I Am Fall Pt. 3

                                    

                                          
There was silence like evening in winter. I listened though I knew I'd never hear it coming. My eyes cracked open searched the edges of the tree-line. Nothing moved. Even the wind had died down and the grass was still. A sinking feeling grew in my stomach. I took a step, fearing it hadn't worked, but then I saw him. A Black and white beast ran at us. Its ears pricked forward. Its paws were soundless. It loped at an alarming speed for such a large animal. 
                          
"What is that?" Lullabys voice became guarded.
                          
"That, is an Exlupis." I grinned. I couldn't help it. The crisis at hand was anxiety inducing for sure, but I never imagined seeing this creature come to life. It was so vivid. The wolf-like animal stopped in front of us. It tossed its head, its long tail swishing. 
                          
"It's Blackjack." I reached up and the beast put his muzzle against my hand. It flicked it's tongue out and I dodged. I didn't want to know what it felt like to have that much drool running down my arm. It would be like getting spit on by Clifford. 
                          
I found myself frozen in place. Blackjack was incredible. His fur was black like the inside of a coffin at midnight. There was a distinct white diamond on his face. A ghostly white dipped his paws and faded part way up his legs like a fog.  His eyes were the color of pirate treasure.
                          
"Hey, Jack. They didn't catch you." I breathed, watching the muscles shift beneath his thick fur. "We need a ride." 
                          
Blackjack's his ears tilting forward and he gave a low whine. He lowered his body, flattening himself against the ground so we could get on his back. I climbed onto his front leg and used his fur as leverage.  Lullabys, looked less thrilled. 
                          
"Coming?" I held my hand out. The flash of reluctance crossed him but he took my hand anyway and let me pull him up.
                          
"Hold on." I warned. He put his arms around my waist. "We're looking for Hush, Blackjack. Can you find him?" I gave his neck a pat and he took off with a jolt. 
                          
Exlupis were faster than any other ridable creature I'd ever made. Quieter too. Aside from the start, it was a smooth ride. Blackjack flew across the grass, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. I thought I felt Lullabys shaking behind me. I found it strange that he had all the fear without the danger of dying. I patted his arm and he  loosened up a bit.
                          
"Hush lives in those woods ahead." Lullabys spoke into my ear. It was hard to hear over the air rushing past my ears. I almost couldn't see past Blackjack's massive head. I caught a glimpse of a desolate forrest. 
                          
The trees, lined in thick, black bark, had leaves of every strange shape. They moved with the wind but made no sound to answer it. There was no rustling, no animals. No sound at all. Blackjack slowed to a trot as we neared.
                          
"Thank you." I told him, running my hands through his fur. He lay down and waited for us to dismount. When Lullabys and I were clear, he sprawled out on his side. His stomach bounced and froth had begun to build in the corner of his mouth. 
                          
"We should walk from here." Lullabys said, running a hand through his wind-tossed hair. 
                          
"I agree." I nodded. Blackjack was sneaky, but in the long run, it would be hard to sneak in with two people and a giant beast.
                          
"Let's go." he said. I hesitated. The whole area made my hair stand on end. I felt like something awful could happen at any moment. 
                          
"What is Hush like?" I asked. 
                          
"He's a silent killer." Lullabys said, disgust in his tone. 
                          
"As the name implies." I wrinkled my nose.  
                          
"You won't ever hear him." Lullabys took my hand and led me into the woods. Looking around, it was like everything was a ghost. A shell of its former self. It was as if something had sucked the soul out of it all. 
                          
I lingered behind Lullabys as we proceeded, clutching his hand. The tension grew by the moment. Not even my footfalls made sound. Which is saying something, because I clomp around like an overweight Clydesdale. 
                          
Lullabys finally stopped. A small clearing revealed a building, square in the middle of the open space. The bricks that made it, were black and had no character. 
                          
"Are we going in?" My question seemed as stupid as it was loud. Of course we were. My friends needed help and I couldn't leave them to their fate. I had the suspicion that it was my fault they were in this mess.
                          
"Not so loud." Lullabys whispered. We crouched and moved in towards the building. It didn't have any windows. Even the door was black. I wasn't inside yet, but I was certain the moment I stepped in, I would not want to be there.