Black Claws
The edge of the forest is darker than ink, and although my inner voice howls at me to turn back, I know I have to go. With each step a creeping fear manifests deeper within me, the kind that grows and rises until entirely unshakable. I focus on the ground, hoping to keep my eyes distracted with the endless kaleidoscope pattern of fallen leaves, but I find no comfort in the sight.
Is that... blood? A trail of dark red smears is marred into the foliage as if something with a maimed foot tried to get away from here, and fast. I should leave-- but I still have to know. I follow the blood trail to a desolate clearing, ground chopped up and beaten with deep footprints and claw marks carved into the soft ground.
Panting, I stand in the pitch dark, nearly jumping out of my skin when the haunting sound of creaking branches grazes my ears. It almost sounds like the wind is calling my name, crying, “Darren… Daaaarren…” in a ghostly voice. It’s hard to see- terror runs through my blood like liquid stone.
"H-hello?" My voice echoes through the bare space in the trees, "Anyone? I'm looking for somebody."
Nothing.
"HEY!" I shout, my voice in the emptiness much louder than I had hoped, alerting me that now, I would certainly be found.
I snap my hands to my mouth, clasping them hard around my trembling lips. My voice echoes through the grove over and over like the void of a dark tunnel. My heartbeat throbs in my ears, and I turn back towards the entrance. Never have I sprinted faster in my life.
Clink. My keys fall on the ground, and I turn around to pick them up.
I reach down and grab them, stand up, and fall straight to my knees.
As the towering being burned into my memories of last night stares down at me, I'm struck with a crushing fear that pulls at me from the inside out, my soul trying in vain to leave my body. How could I let it end up like this?
I let out an empty, strangled scream, scrambling to my feet and leaping backwards faster than I ever have.
The creature follows me with a rapid gait, into a shaft of moonlight that illuminates each of its features. There's no way I'm dreaming again. It stands seven feet tall, razor-sharp black claws affixed to each finger and toe, blood-soaked animal skull grafted to the emaciated limb that should be its neck.
Silently, it continues to advance towards me, and all I’m left able to do is hope. The being stops a few paces from me and tips its fearsome head up towards the moon, bringing a collection of slavering, formidable teeth into view. I don't know where to start. I came here pleading, hoping that it wouldn't be here, that the death of my friend had only been a dream.
And now, I wish it was.
Is that... blood? A trail of dark red smears is marred into the foliage as if something with a maimed foot tried to get away from here, and fast. I should leave-- but I still have to know. I follow the blood trail to a desolate clearing, ground chopped up and beaten with deep footprints and claw marks carved into the soft ground.
Panting, I stand in the pitch dark, nearly jumping out of my skin when the haunting sound of creaking branches grazes my ears. It almost sounds like the wind is calling my name, crying, “Darren… Daaaarren…” in a ghostly voice. It’s hard to see- terror runs through my blood like liquid stone.
"H-hello?" My voice echoes through the bare space in the trees, "Anyone? I'm looking for somebody."
Nothing.
"HEY!" I shout, my voice in the emptiness much louder than I had hoped, alerting me that now, I would certainly be found.
I snap my hands to my mouth, clasping them hard around my trembling lips. My voice echoes through the grove over and over like the void of a dark tunnel. My heartbeat throbs in my ears, and I turn back towards the entrance. Never have I sprinted faster in my life.
Clink. My keys fall on the ground, and I turn around to pick them up.
I reach down and grab them, stand up, and fall straight to my knees.
As the towering being burned into my memories of last night stares down at me, I'm struck with a crushing fear that pulls at me from the inside out, my soul trying in vain to leave my body. How could I let it end up like this?
I let out an empty, strangled scream, scrambling to my feet and leaping backwards faster than I ever have.
The creature follows me with a rapid gait, into a shaft of moonlight that illuminates each of its features. There's no way I'm dreaming again. It stands seven feet tall, razor-sharp black claws affixed to each finger and toe, blood-soaked animal skull grafted to the emaciated limb that should be its neck.
Silently, it continues to advance towards me, and all I’m left able to do is hope. The being stops a few paces from me and tips its fearsome head up towards the moon, bringing a collection of slavering, formidable teeth into view. I don't know where to start. I came here pleading, hoping that it wouldn't be here, that the death of my friend had only been a dream.
And now, I wish it was.