"But why am I moping?"
"I cannot even feel anything anymore."
"Except...I feel...hollow. That is all I can feel."
"I've killed millions of people."
"And I don't even care."
"No more pain..."
"No more fear. Escape is my only option."
Chapter 2
Hours later, everyone was gathered around Matthias' dead body.
And for first time in his adult life, Mattimeo broke down in tears.
Tess Churchmouse, Mattimeo's wife, tried to comfort Mattimeo while their son, Martin the II, was fast asleep and completely unaware of his grandfather's death. Then, with a flash of a blinding bright light, Matthias opened his eyes.
"Dad?"
Mattimeo shook uncontrollably, and a wide grin stole its way across his muzzle. Suddenly, he had a burst of joy and ran up to hug him...
But was met with a scratch to his face by Matthias.
There was blood all over Mattimeo's face, and an unforgettable look of total shock in his eyes. Then, Matthias' eyes turned into an ugly shade of glowing red, without pupils showing, and his blood ridden head turned a full 360 very slowly, making disgusting cracking noises as it went and twitching back about twice before it completely turned. Then, Matthias let out a very high pitched laugh that resembled something of a banshee's ear-piercing screech.
Everyone started to scream and step back and the dibbuns wept uncontrollably.
"Tess," Mattimeo whispered, "Take our child and run."
"But what about you?" asked the concerned Churchmouse.
"Just do it," replied the warrior mouse impatiently. "Go, quickly!"
"Matti..."
The warrior turned to see her near tears.
"Whatever happens here...I want you to know that..."
"I promise you, I won't die. Now please go before you get yourself hurt."
Tess did as told and broke into a run for the abbey. All of the other creatures stood dazed and frightened, except that of Basil Stag Hare, and Constance the badger, who was concealing herself behind a tree. Mattimeo turned to face his ex-father.
"He's a monster," he thought blankly, "he's no father of mine."
But as he pulled a dagger from his waist pocket, he felt differently. However, it was too late to think differently as Matthias launched himself upon his son.