Her Hell

DISCLAIMER : I do not now nor have I ever had ownership of the Witch Hunter Robin characters or original story idea. The chapters written here however are mine, please do not reproduce


Chapter 20:

The sight before them was at best unbelievable. A great and massive canopy of trees covered an expansive clearing. A number of small soddy homes dotted the outlying edges allowing the central circle to be used for communal activities.

A nicely constructed well stood proudly front and center. \'At least they have some sort of plumbing\' Amon thought dryly, while surveying the surroundings. Two older men approached the small group. After speaking privately with Kira they immediately set about finding accommodations for Robin.

\"you will have accommodations nearby\" Kira explained
\"I will what?\" glaring at the equally headstrong guide \"I will stay where Robin stays, no exceptions\"
without further acknowledgment he stomped off in the direction Robin had been led.

Kira however had not been surprised by Amon\'s reaction. In fact she had counted on it.

A pair of dark age worn eyes observed the exchange, as well as the brooding figure stomping his way across the clearing. \'Così battaglia inutile\' *1 the leathery lips uttered softly before dismissing the scene outside.

Anger had gripped Amon with fierceness. However he also felt a strange prickling at the nape of his neck. Admittedly his curiosity rose, yet for now it would need to be put away for exploration another time.
He\'d dare not admit to anyone else, hell he barely admitted it to himself but he often felt a odd sense of emptiness when Robin was not by his side. He had grown so accustomed to her being no farther away than a single glance.

Finally he stood outside the small rustic cabin door. Dark weathered wood stained by years of abuse from the elements was the only barrier between he and his charge. Covering the makeshift wooden bolt with a gloved hand, he slid it back, allowing the door to open slightly. Only to have it slammed shut immediately in his face.

Instincts triggered into overdrive, he immediately slammed into the door shoulder first. \"Robin!\"

\"I am here Amon\"

Turning towards the sound of her voice his eyes fell upon her face. Before he could remark, a voice from the region of the doorway spoke.

\"It is rather rude to barge in unannounced\"

\"I go where Robin goes\"

Before tensions could rise farther Robin broke the strained silence.

\"Amon this is Niala, she is here to help me settle in\"

\"Hello its . . .\"

\"You can leave us now\"

\"Excuse me, I belie . . .\"

\"I said leave us!\"

Tossing a cross look , the young woman locked eyes briefly with his dark orbs. Amon instantly saw the nervousness there.

\"If you need anything Miss please call me, I\'ll be here in an instant\"

With that she left the two alone inside the rustic chamber.

Finally taking a better look at his surroundings, his attention now focused on Robin\'s new attire.

A rather striking deep purple dress, much like the Victorian style, however slightly less confining. It\'s length bringing it nearly to the floor. Her hair was loose, and obviously combed.

\"Do they have bathing accommodations here?\" he asked.

\"Hai, Niala spoke of a bathing house. Would you like for me ask her?\"

\"In a bit\"

Allowing himself a moment to relax the situation and the location sinking in. His only resources were through the technology far from thought in this remote location. Although they were safe, it did little to ease his troubled mind without the means to stay ahead of their hunters.

\"Amon . . .\"

\"Hmm?\"

\"Do you think we will need to stay here long?\"

\"Are you uncomfortable here?\" Curiosity and concern both obvious to his tone.

\"I feel a bit uneasy, I\'m sure it\'s just me though\"

His own discomfort still plagued him, however his choice was to refrain from voicing that fact. Robin looked to him for strength. If she thought for a moment he was a bit anxious about being here it may shake the already unstable calm.

\"Probably\" he replied

Rising to his feet he decided to take a tour, albeit a short one, of the cabin. Across from the door were two small cots with makeshift straw mattresses atop them. Handsewn quilts laid neatly at the foot of both.

Amon not liking the direct line across from the only entrance or exit promptly moved both to the side, opposite to the opening of the door. Anyone coming in unexpectedly would be seen before they could do much harm.

Robin stood silently watching Amon re-arrange their ‘home\'. With little furnishings aside from the cots, the only other object was a handmade dresser of sorts.

Weariness began tugging at her body, causing her to sway softly as she waited for Amon to grow tired of adding his personal touch to their small space. Yet she said nothing, she knew Amon needed to do this for his own peace of mind. As always she watched patiently, knowing he would stop soon enough.

\"You sleep there\" His extended hand pointing to the cot closest to the wall, farthest away from the door.

\"Hai\"

With the setting sun beginning to absorb the last rays of light, the kerosene lantern was lit. Was then Amon noticed the darkening circles tainting Robin\'s milky skin.

\"Rest for awhile, I will wake you when I find something for you to eat\"

A simple nod her only answer, she softly shuffled across the packed dirt floor.
Strangely she found the mattress to be quite comfortable. Perhaps from exhaustion or skill of the maker of the strange mattress she cared not at this point. Sleep would soon be her friend.


\"Thank you\" she murmured just before dozing.

\"Shushhh, rest\" his reply

Once certain she was soundly asleep his curiosity had taken hold. His mission was to get some answers from Kira. She had been confident in her assumptions, and he intended to find out why.

Closing the simple door behind him, his gaze surveyed the camp. Kira was nowhere in sight.

Closing in on a pair of older women idly chatting he questioned them in regards to her whereabouts. Having been pointed in the direction of a cabin directly across from where he and Robin were staying his path took a new direction.

Just a few feet from meeting his mark the door slipped open revealing Kira, a broad smile plastered across her face.

\"You finally came\"

A irritated smirk pulled on his lips \"I hope you have some answers\"

Standing to the side, she motioned for him to enter the dark dwelling.

After her offer, and his refusal to a cup of tea they began what would be a very interesting conversation.

Meanwhile another dreamed . . .


Darkness, suffocating and thick did little to cloak the presence of a power uncomparable to anything she\'d felt before . . .

\"Who are you?\" her timid voice called into the eerie void of nothingness

\"La vostra famiglia, il vostro guardiano\" *2

\"Explain what you mean\"

The force which shared her current space seemed to be pulling her farther into the darkness, as if her body had no control of it\'s own.

Farther into the darkness she drifted....control of herself becoming lost to this ‘entity\' that now taunted her with it\'s riddles.

Pulling her , tugging at her soul a growing fear began it\'s slow simmer . . . this ‘thing\' now had her in it\'s grasp. . Her fear feeding it\'s hunger, her soul it\'s giver of life. A coldness pierced her heart bringing forth a silent scream to be heard by none . . .


For what seemed like an eternity, Amon listened to Kira\'s riddles and round about answers. He left her for the evening with more questions than he had gone to her with. Nearly halfway to the cabin where he fully expected to find Robin still sleeping, her cries broke through the now quiet encampment.

Without though he broke into a full speed run, nearly shattering the door on impact.

\"Robin!\"

\"Amon . . .\" she whispered in a questioning tone. Unsure of what was real or unreal, her brain still lost in the fog of terror she had only moments ago been consumed in.

Amon quickly determined it was only a dream, however judging from the rapid breathing and her shivering form, he determined it was not one that would easily be forgotten.

Sitting slowly at the foot of her cot, he waited for her to tell him what had distressed her.

After some time she recalled the dream in vivid detail, as she did Amon\'s warmth grew closer, ending with her in his embrace. There she found the peace and safety she had come to depend on. As long as he was near she felt complete. She only dare to hope he could feel the same.



\"la speranza non è sprecata vigilia giovane\" *3


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A/N: Alright, it\'s up before New Years, that was my goal. I\'m sorry about the Italian, and the need for a translation in the footnote. But it does play into the story. (At least I did put in the translations :)

Thanks to those that have reviewed, it\'s very appreciated. Those who didn\'t....I hope your enjoying the story too. If not feel free to express your thoughts. My email is always open.

I\'ll be working on chapter 21 soon. Till then....Hope you all had a GREAT Christmas, and may the new year be better than your last.

1. \"Such a useless battle\"
2. \"Your family, your guardian\"
3. \"hope is not wasted young Eve\"