102 Don't Stop

Kian takes my hand and says "Don't let go." My hand tightens on his as he slowly stands and says "Run as quickly and as quietly as you can." I nod my head but I soon realize I have a bigger problem. I gently tug on his hand and say "It's pitch black... I can't see anything."

He hesitates for a moment before saying "You have demon qualities now, right? Close your eyes and focus on your sight. You should be able to see in the dark like all demons." My shifter side can see in low light but she can't see in pitch darkness.

I look up to the sky and see that it's completely dark... not a single star or anything. I close my eyes and do as Kian says. When I open my eyes again, I can see! Only... everything is in black and white with different shades of grey. It's like someone sucked all the color out of the world...

It's disorienting... He tugs my hand and whispers "Run" I do exactly as he says and start running. Suddenly, large, war-like horns can be heard! I nearly come out of my skin at the sound! It's loud and deep... leaving an unsettling feeling deep within your soul.

One second, two seconds, three seconds... another loud horn noise. I feel the hair on the back of my neck standing as my instincts come alive and scream "RUN!" I don't even know what I'm running from at this point but I don't care, I kick it up another gear and haul ass.

Suddenly, a woman's scream cuts through the night like nails on a chalkboard! I stumble at the sound and look around for the woman. It's one of those soul-piercing screams! Kian tightens his grip on my hand and says "Don't stop, remember!? No matter what you hear or see!"

I hesitate but as I start running again, I say "It was a woman, Kian! She sounded like she was being attacked! Don't you think we should help!??" His grip is almost painful as we continue to run but suddenly, he comes to a sudden halt!

I nearly run into him but he quickly reaches out and grabs me around the waist to keep me upright. He turns and whispers "Don't say a word!" The woman's scream cuts through the night again, nearly causing my heart to stop!

Kian suddenly drops behind a large tree and pulls me down so quickly, he nearly pulls my arm out of the socket! I fall between his legs but he quickly reaches up and pulls me against his chest, covering my mouth with his large hand.

He tightens his arms around me and leans so that he's right next to my ear and whispers "Don't make a sound... nothing." This time the woman's voice screams turn into pleading. "Help meeee! Help meee, please!! I'm begging you!"

My heart shakes as I suddenly hear children screaming. I lift a shaky hand and try to remove Kian's hand but I'm no match for his strength. Tears begin falling from my eyes as my heart feels like it's being torn out.

Every time I hear a scream, guilt, pain, and other emotions run through me like a live wire. I close my eyes and feel tears continuing to fall. I trust Kian but the screams are actually hurting me... not physically... no, it's hurting me emotionally.

Kian starts slowly rocking me and saying "Shhhh... it's not real. It's not real." Over and over again. I don't even know if he's doing it for me, or both of us because I can even feel him shaking. Suddenly, I see it.

At first, I think it's a bear or something but as it moves closer... it doesn't look like any animal I've ever seen before. As it walks up to us, I hear it's heavy breathing. Something drips from its skeletal mouth. Skin hangs in pieces, holding onto the skeletal body but when it stops before us.

I'm stunned when I see very human-like eyes looking at me. It opens its lower jaw and the screams of a woman come flying out. I flinch and reach for my magic but Kian tightens his hold on me and I can feel his head shake next to mine.

His hand is clamped tight over my mouth and for once, I'm grateful. I probably would have screamed at this point. I have no idea why Kian doesn't want me to use my magic but I trust him. It might have no effect on this thing and all I'll do is piss it off!

It moves closer... its hot breath blows over my face before it suddenly screams like a child! I lean back so hard, I'm practically becoming one with Kian's chest. His arms tighten around me to the point it's painful but I know he's just trying to keep me still.

Something fleshy hangs from its sharp teeth as it turns its head to look at us again. Its very human-like eye looks at us before I hear a babies cry. I slowly close my eyes and try to control my breathing but when the thing touches my head, my eyes snap open and I flinch.

Suddenly, several voices start screaming and begging all at the same time as it pushes against us. It wanted a reaction. I get it now... for whatever reason, it attacks when you give it a reaction. The screams tear at my soul, causing more tears to fall before the thing huffs at us and starts walking away.

It starts wailing again as it walks away into the night, leaving me mentally and emotionally scarred. Kian continues to hold me tight as the thing walks further and further away. When it's truly gone, he slowly slips his hand away from my mouth before hugging me close.

I squeeze my eyes shut and take comfort in his arms before turning to face him with tears in my eyes. "I'm so so sorry... I... I'm so sorry..." I say in a broken whisper. This is only a fraction of what this man had to go through because of me...

He quickly shakes his head and starts wiping my tears as he says "No, there's nothing to apologize for. I chose to come here. Me. Don't ever apologize for finding me. If I had not met you then, I wouldn't be here with you now."

I slowly look in the direction the thing disappeared in and ask "What the hell was that?" Kian sighs, it sounds tired and weary. "That was a hell hound... They wander the wastelands looking for things to devour. The voices you heard... the reason they're so painful to hear is that they're all its past victims. The dead relive their last moments... over and over again in eternal death within that thing. That's why it's so hard to ignore. When you try to help or scream out, it then attacks you."

Holyshit...