~ Chapter 8 ~
Closing in.

Zora frowned in thought as he stepped through the front door; Ashley was sitting on the couch, but she leaped up when he entered.
"Where've you been? I've been waiting." She exclaimed, worried.
“It’s ok; I was investigating Azerith's death or murder. There might be a serial killer.” Zora told her, "But it doesn't seem to have anything to do with Lilly."
Zora crouched down to her level and hugged her. “I know I've been reckless; I promise I’ll work on that. I was angry and not thinking, but for the time being, I can't slow down..” She nodded, her concern seemed alleviated, “You're gonna let me help.” she replied, determination entered her eyes.
“No, I can’t let you.” Zora told her, getting to his feet, “I need to know you're safe.” He started towards his room.
“I'll help you whether you let me or not!” She exclaimed, following him. Zora stopped and turned to face her.
“Ok, stay with me, don't run off on your own.” He replied, slightly annoyed at her persistence; she nodded in response and watched him disappear into his room. She stepped into her own room, picking up her teddy bear off the ground and squeezing it tightly; suddenly, she couldn’t bear to be alone. She left her room and quietly opened Zora’s Door; he was already asleep; he must have been exhausted. She crossed to the bed and laid down beside him. His presence comforted her, and before long, she’d fallen asleep. She'd been having a recurring nightmare, but tonight, with her older brother's warmth against her side. She slept peacefully, dreamless, and quiet.

Zora's head swam in inky darkness; shadows moved at the edge of his vision.
"Zora!!" Lilly called out; she ran past him, fear and Anguish in her eyes. Zora turned to chase after her, but she was gone.
"I thought you were gonna protect me?" Zora awoke suddenly, sitting up in bed; he glanced down at his younger sister, who was asleep beside him. He sighed with regret as he slipped from the bed and left the room; he stopped in the kitchen to grab his knife and a bite to eat before heading out into the cold afternoon air.

Ashley awoke and glanced around; her environment was immediately unfamiliar to her, then it hit her last night she’d slept in her brother’s room. She sat up, realizing he had already gotten up. I hope he didn’t leave already, she thought, stepping into the hall.
“Zora?” She called; her voice echoed throughout the empty house; he’d already gone. She sighed and walked into the kitchen, evidence of Zora’s early morning breakfast still sat on the table. She cleaned it up; he wouldn’t be able to live without me; she thought, smiling to herself. Ashley quickly made a small breakfast and carried it down the hall to her room; setting it on her desk; she glanced around. It’s not here; she thought. Stepping back into the hall, Ashley opened her brother's room to check. Her teddy bear sat on the floor beside the bed; she smiled and crossed the room to pick it up; she then headed back to her room.
Ashley set the stuffed animal on the desk as she sat down. Opening a drawer, she pulled out a spell book and started sifting through the pages. After flipping through about half the book, she stopped on two pages: protection spells and the other about golems.
Golems . . . she thought, silently reading through the entry, a few incantations, some spells, and an added clay skeleton. She smiled. I can do this easily. She turned around and wheeled her chair across the room to a stack of small bins; each had random items in them. She opened the top left one and pulled out a wad of clay. Ashley then wheeled back to her desk, pulled a knife from her tools drawer, worked cutting slits in her teddy, and pushed clay inside, building her skeleton.
Before long, she had finished and began to sew up the cuts, before referring...