Chapter 2
It took John hours to find his way back to the village from the cliff. By the time, he reached the border of the small town, the sun was shining brightly in the sky. As he drew nearer, he began to hear loud and angry voices, shouting and cursing.
As he approached his shop, he could see a gathering of men at the center of the village. They all looked frightened, panicked, like cattle being led to the slaughter. They carried pitchforks and muskets with them. Obviously, they were prepared for something. But what?
John quickly went to his home and cleaned himself up, washed the dirt from his skin and dressed himself. Once he was presentable, he went to where the others were gathered. Something wasn't right. He could feel the dread twisting in his gut. The village was too quiet. Apart from the men's shouting, the place was deathly silent. Where were the women and children? Why was every window closed and every door barred?
"Excuse me, could you fill me in on what's going on?" He asked the old baker, who stood at the edge of the group.
The baker looked at him like he was mad. "Didn't you hear, lad? There be a beast out in them woods. It came into the village during the night. Tore Duke Lorington to pieces, it did." He shook his head sadly.
John felt his heart stall in his chest. "L-Lorington is dead?" He stuttered.
"I'm afraid so. Poor Lady Claudia." The baker replied.
"Claudia. Is she alright?" John blurted, grabbing the baker's arm in a panic.
"Saw everything, she did. Started screaming something about a demon or some other nonsense. The servants rushed into the room, found her covered in blood, and parts of the Duke strewn about the bedroom. No beast in sight. She be fine. She fainted in shock. Rightly so. She's resting now."
"What do you think it was?" John asked cautiously. A terrible feeling had washed over him. Could it have been the creature he'd dealt with at the cliff? The creature called Nothing.
"It was probably a rogue wolf. That's the only thing I can think of that could do that to a human body." The baker said. He pat John reassuringly on the back, "Don't you worry lad, we'll hunt and kill the beast. We're about to leave now, in fact. You can come along if you like."
John shook his head with a kindly smile. "I'm sorry, but I've got some work that needs finishing today." He politely excused himself and rushed to his shop.
His mind in a frenzy, he shut all the windows and barred his door. He couldn't risk anyone seeing what he was about to do.
"Nothing!" He called. "Nothing! Come to me now!"
"I heard you the first time." Answered a wicked voice.
John turned to see the creature sitting on his work table. He looked exactly like he had before, ragged clothes, wild hair, sharp teeth and all.
"Tell me, Nothing. Are you responsible for Duke Lorington's death?" He asked, cringing as he awaited his answer. He almost didn't want to know.
"Yes." Nothing answered, nonchalantly shrugging his shoulders. "It was what you asked for, wasn't it?"
"No!" John yelled. "That isn't what I wanted at all! I just wanted Claudia, that's all. You were supposed to make her love me, not kill her husband."
Nothing's head tilted to the side, his wide lips parted to show all his teeth. He looked very much like a wolf. "And what, pray tell, did you want me to do with Lorington? I couldn't simply make him vanish."
John's mouth snapped closed, like a bear trap. He swallowed hard, his throat suddenly felt tight.
Nothing began to laugh at him. "That's exactly what you thought, wasn't it? That I'd just make him disappear and the woman would magically fall into your lap." He snickered at his stupid master. "I'm afraid It doesn't work like that. Don't be so naïve, John." He crossed his legs and arms, while a snicker distorted his face. "Don't you worry, your pretty little head. Everything is going exactly to plan. In three day's time, you will go to Lorington's funeral. The widow will see you there, and I shall plant a little seed of desire into her breast. Soon she shall be all yours."
John listened to the being's plan with interest.
Nothing hopped off of the table and his hair and clothes began to wave around in his invisible wind. "Trust me, John. I shall fulfill my promise. It's up to you to fulfill yours." With that, Nothing faded away, returning to whatever world he'd sprung from.
