OPERATION: Virus

To Kill A Child

Piece 1

Ravens and Roses

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Tony was home alone and had no problem with it per usual. His parents left with Lee, Meghan, and Marc to go to dinner. Tony was not feeling well so he stayed home. The moment his parents and siblings were out of view Tony locked the doors then rushed upstairs to his and brother's room to get a book. Tony picked out a book from the Burgundy book case that was at least three feet tall. The books told the stories of mysteries, hero and villain, and then one lone little book with its spine showing that it has been read more than once. This is the book the Tony looks forward to everyday, Tales of Terror by Edgar Allen Poe. Inside was a certain little poem that Tony just adored and could recite by heart with such emotion that you would believe him if you did not know such poem.

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,

"The Raven", a poem that tells of a young man whom is home alone that has decided to read to pass the time. This is quite the coincidence would you not agree my dear reader? No matter lets us journey back to the story of Tony and The Raven. Tony was reading the Tell-Tale Heart also by Edgar Allen Poe when he heard the phone ring. Tony jumped then quietly laughed to himself for being so edgy by a story that he could possible recite perfectly and went to answer the phone. Tony heard his mother's voice and said that everything was fine and that he was getting some rest. Tony's mother, Karen, said that he should go get some sleep and that they will use their key to get inside. Tony says goodbye and then goes back up to read the poem before he falls asleep.

While I nodded, nearly napping,

Tony had not realized he fell asleep until he saw a raven with striking green eyes that matched his own flap to a perch in front of him. This raven gave a gaze that seemed to take a peek into his soul and rip out every little thing about him. Tony felt exposed by this majestic raven's gaze and wrapped his arms around himself. Tony noticed how dead the raven's eyes were. They seemed to have had all of the light and life torn from them abruptly. The raven held his head up high breaking the staring contest that Tony had not realized they were having. The raven called out a cry that sounded of fear and began to flap around on circles like that of a hawk who has found its prey. Tony somehow knew that he was not the prey and his suspicion was confirmed when he heard a voice that matched his own except it sounded more mature and more…dead.

'Run little one for the wolf is here,' the raven spoke softly and yet no emotion came out until…

'Hello little one to what do I owe the pleasure of having such a delicious treat here in my domain', spoke a wolf of fur that would get the star and moonless night sky to run in fear of it.

'…' Tony had no voice to use to speak. His voice had suddenly gone into hiding from this wolf with such hypnotic eyes.

'He is but a boy! Surely you could do better than this one, leave him be. Run Tony hurry and get out,' the raven's voice betrayed his eyes for there was genuine concern in the quiet voice.

'What was that little raven do mine ears deceive me or doth thou have concern for this young one? Surely one in your condition should not care for what happens to this little treat. Did you or did you not murder your family and vow vengeance toward the ones whom have wronged you? So little raven what does this little treat matter to you? Here I thought you lost all of your innocence to the endless torture you have endured? HAHA so you DO have a shred of your old self! Ah ha! I have figured out your plan. You wished to leave the one shred of your original self and implant with in this little one. I shall tear him up and spit him out and leave no piece in tact when I have finished my treat.' Spoke the wolf who gave an arrogant laugh to the raven.

'Shut up! It is because of people like you that I went through what I did! I may not be who I was in the past but this one still has a chance. I WILL FIGHT!' at that last statement he tucked in his wings and descended upon the wolf at an alarming rate. The wolf should no signs of worry and why should he? For what happened next revealed the card that Fate has drawn Tony.

BANG

The impact of the bullet caused the raven to fly towards Tony. The raven lay dead half way to the wolf and half way to Tony. The wolf gave a haughty chuckle before walking towards the now dead raven. He took no time in devouring the raven that had tried to protect Tony. The boy was disgusted, aghast, appalled, horrified, and any other word the described this scene. Still he could not bear to look away for he felt as of his body was being held in place by invisible strings. The wolf not only knew how to push buttons but he also knew how to be a puppet master. The wolf took note that Tony had not looked away and looked at him with stunning blue eyes. The wolf seemed to smirk at Tony. He walked towards Tony and spoke with a gentle voice despite his wicked smile and bloody mouth filled with sharp blood stained teeth.

'Come here my treat,' this wolf knew well that Tony was held in place by invisible puppet strings.

His mind seemed to have lost its connection to the rest of his body for without his mind's consent Tony walked toward the wolf.

'Are you not happy to see me little one?' The wolf tilted his head ever so slightly and if one did not know better they would think that the question was genuine. Tony knew better for he could still see the malevolent smile that graced the wolf's face. Tony found himself; once again, speaking with no control with what was coming out Tony was appalled by what words he spoke and with what emotion he showed.

'No master I am overjoyed that you have graced me with your presence,' Tony felt like gagging he sounded like a fool who has been struck by cupids arrow and he did not stop there, 'I am glad that you have chosen me to be your treat. I give myself to you,' his eyes, if he still had any say in what they did, widened at what words he uttered to this psychotic wolf.

His faced looked like he was in love with this wolf. He should have heeded the raven's warning and awoke. The wolf had gained considerable distance and was almost to Tony. The wolf licked his lips and started to salivate as if he was imagining how Tony would taste. The wolf was in position to pounce then… He woke up. Tony awoke in a cold sweat and the wolf's laughter echoed in his mind. So did the raven's dead eyes as he was being devoured. Tony went into the bathroom that was near the end of the hall. Inside he splashed some cold water onto his face and wiped it away with a towel. He took a quick glance into the mirror and swore he saw the wolf with the same sadistic smile as he had in when Tony was in his dream.

'More like a nightmare,' Tony thought to himself and chuckled in a way that sounded more nervous than joyous.

Risking seeing the wolf he stole one more glance into the mirror and stared.

'So that is why…' Inside the mirror Tony saw a little boy who had fear clearly written upon his face. Yet, unlike his not so long ago youth, he could not run into his mother's gentle embrace. He had to pretend that he did not cry himself to sleep when nightmares came to play or when there was a horrific thunderstorm pounding outside. No he pretended to act more grown up than he truly was. He acted immature and faked his idiocy. Demons go after those who have such brilliance that they could blind. He made sure that nobody he cared for would be attacked. In order to protect his loved ones he made himself the bait. Tony had not realized the wetness that graced his cheeks. He was crying… Tony could not remember the last time he cried so freely.

suddenly there came a tapping,

Breaking him of his train of thought Tony realized that someone was knocking at the front door. Thinking that his parents had returned and could not enter because the door was locked

As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

He ran down the stairs yet he could not help but have this nagging voice saying that it was not his family. He quickly fixed his appearance.

`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -
Only this, and nothing more.'

It is only mom and dad, calm my nerves!

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
`Sir,' said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you'

"Sorry! Mom, dad, I was sleeping when you started knocking so I was not sure if the knocking was a part of my dream or it was real," Tony exclaimed so that he could be heard through the door.

'Hurry and run! Take heed to my warning and run as fast as you possible can!' The raven's voice crept into the mind of Tony and he slowed his pace to a near stop in front of the door. Tony was back in his dream and the wolf was on the other side. As if reality was repeating fantasy Tony felt himself drawn towards to the door…
- here I opened wide the door; -

Darkness there, and nothing more.