Two
The streets were completely deserted. None of the strange creatures were in sight-and it seemed like they wouldn't be back anytime soon-, so I slightly let down my guard. For a while I had been walking blind, the mist was too thick to see through. My senses were at zenith; just even the sound of my own footsteps had me anxious.
But I eventually relaxed enough to pay attention to where I was going. The town was almost like a mini city: there were tons of small restaurants, laundry mats, bakeries, and the most important of all clothes shops! I wandered into a few and picked out a new outfit in American Eagle. I put on thirty-dollar jean shorts and a fifty dollar purple sweater; I didn't care about getting them dirty. I figured if I die I'd die looking nice.
There were a lot of bus stops, but obviously there'd be no buses-I figured this was a ghost town. I saw houses but I didn't want to risk going into other peoples' domains. And I was getting really drowsy from all the running around and confusion. A town map was displayed by one of the bus stops. I looked at it carefully, noting the three apartment complexes, the four schools, and the hospital.
The closest apartment complex was only a half a mile away-I really didn't want to sleep outside. As I walked down a road to the complex, I thought of how to barricade a room from those disgusting monsters. I reached the complex quicker than expected; there were still no signs of the monsters. It's almost like they completely evaporated into this thick mist-but I'm not that foolish to believe they're truly gone.
The complex was a simple three-story building called Day to Night. The building was made out of rusty red bricks with about fifteen ghostly windows on each story looking out to the town. A stone walkway ,broken apart by thick weeds, led to the double cherry wood doors-the entrance. I took another deep breath and exhaled slowly. I walked through the doors.
The lobby looked like it'd been abandoned for decades. The green carpet was moldy and mossy, and sprouts of what looked like dandelions were popping up from random places. The furniture was still decaying and had loads of dusts staining its wood. Everything fabric was torn and its colors were faded. The air was bitter and reeked of mildew.
Plants, tree roots, and vines were growing through cracks and crevices, wrapping around everything it touched. The stairs was right in the middle of the lobby ascending to the second and third floor-a straight shot. I went to the second floor and picked the first room to my left. The number read 25. The door was unlocked but the handle was sickeningly rusty.
I had to jiggle it for the door to open. The apartment was average sized. From the door I could see the kitchen and the living room, a hallway led to the other rooms. I shut the door behind me and made sure it was locked. I checked everywhere, assuring myself that there'd be no surprises. I placed all the furniture I could move in front of the door.
The bedroom had nothing in it but a decayed version of a bed set neglected in the middle of the room. Somehow the mattress still retained its softness, and the comforter was still thick and cottony. I shook the dust off the comforter and tried to get as much off of the mattress before relaxing on the bed. My mind was at enough ease to slip into a light sleep.
When I woke up the atmosphere had shifted. It felt deadly. My anxiety skyrocketed once more, something was in this room. I could feel it, that same dominating demonic aura. It was practically wrapping its essence around me; entrapping me-I knew I couldn't escape from it. My head was turned away from it; it could not see my horrified expression.
It's breathing was deep and husky, as if it were anticipating I would move-but I was scared stiff. It touched my forearm, its thick, large, scratched, hand brushed against my skin-the creature held its breath. It must've been sure that I was going to do something. It's hand traced up my arm to my neck, its cracked nails lightly itching at my skin.
A finger traced my jawline, and it firmly grasped my chin, turning me head to look directly at it. The rusted metallic helmet was still covering its head. My breath hitched, as its thumb touched my lips, pressing them.
"No" I finally gasped, the creature tilted its head to the side as if I were speaking some otherworldly language. It's thumb dipped in between my lips, pressing against my tongue, slowly making its way down my throat.
I cried out, finally having the strength to do something, and grabbed its arm, pulling it away in vain. The colossal beast growled in dismay and slipped its finger out of my mouth before slapping me in the face with such force I blacked out for a second. I tried to run away, but I stumbled to the floor, feeling instantly dizzy from the sudden hit.
It was quick; it grabbed me by the shirt and threw me against the wall. A sharp pain traveled through my spine throughout the rest of my body, and as my nerves registered the sudden attack, I was breathing heavily and rapidly- my breath was literally knocked out of me. The creature roared, grabbing me by the neck, and dragging my body up the wall as if I were a rag doll. Its grip around my neck was tightening; I punched and scratched at its arm struggling to breath.
"Now now, we had a deal didn't we" it was a child's voice that spoke. Nikon appeared from behind the beast staring directly into my eyes.
"If you ever want that thing off your head, you have to obey my orders, and my order was not to kill our guest" the beast grunted and dropped me on the floor. I held my swelling neck, gasping for air. Nikon came up to me,
"I'm sorry he did that. I don't think he wanted to. But his rage is so overwhelmingly great, that he just can't control himself. And he's already been consumed by that rage, so please, forgive his actions" I stared at Nikon reaching out to him, but he backed away as if I had a contagious disease.
"Please refrain from touching me," he said sternly with that heart-breaking menacing expression.
"But I'm your mother" I choked out, just about ready to cry. Nikon smiled, showing his brilliant white teeth.
"You are, which is why you shouldn't touch me" he turned to the beast.
"I don't care what you do to her, just don't kill her…can you manage that?" the beast grunted. He glanced at me, giving me one last smile before evaporating just like before.
The beast sat in a corner of the room, the point of its metallic helmet towards me. I sat the opposite of the creature, far to the side of the room as possible. My arms were wrapped around my knees and my chin rested on my arms as I watched the beast. His large chest would rise heavily and fall gradually. Every time I shifted positions, it, would twitch as if startled that I could move at all.
It wrecked my anxious nerves that at any moment the demon could wring my neck like a chicken. And I couldn't do a damn thing. I sighed and watched the creature twitch again. My eyelids were drooping and I yawned loudly. I wasn't sure how long I'd been here, but I knew it was way over an hour. I let my lids close, snuggling my face in my arms.
I listened to the beast's breathing. Husky, strong, bitter as if in pain. I thought of my husband. When I listened to his breathing it sounded nearly the same. He would go days without sleep, and when he finally could, his slow deep breathing was so distressing. I regretted yelling at him and leaving. Why couldn't I trust him anymore?
He did his best to be strong for the both of us, yet I kept pushing him away. I felt a tear make its way down my cheek; he probably doesn't want me anymore. There was a loud thump and then the sound of hefty steps. I peeked in front of me, watching the beast make its way towards me. I immediately jumped up bracing myself, and when it stopped just a mere few feet from me-it got down on one knee put its massive hand in mine. I still anticipated pain, but as it clenched my hand gently, I realized it wasn't going to hurt me-at least not now.
"What are you?" I said. There was a momentary silence, and then it responded with a disheveled grunt. I sat back down, its hand still on mine, and was amazed of how colossal it truly was. Even though it was kneeling I still had to lift my head high to see its helmet.
"You aren't going to hurt me, right?" it grunted again, while sitting and crossing its legs. It forcibly pulled me onto its lap. I forced myself to rest, and nestle on its legs. My head and arms rested on its thigh and my legs folded comfortably in-between the space of his legs. Its hand began to stroke my hair, lightly rubbing my scalp, combing the thick strands between its large slim fingers. I shivered in disgust, but allowed it to do as it pleased, not wanting to upset-otherwise it'd become inevitably aggressive. Oddly I found its actions somewhat soothing, and eventually allowed myself to drift into another unpleasant dream.
We stood at the edge of the cliff, and I was looking down at the brute waves beating against rock. The salty fresh scent filled the air and the wind spread the scent, showering it amongst us. He held my hand tightly; he was looking to the grey sky. We knew we were never meant to be-just, as the vast ocean could never touch the sky.
The infant in my swollen stomach was our only connection, like the wind weaving a hint of the ocean into the clouds. I closed my eyes and imagined holding the hand of the man I truly loved. The one who could list every marine creature in the world. He squeezed my hand, and as I glanced his way the colossal beast had taken his place.
I woke with a startled gasp. Sweat soaked my hair and shirt that clung to my skin as if it were a part of it. I felt its muscles stiffen from my suddenness. It made a low groan, and placed its massive hand on the arch of my back-as if assuring me everything was all right. But it's actions made me more anxious. I heard a small giggle and looked up to see Nikon baring his grey eyes.
"Sweet Dreams?" I remained silent. Nikon stared at it,
"What about you?" the beast remained silent, but I could feel it tense and swore it shivered. Nikon looked back at me, or more specifically at the jewel dangling from around my neck-It definitely wasn't there before.
"I see you've given her the gift" I looked at the necklace. A large black stone enclosed by a circular gold case was held in mid-air by a crystalline chain.
"It was always meant for you, and if you want to survive I suggest you keep it close. By the looks of it, our friend has sacrificed a great deal to create that"
"But what is it?" I asked, touching the stone-it was incredibly smooth and wet though there was no water on it.
"A key to your survival" with that said Nikon flashed another wide smile before evaporating once more. I thought he was gone, but his voice echoed throughout the room, as if he were speaking through an intercom.
"And please do stay alive, all of this would be meaningless if you died"
