Kingdom Hearts

Ch. 37

Deep Jungle

The Black Hound of Baskerville

The sun has risen illuminating the dark forest ending the night of terror that befell the creatures of the jungle. The destruction caused by the tumbled rainforest tree lay steady on the forest floor. Like a large border no one could ever hope to climb. One may only traverse around it. Near the end of the trunk a black shroud flew down to the ground. The master of the shadows Cloak descended as the light of the sun past through his body. His figure casted no shadow his body was darkness itself. He opened his cloak exposing the nothingness under his cape.

From the shadows, Sora, Donald, Goofy, and Tarzan were freed from the dark void. Donald and Goofy lobbed over hitting the ground with fear stricken eyes not saying a word. Their mouths gazed open, only a brief-moment of twitching signaled they were alive. Tarzan landed on his feet. His legs were spread out, his arms raised in the air taking in the fresh air. Tarzan quickly surveyed the area circling like a concerned animal. "Hey Tarzan, you okay?" asked Sora. Tarzan sniffed the air before turning back towards Sora.

"Something wrong?" he said in broken English. He remained silent as the sound of a gunshot echoed throughout the jungle.

Near the giant stump where Ralum sliced a tree clean off its stump stood another elite. He challenged the bearer of the Spirit of the Jungle boastful and confident. Clayton aiming his gun at Kerchak pulling the trigger. The bullet shot straight through the ape's skin. Kerchak already in a lot of pain did not yell. His body was covered in wounds from his previous engagement. Pain to him has become num.

Clayton wore a dead face after seeing the bullet did not take the beast down. "I see it's not like most animals. Even without the damage any normal animal would be dead by now. This is going to be a difficult challenge," Clayton thought.

"I say, I'd wish to face you at your full strength to put my hunting ability to the test. But I have a feeling this may be the only chance I have," he said to Kerchak.

He aimed his hunting rifle at Kerchak again. He clenched it only this time the gun begun began to glow. Streams of light rolled down the barrel of the rifle like newly formed streams extending over long distances. "Sound speed," he sounded. He fired his rifle again shooting another bullet at Kerchak.

Kerchak raised his arm to protect his wounded body. The bullet shot straight into the arm causing it to flail. The other gorillas stared in fear as the Powerwilds swarmed around Clayton. He pointed towards the tree where Kerchak's family watched speaking "Fetch." The heartless pounced after hearing their commands. Ten to twenty heartless reappeared around the jungle tree. With their elastic monkey fingers they climbed the tree trunk. The ape family began to panic and just after the battle with Ralum another threat wished to put them in danger. Kerchak turned distressed seeing his family in danger once again.

Kerchak called out to his family to leave. Kala and the others did not want to abandon their leader. Kerchak assured them he will not leave till he finishes his fight. The great ape speaking to his brethren took his eyes off Clayton.

"Stupid ape," said Clayton loading his gun again. He aimed it at Kerchak shooting him in the back. Kerchak battered and bleeding dashed forward after feeling yet another intense burst of pain. But he would not fall. The great ape stood its ground like a proud warrior. The Spirit of the Jungle coursed around Kerchak's arm. He lifted it and swung his massive fist just as he turned back towards Clayton. The hunter couldn't believe his eyes the energy around the hand shot directly at him shaped as a large fist. It stretched out like an extension to the beast's arm. It headed towards Clayton like a railroad train crushing anything in its way. Clayton aimed his gun in the air. He fired pulling the trigger and shooting a wire with a spear at the end. It shot in the air striking the bottom of a branch. The hook pierced straight through the branch locking it tight with its grip.

Before Kerchak could hit Clayton, the hunter clicked another switch on his gun lifting him up in the air. The gun shortened the length of the wire moving Clayton up to the branch he just shot. When the gun reached its length, Clayton grabbed the moss covered bark and climbed on top. He released his gun from the tree quickly reloading it. He looked down prepared to shoot again. But the beast was not there. Clayton looked forward to see a sight. Kerchak began running towards his family who are being terrorized by the heartless. The Spirit of the Jungle spread around Kerchak like electrical surges.

The heartless looked to the incoming enemy and pounced at him. 20 some heartless were in front of the ape ready attack. Kerchak leaped into the air gaping his mouth wide open. Blood coursing down his face. He raised his hands the with the Spirit of the Jungle granted him tremendous strength. He struck the ground with all his might. The Spirit expanded around his body. The impact caused a small explosion and bright light exceed from the ape. The explosion shrouded the area destroying any heartless unlucky enough to be in its way. Kerchak's family clung to the branches and keep their heads downs as the blast radiated past them. The leaves of the jungles waved rapidly like waves during a storm. Kerchak covered his eyes in disbelief. The light resided and the destruction has ceased. The ape family lifted their heads to see a newly formed crater with Kerchak standing in the middle. None of the heartless remained.

Clayton looked in awe clenching his gun tightly. He lifted it straight up near his cheek. "He defeated all the monsters in one attack. This is unbelievable. Such a magnificent creature. Such a powerful creature. The best of the best. The best… of the best," he thought staring randomly towards the ground. "Best Hunter. Best Animal. So, help me. I swear I will kill this beast and prove to all the worlds that I am the best hunter there is."

Kerchak breathed heavily, blood fell from his face to his arms and legs. Kala his mate runs over to him seeing the wounds on the ape. She came closer muttering concerned ape like moans for Kerchak. She lifted her arm and touched Kerchak's shoulder. The others gathered around. Despite his injuries Kerchak still stood up right and proud. Kala and the others surrounded him seeing if he was okay. Kala lowered her chocolate skinned arm slowly then rapidly. A shot fired from the tree were Clayton had stood maneuvered its way striking right in the chest of the female gorilla. Kala screamed briefly only for her family to finish her wailing. She fell the ground becoming motionless. She had been shot. Kala had become the person of concern as she laid on the ground silently.

Kerchak knelled grabbing her wrist to see if she's alright. She did not stir. Kerchak eyes gapped open. His mate was dead. Her family began to wail in sorrow. Hollowing into the sky. Kerchak growled viscously. He turned towards the hunter who shot the innocent gorilla. Clayton stood atop the jungle branch. He pointed his gun down with one hand as he rubbed his eyes with the other. A slither of light shined through the trees onto him.

After doing so Clayton looked down to see Kerchak still standing. "What why won't this beast give up?" he thought not realizing what he had down.

He looked behind Kerchak to see the other gorilla's mourning Kala. "Oh, I missed," he said a loud. He looked back to Kerchak. The great ape was blistering with rage. The Spirit surged over his battered body. He roared fiercely slamming his chest before charging at full speed.

Clayton knowing what would befall him if he stayed turned tail and ran. He pushed a button around his belt. A steam powered mechanism with a wire propeller appeared around his waist. It shot out with a grappling hook at the front. It struck a tree trunk cementing itself in it. Clayton jumped from the branch at an incredible height. The wire moved him around like they were vines. With the steam powered propeller giving him momentum. White smoke powered out of the motor as Clayton swung through the jungle. After he got a good distance away the grappling hook released from the tree trunk only for another to shoot out and strike another. This repeated as Clayton maneuvered effortlessly through the jungle tops.

How can the world's greatest hunter be the best if he can't traverse through the landscape quickly? He looked behind him when he heard a loud crash from behind. He stopped in his tracks shutting off his device. He ended his run while a wire remained attached in a tree. He turned around to see a tree falling from behind. Roaring overtook the sound of the tree crashing to the ground. Clayton saw in shock the great ape Kerchak was following him. Like a torpedo he chased after the hunter restlessly. His eyes were red like fire. Energy swarmed around his body as he ran after Clayton. The hunter knew he was in danger. He struggled to get out of here. He shot his grappling hook to a faraway tree continuing his retreat. As fast as he could Clayton flew through the sky but was unable to lose Kerchak.

"What! How could an animal keep up with me even after it loses its sight of me?" he thought. Then he realized the steam from his maneuvering gear was leaving a trail to follow.

"This is not good. I must put an end to this quickly. I can't escape it. But even if I did. How can I call myself a hunter? I swore I'd vanquish this beast and that's what I'll do. I am an Elite. I am strong. I was born into a prestigious and proud family. I will kill this ape," he thought to himself determined to accomplish his goals.

"I'll do it like I did last time. The last time I was pushed to my limit. The last time I faced a truly terrible creature that no one thought could be killed. The day I became a hunter. The day of my first kill."

Britannia 25 Years Ago

In the world of Britannia, two thirds of the land were made up of one great city. The Victorian lights trickled down the streets lighting up the night. The buildings in the outskirts of city were small and murky. The alley ways were muddy with cats and other stray animals scrounging for food. As one moves, deeper in the city. Pray he doesn't get lost. The buildings become taller and more friendly looking. Murky streets became charming marketplaces. Small stores providing the essentials for the common folk. Small and reliable steam powered appliances are used in day to day life. Men dress in fancy suits and coats as normal attire. Women dress in thin short skirts and wear large hats to block the sun from their eyes. Children play on these streets without fear of danger as every neighbor is a friend. As one goes further, the small shops and quant neighborhood become much more lavish. The marketplace turns into much fancier and larger stores. The citizens seem to dress even neater with men hooking cufflinks on each sleeve. Dresses were longer and had more colored fabric then before.

Steam powered technology can be seen working at every corner. With cars being drove down the road in a quick pace.

Making one's way to the center of the city the size of a small country. They'll find the capital district. Where top scientists make new advancements in steam technology. Cars are traded for hover crafts flying through the sky across nonexistent roads formed by the giant buildings maneuvering people from one spot to the next. While on the ground people walked to their destination not disrupted by traffic. The buildings are the tallest in the world, normal structures stretched up high like skyscrapers.

But they hail in comparison to the Royal district. A vast fortress sitting on top of the world with a long stone wall circling the fortification. Only those with permission or with powerful enough steam powered contraptions that can make it over the wall may enter. Here is where military exercises and imperial voyages takes place. Powerful air ships are built regularly descending from the skies flying over the city limits. Reaching the sky at top of the world stood the palace where the King and Queen reside. Here is where all the decisions are made regarding the future of the state.

As two thirds of the world is inhabited by people in the city. The other third lays at the bottom of the world. The Baskerville Forest stretches across the land free of any road or building. Aside from some outposts and lodges used for vacationing and research these woods remain uninhabited by humans. The dense forest is made up of tall cedars spread throughout the landscape. Bears, deer, wild cats, and wolfs populate these regions plentifully.

Back in the city limits, a class at school was about to end. And a young boy conversed with his classmates. The boy's name was Cecil Clayton. "Wow you're really going to Baskerville woods for the weekend?" asked one of his friends.

"Yeah my Mom's taking me. She wants to teach me how to use a gun for the first time," Cecil said with little enthusiasm. He twitched his thumbs waiting for someone to continue the conversation.

"You going to kill a bear. If you do, can you bring back the hide for class," another said.

"No, he'll probably get eaten instead by The Hound of Baskerville," said another kid jokingly. "The black dog that's said to wander the forest and hunt the weak and scared. Its fur releases black smoke from its pours. Its teeth are sharp and sliver. The dog has soulless yellow eyes which friezes anyone who stares directly at them."

"No, my Mom isn't going to let that happen. She's too strong. Beside that thing doesn't even exist," said Clayton tilting his head down a bit.

"Yeah, isn't your Mother an Elite," said one girl at the end of the table.

"Yeah the son of the great mercenary and intelligence officer Neena Clayton the Elite codenamed, "Dommo." The master marksman who has a 100% kill count," said a student fluently.

Clayton a bit humble nodded slightly. The bell began to ring ending the day at school. The students grabbed their things and exited the building. They boarded the air bus bringing them home. It flew through the air cruising across the sky. Clayton sat alone leaning his head on the window thinking about his weekend. His stop was one of the last as his Mothers position inquired a high lifestyle. The bus took him up to his large house. A three-story building held up by a platform attached to the great wall of Britannia. The house nestled closely to the back of the wall. The house was so high one could not see the bottom below. Yet it was still not high enough to peak the top. He looked over to see his servants placing luggage and equipment in their steam powered hover craft. "Cecil your finally home. How's your day?"

Clayton turned to see his Mother standing in the doorway. The Elite mercenary of the Tactics Division for the crown codenamed Dommo. She wore a skintight black suit with a shade of blue stitched on the sides of her legs. She wore a belt around her waist with a crown insignia over the buckle. Her suit had high heel bottoms for the feet. The outfit covered her entire body except the head, neck, and chest areas. Her breasts hung out wide, but the tight suit kept them in place. Her hair was short and red, but her eyes were a different story. Her right eye was blue while her left one was red. She held a sniper gun by the strap on her back.

She walked over to her son straddling the sniper with her. "Come one time to go. Say goodbye to your sister. Get anything you need but don't take too long."

Clayton nodded; he clenched his book bag while walking inside. He walked in the door entering the giant house. In front of him was a large staircase leading up 3 stories. He looked over to the playroom on his left to see his baby sister playing with her dolls. No more than 3 years old. Her red hair has grown to a sizeable length. She had heterochromia like her Mother. She wore a cute pink dress and a pair of booty socks. Clayton walked over to his baby sister to focused on her dolls to notice him. He came up behind her and hugged her kissing her on the forehead whispering, "I'll be back soon." He ran up stares and got his luggage that was already prepared for him. He ran downstairs and outside. He saw his Mom in the hover craft with the butler preparing to drive them.

Clayton threw his luggage in the back before hopping in the back seat. The rest of the servants came out to see them off. They waved goodbye as the driver started the engine. Steam began to pour out of the tubes in the back. The fans under the car began to spin rapidly before ascending off the ground. A maid came out with Clayton's sister in her arms., The little girl waved her hand as if trying to grab the machine. Dommo waved back to her baby, "Mommy will be home soon."

The driver maneuvered the lever to drive. The hover craft shot off the platform riding through the air. Clayton used to the thrust of speed after launching remained stagnant. He rested his head on the glass while they flew. His eyes began to close. He nearly fell asleep before being woken up by loud snoring. He realized his Mother beat him to falling sleep. She sat shot gun with her arms folded over her lap. Her head tilted back as she snored loudly. Even though she's regarded so highly about how beautiful she is. This is her one fatal flaw. Clayton who's grown used to it pressed on and tried to continue sleeping.

Clayton and his Mother were dropped off at the airport during the afternoon. They walked into the station to see giant air blimps parked on the runway. Traveling by air is always the fastest way to get to place to place. They boarded the air ship rather quickly. It was the size of a large fort. Nearly 100 people bordered, and the blimp was not even half full. The destination was the Baskerville border at the other end of the planet. The trip took about 16 hours to make. The ride was rather boring with nothing to do but watch the clouds out the window. Clayton tried to fall asleep, but his Mother beat him to it again. She snored loudly making it nearly impossible to fall asleep. The air ship soon reached its destination landing softly on the pavement. The blimp landed in a clearing around mighty trees that were bigger than the whole ship. Clayton exited the ship while his Mother complained about the lack of refreshments on the plane to the staff.

Dommo got tired of yelling at the flight attendant and joined Clayton outside. She had a taxi waiting for them. They boarded the car before driving off to the lodge. In a short time, they made their way to the long wooden resort. The best place to vacation in all of Britannia. Dommo walked up to the service counter to sign in for their room. She demanded that there be tiny soaps and hot towels waiting for them in their room. Clayton expected his Mothers contestant obsession for having everything exactly the way she desires. He still doesn't know how his Father put up with it.

They made their way to the room on the top floor. Due to Dommo's rank, she could secure one of the best suites in the entire motel. Dommo turned the key opening the door. Clayton ran inside plopping on the bed desperately trying to fall asleep.

Dommo sighed, "Don't get too comfortable. In a little bit, we'll be heading out for some gun practice," said Dommo staring down at her frustrated son. She turned the lights on to see hot towels folded neatly on the bed just as she requested. Dommo let her son rest as she entered the bathroom.

"A quick shower before we go," she thought to herself. She undressed turning the water on for the shower. A special steam powered water system that uses heat to releases warm water first instead of cold. She began soaking herself in hot water. After a few moments, she felt around for the complimentary tiny soaps she requested. Looking down in the shower she saw a large bar of soap laying on the soap dish. She turned off the water and opened the curtains. Her left eye began to glow red analyzing the room. Like a computer scanner she knew everything that was placed in the bathroom.

Outside Clayton finally managed to drift to sleep. He slept soundly face down on the sheet silencing the sound of his breathing. The bathroom door flew open swiftly crashing on the wall waking Clayton up. "THOSE IDOTS FORGOT MY SOAPS!" shouted Dommo rushing out of the bathroom. She clenched onto a small white towel as the only thing guarding her lady parts. Clayton looked up see what was wrong now.

Tightening the towel around her body, she opened the suite door saying to herself, "I'll show them a thing or two." She slammed the door loudly causing Clayton to cover his ears. Dommo marched downstairs towel clad preparing to have a word with the manager.

Clayton trying to find some peace and quiet for once looked up at the clock hanging above the bed. It displayed 8:30 am. Clayton set his head down once again hoping just to get a little bit of sleep. "I don't even want to be here," he thought to himself.

After twenty minutes or so Dommo opened the motel door holding up her towel with one hand and holding several soap packets in the other. She spoke to her son waking him up yet again. "Get ready once I'm done were heading out. She walked in the bathroom closing the door behind her with her foot.

Clayton got up sluggishly and sat up rubbing his eyes. He turned on the light to the room. He opened his suitcase removing some new clothes appropriate for hunting. He quickly got dressed and sat back on the bed laying down waiting for his Mother. The bathroom door creaked open. Dommo walked out in her towel looking around. Clayton peered up see a glimpse of his Mother. She just finished showering as her hair was wrapped in a towel. But on her upper body white face paint covered her head, neck, shoulders, and chest. Clayton wondered why his Mother even needed to put on her face paint for a training lesson. Dommo lifted her bag off the floor placing it on the bed. She opened it retrieving a full black leather outfit.

"She brought her Elite uniform with her?" thought Clayton. "Why, she said it's just a gimmick for her position as an Elite. The white face of an angry spirt that strikes fear to all who falls prey to her gun."

She returned to the bathroom closing the door behind her. After another 15 minutes the bathroom door reopened. Dommo walked out putting the finishing touches on her hair. She wore the black leather suit. The outfit compressed her breasts keeping them in place. "Clayton time to go."

She finished her make up touching up the white around her body. The pigment was so high quality it looked as if she had white skin to begin with. "Today I'm going to show you how to effectively use a hunting rifle. Is there any questions before we go?"

Clayton hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Yeah, I don't think I'm ready for this. Maybe we should wait till I'm older."

Dommo spoke back with tolerant voice, "Oh, Cecil your just nervous trust me I know. If you really didn't want to go hunting you would have said something before, we left."

Clayton nodded slightly not being able to talk back. "Listen don't worry it's just practice. You don't need to become a hero like me," she said in a calm and relaxing voice.

She breathed slowing lifting her hand placing it only Claytons head. "I just wanted to spend some time with you. I know I'm usually not around because of business and your Father's not with us anymore. You were practically raised by servants and no child should have to go through that. I want to let you know that I love you no matter the person you turn out to be," she said brushing Cecil's hair.

"Do you still want to go with me? You don't have to if you don't want to?" she asked. Clayton stared away from his Mother twiddling his thumbs giving a small smile and nodded, "It's okay, we can go hunting just this one time," he whispered.

Dommo nodded back smiling. She lifted her hand from her son's head. She grabbed the suitcase holding their hunting equipment. They left the room and headed downstairs. After exiting the building, Dommo led Clayton to a car she rented that'll take them to their destination. They both climbed in the motor car driving off as soon as possible.

After about ten minutes on the road they made their way to their first destination. A shooting range 3 miles long. "Come on," she said. Dommo exited the car and grabbed the gun bag before heading in the building. Dommo paid for 2 hours of shooting practice. She showed Clayton the basics on operating the gun. The young boy has no better teacher then his Mother. Dommo is the greatest marksman in the entire kingdom. Her talents were recognized by the King himself thus naming her the Elite Sniper of the Tactics Division.

After learning the basics, Dommo gave Clayton a demonstration. She walked towards the firing targets. Special man shaped metal with targets on their head. She raised the rifle and aimed it through the little window. Her eye surrounded by white paint began to faintly glow red. She pulled the trigger sending the bullet flying straight towards the target slamming into the middle.

"A bullseye," said Clayton gapping his mouth open with astonishment. She fired the gun several more times. Hitting a bullseye for each shoot fired. No target was too hard for her to hit. It's what made her famous. Now it was Claytons turn. Dommo reloaded the gun and handed it to her son. He aimed the gun the best he could trying to replicate his Mothers example. With no avail, he could never truly replicate it.

Dommo lent a hand helping him aim the gun. Through a twelve-round barrel Clayton managed to hit the target 8 times. "Not bad especially for your first time," she said.

Clayton held the gun with glee responding back, "Really thanks."

The two-hour time limit eventually ended. They left thanking the owner. The owner standing behind the desk instantly recognized Dommo. "Say I know you. You're Dommo the newest member of the Elites."

Dommo nodded, "Yes, I am."

"So who's this, an apprentice?" said the owner in a deep Scottish accent.

"This is my son Cecil. I'm teaching him the basics about shooting," said Dommo.

"Oh, he's training to be a sniper like his Mother," he said.

"Oh, no this is just some bonding time," said Dommo cheerfully.

"Yeah, I thought for a second the government sent you to take care of the dog problem," he said in a more serious voice. He rubbed his beard slightly pondering the thought.

"Dog problem?" asked Clayton.

"What's this about a dog problem?" said Dommo.

The owner went on to explain, "Yes there have been a recent rise of reported sightings of the Black Hound of Baskerville Forest."

"What the Hound?" she said a bit more intrigued. "Yes, we've been hearing complaints from southerners claiming they were being haunted by a giant dog with bright yellow eyes. It was said to have black smoke protruding from its fur. But the King passed it away claiming it was just superstition."

The owner continued to speak, "I understand why he would say that. The beast was said to be an evil spirit of the forest which is drawn out by negative emotions. It's only natural no one would believe it."

"That's very strange," said Dommo turning her head back thinking on the situation. "Well if we see anything peculiar. I'll report it directly to the King."

The owner thanked her and waved goodbye. Clayton and Dommo boarded their motor car and headed off. While in the car Clayton turned towards his Mother, "Do you really think he's right? About the black dog."

Dommo sighed, "You know, I have no idea. You know there are many worlds out there. Each with its own inhabitants and wildlife. For all we know anything is possible."

Dommo kept driving down the long country road. After a few minutes, they found a small empty parking lot leading to a path in the woods. Dommo pulled in parking the cart before getting out. Clayton did the same shutting the car door. His Mother opened the truck and grabbed the gun bag. They headed down the path walking together. They continued walking till Dommo spotted out a nice area in the woods where they can set up. They strayed from the path and walked through the trees stopping in a small clearing with a fallen log. Clayton sat on it resting his feet. Dommo opened her bag taking out countless gun parts. She reassembled a shot gun for herself and a sniper for Clayton.

"We may be here for a bit. Hunting is a patient art. You must first find the prey and make the kill." Dommo laid the sniper gun down to check on her shot gun.

Clayton looked to the rifle and grabbed it without his Mother noticing. He held on to it tightly examining the sleek design. Dommo began checking her gun to see if it functioned properly. After inspection, she realized the gun was jammed. She turned from Clayton to try to fix it.

Clayton fizzled with the sniper gun examining the parts. It was completely black matching his Mothers outfit. Despite its size, it was light and had a simple construction. Its holster was fully loaded with twelve shots in the magazine. Looking at the gun he made sure it wasn't pointed towards his Mother. He pointed in the air looking through the scope. The magnifying glass could locate a target fifty feet away. The equipment of a genuinely great assassin. He could even see the tops of the trees through it. Clayton got up and pointed the gun in several directions testing how far this gun could shoot. Dommo still was fiddling with her shot gun trying to get it to fire. She pointed it away from her and without warning fired the gun.

BAAAAAAAAANG CRAAAAAASSHH BAAAAANNNG TTTHUUUMP

Two shots were fired.

Claytons sniper lay on the ground with only elven shots in the magazine. Clayton squealed falling over the tree trunk landing on his back after dropping the gun. His heart froze, he didn't hear his Mother say anything. He climbed over the log and looked ahead in the direction of the barrel. His mouth and eyes gazed open. His body became still trying to come to terms with what he's seeing.

The Elite Sniper of the Tactics Division named Dommo has been shot

She fell face first on the ground with a hole in her back.

"Momma!" said Clayton desperately trying to speak but too afraid that he wouldn't get an answer back.

"Mom?" he said again. His eyes remain stagnant. He ran over to her body trying to get her to move. Her face gave the impression of shock. Her mouth was open as if she were going to scream. Her hand reached out further from her head. She did not even breathe.

"Mom?" said Clayton again. He couldn't hold back tears anymore. His eyes twitched his mouth burnt. The world around him seemed unreal. He fell to his knees and placed his hands over her body. He began to shake her. Tears fell down his face. He didn't care about rubbing his tears away.

"Somebody help u-us?" he said struggling to speak out. Knowing it was pointless. He fell to the ground crying uncontrollably. His Mother is gone. He wailed out loud not knowing what to do. What is he supposed to do? What's going to happen after he gets back. What will everyone else think? These questions rolled through his mind as he cried and cried. Even after he couldn't give another tear, he refused to leave his Mother's side. His tears dried up. He sniffed slightly finally wiping his tears away.

Finally calming down, he heard something in the forest. He looked up to see a deer with a baby following behind her. The deer stared at Clayton who's mourning his Mother. Clayton stared back speechless. The baby circled around her Mother till the sound of a stick breaking caught their attention. Something else was coming their way. The Mother ran in the other direction with her baby fauna following her. Clayton heard the noise too. Something was walking towards him. Clayton slowly turned his head. He saw something in the distance. A black bear maybe. It had long sharp white teeth and yellow eyes. The creature bent its head staring at the boy. What appeared to be black fog surrounded the creature.

It pounced and began running straight towards Clayton. The young boy horrified by the beast got off his feet and ran away. He left his Mother and jumped over the log he was just sitting on. The beast roared loudly with black smoke trailing its body. It ran after Clayton completely ignoring his Mother's body. Clayton scared for his life saw a tree he could climb. He jumped at the tree grabbing hold of the trunk before climbing up. He moved as fast as he could up the tree resting on the top branch breathing loudly. The beast caught up to him circling around the tree. It lifted its paw scratching the bark. Looking down Clayton finally got a good look at the creature. It was a giant black dog that was bigger than Clayton even on its four legs. Black smoke floated around the beast giving it a ghostly feel.

Clayton shivered in freight. His Mother's death and now the Black Hound of Baskerville is trying to kill him. He closed his eyes whispering to himself. "It's just a dream. It's just a dream," till everything went dark.