Lurking In The Shadows

"Captain Blackbeard's Cabin?" asks Kira with a confused look on her face.

She didn't know the cabin had a special name. Even so, why Black Beard? Her suspicions about the Bennett family kept exploding.

"Oh yes, you have heard about Captain Blackbeard right?" asks Elijah.

She stares at him in disbelief. Of course, she knew about Blackbeard, who doesn't? But she just couldn't believe what he has to do with the cabin. Kira was expecting a ridiculous answer.

"Of course, Blackbeard was a pirate right?" asks Kira.

Elijah nods politely, "Yes, the reason the cabin is named Blackbeard's Cabin, is because they have seen him lurking in the shadows here. You know how the British navy cut off his head right?" asks Elijah.

Kira nods her head eagerly. "Well, my dad told me he saw his head hanging from the tree over there," Elijah points to an enormous oak tree beside the car. Kira gulped.

"Come on, let's head on inside." Elijah opens the trunk of the car to get the luggage.

"Elijah, how are you so calm right now? Are you not afraid?" asks Kira, as she suddenly starts gazing around in fright.

"Look, I have only heard stories about Blackbeard from my family. I have never actually seen him myself. So there is a big probability that he could just be a myth. You'll be fine Kira" says Elijah. He walks inside the house and lets out a grunt while carrying the heavy luggage.

"Elijah, wait for me," yells Kira as she runs after him.

Kira walks around the house, browsing from top to bottom. It is an ancient cabin, but they have kept it intact. She has only heard about it, but this is the first time she gets to see it in person. She walks up the stairs and opens a room door. The force startles the dust, and it flies everywhere.

She walks inside the room and touches around to feel a button switch to turn on the light. But nothing on either side. Suddenly she feels a hand grab her left foot from underneath the bed, the long fingernails scratch against her skin. She runs out screaming and fumbles down the stairs. Elijah hears her scream and runs in her direction.

"What happened Kira?" he asks. He holds Kira, who is shaking like a leaf, and tries to calm her down.

"There... there was a hand that grabbed me from the bottom of the bed. Look its fingernails scratched my skin."

Kira lifts her left foot up to show Elijah. Her jaw hits the floor as soon as she takes a look at her foot. She couldn't believe it. There is nothing there. Not one scratch mark, it is clean.

"Kira, I don't have time for your silly pranks. I have to unpack our clothes. Come on, go make dinner" Elijah grabs Kira by her hands and drops her in the kitchen, and leaves.

Kira stands there in the kitchen, still in awe of what just happened. She had a lot of things processing in her head. How did that happen? Who was that? More importantly, was that ... Blackbeard?

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The moon started glowing in the dark blue night sky. After having a hearty dinner, Kira and Elijah came outside and started a bonfire. They started drinking wine and sat down around the fire, enjoying the calm breezy night sky filled with glowing stars.

"Are you okay? You seemed startled by what happened earlier" asks Elijah. Kira took a sip of wine and glared at the moon.

"Yeah, I am fine now. But I am sure that a hand grabbed me from the bottom, I just don't know who it could have been" says Kira. Elijah looked at her for a minute then turned away towards the fire.

"Well, let's try to enjoy our time left together for now. What do you want to do tomorrow morning?" asks Elijah, hopefully trying to change the subject.

Kira was silent for a while, deep in thought. Elijah watched as Kira's face lit up and started to talk.

"I want to go hunting. My dad took me hunting when I was younger, I have always enjoyed it. I can maybe show you how to hunt, I have a lot of experience" says Kira.

"Yeah, of course, that's a great idea. I always wanted to go hunting, but none of my family members were interested. Plus, I actually have only two hunting guns, so we will go tomorrow then." says Elijah.

"Perfect. I am getting a bit sleepy so I will head upstairs to sleep. Good night" says Kira as she gets up and kisses Elijah on his cheeks before leaving. Elijah mouths goodnight and turns towards the fire. He picks up a thin stick and throws it into the blazing fire. He watches as the stick burns and turns into ashes.

"As you sow, so you shall reap," he says with a grin on his face. He stands up and walks inside, leaving the growing fire behind.