Episode 5: Monster

As days pass by I feel more anguish. Souls just don't satisfy my hunger at all anymore. Human souls are just strands of meat in a much larger game. I have to encounter another hollow.

In my frustration I pick up a human and bite its head off, not realising that it was actually a living human, I have now caused panic amongst the masses. In their perspective they would have just seen a man spontaneously decapitated whilst levitating in the air. But a bit of mischief can't hurt while I wait for my hollow.

Wait a minute...Perhaps if I attract a hollow with some bait then I can lure them out.

I decide that a few sacrifices will help flush out some more of my kind. As people run in all directions like a swarm of ants I produce my extended claws, taking down dozens of humans in an act of slaughter.

My old self would have been horrified at this monster that I had become, but since I was already judged as a 'monster' I can enjoy this without guilt.

Most of the dominoes have fallen and an orgy of blood remains. The souls eject themselves from the bodies and begin to look confused. It does not take long for the true fear to emerge.

"MONSTER!" Fortunately for these pathetic morsels I am not going to waste my energy eating them. Unfortunately for them they are being used as bait to lure out an even more wholesome feast.

"Come hollows." I call out to the world. "Your next meal is waiting for you. Come and get it before I do."

Some of the insects try to flee so I leap towards their position and block them from escaping my web of souls. Men, women and children huddle together as they pray to there god to save them from the scary monster.

"No-one is coming to save you now!" I taunt my prey. "It is useless to try and escape."

"P-please have mercy." One of the souls pleads with me. He does not realise yet that I lack a heart and so his negotiations will inevitably be futile.

"HAHAHA! Soon they will appear." I rub my bony fingers in anticipation.

Hours pass. The emergency crews have collected the bodies but noone has come for these helpless souls. Not even a hollow. I'm beginning to get impatient and I slam my fist creating a small crater in the ground.

"DAMMIT WHERE ARE THEY?"

"Um excuse me Mr. Monster." A small girl tugs the hide of my leg.

"Tch…WHAT!" I snarl.

She speaks of innocence, typical of a child. "Who are we waiting for?"

I can't believe the hide of this girl... "You'll soon find out."

"Um...excuse me."

"WHAT NOW!" My claws and teeth beared. The girl squeals and trips over.

She sobs. "I'm sorry; I was only trying to help you."

"Help...me?" I wave a large finger over her small frame. "You are the one that needs help..."

"It's just...you look so sad...I wanted to make you happy so you could let us go."

Ironically, I turn my back like a stubborn child. "You wouldn't know how to make me happy."

"If you need a friend I can be your friend-"

I snap. "You are not even worthy as hollow bait...I will end your pathetic life."

"Please sir...Don't hurt us..." By now some of the humans have rallied up supporting the girl.

"Leave the girl alone monster!"

"That's it...you're all worthless now!" I retaliate by clawing at their heads. The entire row goes down in a curtain of blood, their upper halves obliterated by my powerful swipe.

The only one that remains is the stupid girl whose tears are hidden by the blood.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" I laugh mockingly. Her only form of protection has disappeared.

But would killing this girl really satisfy anyone?

"Shut-up you." I bark at my conscious which tries to riddle me with strange morals.

"Please sir...I don't think you're really a monster."

"Hah! Didn't you just address me as 'Mr. Monster' a while ago?"

"I'm sorry please." She rushes over and hugs my leg tightly.

"Hey get away from me." I kick her away making her fall heavily on the ground. Her long hazel hair becomes messed as it drapes over her broken soul.

Her eyes change from their previous innocence to a sort of determination. "I know there was once an innocent child in that body and I won't stop until I can rescue them."

"GRRRR...You know nothing about me or where I came from."

The child only looks to be ten but she speaks like an old philosopher. "You became a monster to hide your emotions...I know that you've suffered greatly and I can help you."

This is ridiculous. All it would take is one flick of my claw to shut her up but I haven't stopped her yet. Why am I letting a stupid child get to me?

My salvation soon comes when I hear the roar of a hollow nearby. He seems to exit from some sort of portal.

"GRAAOOOWW!" He comes towards us.

"Ah thank you little girl, maybe you were useful after all. Thanks for flushing out the hollow for me."

"GRAAOOWW" The centipede-like hollow slithers over to within metres of the measly soul.

"Enjoy your meal..." I speak under my breath. "It will be your last.

I stand back and let the monster resume his pleasures. He salivates as the girl whimpers. But she persistently stares at me. Why would she still have sympathy for a monster when I set her up?

One sole tear drops down her face as she faces her final moments. Somehow even though I lack a heart, I can't help but feel some sympathy for her situation.

Even in her lasts moments she pulls a smile. "I hope you find your heart one day." She closes her eyes as if accepting her demise.

No! How can she just sit there and give up! Dammit I can't believe I'm going to do this.

The hollow pounces as it reaches its meal.

I might not have made it but someone else seems to have intervened before I had the chance to. The hollow's head travels several metres as the rest of its body decays.

The girl looks up at me and smiles.

"Wait a minute...I didn't do anything." I look around confused. She thinks I saved her from that hollow but she's mistaken. Somebody else managed to reach the hollow in time.

When I look back at the girl I see a dark blur snatch her. I try and lunge my claws and grab it but it disappears. I feel sharp pain across my back and I fall forwards catching myself with my hands.

"Dammit who's there?"

"I probably should have killed back then, that way I could have saved myself from having to look at your filthy face."

That voice!

I slowly turn and face the man that brought me to this hell. He has the small girl in his arms but I know he is no saint. He is more of a monster than me...and monsters need to be slain.

"So you've finally showed yourself...Shinigami..."

I come face-to-face with a my natural enemy - a Shinigami...only this time it's personal. Who will win? Find out in the next chapter!