billie sighed and stopped running, in an attempt to catch his breath. What do you propose? The traitor asked genuinely curious.
   Billie didn’t reply.

   
   
Chapter Three


Warily Billie climbed through the window that led to his small bedroom. The sun that had shoe so promising at the start was now being suffocated by angry black clouds that threatened to burst given a moments notice.
   To his relief the house was silent, only the uneven creak of the floorboards under his feet welcomed his arrival.  Scouring the room he grabbed a leather pack Shaem had given him and began putting the two other changes of cloths into it, along with other things he thought would be useful. What are you doing? Asked the traitor as Billie tucked away a small hand carved dagger in between the cloth. “What does it look like?” Billie asked shoving some final items in before sealing the pack. Where are you planning to go exactly? And with a knife no less. queried the traitor. “Dagger, and its for protection,” Billie said defensively shouldering the leather pack. You don’t even know how to use it  Smirked the traitor. “That’s not the point, but its there if I need it,” replied Billie coloring slightly. Where do you plan to go? repeated the traitor. Billie walked into the living den, going to the small cupboard and taking meager rations from the shelves.. “I don’t know, but I can’t stay here any longer, maybe Shaem can give me an idea,” Billie said shutting the cupboard, “besides I have to say good-bye,”.
       If your leaving you should do it quickly, that distraction you caused in town will only hold their interest for so long. warned the traitor. “Your right,” Billie said smiling slightly as he walked to the door, “sometimes I think your almost helpful,”. The traitor silently cursed itself. The door swung open banging into the wall. “There you are,” Marcus bellowed dragging Liany behind him, “Don’t think I didn’t see you, running of and taking those filthy things, what did you do with them?”. Billie moved back from his approaching brother and answered levelly, “I let them go,”. “what were you thinking? You could go to the dungeons for that, it would be a relief believe me, don’t think I’m going to help you out of this mess,” Marcus stopped mid-speech as he saw the pack. “Your leaving?” he asked disbelievingly, “your not going anywhere, you have to face up to what you did for once, I’m not letting you leave this house,” Marcus turned to Liany and said sharply, “Go and find one of the watchmen and bring them here,”. She left sorrowfully looking at Billie in apology.  “You, I’d think you’d show a little more gratitude..” continued Marcus, the traitor took control of Billies voice. “Gratitude? How could anyone show that to someone like you?”.  “How dare you ” Marcus shouted his face turning a beat red. “Someone has to, I’m leaving, if you want to stop me try,” the traitor said with Billie’s voice, walking past Marcus and out the door.
    As Billie walked away from his house he heard Marcus yell, “Don’t even think of coming back,”. Billie didn’t even turn around.
   “What did you have to go and do that for?” Billie asked annoyed. The clouds began to sprinkle water down on him. I had to do something, you weren’t obviously going to do anything. The traitor said indignantly. “I had a plan,” Billie muttered turning onto the street that led to Shaem’s house.
Oh and what would that entail? The traitor voice asked with mocking curiosity.
“I was going to escape through the window in my room,”
That’s a terrible plan.
“It would have worked,”
That’s the trouble with you, your always sneaking off always avoiding confrontation.
“What’s so bad about that?” Billie asked sharply.  You can’t always avoid confrontation, though you probably shouldn’t always meet them either, why are you asking yourself anyway, I only did what I did because that guy was starting to bug me. The traitor voice said simply.  “Well don’t do that again,” Billy retorted.  I promise nothing. said the traitor solemnly.
   Stopping Billie cried out in surprise as he took in the sight of Shaems house. It was ransacked, the door hung on one hinge, someone had made a hole big enough for three men in the wall. The inside was no better. The ethereal items that had decorated the shelves  lay smashed to bits across the floor. “Shaem,” he called afraid to hear a response but wasn’t moderately relieved when he didn’t receive any.  “I shouldn’t have left him alone,” Billie said angrily to himself and began searching all the alcoves, only finding more destruction. “This is all my fault,” he shouted kicking violently at a broken chair. The chair skidded and crashed against the wall.  “?” Billie said peering at the wall curiously.  At the base of the wall a small hurried word had been scrawled.
                                                           SAFE
It could have been done by anyone. The traitor said quietly. “I recognized Shaem’s handwriting,” Billie said relieved, quickly leaving the ruins of his friends house.   Then, may I suggest, seeing as your friend most likely isn’t even near this town, that we do the same, while we still can. said the traitor darkly.  “Your probably right but..” Billie stopped and cursed himself for his forgetfulness. “Marie, I have to make sure she’s alright,”.  Better hurry. was all the traitor said.



Climbing up the hidden wrungs he saw Marie hunched in the farthest corner from the entrance, the blanket was pulled tight around her chin.  “I was wondering if you were going to come back,” she said sitting up, taking the blanket off. “Sorry,” Billie apologized taking the pack off and handing her some of the food. She ate it hungrily. “Things haven’t been improving,”.  “I know, I saw them capture those poor little sprites,” Marie said finishing the last bit of food, “I hope nothing to vile happened to them,”. Billie explained what he had done, which seemed to relax her considerably. “Well that’s something at least, I saw them running around the woods, I hid my self as best I could but they almost found me,” she sighed as she stood up and stretched, “My power never took this long to return, I think its this place, or whatever’s here, it pulls the magic from thing as if it feeds on it,” she shrugged the idea away, “so what’s with the pack?”.  “I’m leaving, I just don’t know where to,” Billie sighed, closing the pack,”do you have any suggestions?”.  She gave him a thoughtful look which slowly turned to dread. “What, what is it?” Billie asked, Marie put her finger to her lips and crawled soundlessly to the doorway, careful that none of her body stuck out.  After a moment she retreated back to Billie.
‘what is it?’ Billie mouthed
“The men who I saw earlier, their back,” she whispered.  “We should be safe up here, shouldn’t we?” he looked doubtfully at Marie.  “I don’t think so, not with these men, ones a tracker,” she replied, as a voice floated up from the ground.  “We know your up there, so why don’t you come down and join us?” the voice was hoarse, “quickly if you don’t mind, I can’t wait here all day,”.  “I was hoping they’d take longer to find me,” Marie muttered.  “You knew they were coming for you?” asked Billie reproachfully. Trying to make himself as small as possible in the corner.   “Well, not for me exactly but they knew something..more then human was living in these woods,” Marie explained brushing hair from her face.  “How could they know you were living here,” Billie wondered aloud.  “Just because they don’t like the idea of magic doesn’t mean they won’t use it to their own ends,” she said coldly.  “I’m giving you one more chance to come down on your own accord,” the voice said patiently.    “Hold out your hand,” Marie said taking a silver chain from around her neck that Billie had not seen. “This may well hold the fate of us all, all you have to do is get to the next town, whether or not it meant to happen a war has started,” she dropped the chain ,which had a small delicate silver key hanging from it, into Billie’s hand. “I can only send you as far as outer gates, then its up to you to get somewhere safe,” she continued, a rustling from below cut her off, “I really hope my trust hasn’t been misplaced,”.  She outstretched her palm over Billie’s chest. The small green lights drifted from her hand and began surrounding Billie, as the lights collected he felt as if his insides were being tugged at. “I warned you,” said the hoarse voice from the entrance, Billie saw the scarred face as it lifted itself into the box with them, then everything was a blur.
   Landing heavily on the ground, it took him several tries to get to get feet, he was just outside the outer gates. Opening his hand he saw the small silver key unexplainably glowing.  A crow burst overhead loudly squawking as it flew to the next tree where it landed starring at Billie. Carefully he slipped the chain around his neck. The strange metal feeling warm against his skin.  The next town’s what, three miles? asked the traitor
“Technically five,” Billy responded dismally.
Ok five, what are you going to do once your there? prodded the traitor.
“I, don’t know,” Billie answered.
That’s been your answer a lot lately. the traitor observed.
“What would you have me do?” Billie shouted, startling himself, “I know I don’t have a plan, I’m not sure what’s going on really, but I’m doing the best I can,” Billie finished more quietly. Staring at the crow suspiciously before walking several steps away. No need to shout, but whatever your decision is I suggest you make it quickly, the sun is setting and there’s something not right about that key. the traitor said with a note of unease.  “Maybe, but it can’t be that bad, Marie was carrying..” shock spread across his face. “She’s still up in the tree with that tracker,”. Billie began to walk back hurriedly towards the outer gates.   Wait, stop. demanded the traitor halting Billies steps.  “I don’t have time, she could be in danger,” Billie cried vainly trying to move forward.  That’s probably true but just think a moment, she sent you out of there for a reason, what if that key thing is important and you just went traipsing back there to land it in the wrong hands. the traitor said impatiently, turning Billies body around.  “But I can’t just leave her there,” Billie protested as his feet moved down the path. The crow stared after him tilting its head in confusion. “What can you possibly do? Your miles away, its almost dark and besides, she’s a witch she can take care of herself. the traitor demanded.   
   The moon had replaced the sun, hanging dimly in the sky, its light being muffled by the clouds. Squinting in the dim light Billie followed the trail that twisted and turned without warning, as the night continued on the moons glow began to get dimmer.  The warm night air became unexpectedly chilly, though no wind was blowing. He sped up his pace as the eerie silence continued to stretch farther and farther.
   The silence was broken by a faint unearthly scream.
   Looking wildly around him he only saw darkness, shadows playing at the corners of his eyes.  Something brushed quickly past him, just Barely Billie could make out the shape of wood rats scurrying past him. The scream pierced through the night air again, closer this time. instinct kicked in, Billie bolted down the trail, branches of trees seemed to reach out and grab for him as he tore past them. The scream shot off beside Billie, nearly deafening him.   Clawlike hand gripped his back lifting him momentarily off the ground, his legs flailed wildly before being dropped to the ground again. Hitting the ground hard Billie rolled to his feet and took off again. The scream came again, shadows danced infront of him, Billie ducked as he felt the thing fly over him, it shrieked its anger and flew at him again. Billie threw himself of to the side. Momentarily his body left the ground again, the moment seemed to take hours, but it was all to soon for Billie. His body hit the sloped ground hard, unable to stop himself from rolling down the hill the he tried to avoid as many bushes as possible. The broken branches scratched at Billies body, drawing faint lines of blood, he continued to roll until he hit the trunk of the tree. Groaning in pain Billie tried to stand, lest the thing come down here to look for him, his knees buckled, dropping him back to the hard earth Billie lay unmoving.
   From far away Billie heard the angry shriek before he faded from conciseness.





   Rasing his head from the ground Billie found he was not dead. The relief to this was short lived when he sat up and his body screamed agony for him to stop.  Morning had already been on its way as Billie hobbled away from the tree and took in his surroundings.  If Billie had missed the tree he would have continued into a river that broadened out to the next town, Billie could just make out the shapes of buildings. Crawling to the waters edge began to check the damage.  Small thin red lines decorated his face, washing the cuts he cringed when he touched a small bump on his forehead.  By the morning light the place still held an air of menace.
   Shambling towards the entrance to the town of Winnershly the watchman posted at the gate apprehensively watched Billie approach.  “And where do you come from?” the guard asked putting his hand on the hilt of his sword. “Am..eith,” Billie groaned trying to limp past the guard. “Rough time getting here?” the guard asked suspiciously. “I fell off a hill,” replied Billie guardedly, moving past the guard. “Right, you just best watch your stay here, we don’t stand much for trouble,” the guard warned as Billie flinched. Billie gave a small nod and walked past the guard put a hand on Billies shoulder, “Watch yourself,” he said releasing Billie, who ambled quickly toward Winnershly
   The small tavern Billie now sat in at the far corner, was called . Wix. He sat huddled in the chair, head resting on the table.  The Wix was filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses.   The chair next to Billie was pulled out and sat in. “Seat not taken is it?” asked the person. Billie raised his head to see a dark brown haired man, who was taller then Billie even though he slouched in the seat, the man was clad in Black. Billie shook his head and sat up straighter.  “If you don’t mind my asking,” said the man, curiously peering at Billie momentarily befor turning his attention else ware, “what happened to you?”.  “I fell down a hill, just up the winding road from here,” Billie said as he had to the guard..  “Right, must of had a nasty fall with an injury like that,” the man said pointing to Billies back.
   Wincing Billie felt deep grooves on his back pulling it away quickly he saw the blood on his hands. “What was it exactly that made you fall?” the man asked.   “I wasn’t paying attention, must have wandered off the trail,” Billie murmured fighting his eyelids that were trying to close. The man was about to continue until he spied the small key dangling from Billies neck. “Where did you get that?” the man asked sharply, his face becoming hard with suspicion.                     



I'm going to change the last part.
            

[dreamer]

I think you have a great imagination,and you are very good with your descriptive writing, this is a good story.