Chapter Six: Comfort in the Night

 

Cloudy trudged along the deserted road, her paws aching with every step. She’d never dreamed walking could be so tiresome if you did it long enough. Behind her stepped Meta Knight, his pace tired, his eyes worried, a slight slump to his usually proud stature.

Cloudy paused long enough to glance up at the sky, darkening with bruised twilight. The sun was setting and the shadows were lengthening, indicating night was right around the corner. There was no way they could travel in the dark; it was too dangerous. They would have to make camp pretty soon.

As if reading her unspoken thoughts, Meta Knight said softly, “It’s getting dark.”

“Yeah.” Cloudy looked back at him and kept walking.

“We may have to set up camp soon.”

“Uh-huh.” Cloudy didn’t stop. She merely kept on.

Meta Knight suddenly halted and leaned against a tree, covering his eyes with one hand. Alarmed, Cloudy turned back to him. “What’s the matter?”

“Nothing. I just do not feel well all of a sudden.”

“Are you sick?”

He shook his head.

Cloudy trotted back to him and gazed at him with her soulful eyes. “Hey,” she spoke soothingly, resting her paw on his hand. “What’s the trouble?”

The knight lowered his hand from his eyes and gripped the tree trunk, trying to control his emotions. “I’m scared,” he admitted. “I’m afraid to face Joseph.”

“Me too,” replied Cloudy.

He looked down at her, his eyes glowing a light orange. “You’re such a brave warrior, my friend! How can you possibly be scared?”

Cloudy tilted her head slightly to the side. “I could ask the same of you.”

He mulled over her words, wondering if they were meant as a compliment or to get him to think. His eyes shifted to a light green as he dropped his gaze to the ground.

“Brave or not, all warriors get frightened at one time or another,” Cloudy continued though he hadn’t spoken. “It’s all right to be scared. What’s not all right is when you allow fear to govern your life.”

Meta Knight stared at her, wondering where she got her wisdom from. But she only watched him with her clear, bright eyes, as intelligent as a cat’s and as solemn as an otter’s. Behind those eyes, that perfectly ordinary look, lay a mind full of knowledge and truth beyond understanding. For her age, she was so mature, whether anyone realized it or not. And so smart. She was also strong. Despite her trials, she stayed true to her faith and her God.

Meta Knight had to smile. Kneeling and petting Cloudy’s fur, he said, “You are indeed a mystery. It will take more than a detective to solve you.”

Cloudy laughed at his joke, but then jumped as a loud, shrill ringing sound cut through the quiet, cold evening air like a knife. “What’s that?” she asked fearfully.

“Silly puppy. It’s my phone,” Meta Knight told her.

“Oh.” Cloudy relaxed. “Who’s the call from?”

Meta Knight pulled out his phone and glanced down at the screen. He gasped. “Liloy!”

“What?” Cloudy’s eyes widened. “Liloy?”

“Yes!” Meta Knight pressed the talk button, put the call on speakerphone, and waited. Cloudy, her eyes filled with curiosity, wagged her tail slightly, wondering if Liloy was really calling or if it was a trick of Joseph’s.

Then a feminine voice came over the speakerphone. “Father?” she asked quietly, hesitation and fear in her voice.

“Meta Knight?” That was Miriam.

Cloudy gasped.

“Liloy!” Meta Knight murmured.

There was a cry of joy from the other end of the line. “Father, it’s you! Oh, I’m so glad to hear from you!”

“Where are you?” called Cloudy.

“Hi, Cloudy!” Miriam greeted her friend.

“Cloudy’s!” Liloy’s voice overflowed with warmth. “Hello! You’re here too?”

“Uh-huh. I’m on the road with Meta Knight, hunting for you and Miriam,” the Malamute explained. “We heard you were kidnapped by Joseph Unswall.”

“Yeah,” Miriam said, disgust evident in her voice.

“Yes, we were,” Liloy said. “We’re locked in a basement in a weird, dilapidated house in a clearing somewhere; I don’t really know where. Miriam’s phone was confiscated, but I hid mine so I could try to call you.”

“Are you two okay?” Cloudy asked.

“Yes, we are fine. Joseph didn’t hurt us, thank the Lord, but I don’t know what he’ll do.” She sighed. “I don’t understand why he’s even doing this. He was so nice back in school.”

Meta Knight and Cloudy exchanged grim looks. “Liloy, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your friend Joseph is now a murderer and. . .” Meta Knight paused and looked at Cloudy. “. . .And he’s also something I will not mention around Cloudy. I will say it is inappropriate, and leave it at that.”

There was a horrified gasp from Liloy. “What?!”

“I knew that guy had something off with him,” Miriam muttered.

“That can’t be true!” Liloy whispered, her voice trembling. “Why would. . .how could he do such horrific things?!”

“I don’t know.” Meta Knight shook his head a little sadly. “Sometimes the kindest people can turn crazy, Liloy. It happens.”

There was silence for a bit. Then Liloy spoke again. “Well, we need to escape from this place, and fast! Joseph said he would come back to talk to us in a few hours.” Then she murmured in a worried tone, “Now all I’m wondering is what that means. . .”

A pained, apprehensive look arose in Meta Knight’s eyes.

“Never fear. We’ll see if we can locate you!” Cloudy brazenly declared. “But it’s getting dark now, and we’ll have to make camp soon.”

“Oh, no! Please keep looking for us!” Miriam pleaded. “Our lives are at stake here! We could be dead before morning!”

“Okay,” Cloudy relented. “We’ll search for an hour more, and then we’ll conclude the hunt for the night. Okay?”

“Yes,” said Liloy. Then she paused a moment and after a time, softly asked, “Father, did-did you tell Tilry where I was?”

Shocked by the sudden change of topic, Meta Knight replied he had not. “It would only upset him to learn about your abduction.”

“Good.” Liloy sounded relieved. “Well, if he asks where I am, tell him I’m safe from harm and that, with any luck, I’ll be seeing him very soon.”

“I will, and . . .”

Meta Knight never finished the sentence, for at that moment, there was a loud crash and bang and hollering of, “Liloy, you tattletale! How dare you leak your location and call for help! You’re going to pay!”

A gunshot rang out and screams of terror arose from the two captives. Then came the sound of glass shattering and the connection cut off. Only the dial tone was heard.

“Liloy!” Meta Knight shouted. “Liloy!”

There was no reply.

Fright bubbled up in Cloudy. “What happened to them?!” she exclaimed.

Meta Knight stared at the screen a moment longer, then put his phone away. He looked at his small friend. “I don’t know,” he replied, agony in his voice.

“Did they. . .Did they. . .?” Cloudy couldn’t bring herself to say the word “die.”

Meta Knight shot her a pointed look, guessing her thoughts. “I don’t know,” he repeated, fighting to keep his voice from shaking, “but we need to find them now.” He gestured for her to keep moving.

Cloudy had forgotten about the pricking pains in her feet and her fatigue. Now she felt renewed and and ready to continue the search for her friends. She didn’t care what anyone else thought. Liloy and Miriam were in danger, and she was going to be the one to rescue them and bring them home. Spurring her pace to a faster speed, she darted down the road and vanished into the gathering blackness. Meta Knight ran after her.

 

* * * * *

 

Liloy stared up at Joseph, her eyes filled with dread. Joseph leered down at her, the character of his face cold and calculating. The remains of Liloy’s phone lay smashed to pieces on the floor where Joseph had blown it to smithereens with his rifle, and Miriam was sprawled on the floor, unconscious, her arm bleeding from a gunshot wound.

“Fool,” Joseph seethed. “Nitwit. How dare you attempt to phone for help! You almost ruined everything! I kept you out here for a reason, and I will not allow you to escape until I fulfill my goal!”

What is your goal?” Liloy inquired, her voice infuriated.

A wicked smile appeared at the corners of Joseph’s mouth. “That involves you. You, Liloy Stellarum, will not leave this place until your husband is dead and you agree to be my bride!”

Liloy was badly shaken and scared by that announcement, but she retained her composure. “What are you talking about?!”

“You are to be my wife,” Joseph said as if the answer were completely obvious.

“Yeah?” Liloy was growing bolder. “What if I refuse?”

“Then you will die, as well as your family and friends,” answered Joseph coldly. His chilling words caused a shiver to pass through the pregnant woman. She could see in his eyes that he was dead serious. What could she do now?

Joseph smirked. “I’ll give you tonight to think about it. In the morning I’ll come back to hear your answer.” With a final wicked laugh, he walked up the basement stairs, slamming the door behind him and locking it. Liloy and Miriam were left alone in the cold, dank room once more.

Liloy buried her face in her hands and began crying. She was at a loss for what to do. What did Joseph mean about Tilry being killed? Did he have accomplices who would stage an attack on the hospital and kill Tilry? And what about Meta Knight and Cloudy? Would Joseph try to hurt them too?

Just then, Miriam stirred and opened her eyes. It took a while for her vision to adjust to the blackness, but presently, she was able to see. Her gaze landed on Liloy, and she sat up. “Liloy!”

Liloy brought her hands down from her face and gasped, staring at Miriam. “Miriam! Are you all right?” she asked in a hushed tone.

Miriam winced as a wave of pain shot through her arm. “No. Did I get blasted by a gun or something?”

“Yes, by Joseph,” said Liloy.

“I should’ve known,” Miriam mumbled, then frowned as she noticed the tears on Liloy’s face. “What. . .What’s the matter?”

Liloy tearfully related Joseph’s threat to her, and Miriam gasped in horror as she listened. “You mean if you don’t agree to be his wife, he’ll kill us all?!” the young girl exclaimed.

“That’s what I ascertained,” Liloy said sorrowfully.

“Oh, no!” Miriam groaned. She put a hand to her head. “I should have listened to my mom and not ridden with Joseph!” She glared at Liloy, rage flashing in her eyes. “You’re an idiot! We should have stayed at the bus stop and waited for the next bus! Instead, you made me ride with a gruesome serial killer whose intention is to force you to be his wife or kill us all! What kind of daughter are you?! A brainless lunatic daughter, that’s what you are! If we die down here, it serves you right!”

Her cruel heartless words pounded in her ears, They were crude and brusque and vile. Miriam could hear her own voice echoing throughout the dark room, shouting all sorts of ghastly things to a girl not even an adult. Instantly, she was aghast. She regretted what she had said. Why had she blown up like that? That wasn’t like her!

Liloy looked hurt and melancholy. Miriam felt a rush of sympathy for her. Liloy was in a difficult situation, what with being kidnapped and threatened at gunpoint, not to mention her overwhelming worry for her ill husband. Miriam was very sorry she had yelled so harshly at Liloy. Liloy had only been doing what she had thought best.

“I’m sorry, Liloy,” Miriam apologized, looking down at the floor. “I should never have shouted at you like that. I don’t even know why I did.”

Liloy worked up the courage to smile. “It’s okay, Miriam. I forgive you,” she accepted the apology, wiping her eyes.

Miriam grinned. Then her smile disintegrated as she stared down at the dusty floor, her brow furrowing. “Well. . .what now?”

“We’ll have to wait,” Liloy told her. “Our only hope now is rescue.”

 

* * * * *

 

Cloudy awoke to a faint silvery glow. Puzzled, she glanced upward and then realized that it was only the moon. She stood up, stretched, shook herself, and scanned the dense woods. Except for the light of the planetoid, everything was pitch-black. Even the twinkling stars that littered the night sky didn’t give off much light. There was not even a breath of wind. She imagined Joseph hiding in the shadows, a gun in hand, glaring at her from the stillness of the shrubbery. She shuddered and then firmly shook her head, telling herself she was being silly. According to her intense canine radar, there was not a soul around besides her and Meta Knight.

The two friends had set up camp a few hours ago after an unsuccessful hour of hunting for Liloy and Miriam. Meta Knight had said he would keep watch, and Cloudy had not objected. As soon as her head had hit the blanket, she was gone to dreamworld.

But now she was wide awake. What had roused her, though?

Then she heard a sound. It was a strange, stifled noise, and it was coming from not too far away. She cautiously picked her way over a few roots to a nearby oak tree, the moonlight illuminating her way. Finally, she reached the oak tree and peered around the side of the wide trunk. Meta Knight was seated there, his cape drawn around himself and hiding his face. He was shaking.

Again, Cloudy thought in dismay. She felt angry at the injustice and cruelty of this world. Meta Knight’s distress over his missing daughter was getting to him, and she hated that. She wanted to kick Joseph’s hiney to the moon! If only I could, she thought bitterly. Then he’d probably learn his lesson.

“Meta Knight?” Cloudy whispered, keeping her voice low so as not to scare him.

He gasped, alarmed, and raised his head. In his eyes flashed a look of fright and rage. Cloudy tensed and turned her body slightly so that she was in the defense position. She was almost expecting him to yell at her for startling him. For a while, the two stared each other in the eye, each wondering why the other was behaving so oddly. The knight spoke no words, but the look in his eyes communicated what he was feeling: fear, anxiety, and anger. He bowed his head again, trying hard to suppress his emotions but failing.

Cloudy’s eyes softened and she relaxed her body. She looked up at the knight who was her best friend. If he is in pain, I will help him. If he is upset, I will comfort him. If he is anxious, I will calm him. That’s what friends are for. Occasionally she would wonder about what some might think of a ten-month old puppy enhancing a friendship with a thirty-year-old soldier. But always, her words from a few months ago would come back to her: “Age doesn’t matter in friendship.” Often she wondered if that was true, but deep down she knew it was.

“You’re worried about Liloy,” Cloudy said. Meta Knight stiffened at her sudden words. “You’re worried about her and Miriam, as well as Tilry.” She looked directly at him, but he wouldn’t look her in the eye. “Aren’t you?”

He didn’t answer, but she couldn’t miss his uncomfortable silence. She knew she had hit the nail right on the head. Then he looked her straight in the face, and in his eyes was a look she never forgot. She couldn’t describe the look in words, but it was one she rarely saw when he was upset. It was mix of agony, terror, anger, and pure anguish. She knew she would never forget that look, and yet at the same time she wanted to forget it altogether. She was essentially afraid to look at him. He continued to look at her, tears shimmering in his eyes. One ran down his cheek and he quickly raised his gloved hand and wiped it away, but not before Cloudy saw it. Stifled sobs escaped him, and his body was shaking uncontrollably. It sent a scare through Cloudy, but she did not know why; maybe she was afraid something would happen to him.

“Hey.” She paced her paw on his hand. “Meta Knight, you’re getting yourself too worked up. You need to calm down. Everything will be all right.”

He shook his head. “No,” he cried. “They’re in danger, severe danger. Who can tell what Joseph will do to them?”

Cloudy withdrew at his suffocated tone. “Think positive!” she burst out, making the knight jump. “We can’t just sit here and think pessimistic thoughts! We are going to rescue them if I have anything to say about it! I will not let my friends die or be maimed in any way!”

Meta Knight was astonished at her spitfire spirit. She was stout and bold and ready to help anyone in need. She was passionate about taking on the world. Meta Knight didn’t doubt for a second that she was a true warrior. Only a devoted warrior would be willing to rescue others and lay down their lives for their friends.

“Cloudy. . .” The knight’s voice was no more than a whisper.

Cloudy looked up at him. The dim starlight reflected in her fervid eyes, giving her a look of maturity and calmness. There was no sound except for an occasional night owl’s hoot and the knight’s quick, shaky breathing. The moonlight played over her black-and-white fur, making it appear charcoal-silver. For the longest time, the two friends gazed at each other, each sending the other a silent message.

“Don’t be afraid,” Cloudy ultimately spoke. “We’re still alive for a reason, and God willing, nothing will happen to us. We will all make it out alive.”

Tears streamed freely down the soldier’s face and he closed his eyes, feeling the hope of Cloudy’s words embrace him through and through. Cloudy smiled at him. But it was not the kind of smile a little girl would give him. It was the smile of a young woman. She reached out her paw and he grasp it, letting himself out of his cape. Then he swept her into a placid hug.

“Cloudy,” Meta Knight said softly, “you are truly one of the sweetest children I have ever met. I do not believe there is another like you.”

“I say the same of you,” Cloudy said.

He gazed down at her and a blend of sorrow and tranquility flashed in his eyes. She beamed at him and he smiled back.

At that moment, the snap of a twig broke the lazy silence. . .