Tick Tock

It is 3 AM and the grandfather clock downstairs chimes, not once or twice or even three times, but 12 times. Why is this happening at night at 3 AM and only at that time?

“Hey, Madre?” I called from in my bedroom upstairs.

“Yes, my dear Deera?” My mother called from her room tired like.

“Can you tell me the story behind the stupid clock?” I asked as I opened the door to my room.

I walked down the stairs and to the kitchen or dining hall as my family liked to call it. Who do I see but my Padre.

“I can tell you the story of the Grandfather clock.” My father said as he put his sword down on the table.

“Prease, padre?” I said with a smile as I grabbed me fresh rabbit meat from the fridge.

“A long time ago, your Great Grandfather Claw Hieser inheritted this Clock from a friend of his named Blood Scar. He was a Blood Hound and had some interest into that specific clock. This phenomenon has been going on since October 5th of 1604, when Blood Scar went missing at 3 AM, the morning he was supposed to be executed. Clock Makers from then until now have tried to figure out why it has rang 12 times at 3 AM. It is still a mystery to this day. Does that tell you anything?” My father said as he grabbed a napkin and wiped my face that had blood on it.

“Thanks, padre. I want to look into this mystery of the clock.” I said as I pushed his hand away.

He nodded and started sharpening his sword again. Sparks flew as he was running the rock against the blade. I watched him as we heard my siblings walk into the kitchen and sit at the table. I smiled as I named them off in my head.

‘Golden, Hera, Darius Raven, Helldoora Flame, Celestial, Death, and Terrorling. All of us are here.’ I thought with a smile.

“Where mama?” Darius asked as she waddled in.

“I am here, kiddos.” My mother said as she appeared at the bottom of the stairs in her robe made of sheep skin.

She walked up to the counter and started making breakfast. We all heard a knock upon the door. Everyone started to scramble to get it. Father yelled at us and we all stopped. He pointed at me and motioned toward the door. I walked over to the door as the second round of knocking came about. I opened the door and saw a tall figure with ears standing there.

“Hello, young lady. Is your father around?” She asked as she looked at me with Hazel colored eyes.

“I am here, Notre. Come on in and eat breakfast with us.” My father said before I could answer her.

“Thank you, my dear young lady.” Notre, a Fox Hound, said as she walked in and I closed the door.

“Why, hello, Notre Fox. Come to eat with us?” My mother asked as she slid plates across to each of us.

“She can eat my plate of food Madre. I am going to head out to go get some supplies.” I said as I pushed my plate toward Notre.

“Are you feeling alright, Deera Tatiana?” My mother asked me as she walked to me.

“Yes, Madre. I am fine. I had a rabbit earlier this morning. I shall get the supplies I need and be back soon.” I said as I grabbed my backpack from the hanging rack.

“Be... *Swallows* Be careful or the Elves will kill you.” Celestial said as she looked at me.

“Ha, ha, ha, Celestial twat. Dat is niet erg grappig. That is not very funny.” I said sarcastically.

“Deera!! Language, jochie.” My mother snapped at me.

“Stomme zoon van een teef. Dat eten is niet naar mijn smaak bereid. Stupid son of a bitch. That food is not prepared to my taste.” Helldoora Flame snapped at mother.

“Helldoora Flame!! No need for that language.“My mother snapped at him as Darius snickered a little bit.

If you cannot tell, my family is Dutch. We live Belguim. The olden part of the Belguim. I walked out the door and breathed the fresh ocean air. I smiled and put my hood up since I am the only one in all of Belguim to have horns upon my head. I walked into the streets of Belguim and gathered up a rope, tools, and fruit. Someone bumped into me, knocking the fruit out of the backpack as I fell to the ground.

“Bí ag faire amach, fucker!! Watch out, fucker!!” A tall looking human pushed passed me.

A short looking elf stopped and helped me stand up. He smiled as he noticed I had horns and my hood was down. He recognized me, somehow. He looked familiar but somehow not. He grabbed my hood and put it back on my head. He picked up the fruit and put them in my backpack.

“An bhfuil tú ceart go leor, milady? Are you alright, milady?” He asked as we heard his name called.

“Ja meneer. Yes sir.” I answered as I grabbed my backpack from him.

“My name is Tara Diera. I am here on a school trip with the EU. I am at Hotel 5, Room 309. Come see me again, will you?” He said as his name was called again.

“I will see what I can do. What time shall I meet you?” I asked with a smile.

“How about midnight tonight?” He asked as he bowed to me.

“Yes, sir. I will meet you then so we can go on the adventure I am going on at 3 AM tomorrow morning.” I said as I bowed and he ran off.

I ran back home and got to the door. I could hear yelling from within the door. I listened to it.

“I told you no, Celestial. You cannot join the ranks until you are older.” My father yelled.

“Ugh!!! You tell me this every year and I am old enough now that I can!! Let me join!!!” Celestial snapped back at him.

“You can join next year and that is final!!” My father snarled back as I tried to sneak in.

Emphasis on tried. I tried but as usual, Darius and mother spotted me. Mother cleared her throat and I stopped in my tracks. I turned around and dropped my hood.

“Remember, it is your night to cook dinner since Darius is cooking lunch right now. Would you like some?” Mother asked as she smiled at me.

“No thanks. I am gonna skip out on lunch. Also, can I skip out on making dinner tonight?” I said as I put the backpack on the table.

“Who are you going to see now?” My father asked.

“His name is Tara Diera and he’s an elf. He invited me to his room in the Hotel 5 across town. We are meeting at midnight.” I said as I unpacked the fruit I had bought.

“An elf?!?!?” Mother and Father exclaimed as they glared at me.

“He will break your heart just like the humans did.” Father snapped as he pointed the Bone Sharpener at me.

“Why him, though?” Mother asked me.

“Just say his name!! His name is Tara Diera!! He is only a friend of mine.” I snapped back at them.

“Ha!! Maybe this so called friend will be your husband one day!!” Death yelled from the other room.

“Kom dat tegen mijn gezicht zeggen, klootzak! Come say that to my face, motherfucker!” I growled back at him.

“Room!! Now, Deera!!” Father snarled at me and pointed upstairs.

I stormed upstairs as Death walked into the dining room. I slammed my door and Death started laughing. Hours went by until everyone went to bed except for me. When all was quiet and it was 10 at night, I decided to sneak down the stairs. I got down to the bottom of the stairs and gathered up my backpack and put my hood on. I heard someone clear their throat, startling me.

“Where are you going this late at night?” Hera asked as she rubbed her scythe with the blade sharpener.

“I am going to meet a friend. Why are you up?” I snapped at her as I walked to the door.

“I couldn’t sleep. I also thought you would be awake at this time.” Hera said as she looked at me.

“I have to go. I will be back before Madre and Padre are up.” I snarled as I opened the front door.

I ran to Hotel 5 and got to the front desk by 11:30 PM. The lady looked at me confused but she opened her mouth to speak when I cut her off.

“Hello, madam. Is Tara Diera signed in here?” I asked her with a smile and my hood up.

“Can you take your hood off so I can see who you are?” The woman asked as she looked at the log book.

“I do not have time for this. I need to see Tara Diera now. What room is he in?” I snapped at her as I glared at her.

“Fine. He is in Room 309 on the third floor.” The woman said with a sigh.

I nodded and walked to the elevator. I pushed the up button and the doors opened. I walked in, hit the button with 3 on it and up the elevator went. The doors opened and I could hear yelling and screaming. I walked down the the end of the clear hallway to the messy hallway. The kids stopped what they were doing and watched me in silence as I walked to Room 309. I knocked on the door as I heard whispering behind me. I looked behind me and saw a male elf glaring at me in awe.

“Are you Tara’s girlfriend?” He asked me as I heard the door open.

“No, sir. He is only a friend of mine. You should stop this mess and clean up since you are big about your ego.” I said as I turned back toward Tara.

“Bitch, níl a fhios agat cé mise! Tá mé Darius Heralfort!! Bitch, you don’t know who I am!! I am Darius Heralfort!!” Darius snarled in Irish as Tara walked passed me.

“Teanga, Darius !! Sin bean a bhfuil tú ag caint léi !! Fág í!” Tara snapped back at Darius.

Darius mumbled and backed off. He walked back into his room as Tara turned toward me. He motioned for me to walk in and we both walked in. He closed the door and I looked around the living area? It was clean and pristine like in my own home. I kept my hood upon my head.

“Sorry for his intrusion.” Tara apologized as a clock chimed midnight.

“It is quite alright. Why are you so well respected?” I asked him.

“I am the top student at the EU and you can take your hood off.” He said as he walked into the kitchen and started to scrub dishes.

“What are you doing? Isn’t that a woman’s job? Why is your room so clean?” I asked him as I walked to the kitchen and took my hood off.

“Hahahaha. I am cleaning dishes and no. I was raised where men and women shared the chores around thy home. I was taught a clean home makes a healthier you.” He said as he smiled at me.

I watched him clean the dishes and he dried them. Then, he put them away.

“Now, that my chores are done. We can go an that adventure you talked about earlier. Ready, my friend?” Tara asked as he looked at the clock.

I nodded and we walked out of his room as I put my hood up. We saw Darius, a few other male elves and a few female elves cleaning the hallway. They all looked up at us and bowed to us respectfully. We walked by and they started cleaning again as we turned the corner to the elevator. We got into the elevator and he hit the Lobby button. The Elevator went down and it stopped a minute later. The doors opened and the lady at the front desk watched s leave out the door. A couple moments later, she came running out with a clipboard with a paper.

“Mr. Diera, sir. You need to sign this if your are going with that mange.” The lady said as she wrinkled her nose.

“No, I do not. You will find that I did sign a paper saying that I do not have to sign any papers of any sort, including a sign out sheet. Also, this a friend of mine, not a mange.” Tara said bravely.

She backed away and we walked in silence all the way to my home. It was about 2:55 AM when we walked in when I didn’t see or hear anything or anyone. We walked up to the clock that was in my living den and I told him to stand right there. He nodded and I ran to grab my backpack. I grabbed it and started to walk back when I see Padre. 

“What are you doing up a minute until three, dochter?” He asked as I stopped. 

“I am going to figure out why the clock rings at 3 AM twelve times.” I said quickly as I ran off. 

The clock struck 3 AM and we saw a little light behind the clock. I could see it was fascinating to him. 

Ding...

Ding...

Ding...

“Help me move it before it hits the twelfth chime.” I said as it rang 3 more times. 

Ding...

Ding...

Tara and I moved the clock away from the wall. We saw a portal and walked through as the twelfth chime was struck. The portal closed behind Tara and I. We were amazed to see a land full of trees, animals that we didn’t know, and Blood Hounds dressed in robes made of silk.

“Wow.” I said in awe. 

“Welcome, Iris and Tara. Your arrival time is on point. Our Lord would like to speak to you. First, you must change out of the outside worlds clothing into a robe of silk.” A Maroon eared Blood Hound said as he offered us two robes of silk. 

Tara grabbed the green robe and I grabbed the golden robe. They were beautiful. We walked to a couple of boxes near us. 

“Make sure you put those outside worldly clothing in the backpack you carry, young warrior.” The Maroon eared Blood Hound said. 

We changed and Tara gave me his clothing and I put them in my backpack. I cleared my throat and looked at Tara. He wore a robe like what the romans used to wear way back when. My robe was over one shoulder held by a golden pin with a Draginucous etched into it. 

“Follow me, Warrior and Guardian. Follow me to thy Lord of our wonderful land of peace and harmony.” The Maroon eared Blood Hound said as he bowed to me. 

He walked down a dirt path and we followed him. We stayed a few feet behind him as we walked to the edge of the town we saw from higher up the path. He stopped and bowed to a dark brown eared, well one ear was like half. The new Blood Hound looked at us up and down and walked around us. He nodded and we walked forth onto a cart. It levitated a little bit and moved forward toward a magnificent castle. It stopped and lowered to the ground. We stepped off and it zoomed away. 

“Is iontach álainn é. Unbelievably beautiful.” Tara said in Irish, astonished. 

We walked into the castle and down a long hallway. We got to two humongous doors and I heard something sniffing the air. I turned to see my old friend, Blind Hercules. 

“I smell a black Draginucous and an Elf of the Northern woods.” He said as he reached us. 

“Hey, Hercules!!” I said as pet his little Frigle.

“Black Lemon, with a man. What is your name, young man?” Hercules asked as he touched Tara’s chest. 

“Tara, sir.” Tara said with no emotion. 

“Ah. You and her are soulmates from long ago now have joined back together. I am Hercules the Blind. You and her are here to figure out a mystery.” Hercules said with a smile. 

Then, Hercules left us. The Maroon eared Blood Hound rolled his eyes and opened one door. We walked through and saw a throne made of gold and jewels. I stared in awe as the throne chair swiveled it’s way around to face us. It stopped a quarter of the way, facing away from us. 

“What is it, Blood Moon?” A male voice asked irritated. 

“A couple of new comers came through the portal and I thought you should see them.” The Maroon eared Blood Hound said as he bowed. 

“Leave then while you go find me some more food.” The male voice snarled. 

Blood Moon left and we stood there in silence as the chair spun around to face us. The male jumped from the throne and landed in front of Tara and I. He was taller than me by 9-10 inches. 

“A small elf and a petty little girl come to see me? How cute, not!! Get lost or I will hurt you.” He snarled as we stood there unafraid.

“You are really gonna growl at me, Blood Scar?” I asked him as I could see that he was Jet Black with a white tip on one ear.

“Who are you, brave ones?” He asked as he backed down just a little bit.

“My name is Tara Diera, son of Heath Diera and Norma Bloodsong. This is my friend, Deera Freedom.” Tara said boldly but with no emotion.

“Why are you here, Tara and Deera?” He asked as he walked to his throne and sat down.

“We are here to solve the mystery of the Grandfather clock that my family has possession of since you gave it to my Great Grandfather Claw Hieser. They say all the clock makers couldn’t figure out why it keeps chiming at 3 AM twelve times. Do you know why it does that?” I explained as I took a few steps forward.

“Ahh. The BEST Draginocous Warrior that fought well next to me. How is he doing?” He asked as he looked away from us.

“Well... ummm... Great Grandfather Claw Hieser was killed in 1789... by an elf.” I said as I started to cry.

“No, no, no. No need to cry, my dear. I will tell you why this clock chimes twelve times at 3 AM.” He said as he jumped down and wiped away tears from my face as he pushed Tara away.

“Hey, rud mac tíre! Tá mé anseo!! Hey, wolf thing! I am here!!” Tara snapped in Irish.

“It chimes twelve times because each chime represents our pillars of characteristics we live by.” He said with a smile.

“What are these so called pillars?” Tara asked as he push Blood Scar back, away from me and stood in front of me.

“Honesty, Kindness, Respectful, Responsible, Fairness, Trustworthy, Loyalty, Caring, Courage, Citizenship, Bravery and Patience.” Blood Scar said as he pointed to each of the pillars near his throne.

“We need to leave, dear sir.” I said as I heard rustling from outside the castle.

“Sire!! Sire!! The Dark Ones are back and they want... you know who!!” A tall Hound with light blue flame marked tail in armor yelled as he ran into the throne room passed Tara and I.

“I knew that wouldn’t hold them long. Gather everyone you can to fight, while I hide her.” Blood Scar said as he looked at the front door and heard growls.

The Hound nodded and ran off. Blood Scar walked passed us and to the left. He opened the door as we walked toward him. A gray eared and tail female walked out holding a bundle. The bundle sneezed as the female looked at us. He whispered to her as the ground shook. She nodded and handed me the bundle.

“Go through the portal in the room on the right and raise her.” The female said as she started to cry and her gray tail twitch.

“We will.” I said as I looked at the bundle.

She was adorable. She had cute blue eyes and a swirl lock of hair the color of Lavendar. Tara led me to the door on the right and we went in as we heard Blood Scar howl. Tara closed the door and the portal opened. We walked through and we were back in my livivng room. The bundle I carried started to cry which then everyone ran down the stairs to see Tara moving the clock.

“What in the living name of the Goddess happened to you?” My Padre asked as he saw me holding the bundle.

“Th... The clock. P... portal. P... prease understand. Just let m... me explain.” I stammered as I bounced her lightly and she fell asleep. 

“Did you do this to my daughter, young man?” Padre asked angrily as he grabbed his sword. 

“No, Mr. Freedom. I did not do this to her. She is only a friend of mine. I would ne... *inhales suddenly*” Tara tried to explain as Drago’s sword swung right beside him, between him and I. 

“Get rid of that thing, Deera!! It is evil!!” Madre yelled at me as she looked at me. 

“No!! Leave him be!!” I snarled at Padre as I pushed him backwards. 

“Why are you protecting an elf that killed Darius?” Padre asked as he glared at me. 

“When did he kill her? When... when did you kill my sister?” I asked as I turned around to face Tara. 

“I... I didn’t want to kill her. My teacher made me kill her half past one.” Tara said as he looked at me. 

“No... No... no, no, no, NO!! Why did he want you to kill her?” I asked angrily and my muscles tense up. 

“It... it was for a grade. I swear I didn't want to kill her. After she had died, I prayed over her body to send her soul to the Sun Goddess up above." Tara said as he looked at me sadly.

"He... he is telling the truth, Deera." Celestial said as she walked up to me with her left lower arm missing.

I stared at Tara and pointed to the door. I walked to it and Tara followed me. Someone grabbed my free arm and I saw it was Death. He pulled my arm a little bit but I yanked it free and walked out the door. Tara followed me and we sighed.

"Shall we really try to fix it since no one knows about it?" I asked as the rain started to pour on us.

"Nah, Deera. Let us go back to my room so we can dry off and take care of this little bundle." Tara said as he ran beside me.

We ran until we got to Hotel 5 and we took the elevator up to the 3rd floor. It was all silent, too silent for our liking. He opened the door to his hotel room and we saw Elves pop up and yell surprise at us. That caused the bundle to start crying. Everyone shut up and looked at Deera as she bounce the bundle up and down gently. Tara went straight to the fridge and grabbed the milk out. He shooed everyone out and closed the door behind them. he went into the extra bag that his mother packed him, and grabbed a baby bottle. He poured the milk in the bottle and warmed the milk a little bit. We fed and raised this young one until she was an adult and we named her Tracker. One day, a blind purple Blood Hound came for her at 2:55 AM and she left with him to return back to the Land of Blood Hounds.

Well, the clock was never fixed and it still rings 12 times at 3 AM. It still rings like that to this day and it doesn't bother any of my family members.