Coming to this town wasn't so bad. It was our first time on this side so I hadn't really expected much but as the days went on this little haven proved me wrong, I liked every little thing about it and that spoke volumes since my home was far more enchanting but this town offered something new and refreshing so I wanted to see everything not only here but far beyond, although that wouldn't be possible. I had a mission here, which reminded me of a certain someone and what they said
Lyla, even her name was beautiful and as unique as its owner. She was easily one of the most gorgeous ladies I had ever met, a bit sassy but was it weird that that only added to her charm, I chuckled remembering both incidents when we initially met especially the day at the waterfall I could tell she was a bit of an introvert but she was the kind that managed to blend easily or at least tried her best to
What stood out most to me was her comment on my eyes, no one here could see how they truly looked but there she was in her way describing exactly how they looked and it thoroughly messed with my mind so much so that I had started doing something many would describe as inappropriate and straight up crazy especially here, I was stalking her or spying on her whatever you call it. I watched when her mother drove her to school and only left when she was sitting for her exam, then I'd return when it was time for her to head home and watched her till she finally turned the lights in her room off
I had hoped to notice anything unusual, but alas, there was nothing. I had thought of straight-up approaching her and asking her some interesting questions, but that would only make me look crazy and, in turn, make her keep her distance
Damian approached me as I stood at the dining table, crossing off another spot on the map. I stood aside to let him do the same and sighed. This was getting annoying
"It's been three weeks since we got here, and we haven't even had a single clue."
"The Legate sent word in the morning that we need to hurry things," Damian said, that burning cold look of anger in his eyes
"Shit, how has it gone so long without feeding"
"Perhaps it hasn't, it's possible it is feeding but is keeping its kills to a minimal, barely noticeable, it should have guessed that we'd be sent after it, so it opted to lay low."
"Even so, I haven't heard any missing reports. This town doesn't have a large population, so we should have heard something."
Damian took in my words and remained deep in thought, and his next words brought my fear to reality
"Maybe it's no longer in this town; you suspected it, too, right? It's possible it went to another town. That's why I have been compiling missing reports from the nearby towns," he said, reaching into a cabinet and handing me some files, and I passed through them
"Three nearby towns, only two have a moderately large population both have a forest but only one has a large forest, the one connecting to this town but there are only five missing report cases, two that are recent, for the three weeks it has been here that seems so little whereas the other town with the small forest seems to have a larger number of missing cases seven that are recent," I said analyzing the reports piecing things together,
"Although it seems obvious that that is our target, the forest isn't large enough for it to feel comfortable staying; they aren't completely dumb after all…wait, is it possible that it's taking people from the other town and dragging them to the larger forest?"
It all seemed to click the moment I said that, it all made sense now, and the small sparkle in my brother's eyes, pride, let me know that was exactly what he was thinking
"The problem is that the forest is almost as large as the one here, so tracing it will be difficult, and the tracing amulets we have don't seem to work strongly on this side, but we could still move there and try using them while tracking the missing persons."
"When do we move?" I asked, part of me wishing there was another choice, I had grown fond of this town
"I'll need to rely on the message to the Legate first, perhaps he could offer up some men, although that seems impossible, it's worth a try, so just be ready. We leave the day after tomorrow."
"Okay"
I walked to my room, there was nothing to pack, so I decided to use the remaining time to take one last stroll; it was possible we'd never ever come back. So the forest and the small hills with the vast greenery and spacious field below seemed like the best place to say my goodbyes
I took our rented truck and drove there, passing by some beautiful sites that kept reminding me why I had grown to love this small town so much. As I packed, I noticed a familiar blue jeep and smiled. Perhaps fate also wanted me to bid her goodbye. I walked to the nearby stables and rented a horse for the next journey, as was required by the local law here, since the wheels of a car would probably destroy the grass and could also not make it to certain areas
I spotted her racing on a pure black horse a quarter of a kilometer away, She rode so gracefully that I was sure she had enough experience to enter a professional race and give her competitors a hard time. I urged my horse to increase its speed as I raced toward her, as she slowed down.
"Great to see you again, Lyla," I said as soon as I was within talking distance
"Don't know if I would say the same, Anson," she said, a bored expression on her face, making me smile
"Don't tell me you still hate me."
"Hate is a strong word. I just find you annoying."
"But I find you absolutely delightful." She only rolled her eyes at that, and came down from her horse, and I followed suit
"Enjoy riding," I asked as she brushed the fur of the horse with her hands
"Yes, I've been riding since I was young. I came here for lessons."
"Have any favorite horses?"
"Only Max, we met when we were both young and shy, I saw him trying to hide deeper into his stable, and I don't know, somehow that just got me drawn to him, we instantly clicked when I placed my hand on his jaw, and he pushed into it. Ever since I only rode him," she responded, looking fondly at the horse, which purred reciprocating the affection
"You've never ridden another horse." She only shook her head in response
"But what if you ever leave?"
"I don't know, I'll probably wait till I come back for a visit or something," she said as if she hadn't possibly considered ever riding another horse; it was clear she loved Max deeply
"What about him? Does he have other riders?"
"Yes, children usually, he has a soft spot for them. No adults, though."
"Seems like he shares your affection," I said, making her smile at me, her first genuine smile toward me
"He's a purebred Friesian which makes him unique and more coveted but Max is stubborn and doesn't accept visitors no matter how much they try to soften him or try to pay the owner, unless they are kids of course so people opt to ride Fiona she's another purebred, a Mustang, but she isn't stressed. None of the horses are, which is why I like Neil, the owner."
We talked a while longer as the horses fed on the grass, and then we raced each other and ended up in a tie. Later, we helped Neil brush the horses. Max was visibly sad to see Lyla go, to which she hugged and kissed him on the cheek, promising to come back soon
As we made it to the parked cars, my wrist amulet glowed in a blue hue, my brother was calling to me. I gave her a quick goodbye, leaving a slightly curious look on her face
NOTE:
A Legate is the top commanding officer, he holds supreme authority over the entire legion