Category : Books-Fiction

Sub Category : Fantasy

The first rays of the sun shone over the horizon, igniting the sky in a fiery display of colour. Birds began chirping their morning songs, cattle bayed in the distance and insects came out of hiding to busy themselves with their morning routine. 

A slight disturbance rustled the grass violently,alerting anyone who may have been observing that something had passed  by just outside their field of perception. Nobody was looking, there was nobody around for miles, save perhaps the owner of the distant farm animals.

He had spent the last three days jogging while he waited for his wound to heal, there had been no need to exert his abilities to heal something so minor. Now the laceration was no more than a thin cut and he was tearing across the landscape at his top speed.

No eye would be able to track him; no vehicle would be able to match him for speed. This was just one of his numerous talents, but it was one he had become rather infamous for. Not many could outmatch him in battle simply because he could outpace them at every turn.

A river flowed calmly up ahead, beyond it lay a small suburban town. His pace didn't slow; he tore across the surface of the water as if it was solid ground, small ripples were the only trace of his passing.

If he had been tracking his own movements properly, these suburbs were separated from the capital by a few large fields, beyond which lay homes and a small woodland. They marked the edge of the capital, his destination.

Buildings zipped past him from the moment he entered the suburb, as he made the sharp turns to zig zag his way straight through. He stopped in the treeline of a park, panting heavily as the exertion caught up with him. He had been running for over two hours to make up for lost time and needed to catch his breath.

The park was filling up with parents and their children. Seeking to make the most of the clear day. The spring rains were not quite over, so the brief break from the cold, wet weather drew everyone outdoors.

A growing crowd of people was not going to deter him from his goal. Focusing his energy he altered his form, forcing it into the stunted shape of a human. His eyes remained jet black, nobody would notice anyway, he had no intention of striking up a conversation with anyone, he was just passing through.

His breathing was still laboured as he pulled a shirt over his armour, removed his greaves from over his trousers and stepped out into the open. It was mildly confusing for him to be out during the day, the light was hurting his eyes and the change in noise level as well as all the activity around him was off putting.

As he strolled down the path, he spotted a child, no older than ten human years, shove a smaller lad over. He had no liking for children. As far as he was concerned they were small, irritating pests, designed to annoy anything they came into contact with. 

The display of aggression was what had caught his attention, it was unusual for a child so young. He watched in amusement as the older as the older boy bullied the younger one into turning out his pockets and taking anything of value. The runt was a thief as well as a bully.

The younger kid scurried off leaving the bully to look around in search of a new target. The boy spotted him staring and ran straight at him, showing no fear or apprehension towards a complete stranger. This child was poorly raised; at his age he should know better.

He stopped walking and watched the boy approach with interest, curious to see what he had to say. He had time on his hands now, he had made good time since he had picked up pace. The expression on the boy's face alone indicated he was ready to pick a fight with just about anyone, this should be rather interesting. 

"What are you looking at?" the boy barked, "You have a problem? I can take you on too you know, I'll get my big brother to beat you up!"

He crouched to meet the boy at eye level as the lad came to a stop. The child's confident demeanour wavered as he stared into his eyes, in silent curiosity. This boy had the seed of discord firmly rooted within him, if he continued the way he was, his behaviour would grow increasingly violent. How amusing...

"What's wring with your eyes? Are you some sort of weirdo?" the boy demanded, his bravery wavering.

"I'm considering which part of you would be most fun to tear off first," he grinned, revealing his long, sharp teeth a little.

He wanted him a little spooked, but not scared out of his wits yet. He wanted to ensure that when he delivered his scare, it would haunt the child for months or even years, tormenting him every time he closed his eyes.

The boy squinted at him as he shuffled back uneasily. Whatever response the little lad had been expecting, this was the furthest thing from it. He chuckled coldly making no move to approach the boy, waiting to see what he would do next.

"W... what are you?" he muttered, fear causing his voice to quiver audibly.

His smirk widened revealing more of his teeth, "I am the reason your kind fear the dark little boy. I am what taps and scratches at the dark corners of your rooms, what breathes down your neck when you think you're alone."

Gathering some energy, he created the illusion of his true face, ensuring the boy was the only one who would see it. He laughed quietly, a sound filled with malice, the voice that produced it no longer human but a deep guttural growl.

"I am the one who will eat you if you attempt to speak another word to me," he hissed.

The boy screamed, his face going paler than death. Immediately he turned and bolted in the opposite direction, running blindly away and tripping over someone's Yorkshire Terrier. He stood straight laughing heartily.

That was most amusing, but now he had to vanish quickly, just in case the mother was nearby. The boy's fate didn't concern him, he was so close to his target, he could feel it. Another night or two and he was certain he would find what he sought.

The anticipation of seeing that face again was almost too much for him, it forced his mouth to stretch wider, until he was smirking in silent pleasure. So close to having her, there was no stopping him now.