Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
The messenger showed them into the large dining room where a long redwood table was set with delicious looking food and goblets made from the ancient England era. He motioned for the group to be seated while he stood at the front of the table “I’d like to welcome you to Akrinoma. I hope you will be comfortable here. After dinner, I would like to ask all of you to go to bed. Your rooms will be ready.”
Alex shot her hand up before the man had a chance to leave “Which one’s my room?” He did not answer her, only smiled carefully as he turned and walked towards a door, he didn’t bother to use the handle but his figure seemed to vanish through the door “That’s a cool hologram.” Alex breathed.
Kevin felt the goosebumps forming on his arms and legs “Alex, I don’t think it’s a hologram.”
“Of course it is!” she replied without a doubt “Anyone want a turkey leg?” she got up the yank the giant drumstick from it’s body.
Tammy covered her mouth looking disgusted “I can’t eat that.”
“Why?” Alex asked curiously.
“It’s a disorder I’ve had since I was a kid. My mother said I couldn’t eat any form of meat that was once a bird.” She looked sick to her stomach while Kyle who was seated next to her gave her his napkin “Thanks.”
“It’s not a bird, it’s a turkey! They can’t even fly!” Alex exclaimed.
Kyle shook his head “It’s a type of bird.”
Everyone began digging in while Ann sat there quietly staring at the dead bird. Kevin often stole glances at her and he was the one to ask “What’s wrong Ann? You’re not hungry?”
She shook her head and her hands began talking ‘I don’t think that’s a turkey.’
Kyle and Kevin were the first to drop their forks and knives. Mila nudged Kevin in the rib “What did she say?”
“She said it’s not a turkey.” Kevin whispered. The rest slipped the forks from their hands except for Alex. He turned to his friend “You’re still eating it?”
She shrugged “It looks like a turkey and it taste like a turkey, it is a turkey.” She looked around the table, they all looked a little pale “Oh come on! She’s obviously in on the joke.” She pointed to Ann “If it’s not a turkey, then what is it?”
Mila leaned back on her chair “Why don’t you ask the bird expert.” She pointed her thumb to Tammy.
Tammy was reluctant but she knew she was the only one that would know the truth. Getting up as she used Kyle’s napkin to cover her nose and mouth. She looked at the headless bird carefully. Her fingers poking at its meat, testing its firmness. Christian was looking irritated because he was hungry and couldn’t eat. He leaned over and picked up the bird and thrust it at Tammy “Have a closer look!”
She screamed and nearly tripped over her own foot. Alex was the only person that found it hilarious as she laughed uncontrollably “That’s not funny.” Kyle shook his head at Christian and Alex while he got up to steady Tammy.
Getting more pale by the second, she turned to Kyle “That’s not a turkey.” Her comment caught even Alex’s attention “Turkey meat is a lot more soft. Didn’t you guys notice it’s a little chewy? Also, the muscles are a lot thicker and the wings are a little longer than a turkey. It appears to be a baby…something.”
“Shit.” Christian muttered under his breath.
Alex shook her head with a grin “That was good. So how many of you are in on this hoax? Who put you up to this? The monk?”
“This is not a hoax.” Jerry spoke up for the first time. All eyes turned to him and he smiled, knowing that his words caused the silence “Alex, you saw the creature yourself, how could you not believe this?”
“Creature? What creature?” Kyle asked. He looked confusedly at everyone.
She began to back away towards the exit “There’s no creature!” She shook her head vehemently “Anyways, I just lost my appetite, thanks." Turning her heels, Alex rushed towards the living room and up the stairs.
“Alex!” Kevin moved from his seat.
“Let her be, she needs time to let it soak in.” Jerry stopped him.
Kevin turned to him “You believe in the prophecy?”
“What are you people talking about? And they call ME crazy.” Mila snickered.
And so Kevin was forced to tell them about the legend and curse of Akrinoma. After he finished, the room grew silent. No one knew what to say “Why us?” Tammy was in disbelief.
“I don’t know.” Kevin sighed.
“Looks like you’re going to have to worry about your little girlfriend. She’s in denial.” Mila reached for a wine glass and was ready to take a sip when it was knocked out of her hand by Christian.
“That’s blood.” He said.
The group shuddered as they picked up their glasses and sniffed it. It was a thick red color but the smell was familiar “Is..is that human…eh… blood?” Kyle stammered.
Mila reached over and dipped her finger in one of the cups and licked it “Hmm…no, it’s something else. Human blood is a little saltier.” They turned to her with odd looks “I know what blood tastes like!” Tammy grimaced with disgust while Mila rolled her eyes “Like you guys never licked your cuts before.”
Jerry was tired as he stood up “This is interesting, but I am beat from the flight. I’m going to sleep.”
“I’ll help you.” Tammy offered as she rushed to support his hand. He smiled thankfully.
Mila turned to Christian, whose eyes had narrowed after Tammy and Jerry left “What’s the matter? The blind man’s got your girl?” He threw her a dangerous glare but decided not to comment as he too left the room “Damn, he’s hot!!” her chuckles silenced when she realized it was only she and Ann “I might as well join everyone.” She walked towards the door “You coming?” she turned to Ann.
She smiled while getting up and made a few gestures ‘Are you scared to go alone?’
Mila dropped her jaw “Me? Scared? Hah!” Ann stopped and turned to her with a tilted head “Don’t tell anyone that I can read sign language.” Ann smiled and nodded in agreement.
The rooms were each designed differently, their names were carved onto the door. It awaited the rightful owners to enter before the lights shimmered. Kevin did not have a room, so he was forced to sleep in Alex’s room. He found her seated on her king size bed with a light turquoise blue lace curtains. He looked around and noticed it was the same color her bedroom was, but the designs were much more intricate “Wow, it’s like they know exactly what color you liked.” He was teasing but quickly stopped when he noticed her fearful expression “What’s the matter Alex?”
“Will we ever get home?” she asked feebly.
He sat on her bed, his hand on her propped up knee “Of course we will.” He laughed suddenly “I thought you though this was a hoax?”
Alex’s head twitched from side to side “No…not after this.” She motioned for him to sit next to her “Lie down.” She instructed. They were leveled with each other as she pointed to the ceiling “I was trying to sleep, but how the hell am I suppose to sleep with that?!!” she pointed.
Kevin practically rolled off the bed “Jesus! Warn me the next time you show me something like that!” Her eyes widened, unable to tear them away from the 3D carved picture of the creature she saw in her mind. It’s wings spread wide along the ceiling and it’s beak opened ready to devour her “What is that?”
She shook her head “I don’t know.”
Suddenly, they heard a screeching cry from one of the rooms “What was that?” Kevin got off the bed as he followed the voice. It was when he realized her room was shaped in a circle with three doors on each side of the bed “What are these doors for?” he wondered out loud. Before he had a chance to touch the door handle, it whipped open appearing a scared Tammy.
“There’s…that…thing…” she pointed into her room with a shaky finger.
“I think she has the same thing.” He said to Alex, who continued to lay there, mesmerized by the beast “Alex?” he moved closer and realized her eyes were frozen, they did not move nor did they blink, she seemed to be in a trance “Alex!” he felt his heart racing when she did not answer him “ALEX!!” he cried even louder but she did not respond. Turning to Tammy, he said urgently “Get Jerry!”
She nodded and rushed out of the room to fetch him. Kevin turned to Alex again, he was afraid for her. One of the doors on the right side of the bed suddenly pushed open “This is so cool!! You have to got to see this!” Mila exclaimed while pointing to her room. Her smiled faded “What’s the matter with her?” she nodded at Alex.
Kevin shook his head while he sighed, “I don’t know.”
Seconds later, Tammy returned with Jerry “We don’t know what’s wrong with her. She’s not moving but her eyes are wide open.” Tammy explained shortly as she directed his hands over her face.
Jerry looked up blankly “Get everyone in here.” He instructed calmly.
“I think the rooms are all connected here.” Tammy pointed to the six doors.
“Obviously!” Mila rolled her eyes.
Kevin opened all the doors and motioned for them to enter “This better be good.” Kyle muttered, “I was going to hit the sack…” he halted when he noticed Alex “What’s the matter with her?”
“Just come over here, genius.” Mila waved annoyingly “So what is it blind man? Are we going to use our inner powers to raise her from the dead?”
“No, you’re going to help her come back.” Kevin said, “You read the legend too, Jerry?”
“That’s what I was doing in the library.” He smiled in response “Come on. Everyone circle yourself around the bed.” Kevin moved outside the circle as he watched the six hold hands. He closed his eyes and mumbled a few lines from the book.
Suddenly a full force of wind blew through the room almost knocking the six off their feet. Tammy looked around fearfully while Mila grinned with excitement. Christian remained calm. Ann remained still and eyes closed as she tried to ignore the unnatural cries from the creatures. The spell worked when the 3D carved picture of the creature opened its beak and a thick leather covered book flew from it’s mouth falling straight into Alex.
She suddenly felt the air gushing through her lungs as she took in a deep breath and sat upright. She felt herself gasping for air while the book had stopped in front of her. She moved herself against the back of the bed “What…what happened?” she looked around while clutching her heart.
The six let go of the hands causing the wind to stop blowing. Kyle reached for the book “What is this? OW!” he yanked his hand away when the electric force shot through his fingers before he could touch the book.
Jerry raised a hand “No one touch it. Alex, you need to pick it up.”
She looked like a scared kitten while her eyes searched for Kevin. He approached her “It’s okay Alex, you can touch it.”
Alex nodded as she reached for the book; her face grimaced ready to take the shock but to her surprise she was able to touch it. It was heavy and the gold trimmings on the pages gave an ancient effect. She touched the bumps over the cover “It’s leather.” Her fingers traced the circle and a line was formed through from the center of the circle to an inch outside of it “What is this sign?”
From her touch, a shiny light seem to shimmer from the circle to the line. Scared, she abruptly dropped it on the bed “Cool…” Mila cooed.
“You think it’s cool? You can have it.” Alex picked the book and pushed it at her.
“NO!” Kevin stopped her “It should be with you and only you.”
“He’s right.” Jerry agreed.
“What am I suppose to do with it?” Alex asked unsurely.
Kevin looked around at the group “Tonight, the traitor will appear. He or she will try to steal the book and release the curse. Only Alex can protect it.”
“Protect it?” Alex shook her head in confusion “You didn’t tell me this.”
“I couldn’t, you wouldn’t listen to me.” Kevin smiled gently. He turned up again “One of the people in this room has come here for an alternative motive. We don’t know whom but the book is to remain in this room and with Alex only. Legend says that as long as the curse is not release, the world will live one more day from evil.”
“That’s easy then, why can’t I just take the book with me back home?” Alex asked logically. Ann shook her head as she motioned with her hands “Translate.” She nodded at Kevin.
“She said it should not leave this room or this castle.” Kevin replied.
“What would happen if it was?” Tammy wondered out loud.
Jerry sighed, “Then the curse will be broken. It’s getting late, we should all rest.” He advised.