Chapter 439 439 Come on now

Chapter 439 Chapter 439 Come on now

As the kitten fixed its beady black eyes on her, she dropped to her knees- stretching out her right hand to the orphaned kitten;

"Come on now. . .it's okay. . ."

It opened its mouth- perhaps ready to purr something like 'who are you?' or 'leave me alone.'

But it didn't get the chance. And neither did Abby. Because suddenly, a broad shadow fell upon two of them. At once, Abby's impulses tingled- blaring out warnings like an alarm system. Trace the roots of this material to novelb!n•

The kitten probably also sensed it.

But before any of them could properly react, a looming hand swooped down on the kitten's body- grabbing it like it was made a knitting ball- all with a single breath.

Confusion blazed across Abby's blurry vision- instantly burning up her tears. Then anger came- doubling down to rage. Trembling, she sank her heels into the grass, and sprang upwards- pushing her torso up with her two hands! With fierceness lapping up her eyes, she raised her fists, eager to–

"EASY THERE TIGER!" a familiar voice boomed; "Would you chill? It's me."

Abby's fists unclenched immediately. Through the strands of hair flapping across her face, the tall lean familiar figure came into view.

"Senior Nexus?" she gasped.

"I told you to let go of that senior thing didn't I?"

But Abby's jaw was still drooping. She stammered out a bunch of questions;

"But when did you–? How did–?"

Truly. Nexus seemed like he had appeared from out of nowhere.

He stood there- trim and tall, looming over her like a human tree. The rustling wind forced his long hair apart- sending it fluttering- exposing his serious face and squinted eyes.

The kitten purred slightly in his arms, and that was only when Abby knew he had been stroking it.

"I see you got a little friend here. . ." he buzzed; "You naughty girl, what devilry are you up to?"

...

A couple of moments later, the combined footsteps of the young man and the girl pattered down the tidy path- heading towards Dracula's home. Their feet crunched the lone pebbles in their path- breaking them further into tinier pieces.

Late afternoon had snuck up on them. Around them, the sun soaked landscape glowed loud and bright- reminding them of summer's delight.

As they both entered the bronze colored gates- Nexus pressed his lips together.

no sound? that's super weird. . .

He looked up- squinting his eyes- searching for the familiar flapping of feathery wings. But the bland blue skies reflected back in his irises. There was not a single bird in sight!

There was no singing sparrow, no cawing crows, not even the flutter of the occasional gray pigeon! Even the crickets seemed to have taken a break. The air seemed to sit still- not swaying even the leafy trees.

"What are you staring at?" Abby's sharp voice came- arresting his attention; "Why are you actinglike you've never been here before?"

"Well," Nexus began evasively; "It is a nice piece of property you and your grandfather have here. . ."

Abby narrowed her eyes- shooting him a scolding look; "Please don't talk to me like I'm a child."

"But you are a chi–"

She raised her eyebrows- daring him to complete the phrase. Nexus did NOT. Instead, he pivoted by telling her what he was truly thinking;

"I was just wondering though, when did it get so quiet around here? I remember my first time here. Those birds would not shut up at all. Now, it's like they've all been killed."

Nexus shrugged- and continued;

"It as quiet as a graveyard. If I didn't know any better, I'd say somebody died or–"

Suddenly, Dracula's upper body jerked in the hammock- as if reacting to the word 'died.' Nexus and Abby turned just in time to see his slender neck crane forward- and his bearded jaws separate. Eyes tightening, Dracula's throat shot out a deep cough- straining his bearded face.

As the hammock swayed, and as his book fell over, Nexus and Abby rushed to his side- grabbing him by his shoulders;

"Damn it you old geezer," Nexus exclaimed; "You tryina give us a heart attack or something? Abby quick, fetch a glass of water."

Dracula wheezed- reclining back into the hammock; ". . .I'm good. . .I'm good. . .just a little phlegm that's all. . ."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. . ." he answered; "Don't worry about it Mike."

"Mike?" Nexus echoed- widening his eyes.

"Oh," the old man replied lazily- not bothering to open his eyes- not bothering to aplogize either; "Nexus my boy, that's you ain't it?"

"Hello to you too," Nexus replied in amusement.

But Dracula did not answer.