111: Play it Again, Derrick – Pt. 3

“What?” Derrick asked, taking the picture from Victoria’s hand and giving it a good evaluation. “When? Where?”

 “At the lake near my family’s cabin. But, there’s no way it’s the same creature. I was maybe eight or nine years old. This thing would be—”

“Immortal?” Mike suggested.

“Victoria, if…” Derrick paused and looked up at Glenn who was hanging on every word they were saying. “We need to check out all possibilities,” he said, cautiously, motioning with his eyes.

“Right,” she replied, catching on to what he was getting at. “Mr. Barrett, Glenn, thank you for your time. As my partner said we’re going to conduct a thorough investigation and we will let you know if we find anything.”

“Thank you. And be careful. This thing is seriously dangerous.”

The trio piled back into Victoria’s jeep and started toward their home. “Victoria,” Derrick started, glancing over at her as he maneuvered the vehicle into the driveway. “How many times did you encounter this creature?”

“I’m not really sure.”

“Wait, so you really saw this thing?” Mike asked, moving to her side of the truck. “I mean, how could you not remember that?”

“I—can’t…”

“Victoria had her memories erased when her mother bound her magic,” Derrick interrupted her to answer. “We need to unlock them. They might hold answers we need.”

“I thought Fane did that,” she said, glancing over at Derrick in confusion.

“Fane only unlocked the memories connected to him to try and win you to his side. We need to reveal everything.”

Inside the magic room Derrick and Victoria worked together to collect the items they needed to cast a memory spell while Mike watched. “Fair warning, this may cause discomfort,” Derrick said.

“How so?” Mike asked, watching Victoria place the final herb inside the cauldron.

“It differs person-to-person. I just know it’s not going to be pleasant.” Placing a pillow on the floor behind her Victoria gave him a curious look and he shrugged. “Just in case.”

“Alrighty, here we go,” Victoria expelled a deep breath as she lit the final candle. “Lux mentis lead the way. Reserare memorias, reserare memorias, reserare memorias and let me see.” (Light of the mind. Unlock the memories.)

The flame of the candle shot high burning from a dull orange to a bright red then deep blue before finally flickering out. “Is that it?” Mike asked. 

Suddenly, the room pitched into complete darkness and an eerie voice called out from the gloom, whispering Victoria’s name. Derrick instinctively stepped closer toward her as the temperature dipped and a gust of wind blasted open the attic windows. “Come to me, Victoria,” the voice beckoned and the candle relit an almost purple glow.

“Vik, was that you?” Mike asked, finding familiarity in the disembodied voice echoing through the room.

And as if on cue, an image began to take shape of a child version of Victoria through the purple haze emanating from the candle. “Victoria,” she again called, prompting Victoria to lean forward toward the flame.

Without warning, the fire darted out emmeshing Victoria’s head and upper body in a bright incandescence. She screamed as it sparked and burned around her. Derrick and Mike immediately rushed to her side, trying to figure out the best way to help her but Victoria shouted for them to step back.

Reluctantly, they did as she said and moved back to observe. The flames burned hotter but Victoria stopped screaming in pain as her mind teleported to the past and her childhood. She remembered waking from terrible dreams. She remembered her mother trying to explain away strange phenomena. She remembered setting accidental fires around her room. She remembered the first time she met Fane Dragonos and saw the relationship he’d intimated about upon his release. Finally, she remembered the day she was taken to the elders and the ritual that was forced upon her by her mother at the hesitance of her grandmother.

When the flames burned down, Victoria fell back, landing on the pillow Derrick had proactively placed on the floor behind her. The candle again extinguished and the room was back to its normal hue and radiance. It took a moment for her to come to her senses, but when she did, Victoria looked up into the worried expressions of both Derrick and Mike and smiled at them reassuringly. “I’m ok,” she said, sitting up and rubbing her hand over her head.

“Did it work?” Mike asked. “Do you remember?”

“Everything,” she answered. “I remember it all! Julian and Emery knew. They knew this entire time because they were the ones who did this to me. Why wouldn’t they remove the block they put on my memories when they sent you to train me?”

“I don’t know, Victoria. I can’t say why the Elders do any of the things they do.”

“Well, I intend to ask them the next time I see them,” she said as Derrick helped her stand.

“What about Bigfoot?” Mike asked, eagerly. “What do you remember about him?”

Victoria smiled inwardly at the innocent yet anxious childlike expression on her partner’s face before answering. “I remember being on vacation up at the cabin. I had gone down to join my older sisters at the lake, cutting through the woods on the way there as a shortcut. I heard something behind me—an unnatural shriek. I still, to this day, have no idea what it was and that’s no fault of memory loss. The thing that made the sound just came at me so fast it was a blur. It knocked me to the ground and turned around, making that sound again when out of nowhere this incredibly large and scary bearlike creature jumped on its back and tackled it away from me.”

“Wait, are you telling me Bigfoot saved your life as a child?”

“No, I’m telling you something Bigfoot-esque saved my life as a child from something equally as scary; if not more.”

“This is huge! For years, people believed Bigfoot was an aggressive and violent monster. If what you’re saying is true, then he is actually a protector in the woods!” Mike exclaimed with equal parts craze and excitement. “This is awesome!”

“Yes. But my question is what exactly was Bigfoot protecting you from?” Derrick asked, crossing his arms in thought.

“You want to go out to the cabin, don’t you?” Victoria asked.

“I do!” Mike said. “But our last known sighting was near the camp. It’s intriguing. Maybe he patrols up and down the coast, guarding from forest-to-forest.”

“He doesn’t work for the rangers, Mike. I don’t think he’s quite that talented,” Victoria mused.

“To that point, let’s head back to the camp and see what we can find,” Mike said with a grin.

Picking up where they left off previously, Victoria, Derrick and Mike hiked through the hills of the old campgrounds, determined to find evidence of the mysterious monster. For nearly three hours they walked the trails, searched empty caverns and mapped out nearly the entire forest. “It’s getting late,” Derrick said. “And to be completely honest, I’d like to make it out of here before Victoria’s next unfortunate circumstance.” She turned to him with a smile and nodded.

“We can pick this up again tomorrow,” she agreed.

“If tomorrow comes,” Mike said under his breath.

“Seriously?” Derrick growled.

“What?” Mike shrugged.

“You know he has super hearing, right?” Victoria admonished, shaking her head at her partner.

“Sorry,” Mike shrugged. “Let’s get back.”

They started back along the mountain path for the trail head. As they trekked the bumpy, muddy track, tiny pebbles fell into their path. They began getting larger, trickling down the hill in front and behind them. Victoria looked up in time to see the shape of a creature moving along the ridge. “THERE!” she shouted, pointing toward the movement just before it faded from view.

“No way,” Mike hissed, picking up his pace. “Let’s move!” he shouted over his shoulder before rushing off in the same direction as the shadow.

“Mike, wait!” Victoria screamed after him. “We need to stick together!” The echo of her shout vibrated off the cliff wall and in a matter of moments there was a clatter of sound and flurry of movement as the crag’s face shifted and crumbled down toward her.

“Victoria!” Derrick yelled, his legs pumping as he rushed forward. Knocking through stones, he tried his best to get to her but it was too late.

“Oh no,” Mike said, his breath catching as he turned and watched large boulders fall down around Victoria, crushing her. Finally getting his body to cooperate, he caught up to Derrick, helping move some of the smaller rocks to free his partner from beneath the rubble.

Derrick pulled away the last, huge stone, tossing it down the cliff’s edge before pulling Victoria into his lap. He slowly closed his eyes and waited for the day to reset, rocking her limp body in his arms as he did.

“Aren’t you going to help her?” Mike asked, watching with bewilderment.

“It’s fine, it’ll all be alright,” Derrick said, looking down at the dust covered face of his lover. “The day will reset and we can try this again.”

“Ok. And how long does that usually take?”

“I don’t know…it usually does right after. This—this is different,” he said as if the realization was just dawning on him. “This isn’t right…something’s not right.”

“Well, we did something different this time, right? Maybe—maybe that triggered a new outcome?”

“What outcome? One where Victoria actually dies? Because that’s unacceptable, Mike. This doesn’t happen—this doesn’t get to be the reality. We just need to give it time. It’ll reset. It has to,” he said, clutching her tighter against his chest.

Victoria took in the scene, standing over her prone body, watching the two most important people in her life seemingly mourn her death. Just above them, a spirit hovered, beckoning her forward. “Am I dead?”

She received an answer with the shake of its wispy head and was again summoned to move closer and finally did. The apparition led her to the entrance of a dark cave and pointed. “You want me to go in there?” The specter nodded its head. “Why? What’s in there?” Again, the wordless response motioned for her to enter before it twisted and vanished before her eyes.

Victoria walked into the dark, the radiance from the setting sun growing dimmer the further inside she went until all light faded into obscurity. A deep, guttural growl echoed from within the hidden depths of the cavernous abyss, rumbling the ground beneath her feet. Quickly, she walked forward until her eyes fell on the large, mythical being howling in pain with its back pressed against the cave floor. Blood spread around it as it tried desperately to remove a downed boulder on one of its arms.

The spirit returned, rushing forward and crashing through her, filling Victoria with its essence, giving her a keen insight and suddenly, she knew exactly what to do. Her body jolted out of Derrick’s grasp and, without hesitation, she was on her feet, hurtling toward the cave. “Victoria?” Mike asked in confusion and he and Derrick quickly gave pursuit.

Seeing the state of the animal, Derrick hurriedly closed in, throwing the large stone away as if it weighed less than air. Victoria knelt beside the beast, slowly reaching out before resting her hands on its wound. With a bright burst of light, she healed it, watching its eyes go from panic, to confusion to relief in a matter of moments. “You’re ok now,” she said, moving away to give it space.

The behemoth exhaled loudly as it rose to its feet. Its eyes met hers in what she could only guess was a thank you before it turned for the cave mouth and darted out into the forest. The trio followed behind, watching as it moved through the trees with startling agility.

“It was a draugr,” Victoria spoke, breaking the silence once the bigfoot vanished over the mountain peak. “The thing that attacked me as a child. The bigfoot, or whatever that thing really is, saved me. Apparently, the draugr thought I was too close to its burial mound and that I wanted its treasure. It came after me to keep me away.”

“How do you know all of this?” Mike asked, as the trio started for her truck. “I thought you said you didn’t remember.”

“A spirit showed me. After the rock slide, I had an out-of-body experience. It showed me where to find bigfoot and gave me hidden knowledge on my previous encounter with it. It would seem that our earlier hunches were correct and why every image of Bigfoot is so blurry. It’s a self-preservation trick—an enchantment that keeps it hidden. It works by erasing the memory of anyone who sees it or by distorting images taken of it. After I cast that memory spell, I unlocked mine.”

“Wow. Mystery solved. Guess that means the video I recorded of our encounter won’t turn out so great,” Mike sighed.

“Yeah, sorry about that. But, hey, at least you know the legend is real,” Victoria said, trying to soften the blow.

“Yeah. There’s that.”

“What I don’t understand,” Derrick started, “Is why the day kept resetting with your death.”

“Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe it was because of my previous encounter with Bigfoot. Or some kind of a protective shield. A way for the Bigfoot to guard himself. I just know I wasn’t meant to die, which is why the day reset. But every time we got close, he panicked. I think, once he realized we weren’t going to hurt him, the loop no longer triggered.”

“None of this makes sense,” Mike sighed.

“Nothing about the supernatural ever does,” Victoria countered.

“Well, I’m just grateful it’s all over. It feels like I aged a century in a day. Next time you get a bright idea to investigate a monster of myth, Mike, I’m chaining you down in my basement until the notion passes,” Derrick said, with a glare.

“Well, we don’t have to worry about that. After today, I’m leaving the myths where they belong; in books of make-believe.” Mike drove with the couple to their home, picked up his truck and headed to his place with the intention of spending the next few days resting.

After a quick meal and a hot shower, Victoria headed up to the library to find Derrick. He was perched in his favorite chair reading another novel he’d read over a dozen times before. Clearing her throat, she waited until he looked up and smiled before speaking. “Today was pretty crazy, huh?” she said, leaning against the door and glancing over at a suspiciously quiet Derrick. “How are you holding up?”

“I’ll be much better once the clock strikes midnight,” he admitted solemnly before approaching her near the door. “It did get me thinking, however.”

“Oh? About what exactly?”

“Today really reinforced how much it would devastate me if I ever lost you, Victoria. And I don’t want to spend another day without you knowing exactly how I feel about you.” Derrick’s lips whispered against hers; his tongue skimmed the seam of her mouth. Eagerly, Victoria granted him entrance and their tongues intertwined. Derrick tangled his fingers in her hair and pulled her head back so he could suck on her lower lip. Victoria gasped at the sensation as it sent chills down her spine. Heat rose between her thighs and Victoria slipped her hands across his chest, caressing her fingers up his body.

Her head fell back on the wall as his mouth drew a searing trail down her jaw and neck. Victoria tugged at the hair at the base of his head, dragging his mouth back to hers. Derrick’s hands roamed down the length of her spine, making her breath hitch as she curled her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. She smiled against his lips and moaned as his eyes darkened with lust and his kisses became feverish. 

Derrick pulled back, breaking the kiss and gently caressed Victoria’s cheek as he held her gaze; an intense look in his eyes. His forehead rested against hers as he felt her breath on his face. “I’ve waited five lifetimes for you, Victoria, and the only thing I want now is to spend the rest of them with you.” His low, gravelly voice vibrated through her entire being and her pulse raced as he ran his thumb over her lips, looking up into her eyes.

“Derrick…?” she gasped as he dropped down to one knee. Taking her hand in his, he pulled a ring box from behind his back and looked up at her with a loving smile.

“Victoria, will you marry me?”

Her head was nodding before she could even voice her answer. “YES! Oh my God, yes. Of course, I’ll marry you, Derrick.” 

Hopping up, his arms wrapped around her waist and he lifted her up, swinging her happily against him before placing her on her feet and smiling down at her. “You have no idea how happy you’ve made me.” Victoria’s lips ghosted inches from Derrick’s, and he felt the heat of her breath. Her fingers curled in his hair, pulling his mouth closer.

“I love you, Derrick.”

“I love you, Victoria,” he whispered, gazing into her eyes briefly before his mouth fell back to the soft pads of her lips. And with that, she couldn’t hold back any longer. Their mouths connected, setting off electric sparks between them. Every brush of her lips against his fanned the flames even higher. Every tangle of tongue made her moan. She slipped her fingers beneath the waistband of his briefs and slid them down his legs. Taking hold of his cock, Victoria gave him long, firm strokes, reveling in the sound of his strangled moans. Derrick unlatched her bra clasp and walked his fingers up her shoulders, gently removing the straps before lowering her panties to the floor.

With a quick, decisive move, he reached his hands behind her thighs and hoisted her against the wall. Victoria’s head fell back, lost in her own desire as he stroked his hand up her leg, running his fingers up her thigh to her hip crease. He slipped a finger inside her and then another while his mouth sucked a mark into the hollow beneath her throat. She clung to him tightly, enjoying the feel of his lips roaming her skin, his fingers bringing her to the edge. “You are so wet for me, Victoria.”

She moaned as he kissed her again, continuing to work her over with his fingers. Victoria arched her back as he stroked that perfect spot inside her. Derrick’s thumb teased her clit in firm, slow circles making her pant with need as he drove his fingers deeper and faster. Victoria swiveled her hips over his hand, moving faster, her breathing escalating as the pressure from his fingers slowly pushed her toward her peak.

Matching her pace, Derrick pressed against her g-spot with every stroke. “Oh fuck! I’m close, Derrick. More, please, more!” Victoria begged, urging him to go a little faster. Derrick wasted no time following her lead. They rocked together, her pussy clenched and the pleasure spiraled as he strummed her clit and thrust deep. “YES! DERRICK! YES!” Victoria cried in exhilaration as her body exploded, shuddering intensely with sharp flutters deep in her belly. She came hard on his hand, her muscles squeezing his probing fingers as he plugged her.  

Danger flickered in Derrick’s gaze as he shifted his weight to position himself between her legs. The head of his cock eased inside her, making her breath catch. Slowly, deliberately he guided the rest of his length inside her, burying his head against her shoulder. “Holy fuck, Victoria…”

The drag of his dick was slow and unhurried at first as he teased her. “Please, Derrick,” Victoria sighed as her head fell against the wall, almost delirious with desire. He loved hearing her beg for him and picked up his pace to satisfy the ache between her hot thighs. A silent scream opened in her throat. Derrick buried his head in the crook of her shoulder, grunting passionately as his hips began to jerk sharply. Fingers gripped her with need as Victoria’s stomach seized. A low hiss escaped Derrick’s throat and Victoria unraveled, clenching down against him as her orgasm hit with such force it felt like a rug being snatched out from under her. “Yes! Derrick, oh my, God, yes! Mmm!” 

Derrick’s grunts were so indulgent and dominant, as if he wanted her to know exactly how much he was loving every second he spent in her tight heat. Victoria closed her eyes, letting the moment take her over. The snap of his hips, the rasp of his voice and the rough feeling of being pressed up against the wall. Something inside her snapped, and it took all her self-restraint not to scream at the sudden burst of ecstasy and she shuddered through her climax. 

Victoria felt like she was in freefall and Derrick was right there, rocking her through it as he felt the making of his own release. Her body felt like a live wire, unbelievably sensitive as Derrick fucked her harder and faster. He stole a fierce, passionate kiss as she settled against him and rocked forward, pushing himself to his hilt. “You’re so beautiful when you come undone, Victoria,” he muttered against her mouth. 

Her climax struck her like a thunderclap. She screamed out Derrick’s name and hugged him closer as if she was trying to bring him with her; and it worked. Derrick throbbed inside her, growling against her neck as her body pulled him over the edge. “Ah, fuck, Victoria, I’m coming!” He pounded his hips into her, drumming her ass against the wall as he released himself deep inside her body. “Mmm yes!” he grunted, squeezing her thighs tightly as his eyes closed and his entire body seized, unleashing all of his pent-up energy with those last powerful thrusts inside her. “Fuck!” The pressure was so intense and seemed to go on forever as pulse after pulse soared through him until he was spent and sated. 

With her legs still wrapped around him, Derrick held her against the wall and kissed her roughly. His kiss was all consuming and unforgiving as he crushed his hips into her again and again. Victoria panted for air, feeling as though he’d stolen it all from her lungs. Slowly, Derrick eased out of her, releasing her mouth as he did. She breathed a deep sigh and smiled at him, gently caressing his hair from his face as she gazed lovingly in his eyes. “Victoria Constantine. That has a nice ring to it; almost regal.”

“It does, indeed,” Derrick agreed, smirking.