CHARACTER RELEASE OF CLIPPER VILLE

Sky Sereneo

Sky Sereneo, it isn't enough to call her beauty. It isn't enough to call her flawless, perfect, untouched, and glowing. It would never be enough to describe the effect when she glided towards him. The impossible craft of her skin, every pore picked flawless from some higher creator, unmatched by any artists hand. Her skin was deeply tanned but held a seductive invisible soft cream coating, that combine with light would intensify and glisten. Her eyes did not harbor the same darkness that other residents did. Instead, they seemed to actually shine, the only creation of darkness in the world that gave off light. Her eyes were indeed windows to the soul. Like them, she was fragile, gentle; forever vehemence nestled deeply under her strong, powerful, exotic outside. Long, flowing blonde hair that glittered like embers kissed the tops of her sculpted collar bones. Juicy, succulent, pale crimson lips hid her unmatchable smile. She was a diamond rose among ash covered ground.

CHAPTER ONE

HEADLIGHTS

Welcome to Clipper Ville

Population 5,774

Hope you enjoy your stay!

Smooth jazz from the car speakers started to crescendo. A light bass part harmonized with a soft lullaby from the saxophone. Quick, soft tabs from the drum faded in the background; only the cymbals remained clear. Keever loved jazz. Not the type of jazz with crazy scat solo’s or awkward pitches from the trumpet, but smooth, melodic, soft played jazz. Every situation – in his opinion – could be made better with a touch of jazz; adding something magical into the particular events. Tonight was such a night. Keever Divinius drove alone on the interstate guided by the protection of stars. A crescent moon had risen to midpoint. Shadows from its non-threatening light stayed close to its creator. The night was clear. Only passive wisps of clouds drifted in the night sky. This was the kind of drive he loved. Sure enough, the soft jazz made it better. It felt great to relax. Stress had risen to almost a climatic point that past few days and he was grateful that it was finally shedding off; like an invisible layer that added unknown weight. His father had been getting worse. Doctors were still trying to diagnose and treat him, but nothing had been found. Thin, white, and sick was the condition he had left his father. Deep in his mind – like a small unobtrusive splinter – was the reality that his father didn’t have long. Time, the element that could ruin and destroy anything but not itself had finally put a limit on his father. As he drove the thoughts of his father were seeping away. New thoughts were beginning to form and he welcomed it. Keever was nineteen years old. He was currently attending freshman year of college and finally out on his own. Much to his father’s dismay they had come to compromise on a school that was only a day’s drive. He was just slightly above six feet with thin jet black hair and blue eyes. He was well formed and took very good care of his body. The complexion of his skin was fair; getting a tan for him was impossible. When he was smiling his face would brighten and welcome everybody that was around. On a few occasions the smile would be erased and his face would become cruel; well defined cheek bones and his marble stone like jaw would jut out in hostility. Now, he sat back against the car seat, slouched over with one hand on the wheel. The air conditioning softly blew in crisp air; adding even more relaxation. Ahead, the road stayed straight; never swaying more than a few degrees. He was alone on the road. The last car that had passed him was thirty minutes ago. Trees lining beside the road looked like a black wall, darker then the night sky. Erect, their tops pointed high in the sky, ascending to the heavens. Wind did not blow tonight. Usual whispers from the trees did not exist. Complete silence. Only the soft hum of an engine and light bass from jazz could be heard. Keever’s thoughts about the recent pass were finally smothered. He gazed to the right of his car, watching the trees blur past him. However, the next second of his life was captured in perfect clarity, with every minuet detail tattooed in his mind; forever. In this moment, life and everything that he knew about it, changed. As he gazed at the dark wall of trees a sudden break in their formation formed. A ciphered road cut like a knife through the foliage. As he past he witness a pair of headlights belonging to a car suddenly veer off course. Screams from its tires blasted in the night; screeching against the asphalt. The moons pale light allowed him to see the truck swerve, and then roll on the road. It rolled again. Broken glass suddenly twinkled from the cars headlights as it continued to roll once more. At its peak of another roll the car crashed into the trees. It lay stationed on its side, tucked nicely in the embankment. Mayhem that lasted only a second was over. Like curtains at the end of a performance, the dark wall of trees ended the show. Keever slammed on his brakes; mimicking the sound he had just heard. His car rattled to a halt, stopping dead center in the lanes. What had he just seen? Over and over the scene played out in his mind; each detail getting clear, sharper. He put the gear in reverse then stomped on the gas. It was twelve at night. He was alone on the highway; nobody else would be able to help that car. As he reversed anxiety flooded through him again. The soft jazz had been drummed out by the beating of his heart. The person in that car had to be severely wounded or worse. He passed the ciphered street; softly glowing in the distance were the headlights of the crashed truck. Braking then accelerating forward he turned onto the road. It was unnamed. The road was truly alone. As soon as his car left the interstate the ride became bumpy. Pot holes, small bumps and huge cracks paved the way for him. The road was very old. Beaten and worn down by the elements. Closing in on the truck, his lights showed the wreckage it had survived. Glass littered the ground, accompanied with tire shreds and streak marks. The driver’s side faced the ground. He stopped the car and got out. Walking slowly, cautiously, towards the truck as if it was ticking time bomb. When he was only a few feet away from the rear, he stopped. Nothing moved. Inside remained completely lifeless. Fear filled up inside him. Pushing his feelings aside, he reached in his pocket and grabbed his cell phone. Flicking his wrist the small LCD screen faced him. No bars. No signal. He shoved it back in his pocket; swearing under his breath. He stared at the truck. Hoping he would see some sort of evidence of life. People had survived worst. Giving up he slid down the embankment. He had decided that he needed to take action, that the person may still be alive just not able to move. Now he walked slowly and cautiously towards the rear, only this time in the embankment. Soft dirt padded his steps. “Hello!” he shouted. Hoping for even the smallest response. “Are you alright? Is everybody ok?” shouting, with his hands cupped around his mouth. “My name is Keever Divinus. I’m going to get you out of here!” He wondered just how he was going to do that. It was possible to climb on the side of the bed and then enter through the passenger side window. The truck was planted deep in the ground and his weight wouldn’t throw it off. Mustering his courage; pushing his fear aside, he pulled himself on the side of the bed. Just as he planted his feet terror struck him again. Looking through the back windows, the face of a person suddenly whipped in position starring at Keever. Their eyes were highlighted by his cars headlights adding a devilish look. “Get out of here.” The person said. It belonged to a man. The voice was a tight whisper. As if he was threatening Keever for trying to save him. At the sound of his voice Keever jumped off the side of the truck. “Sir, are you ok? Are you hurt?” he asked. Beating loud like a drum his heart blasted through his ears. Blood oozed down the face of the man; starting from the forehead and collecting in a stained red pool on his shirt. His face stood still like stone. His eyes still fixed upon Keever. After a few moments of silence Keever asked again. “Sir?” This time; the man responded. “I’m fine. I don’t need help.” His voice was apologetic, warm and friendly. A complete contrast from before. Keever couldn’t believe what the man was saying. It was obvious he needed help. His head was completely banged up. Caked blood stained his cheeks and covered most of his left eye. Keever thought the man must be in shock; oblivious to the matter that he was sideways off the road. “I don’t think your fine. You just crashed your car. It was a pretty bad accident and it looks like you need to go to the hospital.” He said with conviction. Another pause. The man seemed to be looking for the right words as if first impressions were a big deal at this point. At least now, his eyes had drifted away from Keever. “I know that son.” The man said. “I was in the car while it happened.” A soft smile appeared on his face. “I’m not hurt to bad. I can get myself out.” Keever was almost convinced but then the man coughed. It was a liquid filled cough and he knew it had to be blood. If the man was internally bleeding he probably didn’t have long. Jumping on the side of the bed once more, Keever let the man know that he wasn’t going to leave. “That didn’t sound so good. I’m going to get you out and to a hospital. And fast. If you’re bleeding internally that’s really bad.” He knew he shouldn’t have added the last bit to that but it couldn’t be undone. “No, please don’t. Don’t…don’t. Please. No. Just go.” The man’s gazed looked down. Surprisingly, he was able to shake his head while speaking. He hoped that his rescuer – Keever - would take his advice. He didn’t know what would happen if he help him. He didn’t know what he was doing. It would be better if he left him alone; even if that meant death. “I’m going to get you out.” Responded Keever. Without hesitation, he balanced his way to the passenger door. A soft creak came from the truck as he stepped. The man inside turned to face the passenger window. He watched Keever make his way towards the side. This poor lad, he thought, his best intentions would lead to the worst results. Keever on all fours faced the man through the window. With a small nod he gave the door a tug. Rusty hinges moaned but finally allowed the door to open. Keever let out a small gasp at the sight of the man. A battered face was the least of his problem. Below the rib cage was another scarlet pool collecting on his shirt. Smashed between the seat and the door was his left arm. Jutting out of his elbow was a sharp split bone; compound fracture. Keever thought twice about what he was going to do. If he tried to pull the man out he could worsen his injuries. It could even result with paralysis; that was if the man didn’t have it yet. Taking a deep breath he thought about his options. They were very limited. He stretched forth his hand. “Try to grab it if you can.” The words came out weak like he had just ran a marathon. The man stayed still. His face turned to see Keever. He looked at his eyes, they were soft, colorful, and trusting. Back and forth, he focused on Keever’s outstretched hand and eyes. Keever shook his head at his hand, motioning for the man to take it. With every regret in the world, the man clasped the hand. Keever, thankful for the mans response, hoisted him up. The man winced at the pain, grunting as it surged through his body. Moisture collected in his eyes. Keever made a final tug and the man was out of the truck. Pulling him towards the back the man was able to lay on the side of the truck. Together they stayed there catching their breath. Crisp air oxygenated their lungs. “Are you alright?” asked Keever, bending down face to face with the man. “Ya.” was all he could say. Keever looked at the man’s condition again. It wasn’t good. He needed to get him to a hospital - fast. “I’m going to pull my car closer, ok. I want you to stay here.” He said. “Ah, no problem.” The man said. His voice was slurred and fluid like. With out responding Keever jumped off the truck onto the road. He ran to his car. Just as he had said, he pulled in closer and got out. The man stayed on the side. His breath was short, raspy, and his chest rose only slightly before coming quickly down. Without hesitation Keever climbed back onto the truck. He hoisted the man up, putting his arm over his shoulder. Again the man winced in agony at the movement. When they were on their feet Keever slowly started to walk towards the end of the truck. Luckily the man seemed to have no major injuries with his legs. Slowly they got to the end of the truck. It was now the tricky part. “What I’m going to need you to do is sit back down again at the end here. I will jump back down and help you slowly slide your way off the truck and on the ground. Do you think you can do that?” Keever instructed. The man inhaled, closed his eyes then nodded. Keever helped the man sit down on the side of the truck. Supporting the man on his right, he finally sat down on the bed. The man’s legs dangled over flap. Keever jumped on the ground then outstretched his hand for the man to take as leverage. Painfully, the man slid off the truck and into the embankment. After that Keever helped guide him up and on to the road. Finally, they stood together in front of Keever’s car; away from the wreck. Keever hadn’t thought this plan through. Now that they were away from the truck he didn’t know what to do next. It was clear that he needed to get the man to a hospital but the closest town was more than an hour away. Looking at the man nodding off at the ground, he knew that wasn’t enough time. “Hey, I don’t mean to bother you but where did you come from? We need to get you to a hospital but the closest one is more then an hour away. Is there one closer that you know about?” asked Keever. He was bent down a bit to match the man’s eyes. He wasn’t responding. Keever thought it was because of his injuries when in truth the man just didn’t want to tell him. “Come on. Hey!” Keever snapped his fingers. “Do you know of a closer hospital?” He spoke with more volume and a slower pace; hoping the man would understand. The man nodded. “Yes, there’s a town down this road. They have a hospital.” “That’s great. Ok, I’m going to help you in my car now.” Replied Keever. Together with Keever’s help the man was soon laying in the back seat. After that Keever pulled out an old picnic blanket from the truck so the man could use. It wasn’t just for comfort though, he didn’t want blood all over his seats. Finished, Keever jumped into the driver’s seat. “You are going to be alright.” He said, looking at he man through the rearview mirror. “Where are we going Mr. -” Keever hadn’t asked his name yet. The man responded to his thoughts. “It’s Roman Acker.” He couldn’t even open his eyes. “Where are we going Mr. Acker?” Keever asked again. He hoped he could keep him talking. No doubt he had a concussion and sleep would be the worst thing for him. “Clipper Ville.” Keever had never heard of it. He had driven back and forth a few times now and had never heard of that town. But he hadn’t even known this road had existed so he wasn’t surprised. “Sounds good to me” He replied. It would be the exact opposite in the days to come. Keever turned his keys to start the engine. The engine stalled and his headlights flickered. Keever’s heart stopped at the explosion of fear gripping his body. In the flicker of headlights stood the silhouette of a human. But it wasn’t human. The figure stood straight with its arms at its side; palms up in a threatening manner. Its flesh was wound tightly against its skeletal body. Unlike human ribs, its pointed at a steep angle downwards ending in a sharp point. Two fangs on its bottom jaw pointed horizontal in front of its needle like teeth. Its worst feature, was its eyes. Small fiery diamonds glinted, surrounded by the hallow blackness of its sockets. The headlights flickered again and beamed to their fullness. The demon was gone.