A Stranger in the Night

Rain fell that night, a thin, whispering rain.

All was silent and still that midnight, even the lone figure who seemed to be part of the darkness as well,. The rain fell on his hair, ran down in rivulets, soaking his jacket, ultimately trying to reach it's destination—the ground. But the man ignored it, as he stood with his arms crossed, staring at the house that stuck out in the monotony of the surrounding area.

Sometimes I wish, the man thought, sometimes I wish it was as easy for me to go back home as it is for this rain to reach the ground.

But that was just a fanciful thought in his mind, and right now, he had a much bigger decision to make. tonight would be a decisive moment in his life, and he himself didn't know what changes it would bring. He was about to betray two people to one who could easily be the worst man he had ever met.

Should he do it, or shouldn't he?

That was the chief thought running through the fire-eater's head as the rain pattered around him. He weighed his options.

If he did it, then he could have what he wanted most. What he had been wanting for nine years, nine painfully long, sorrowful, horrible years. Years that had been spent in perpetual longing for a world that he no longer had. A world which had magic in every corner, one that—though it had many dark parts to it as well—was his world; where he knew the forest, the Wayless Wood, as well as the back of his hand; where those bold blue fairies would talk to him, even if it was only to ask for his hair; and most of all—most of all where he could talk to fire, making it dance for him, while and enraptured audience watched his breathtaking tricks.

And that was only the beginning. For in addition to this, there were all the people he had missed, his friends and family. But he couldn't let himself drown in this sea of longing, no matter how much he wanted t, for that would do nothing to help the situation, nothing at all. Of course he knew that Capricorn wasn't trustworthy, he wasn't stupid! But he couldn't bring himself to throw away a chance of going back, no matter how unreliable the promiser was. Besides, if he didn't do it, Capricorn would get angry. And they would hunt him down, somehow. Like they always did. Silvertounge and the book would get to Capricorn all the same. He could only guess what would happen to his daughter.

Daughter. At that thought, he suddenly saw a flare of fire in the window. He waited for a few minutes., then looked up, finding himself staring straight into the eyes of the girl. She abruptly shot off, presumably to get her father.

Leave! he thought Leave now! While you still have the chance. Let them think it was a mere nightmare! But it was as good as trying to move a boulder, for he stood as if rooted to the spot. He knew that he would regret it, but a world was worth much more than two people. Much more. Especially when one of them was the reason he was here in the first place. Yes, Dustfinger had never been much of a spiteful person, but losing a world can make some changes in how you think, what you do.

"Dustfinger, is that you?" he heard Silvertounge's voice, the voice that sounded so sweet but held nothing but poison for him.

He hesitated for a moment—You can still choose!—but then he walked to the light of the door and the house that lay behind it. He had made his decision. The stage was set. The die was cast.

The story had begun.

So, how'd you like it? Don't try to tell me telepathically, just hit the blue button and write something! It doesn't have to be 500 words long (though that WOULD be cool) even something short is okay. Any flames will be given to Dustfinger. But seriously, I tried to make this as good as I could (that rhymes!) so please give me feedback!

Thanks! ~radha24 :D