What Lies Beneath

 

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Chapter One- Eric

    I look over to Damien, Lacy, and Andrew laughing. I smile to myself, joining in on the laughter. After all, it is only two days until we are all sucked back into the hellhole that is high school. In a town like this there are rarely things out of the ordinary and I hate it. The only thing that I like about Deep Water is the water and the soccer. Well that and maybe my friends but there isn't anything special here. It's exactly like everywhere else.

    Damien punches my arm while taking another swig of his beer. I think he has had enough, but telling him that will only make him angry. "Are you even paying attention?" Damien asks. I nod in response.

    "What did we just say?" Andrew asks from above me, his dark hair falling down onto his face.

    I glare. "Get out of the damn tree before you kill yourself."

    They all start laughing hysterically but Lacy looks at me. "What's going on?"

    I shrug, not because I don't want to tell her but honestly I don't know myself, "I don't know, I just don't feel so good."

    Damien pushes a beer in my hand. "Poor guy is still hung up on the bitch he had as a girlfriend. Could tell you stories about that one. She's with that dick Kyle right?"

    Anger rushes to the surface. I don't have feelings for Ally anymore and I don't care who she's dating but I won't tolerate anyone insulting her. "Don't call her that."

    I'm not interested in gossip. Never have been. Never will be. That's exactly why I need to stop this conversation before it starts. It's been a fun night and I don't want to ruin it talking about someone that's no longer in my life.

    They laugh again. "Hit a nerve I see."

    I pick up the beer and down it in within seconds. "That's not it."

    "Sure as hell could have fooled us."

    "She has been staring at you. And when I say staring at you I mean glaring at everyone who even looks at you. It's creeping me out." Lacy shivers at the thought. I see Damien look over at her with concern before staring back at me.

    "I'll talk to her but seriously guys, I don't want her back." I sigh running a hand through my hair. I'd dated Ally for a year and my mom had been ecstatic because, well, we fit. Both from rich, well-respected families but Ally got tired of me I guess. Now she's with some idiot that doesn't even know how to tie his own shoe laces.

    Andrew looks skeptical but doesn't say a word. Damien unfortunately doesn't have restraint. "Oh come on Eric, why the hell are you lying to us? You're telling me that if her pretty little ass asked for you back that you wouldn't welcome her with open arms?"

    I flinch. Do they really think I'd go back to her, after what she did to me? I know that this is just drunk talk, that he doesn't mean it but still. I'm not stupid. I know when to call it quits.

    I frown." No, I wouldn't." I realize it's a lie as soon as it drips from my mouth. I guess time doesn't heal all wounds. Maybe I just need something to get my mind off of her. Thank god the soccer season at school is going to begin the day we get back. Soccer is my escape, it's my safe haven. God I wish I could just forget about her, but I can't and I know I should.

    Lacy shakes her head. "Give it up Damien. You know he's never going to admit it."

    "Why can't you see what we all do?" Damien asks.

    I look to Damien, my brows furrowing, "I don't know what you're talking about. What don't I see?"

    Andrew sighs from above me. In the distance an owl sings its sweet song. I turn my head to listen but it's gone. "Eric, sorry but Ally was a bitch to us. She told Lacy that she was a good for nothing piece of desperate crap that follows Damien around with her tail between her legs."

    I shake my head. "She wouldn't say that."

    Lacy looks down and nods. "Then why did she, Eric?"

    "I wish I could use her head as a soccer ball. I would drop kick her ass to another universe." The venom in Damien's voice makes me clench my jaw. I don't see what the hell their problem is.

    "Yeah because you guys were so eager to welcome her, right?"

    Lacy closes her eyes moving closer to Damien. "Can we not do this? Let's just enjoy the night."

    Damien straightens but falls back down, too drunk to stand. He settles for words but they slur together so that I can barely understand. "Maybe we should knock some sense into Eric. What do you think, Lace?"

    My eyes widen as Damien regains his balance but I know he won't do anything. He's not like that but I do think it's time for him to take a nap.

    From above me I hear Andrew shift. "Leave him alone. Lace, take Damien home, don't let him drive."

    Lacy nods in agreement from beside me in the truck bed. "He's just had too much to drink, come on," she motions to him, "I'll take you home."

    Lacy eventually is able to coax Damien into leaving in her car with him; she's the only one who can reach him when he's shitfaced, which is more often since the divorce six months ago. I don't ask about it. Damien is the type that if he wants to share he will come to you, when the time is right. I run a hand through my dark hair and motion for Andrew to sit down beside me on the truck. It shakes under his weight as he jumps down from the branch.

    I laugh, shaking my head at him. “One day you really are going to kill yourself and I'm not going to save your ass."

    "Come on, I thought you loved me bro, thought we were friends. You can't just leave me there. You've wounded my heart, Eric. I think I'm going to die."

    I chuckle and we sit there in silence for a while. I've known Andrew all my life; he's on the same team as I am. We've always had each other's back even in the toughest of situations; I guess that's what friends are for.

    Andrew looks at me with a wicked grin. "I think Damien and Lacy are going to hook up."

    "Dude, that's been going on for a while. Where the hell have you been?"

    He laughs, "Probably up in some tree. I've got to concoct my evil plans somewhere, haven't I?"

    "Remember that time you set the mayor's car on fire?"

    Andrew laughs smiling at the memory. "How could I forget? He was screaming and jumping up and down."

    I smile widely. "His big pot belly was wobbling up and down. Man that was hilarious."

    Andrew looks at me with concern. "Don't let it get to you. Do what you want but don't go back to her because you feel like it's normal like she's what is expected. Go because you feel lost and she's the only one that can bring you back."

    I sigh. "I'm not going back to her Drew. You're right, I don't need her. She's a habit, something that was forced on me. I probably wouldn't have gone out with her if mom hadn't been so determined to have me hang out with her."

    Drew smiles. "Time to cut the sentimental crap." He shakes his head and runs a hand through his dark hair, his lean body lounging comfortably in the bed of the truck.

    I chuckle. "Fine by me."

    I glance at my watch and curse. I was supposed to be home an hour ago. I know how lame, a freaking sixteen year old with a midnight curfew. My mom is probably having a freak out right now, shit. Ever since Chris she's been on edge always looking over her shoulder, I don't blame her though. If my brother had been kidnapped in the dead of night I would be strict too. Seriously though, it's been almost three years, it's time to move on.

    "Hey listen bro, I have to go. I'll drop you off at home if you need a ride?"

    Andrew shakes his head at me smiling widely. "I want to walk. I feel like I need the fresh air you know? I only have two more days of freedom until school comes around. I might as well enjoy it while I can."

    With that he hops off the edge of the truck and disappears into the forest. I watched until his figure was no longer visible, just to be safe. One of these days he is seriously going to get hurt and no one is going to be around to save him.

    I quickly jump into the truck and drive off, my rear tires skidding against the rough dirt beneath them. I live out in the middle of nowhere. Mom and I live in a mansion on the outskirts of town and the only neighbours we have are the Blacks but they don't come around anymore. I can barely remember them.

    They have a daughter; I don't remember her name, something with a K or a C. I think it was like that but I don't know and a son. I remember one thing about them though, whenever they were around I would get this uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach, like something inside of me was about to burst. I shake my head. Come on Eric, you were seven the last time you saw them, don't be ridiculous.

    I cut the engine and bound up the stone steps leading to my house, flicking my shoes off. I stop and hear the sound of my mother pacing her bedroom. Crap, she probably thinks I'm lying on the side of the road somewhere, decapitated.

    "Mom," I call and as soon as the word flies out of my mouth I feel her jump into my arms. She pulls back and her dark eyes churn with anger. I groan. This is just great.

    "Where the heck have you been? Do you know how worried I was?" There are bags underneath her eyes and her posture is slouched as if she was about to collapse from lack of sleep. She's been up since dawn. I heard her soft footsteps from above me as I was heading out for a run. Dad and I used to go every morning and since he died I've still been going, because if I don't I feel like I've lost him all over again.

    It's silly to think that doing something as mediocre as taking a run could make me feel like he is somehow still with me. It hurts though because when I get home it's like someone took a knife and cut my heart out, leaving a gigantic gaping hole.

    "I was out with the guys and Lacy no big deal. I'm sorry I'm late."

    She follows me into the kitchen as I grab a water bottle from the fridge. "It's not no big deal, Eric. What if something had happened to you?"

    Despite the concern in her eyes I can feel my body stiffening. "I'm going to bed."

    She sighs running a hand through her long blonde hair. "I'm sorry, I just get worried. Sit, I have to tell you something."

    "If this is about me staying out late I already said I was sorry." I feel guilty for snapping at her so I give in and sit beside her on the island in the kitchen.

    She ignores my comment and continues. "Kaylee Black is moving back into their summer house. She'll be going to school with you and I wanted to ask if you could look out for her?"

    I frown. "What do you mean?"

    She sighs, takes a drink from my water bottle, and then continues but I can hear the hesitation in her voice. "I just think that she's going to need someone and you're the only person here that she knows."

    She avoids eye contact when I ask, "Doesn't she have a brother? Seth isn't it?"

    Lifting herself back down to the ground she shakes her head. "He died. Three years ago."

    My eyes widen. "Mom?"

    With a look that I cannot seem to read she walks dismissively into the next room. "Eric, please. Don't ask questions that you don't want me to answer."

    I nod and turn to leave, I don't look back. Instead I retreat to the comfort of my room. What the hell was that? How can her brother have died the same year that both my uncle and father disappear? Is it just coincidence? Maybe, but something tells me there is more to this story than my mom is telling me. She's hiding something and I'm going to figure out what it is.

    I lie in bed and think. I can't sleep; I have this uneasy feeling welling in the pit of my stomach. I shake it off, close my eyes and eventually drift off into a deep sleep.

    It doesn't take me long to figure out where I am. The dark alleyway is one that I've heard of but never been to. I know where I am simply because I've heard how terrified people are of this place. I walk along the narrow path and press up against the cold wall. That's when I hear two pairs of footsteps, one light and soft, the other heavy and cruel.

    The boy presses her up against the wall bringing his massive body onto the girl. The girl doesn't move; she stands still and looks up into the sky. The light illuminates her light eyes and I see something in them, like she's waiting for a moment, some kind of signal.

    I walk close to them readying myself for a fight when I stop, remembering that this is a dream, it isn't reality. I can't do anything but watch and wait. It doesn't take long when I see something from within her eyes; she's found what she was looking for.

    She pushes him off of her with strength that doesn't make sense. He's twice her size but with just one quick move of her hand the boy is flat on his ass. I fight the urge to chuckle. She steps into the light and I'm entranced by her beauty. Her hair is as dark as night with eyes that almost seem hollow, as if she's steeling herself. She moves elegantly as she approaches the boy who is now crouched on all fours, holding his face between his hands.

    A chill runs down my spine as the boy is encompassed with a darkness that seems to engulf the entire alley, but the girl continues to advance as if she was used to such dark, such cold, such....Evil. I look at the big black abyss and come to the conclusion that this is indeed as I had said, evil.

    In the dim light shining through the alley the girl's hair looks as though it is alive, as if it has a mind of its own. That's when the boy stands up and the figure in front of me makes me almost quiver with fear. Sweat beads at my hairline as the thing stretches to its full height, towering above the girl. She stands tall without fear. Not even the slightest doubt in her bright blue eyes.

    His voice ripples through off the walls; the sound is guttural and coarse as if someone had taken a razor blade to his throat. Although it's his face that scares the living daylights out of me. What had only a few moments ago been the face of a drunkard is now the face of something unmistakably inhuman.

    "Little girl figured us out, has she? Thinks she can kill us?" The creature drags out every word, the sound of it makes me want to turn away, to run, but my feet are glued tightly in place.

      The girl chuckles, the sound sweet against my ears. "Think probably wouldn't be the word I would choose, more like know, but I wouldn't expect something as ugly as you to understand the difference."

    "Enough talk, we want to play, don't we?"

    "Makes no difference to me, it just means that your time will be over quicker. I have places to be anyways. People to see." The girl shrugs and circles the being. Something in her hand glistens in what little light the moon provides.

    She advances ducking under the swinging arm of her opponent as they continue to engage in what looks like a deadly dance. One that evidently the girl has more skill in. The dagger is thrust up into the creature's heart and the last thing I remember is her eyes, as cold as ice, locking onto mine. The creature howls in pain, vanishing without a trace....

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Chapter 2- Kaylee

    I let my hands glide over the keys of the dusty old piano reveling in the feeling. God it feels good to be back, I'd missed it here. Deep in my heart I've always known that this is where I belong but I'm not here because I want to be. I'm here because I have a secret that I need to protect and dad thought it would be easier to keep here in Dark Waters. So here I am, alone, because I'm a freak.

    I can't say I blame him after what happened. I swallow. It's going to be tough though, not being able to be who I am here. I can't be myself. I need to be as cold as ice; I need to be cruel because I'm not here to fit in. I'm here to do exactly the opposite.

    I sigh and leave the piano to check myself in the mirror. My long black hair falls to my waist. My blue eyes look out of place against the dark of my hair and sun kissed skin. I sigh, I can never be normal, can't even look the part. This time I don't have to pretend I am. I can act like anyone I want to be, I don't have to fit in. In fact it's better that I don't. If I can just be a nobody I'll be able to survive school here for a while without anything going wrong. My stomach sinks, I'm being optimistic. Wherever I go trouble follows. That's a reality that I've tried to deny for so long but not anymore. I'm just going to have to accept that the world would be a better place without me in it. Especially after what happened.

    It took two days to unpack all of my stuff and I still don't know what to do with all of the space here. This house was meant for more than just me but I have to live with it because I'm here and I'm alone...just like always.

    Yesterday I went into town and ran into Helen Risk. She used to bake brownies for me and my brother, Seth, when we were little. She has a son, Eric. It doesn't really matter because it's not like I can ever hang out with him. I have to keep to myself. It's safer for everyone that way.

    I head out and grab an umbrella from beside the towering door before heading out the door. The school isn't that far away but if I want to be on time then I have to leave right now, not that I give a shit about school but dad does so I guess I have to suck it up. Maybe I should care about my education but it's not worth it. I won't be able to stay in any one place for too long. It's a waste of time and energy, time and energy that could used to figure out what the hell is going on with me.

    The nightmares started about three years ago and at first I would only have them once in a while. Lately they've been happening more often and weird things have been happening around me...that day had been just a normal day in class. I'd woken up from a nightmare because I really don't have an interest in science but that was the day my life went spiraling out of control. That was the day I dreamt my brother died only it wasn't just a dream, it was reality.

    So here I am sitting in the office of some uptight principal with a bun as tight as a knot. "Your father sent over the courses he wished you to partake in," she says. She's been droning on about courses and behaviour expectations for an hour and I'd rather be dunking my head in a pool of sharks then listen to one more second of it. I opted for pretending I'm not really here right now. Think happy places, Kaylee. I nod occasionally when I think she's pausing for a response, on occasion I even manage and "alright" or "Fine by me" but that's about it as far as conversing with this piece of work. She really needs a hobby I swear she just called school work "Educational Bliss." More like Death By Brain Aneurism.

    Finally after talking for another half an hour she passes me a slip with my timetable on it. She smiles widely but it doesn't reach her eyes. I know that she's annoyed with my lack of interest in her little theory on homework. Come on, did she really expect any different?

    I weave in and out of people searching for my first class. In reality it's third period but Ms... I wasn't actually paying enough attention to get her name...Let's go with Ms. Bliss. Ha. I feel pretty hilarious at the current moment but with a life like mine even stupid shit like that always seems funnier than it actually is.

    I draw attention the moment I step into the classroom. One of the blonde bitches in the third row looks at me and whispers something in another girls ear, she giggles. And this is why I hate teenage girls, they're bitches.

    So much for flying under the radar, well at least dad isn't here to yell at me. I look at the teacher with raised eyebrows but he just looks dumbfounded. I swear I don't know how some people make it through school with idiots like these. I stand there silently listening to the sound of the gentle pitter patter of rain.

    Instead of waiting for this pathetic excuse of a teacher to introduce me I decide I'd like to get it over with, today. "My name is Kaylee Black, I'd say nice to meet you all but that would be implying that I'm actually happy to be here, which I'm not. Now let's get this useless science class over with."

    "We don't talk like that here, Kaylee," the teacher scowls.

    I tilt my head and smile. "Oh right, I forgot. Educational Bliss, how silly of me."

    The class rings out with laughter; I turn to take a seat. I try to keep my head down because I've already attracted enough attention but something in my mind forces me to look up and that's when I see a familiar tuft of dark hair followed by a pair of eyes the color of ice. His gaze locks onto mine and for a second there isn't anything else in the world but us. I try to look away but it's like I'm glued in place. My heart beats fast against my chest and my stomach tightens as I stare into his intense eyes. My hands suddenly feel cold as ice. Just like that I hear a crash and the spell is broken. Screams erupt through the classroom as the windows to my right shatter with a loud clang. Rain ricochets off the floor dousing people with water. I clench my hands into fists.

    Eric stares at me with curiosity but I keep my face blank. My arm stings and I look down to see a piece of glass lodged into my shoulder. I look around and see that thankfully no one else got hurt. I couldn't have done that, there's no way. It just isn't possible, is it?

    I grip my shoulder and saunter out of the class throwing a smirk over my shoulder. "Looks like I don't have to sit through this pointless class after all." Despite the teacher calling my name I continue to walk on with urgency.

    I rush out of the school and into my car. I look around to make sure that no one is around before griping the shard of glass. I cringe as I pull it out slowly. It cuts my hand and blood drips from my hand and arm like a river but only for a second when my skin starts to stitch itself back together. The skin is soft and smooth as if nothing ever happened. It doesn't hurt anymore, nothing does for long. Dad just thought that I had high platelets that my skin just healed faster than others; he realized he was wrong three years ago.

    I sigh. Something tells me Eric isn't going to believe he just imagined seeing it in my shoulder. I've only been here a day and I've already undoubtedly caught the attention of people I don't want snooping around. This is a mess, I should never have come here, I should have stayed at home, I should have kept my head down but fact is I'm still a teenager. Fitting in is something that we all want.

    Today was a reminder that I can't ever fit in. That I'm not like the people in there. I'm not like that blonde sitting with her head held high like she knows everyone and everything going on in there because I'm undeniably a freak. I might as well write it in black ink across my forehead, it would have the same effect.

    My stomach sinks as I pull out of the school parking lot as the paramedics pull in. In my rear-view mirror I can see the outline of a figure standing in the rain. I know who it is but I won't stop. I get the hell out of there.

    With all that just happened I honestly couldn't care less that I'm skipping school, it's not like I'll ever have an actual career. I can't stay in one place too long that's obvious now. I don't know what to do anymore, it's like my whole world is crumbling right before my eyes and there isn't anything I can do to stop it.

    It doesn't take long to reach my house but it felt like years. With all the questions running through my mind I find that I can't sit still. It's been a while since I've been here but I remember where mom and dad used to go when they were feeling overwhelmed.

    I stare up at the cluster of trees in front of me and take a deep breath willing my mind to forget what happened today. I need to just pretend that I'm normal, but how can I do that when things like windows explode around me. I shake my head and put my headphones in and run in time with the beat of the music.

    I pump my legs faster and faster bounding up the steps leading deeper into the forest, soon enough the trail disappears and I go off on my own into the wilderness. I pass birds flying casually above and a fox scavenging for food, but evidently coming up empty handed. I have to weave in and out of the trees as they get closer and closer.

    The blue sky hovers just about the tree line and the sun pokes through tiny breaks in the leaves casting shadows along the forest floor. Most of the leaves are still green, the odd flash of yellow or red flutters by occasionally. I remember one year we stayed for longer than just the summer and it was beautiful. The colors here change rapidly, the water cools fast.

    I breathe in and revel at the smell of the forest. The rustic smell of the ground beneath my feet, the trees floating by in a blur as I pick up speed seem to resonate with my soul. I run for as long as I can, buzzing past deer as they scatter with the sudden threat of an outsider, jumping over trees scattered on the forest floor likely from past storms. Rain pelts my face as I come to a stop near a small cliff. I look out at the bottom to see waves crashing against the side of the drop, water splashes up to the top in a violent rhythm.

    It's beautiful, but beauty is often danger. The sight is wonderful but fall into an ocean as violent as this one and you won't come back. The rocks are almost jagged and obviously sharp, you wouldn't be able to survive that, at least normal people wouldn't.

    I pant heavily and wipe the water off my face but it's immediately replaced as the clouds continue to pour their contents on the earth. I smile remembering when my mother used to tell me that when it rained the Gods were crying.

    A pang of emptiness fills me when I remember her smiling face so much like my own. She died the year that we came back from here, that's why we've never been back. Dad couldn't sell the place though, he couldn't bring himself to. With Seth gone he's all on his own in New York. I worry about him sometimes but then I remember that my Dad can handle anything. He always picks himself back up and I know that he's trying. I know that I'm a burden on him, he's already lost most of his family and now he had to deal with me, the freak he has as a daughter.

    Suddenly nature isn't enough to keep my mind from working but instead I'm thinking about Eric. Which is so stupid because I knew him when I was what? Six? He probably doesn't even remember my name. Even if he did it's not like I can even be friends with him, or anyone for that matter. I can't be anyone. Since the incident with the windows I don't think my plan of flying under the radar is an option. God do I wish it was.

    The weight of the world has settled back down on my shoulders and the moment of peace I had felt is gone. I make my way back home just as the sun begins to set, the trail was a little harder to find since I'd gone a lot farther that I had thought. I'm about to open the door when I hear footsteps from behind me, setting the keys down on the windowsill I turn slowly and release the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

    Mrs. Risk smiles warmly up at me her dark eyes crinkling at the edges. "Kaylee, I didn't think you were home I just wanted to see how you were doing?"

    I smile back at her and motion for her to come inside, I open the door and she follows. "I'm good. A little shaken up is all."

    She frowns. "Why did something happen?"

    I pick up the plate of half eaten brownies and put them in the fridge. Had Eric seriously not told her? "Oh it was nothing, really."

    She looks at me accusingly. "Don't forget Kaylee, I live with a teenage boy, I know when you're hiding things."

    "Touché, but maybe Eric should tell you I don't want to worry you it really was just an accident."

    She smiles. "If it was nothing then why are you having such a hard time telling me."

    I sigh, sitting back at the table. It really wasn't that big of a deal, right? "Some windows in our science class just you know. Kind of, um, broke..." Wow smooth, Kaylee. Way to sound reassuring.

    Mrs. Risk runs a hand through her long blonde hair and sighs. "So that's what Eric wasn't telling me."

    "Why wouldn't he tell you, it's not like he got hurt, right?" Concern suddenly bubbles up on the pit of my stomach. I shouldn't care; I don't care if he got hurt that's not my problem. But it is, because it was your fault. I frown but I know that little voice inside of my head is right, that everything is my fault; danger seems to follow me, no matter how fast I run.

    She shrugs standing and smiling. "Just a few scrapes nothing to worry about. Anyways it was nice to catch up Kaylee but Eric has a soccer game soon and I have to be there."

    I smile warmly at her feeling like maybe I don't have to be alone at least in the sense that I'll have someone around. "Stop by again maybe?"

    Mrs. Risk nods. "Of course dear, maybe next time I'll bring Eric along."

    I nod walking with her to the door; she pauses at the bottom of the stone steps. "Kaylee?"

    I look back over my shoulder and poke my head through the door. "Yeah?"

    "Be careful."

    I frown but she's already in her car driving down the gravel pathway. I make my way up the stairs and sit on my bed. It's only nine but I feel like this day has been going on forever. I smile to myself, at least I made an impression, I mean who really walks into a classroom, looks at a boy and then the windows suddenly shatter. The smile slips off my lips, I guess a person who isn't normal but I'm going to find out things, that's why I'm here.

    Something about the way Mrs. Risk told me to be careful makes me curious; it was like she knew something. But what? Just another question to add to my ever growing heap of unanswered ones.

    I can't seem to stop thinking about what is going to happen tomorrow. Maybe someone will write on my locker, or maybe I'll just get laughed at, either way at least I don't have to worry about keeping friends. At this rate, hopefully, no one will want to even try to befriend me. My mind nods, it's for the best.

    It takes a while but my eyes feel heavy and I drift off into a sleep that will inevitably be plagued by nightmares that could shake the earth.

    I walk up the paved driveway into a house that towers above the trees. It's buried in the middle of a forest but here the trees are charred and the sky is lit up with the light of the moon but even that doesn't seem enough in a place where darkness such as this resides.

    I walk up to the decaying door and push it open, I shouldn't be going through here but I can't help it, it's always like this. I can't move my own arms and legs it's like they have a mind of their own. The door creaks as it opens wide.

    Spiders skitter along the old wooden floors, I move past the holes in the floor and up the wobbly steps. Dust flies through the air with every step but I don't cough. I reach the end of the hallway and am blinded by the lack of light. A chill runs down my spine as I step into the room.

    There is a lit fireplace and in front of it is a chair, its occupant unknown. The flames lick the wood reveling in destruction.

    The figure stands, a long cloak trails behind him and he bends to fuel the flames. He looks at me with eyes burning with the colour of amber. His face is charred and fear ripples through my body. Another hooded figure joins him beside the fire, then another behind me. I feel myself smile wickedly.

    They turn to one another and nod as the start to close in on me. Darkness encompasses the room until there is nothing left, not even the crackle of the flames. I can still see their eyes as they close in; I crouch in a defensive position.

    They advance on me as though I was prey little do they know that it's them that are being hunted. Flames erupt from the tips of my fingers in each direction savagely burning up one of the creatures. Hunger bites at my stomach and burns in my eyes, it's as though my body enjoys this but my mind doesn't.

    Another grabs my arm but I twist underneath and lay my palm flat on its back as it screeches in pain. It burns within second leaving a pile of ash in its wake.

    The last one stands face to face with me as it pulls something from within its draping cloak. The book lies flat on the ground as it circles me with darkness as its weapon. It envelopes the figure obscuring it from view but my body knows where to go, it knows what it's doing and that scares me.

    My vision is obscured by the darkness the creature emits but I carry on as if nothing was happening. I want to scream, I want to run out of this place and never come back, but I can't because right now as much as I wish, my body isn't my own.

    The creature runs its nails along my leg and I screech in pain but soon it's gone and nothing hurts. The figure steps back and advances but I'm quick, quicker that whatever it is.

    My hands burst into flames as I thrust them onto its face. The creature's mouth hangs open with unspoken words as it crumbles in a heap of ash along the crumbling houses' floor.

    I walk over to the book laying on the ground and pick it up, my body smiles but my mind cringes at the name scribbled along the cover, a chill runs down my spine as I make my way out of the house and back into the world where darkness reins above all else. A world where I am the monster, where I am one of the things that go bump in the night.

 

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