Lalmon: The City of Lost Souls: Hopes & Dreams

Micheal growled, knowing full well, that if she got caught and silenced, it would end his chance to go home.

Home...

The word felt odd bouncing into the cornes of his mind.

The clouds grew large and gathered over the city, making Micheal stop and think about hiding.

"No. Vallery..." He muttered, and continued through the empty streets.

"Ah!" Micheal stopped at the shriek and went to a street to stare down it.

"Vallery!" he shouted out, spotting the young girl.

Vallery spun around and stared at Micheal with widened eyes, "Henry! Help me!"

There were Sleeping people, attempting to burn her with candles.

She was surrounded, and afraid, Micheal could feel it.

Thunder cracked, causing the people to halt, then writhe.

"Shit!" Micheal shouted, and bolted after Vallery.

"Run!" He shouted at her, feeling that he wouldn't make it to her in time.

"Henry! I'm scared!" She called back.

Her hands were held close to her body as she watched in horror at the people turnig into creatures.

"Run, Vallery! Run, God damnit!" Micheal shouted.

She went to run past one of the fully formed creatures that was still writhing, but it knocked her back.

She screamed in pain as she hit the asphalt.

"Vallery!" Micheal found himself shouting as he began to hit the creatures.

The cretures' attention was now on him and they all moved to attack him.

Vallery craddled her stomach in pain, "Micheal... Please... Help me..." she sobbed.

Micheal felt that urgency, that pain, and wihtout hesitation, he began to fight with all he was worth.

Gabe and a few soldiers came to the surface and watched as Micheal finished the last one.

The creatures reverted back to their human forms and then melted.

Micheal paid no mind to them and went straight to Vallery, lifting her in his arms and turned to go into an alley.

It just happened, that the very same alley he wanted to hide in was the one that Gabe and his soldiers were in.

Gabe stepped forwards and smirked down at the two.

"Glad to see that you both made it out alve." He said.

Vallery looked away from him and burried her had into Micheal's shoulder.

"Yes... We need to get some rest..." Micheal simply stated.

Gabe nodded and placed his had on micheal's shoulder, "Then rest you shall recieve."

In an instant, Gabe, Micheal, and Vallery were in a small room.

"Rest well... Milady wishes to speak with you both."

Micheal nodded, not really paying attention as he laid Vallery down on the only bed.

Gabe smirked and dissapeared, leaving the two alone.

Micheal stared down at the girl who stared back up at him, teary eyed.

"Thank you, Micheal." Vallery said softly.

Micheal smiled, "You're welcome. Sleep. You'll need it to heal."

She nodded and smiled faintly, "You know... For some one who say's he's 12, you sure don't act it."

Micheal laughed, "I don't know how to explain that."

Vallery nodded and shut her eyes, falling instantly asleep.

Micheal sighed and stood up, glancing arond to find a chair.

He sat in it, hunched over with his hands clasped, elbows on his knees.

His mind wandered back to his fight and how the creatures melted into the ground.

His mother never did explain true details of Lalmon.

But he did say that there was no Heaven or Hell.

There was no other judgement than that of the City of Lalmon.

This city determined whether a soul dispersed for good or was reincarnated.

What would have happened to him if Vallery hadn't have blown out his candle?

Would he have turned into one of those creatures and killed her?

Would Gabe have come at the right moment and killed him?

Sending him to where ever?

Micheal shook his head, finding himself running circles that he wasn't sure he could end on his own.

Leaning back, he sighed loudly and shut his eyes, letting the drained feeling black him out.

"How are they?" Asked the woman from earlier.

Gabe mirked in his bowed on one knee position, "Their connection is undeniable, Milady. Their power is also undeniable."

The woman smiled, "I cannot fathom such an opportuned finding, Gabrial, my love. You have done well to have protected them."

Gabe looked up as she stepped in front of him.

"Rise." She ordered, staring down at him with a smile.

Her red hair curled in what looked like a wave from the sea.

The wave moved upwards, as if she were on her back.

Gabe stood, a few inches taller than the amazon woman.

"You shall retire to my chambers tonight, Gabrial." She said, cupping his face, "I shall reward you the best I know how."

Gabe smirked, "It would be my honor, Milady."

She smiled, "As well it should be, Gabrial."

The woman turned abruptly and strutted back to her throne.

"We must push them together and into danger as oft as possible. The sooner they fall in love and sacrafice themselves for one another, the sooner we may arise to our heaven."

She paused, raising her hands to the tapestry.

She abruptly tured again wit her own smirk, "After all... 'Tis our divine right, is it not, Gabrial?"

"Of course, Milady." Gabe smirked back, bowing his head, arms crossed.

The two plotters shared a sinister and knowing smile, prepared to do what it took to make it to their heaven.

Micheal bolted up right and looked around the room.

Vallery was still asleep on her left side, facing micheal and the room.

Her blanket had fallen off and he could see he was shivering.

Micheal stood up and sauntered over, picking up the fallen blanket and placed it over Vallery again.

Vallery moaned and shivered more.

Finding that odd, he checked her temperature only to pull back quickly.

"Vallery..." he muttered softly, crouching by her.

Her face was flushed, he finally noticed, and he sighed.

"Micheal..." Vallery groaned in her sleep.

Her voice was so sultry that Micheal blushed and had to catch himself from falling.

He frowned at the thought that he was just worried about her.

Standing her grimaced as he rubbed his face of worry, "She's only dreaming..."

With that, he sat back down and fell asleep again.