Chapter Two
It had been a while until I had found a road. I walked along the cobbled pathway, my hefty boots scraping on the loose pebbles under me. The soft dust rose a little from the ground, shrouding my boots in a layer of earth. Both side of me, the withered grass slumped over in a deep sleep, and the few trees I saw were bending over, like old people struggling to stand on their last legs. Stopping for a moment, I gazed up towards the beautiful morning sky…and at that moment, it seemed as if it were the only beautiful thing left in this world. The sky was painted with bright splashes of orange, yellow and a tint of red, filling my heart with a little hope…hope that there was still a future in this decaying world. I reached out for the comfort of Clover’s warm fur, and gently ran my hand down her back. I smiled weakly, as a comforting wave swept over me. I was not alone. I would be ok as long as I was not alone. I let out a deep breath and slowly continued walking, my faithful companion trotting beside me. I had no idea where I was going, or what I was doing. I knew I just had to get away from my old life…there was nothing there for me anymore. Suddenly, a light clanging sound rang in my ears, and I realised I had stepped on something made of metal. “Huh?” I removed my foot quickly, and I saw two rather large knives lying on the floor. The silver blades glistened in the morning sun, and it curved a little, then end of the blade a little thicker than the rest. The red handles were clean, looking brand new. I knelt down beside then, and gripped my hands around the fine hilts. As I held them, my grip tightened, and a strange feeling surged through my body, an electric wave of confidence shocking me to the core. “I can do this…” I said to myself as I stood. I had Clover…and I had my confidence. And I came to realise that’s all I needed to do this. I placed both knives in my satchel, the hilts poking out the side of the lid so I could access them easy. No doubt I would need them for the journey ahead…A few hours must have passed at least…until I reached a small countryside village. It was circular in shape, the small cottages spread out a little. As I entered, I realised this place still looked somewhat ‘lived in’. The cobbled road was a little weatherworn, like many had used it before. All the cottages were sweet and pretty, yet the smell of old, rotting wood managed to linger into my nose. The cottages were white with straw roves, and they all seemed neat and tidy through the small, square windows. To my right, there was a slope, and at the bottom was what looked like a farm. The grass was long and yellow, it seemed flaky as it swayed gently in the breeze. But it wasn’t just on the farm…there were blades of this yellow grass popping out the cracks in the ground under the path in the village. Surely someone would have cut it if people still lived here…something wasn’t right about this. That much I was sure of. As I looked towards the sky, I saw the sun begin to set…and the darkness was engulfing this world again. The lonely darkness. I decided it would be best if I found somewhere in the village to sleep for the night. My initial thoughts were to sleep in a cottage…and I stuck by my idea! But first…I couldn’t resist exploring the rest of this place! I might find something useful! Little did I know…it was one of the worst decisions I ever made…
With My torch in my left hand, I made my way down the slope towards the old farm. I flicked on the switch, and watched as the light flashed on before me. I shuffled slightly, making sure Clover was by my side, before reaching the bottom. To my left, I saw an old, wooden barn. The peeling rouge paint was rough and rugged as it hung from the houses flesh like prisoners dangling from chains. The two small windows in the roof seemed to stare at me, as if the barn was eyeing my every move. I gulped. Something about that place gave me the creeps…either way, I couldn’t resist the temptation of not exploring the darkness…the barn itself seemed to consume me with a burning curiosity, and make me feel like I wouldn’t be satisfied until I had witnessed the beast within. Taking short breaths, I gingerly moved towards the barn. I heard the crunchy grass under my feet, so I tried to move as quietly as possible. I heard Clover’s deep pouts next to me, her hairs seemed to stand on her back, like she sensed something unnatural too.
There was no door on the barn, so I was able to walk straight in. It was square in shape, and empty. As I used my torch to scan the ground, I saw the haystacks line the walls, other than that, the cold stone floor was bare. As I entered, my fingers went numb as the bitter wind sliced my hands, cutting off all feeling in my fingertips. I let out a light gasp as I turned my attention to the roof. In the window, the Crow was perched, and as my spotlight engulfed him, he stood proud, watching my every move. But what I heard on the ground…was the most distressing of all. I heard a child…crying. The cries were loud yet soft…a shiver ran down my spine…my sister used to cry like that. As my torchlight found him, I watched in horror as he curled up in the corner, his dirty hair all messy and unkempt. The boy was dressed in rags that hung loosely from his skinny, scrawny, bony body. “Hello…” I said, a little louder than a whisper, clear hesitation apparent in my tone “are you alright?” I took a step closer. I watched as the boy made a movement to wipe his eyes, yet he didn’t turn to face me.
“W-Why…why are you crying?” I stuttered nervously. But the boy didn’t move…he just spoke the same words again…
“Come closer” I took a step closer. Before I knew it, I was directly behind him. Slowly, I bent down to see if he was ok. I got lower…and lower. My heart was pounding. I felt my blood rush through my veins shaking me up to my very core. I felt my hand move slowly towards him. It wouldn’t stop. I couldn’t stop.
Suddenly an electric surge of terror bolted through my body, as the boy grabbed my wrist. I let out a loud scream, harmonizing with the squawk of the crow. I felt my head burn like a fire had erupted inside my brain, smothering my thoughts in a quickening darkness. The boy cracked his neck and turned his head sharply to face me. His skin was a deep, ice cold blue, and his mouth so wide it reminded me of a cave…it seemed as if his throat went on forever, the gaping black hole full of sharp, white daggers. I felt my heart smash against my chest, and I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me in fear. Quickly, the boy lunged for me, intending to sink his huge teeth into my flesh. My eyes widened. A scream escaped my mouth. Was I done for?!
“Clover!” I screamed as my dog jumped on the boy, digging her sharp fangs into his demonic soul. She tackled the boy, and rolled across the floor with him. I watched…my legs frozen in fear as I watched the two struggle for survival, fighting to an inch of breath. My breath turned shaky, as I saw a few spots of red life liquid splatter the hard ground. Clover whined. Yet she fought on. “Clover no!” I screamed “come on girl! Please!” But she didn’t answer my plea. By now, her rugged coat was covered in her own blood. She turned her head slightly, and her pure, innocent eyes met mine. Although in reality there was noise, my world fell silent. A deathly silent that haunted my ears, making my head turn fuzzy and cold. She knew. Clover was protecting me. She wanted me to run. How could I leave her?! I couldn’t! It was the same as my sister…I took my eyes off her for a second and she was gone! I didn’t want that to happen again! Never! “CLOVER!” I shouted in panic. I took a quick step towards them. The boy turned his head. Heat surged through my body. An uncomfortable, sticky heat that consumed me in a fire of fright. While the boy was distracted with me, Clover took the opportunity to pounce on him. The boy’s blue face was distorted with pain as the sound of impaling flesh echoed through the barn. The epic battle continued. Clover gnashing with her teeth…the boy slicing her with his claws. I let out a scream as I felt a tug on my arm. “Hurry girl!” A strong voice yelled at me “follow me!”
“No! Clover!” I shouted for my dog…but the figure behind me was strong, and I could feel myself get dragged backwards. I fought against him, every movement ebbing away all the energy entwined in my body. I couldn’t fight him…he was stronger than me…I was dragged out that barn…screaming the name of my life long companion…who I knew would never be in my life again…
Further and further the man dragged me away from that village…I had no idea where he was taking me. My throat had become dry from my useless screams, trying to get him to let me go. I wanted Clover. I had never been so scared…my companion was gone, and the bloke who was pulling me well…I had no idea who he was! Or what he’d do to me! Fear took over me, and I think the man sensed it. He kept yelling at me to keep it down, and to keep up…but my head was spinning! This was too much to take in…in two consecutive days I had lost the people closest to me. First my sister, then my dog. I could feel the life leave my body as I scuffed my boots along the dirt, trying to keep up. My vision was turning blurry…and I had no idea where I was. Suddenly, I felt my legs give way on me, and I plummeted into the ground. I tried to force my eyes open, but they wouldn’t obey me. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t speak. I became scared. The last thing I remember was the man hoist me into his arms, and his strong voice say “Girl! No! Stay with me!”
Then…I felt the darkness take over, as I lost consciousness. And I slipped into that dream…
The dream I will never forget…
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