Chapter Text
The night was bitterly cold. The gravel was viciously sharp under my bare feet. The only sound I could hear was my heart beating rapidly in my ears. Even through the pain I couldn’t stop moving,I needed to reach the building in the distance. I was almost certain that I was alone now but I couldn’t take the chance.
Slowly I reached the building. It was a massive church like structure but it felt like demonic power was oozing from every crevice. Looking up at the grand doors I knew I would be safe. With my last remaining strength I pounded on the door and screamed to whom ever was inside. Exhausted I fell to the floor as the doors slowly creaked open.
Inside was beautiful black red and purple marble with intricate designs of flowers and birds cascading down the walls. Just inside the doors stood a man in plain joggers and a T-shirt.the contrast between him and his surroundings was striking. He was stunned for a moment when he saw me but quickly rushed to pick me up and bring me inside. I could hear him muttering something I couldn’t make out while he carried me down one of the halls.
Soon we reached a room with the door cracked open slightly, as we entered the man shouted “V, move!” In the room was another ,taller ,man who leapt off the sofa in front of us. The first man placed me gently down and started speaking rapidly to the other man in a mix of Italian and English with what sounded like Latin sprinkled in.
The taller man, V, started looking me over seeing what injuries I might have. In a steady and professional voice he said,
“Copia! Calm down and get the first aid kit from the kitchen.”
The first man ,Copia, did as he was told. V then turned to me and said in a gentle tone,
“I can see your feet are torn up, is there anything else that might need treating?”
I shook my head.
Just then Copia came back. He handed V the first aid box and sat down beside the sofa patting my head reassuringly.
Once my wounds were taken care of, V left to take the box to its home in the kitchen leaving me and Copia sitting in the room.
“What happened?“ Copia asked gently,
“do you have someone we could call?”
I looked down sadly.
“no”. I said quietly.
We sat quietly for a moment before Copia gently pulled me into a hug.
“ you can stay as long as you need, you’re safe here.”
The room was cosy with a fire place a coffee table and many seats. I didn’t notice the odd amount until this point. There was bean bags, sofas and arm chairs. More than usual but arranged in a way that they all looked intensional as if they were pulled from other rooms for a meeting.
V soon returned with a blanket and a fresh set of clothes that smelled vaguely of ash and fire wood. I would have asked where they came from but it seemed rude considering how much they had helped me already.
Both men left the room briefly to let me get changed and when they came back they had a whole gaggle of people with them. I was surprised to see so many appear from seemingly nowhere.
“ these are the ghouls, they live here with us. We thought it would be best to introduce you sooner rather than later” Copia said with a smile.
“ this is sodo, mountain, rain, phantom, cirrus, storm, aurora and tempist.” V added as everyone found a seat.
“They don’t bite…much… anyway would you like to introduce yourself.”
“I’m bowie” I said timidly, “nice to meet you all”
As the night wore on the ghouls,V and copia began to reminisce about their past and joking with each other. I sat quietly and watched them.
Hoping more with each laugh and smile that I could stay forever.