Chapter 32Where They See a Truck

I looked at her wide-eyed. "You know her?"

Valerie stayed still for a moment. "Well it's not as simple as that." She looked sad. As if memories haunted her and she had trouble getting a grip on them. "She may be from... eh... How would I say this. I would know her from a dream-world. Kinda."

I just looked at her. "A dream-world?"

She wanted to walk a step but waited. "You could call it witchcraft. Sights of the future in dreams or visions." She took a deep breath. "I think I saw her in one of those."

I had no idea what she was talking about, though her words did ring a bell somewhere deep in the back of my mind. I did try to get my head around it. I mean, I was a vampire, so I should be able to accept visions of the future... right?

Right?

I sighed, surprising Valerie. "What's up?" She asked.

"It's too much for me in one night. I'll ask you tomorrow or sometime else. My mind is filled with that weird girl and the brothers. And of course seeing Kryss for the first time. I just need a bit of time to cope."

Valerie giggled and started walking home. "You do seem to have the strangest adventures Amy."

I walked beside her and stuck out my tongue. "Well, I've got a subscription!"

Valerie laughed, relieving me of some worries. She looked more like her old self again.

"Shall we visit her tomorrow with Khuna? We can't bring her to our place, can we?"

Valerie shook her head. "NO, we can't. And I'm not sure Khuna is up to it. If she's back at all."

I frowned. "How do you mean? Doesn't she need to sleep?"

Valerie shrugged. "Yes, but there are more places to sleep then just here. The room you just saw was available for us as well, the dark curtains would make it almost dark enough to sleep in. And there is always under ground."

Surprise. "Under ground?!? You mean like burying yourself?"

Valerie laughed. "Well, that's a possibility as well. I meant tombs and underground facilities and stuff. Though it's not wise to sleep in a place where people could visit."

I nodded. I hadn't really thought about sleeping anywhere else. It felt like my new home. Just a place where I could be me. "I see. I hope she's back though, it would make me feel a lot better. I'm worried about her."

Valerie giggled teasingly. "I'm sure you are."

I blushed a little but we walked on. Through the town, through the crowds, past the people we don't know. Some words just came into my head as we walked the darkened streets.

The time we take is what we see
And not the time we get
So wasteful can a moment be
So full of long regret

I hear the crowds as distant seas
Yet never reach their shore
Feel the calming summer breeze
The one I felt before

I walk the streets as one alone
A hermit in the crowd
Some sins I still have to atone
Before I can walk proud

I smiled as they filled my head. THere was a soft warmth in them I could use very well at the moment. I guess it was all true, but not a bad thing. Things sometimes are as they are. No sense in fooling yourself.

Valerie noticed the extra spring in my step and smiled. She didn't say anything, but I guess it wasn't needed. The talk had cheered her up as well. I guessed a lot of things would be sorted out the next day.

As we approached the alley we noticed a truck standing nearby. This looked unusual, even more so because Valerie gripped my arm and held me back for a moment. Pulling me into a doorway so we wouldn't be noticed.

"I've never seen a truck here." She whispered.

I looked around the corner and checked it out. "It looks as if they're just loading up, getting stuff from that warehouse next to us." As I looked I almost heard them talking.

"Oh for pete's sake. Always this late! Can't we just pack all this in tomorrow morning?"

"You know how it is Ed, just get on with it and stop smoking for once, we just don't have the time."

"Alright, alright."

The men grudgingly did their work. It seemed all too normal to me. "I think they're just normal."

Valerie didn't look at ease. "I don't know. I've never seen them at this hour. We know the warehouse is used by day... But they don't look like burglars or anything." She shrugged. "I guess I'm just too jittery. Let's go in."

We entered the alley unseen easily. They were far too busy to even bother looking at us. We walked to the wall and jumped up, almost making it in one for me. I guess my mind really wasn't into it. We entered the house and went to the living room. Just Kai.

"So who's staying over at the south house?" Kai asked as soon as he saw us.

"She's called Isabel, we can't tell you much about her except that brothers who were connected with the Silver Abbey apparently kidnapped her or had taken her."

Kai looked wide-eyed with surprise. "Wait... The Silver Abbey? I've been doing some searches on that, you'll never believe what I've found!"

Valerie giggled. "Try us."