In the Preserve: Sunday Afternoon [12-5-10]

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

Helen needed a break from studying and had a craving to get out into the fresh air, cold as it was. She left Kianah safely in her room and went for a wander in the preserves.

The air was bracing and helped clear her head. She made her way along one of the paths, stopping from time to time to rest a hand on one of the trees to feel the energy of it.

Yes, this was exactly what she'd needed.

Too bad it wasn't going to end as well. Or was it?

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[it-bit-me.livejournal.com]

Goblins, goblins everywhere but no place that Helen could see.

Yet.

A pack of goblins were moving through the underbrush, using their small sizes to remain hidden save for the rustling of the leaves and the sound of small steps hitting the earth.

If Helen listened carefully, she might hear whispered laughter.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

Helen heard... something and turned around to look. Maybe squirrels or a teal dear? But... was that laughter?

She shook her head. She must be more tired than she thought.

[it-bit-me.livejournal.com]

Tired, tired, yes yes yes. The goblins were keeping themselves hidden but they were trying to close in on Helen from all sides. Having her running away wouldn't do any good. Jareth wouldn't be happy with that.

They stopped moving when Helen looked around and there might have been some whispering able to be heard if one listened carefully.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

There was definitely something or someone out there.

"James? If that's you, just come out. This isn't funny."

Helen wasn't really frightened yet, but she was starting to feel quite unsettled.

She heard a sound and spun quickly to see if she could spot who - or what - ever it was.

[it-bit-me.livejournal.com]

There was no one by that name here. The goblins crept closer, using their size to remain hidden behind trunks and leaves and brush. The whispering got louder as they moved closer, excited and amused all at once.

They moved closer and closer.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

Now Helen was starting to become a little scared. She turned and began striding back towards the school - not running, as she didn't want to tempt whatever was out there to chase her, but still quickly.

If it was James, she was not going to be at all pleased.

[it-bit-me.livejournal.com]

The goblins emerged suddenly, surrounding Helen and looking equal parts grotesque and excited. Their eyes gleamed white and they were smiling toothy, predatory smiles.

They looked small but that meant nothing. They knew what they could do.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

She froze. What were these things? And what did they want with her? She reached out with her mind to try and control them, to send her away, but with no luck.

She thought for a moment, then turned and ran at a group of them, yelling. "Go, get out! Go away!" Maybe they'd be startled into moving enough for her to find and opening and flee.

[it-bit-me.livejournal.com]

They weren't startled. They, in fact, were expecting this and they ran at Helen, grabbing at her legs and ankles to topple her over. They'd used rocks and sticks and anything else to try and incapacitate her so they could drag her back to the castle.

They were not nice and they were not gentle and they didn't really care if they got kicked or punched.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

Still Helen kicked and punched and screamed, fighting with everything she had in her to try and escape, but there were just too many. When she hit the ground she flailed even more violently, trying desperately to escape, but the beating with rocks and sticks was taking its toll.

[it-bit-me.livejournal.com]

Even with her aggression, it didn't seem to make their group any less large. They would take a beating but keep coming back, aiming rocks at her head to try and knock her out. It would make the trip back to the castle that much easier.

[elephantgadget.livejournal.com]

Helen was bruised and bleeding, but continued to fight until a rock finally hit her hard on her temple, stunning her so that she could no longer fight.

Another followed quickly, and despite her best efforts, Helen felt herself slipping into unconsciousness.

[it-bit-me.livejournal.com]

With the girl finally still, the goblins started dragging her off to the castle where she would, no doubt, have a ball.


The goblins kept laughing though their voices lowered again so as to not draw attention. Jareth would be pleased.