Ryan walked along the outside of the city walls the faint silhouette of the farmhouse far into the distance. The two springs he had received today rested in his cloak pocket and a thin length of rope was tied around his wrist, Scruff followed beside him unsure whether or not to be happy or sad about his new owner. He had no coins left in his pocket; he had given them to the short man insisting that it would be easier for his father to believe that he hadn’t stolen them. Ryan looked down at the dog and smiled.
‘You know, Scruffs not such a bad name for you,’ he muttered ruffling the animals crown as it barked happily.
Jennifer Brooke smirked in amusement, she watched as a jester preformed an assortment of tricks before leaving and a stage act came on to perform a short play for her family. She cringed as her father roared with laughter at every petty joke the duo on the stage made, she shuffled up closer to her mother who sat silently reading. Jennifer had been closer to her mother then she had been with anyone else, no one knew her better, she glanced up at her face and their eyes briefly met before her mother smiled and averted her eyes towards the show.
Jennifer sighed bored, she decided she had had enough of the petty entertainment and stood up to leave, straightening her dress before she did so. ‘Where are you going?’ Her brother stood up and blocked her path stopping her, he was always so protective of her and it got on her nerves more times then she could count. ‘Robert, move out of my way now. I’m not a baby anymore so you can’t stop me, sit down.’ She said allowing her agitation into her tone; Robert looked away, grumbled something before sitting back down. Jennifer huffed before strolling briskly out of the room; she could feel her brother’s evil glare on her back, watching her as she left.
Jennifer decided she wanted some excitement; she quickly walked into her room and began to undress. She threw her lace dress into a wash basket before flinging her wardrobe open, she quickly pulled out some select clothes and began to change. Now wearing black trousers and a white tunic top she began to tie her long black cloak around her neck before sliding the hood over her head, she quickly stepped into slender leather hiking boots and tied a belt around her waist slipping a small steel dagger within it. She walked out of her room and quickly turned on her heel re-entering her room and searching for another form of escape, she could hear her father’s voice speaking orders to all he met and her mothers more calmer gentler tone afterwards. If they found her like this all hell would break loose.
She ran over to the window, her fingers fumbling with the locks as her parents got closer. She flung the window open and threw herself out as her parents passed her bedroom door; it occurred to her how high up she was whilst she was falling, the ground rushing closer and closer. Suddenly she felt someone grab her as she fell and hold her upside down as she gently swung from side to side, she groaned, pulling her head up to see what had become her saviour. She spied a branch poking through her belt, ‘Oh c-’ with a loud crack Jennifer began to fall again the wind rushing past her ear. The feeling was short lived as her body and the ground quickly became one in a loud thud, Jennifer lay there moaning in agony, she cursed a long line of curses as she slowly picked herself up eager to leave before someone found her. Slower she walked steadily out of the courtyard, her entire body in pain.
Jennifer rolled up her sleeves as she left the city, her body still hurt in more places then she had fingers but she was determined not to go back home for awhile just because she hurt. Jennifer walked through the big iron gates and breathed in the sweet country air, the wind whistled through her hair as she walked in silence. Her hood fell down and rested gently on her shoulders; Jennifer smiled and began to hum gently as she walked through the long grass.
She walked quietly, her mind free to wonder. Oh what she would give to be able to live out in the country, free of worries that the city had. She would never admit it but she was secretly jealous of the local farm girls she sometimes saw running errands within the city, she sighed happily as she looked around the vast green plains, not too far away she spied a herd of sheep resting in the grass as an idea formed in her head. A few minutes later she found herself not a few metres away from one of the little lambs, the wind blew against her face and a vile smell clogged her lungs forcing her to gag and turn away her eyes watering. The smell stopped and Jennifer gasped for breath coughing hysterically, she groaned and shook her head. She took a few more steps forward and groaned as she stepped into a gooey liquid on the floor, she cursed as she crouched down and wiped the substance off, she cursed again as it stuck to her hand sticking to them. She held her hands into the sky and her eyes widened, a drop of crimson blood fell off of the tip of her finger as the horrifying realisation hit her like a slap in the face. She did the only thing a rich young maiden knew; she opened her mouth and screamed.
Ryan was happily playing fetch with Scruff a large grin painted on his face, Scruff barked happily as he ran after the ball again. Bringing it back to Ryan Scruff suddenly stopped the fur on his mane rising Scruff began to growl ferociously. ’What’s the matter boy?’ Ryan asked as a girl’s scream pierced the air, one thought flashed trough his mind. Wolves. Slowly he began to stand, plans flashing through his mind and almost automatically his feet began to sprint towards the direction of the farm house, he burst through the door Scruff hot on his heels as he flung open the cabinet retrieving fathers crossbow, he slung a quiver of bolts over his shoulder and ran outside crouching in front of Scruff. ‘Where is she Scruff, where is she? Lead me to the girl boy, lead me to the scream.’ Scruff barked once in understanding and set off quickly towards the fields where the cattle and sheep are kept, ‘Not so fast boy!’ Ryan shouted struggling to keep up.
Jennifer stumbled backwards as she stepped away from the dead lambs, she looked all around her and on closer inspection she found all the animals had been killed, their insides emptied by some horrible monster. She lost her footing and shouted out as she began to fall backwards, strong arms caught her as tears began to flow down her cheeks, she screamed at the contact and looked up. Ryan looked down at her and smiled muttering soothing words as Jennifer put her arms around him holding him in a tight embrace, Ryan took the opportunity to survey the situation, all of the sheep had been killed, at least fifty maybe more. Scruff sat looking at him scared, ‘Don’t worry boy, we’ll be okay.’ He said soothingly, the dog barked once and its posture relaxed a little. Ryan began to stand up pulling the girl up with him, ‘Are you okay?’ he asked looking deep into her eyes. Jennifer looked at the farm boy and smiled, ‘Erm, yes I’m fine. Thank you.’ Ryan nodded and smiled back; they both turned and looked at the massacre of dead sheep around them, ‘What happened here?’ Jennifer muttered in awe.
‘I dunno, it’s not wolves and it’s not bears. Not even people could have done something like this.’
‘Then who?’ Jennifer asked. At that very moment Scruff began to growl again as he stood on all four paws and backed up closer to them, Ryan quickly pulled the crossbow from his back and slid one of the bolts into it sliding the sting back and locking it into place, he held his finger on the trigger and waited. ‘Look’s like we’re going too find out,’ he muttered.
Ryan cringed and took a step back as a roar echoed in the distance; a minute later he could hear the pounding of its feet as it got closer and closer. Ryan felt the wind blowing behind him and his eyes widened, ‘It can smell us, it can smell us!’ he shouted panicking as the pounding got closer and closer. ‘What?!’ Jennifer shouted as Scruff turned and began to run towards the barn, ‘Follow Scruff, follow the dog!’ He screamed as he turned and pushed the girl forward, together they ran towards the barn, the monster roared again having seen them running away it began to run after them. ‘It can smell our scent that’s why it’s running, whatever it is it’s going to kill us!’ Ryan shouted frantically as the stormed into the barn, together the began to shut the large wooden door, as it was almost shut a long skinny hand and arm slipped through the opening stopping the door, long curved claws extended from stubby fingers scratched the wood as the monster frantically tried to force the door open. Ryan and Jennifer pushed with all their might but to no prevail, Jennifer screamed as a claw cut her cheek. Ryan panicked as he thought of a plan, he saw the glint of metal in Jennifer’s belt and without hesitating pulled the steel dagger out and plunged it deep into the monsters forearm. They heard its agonising scream as it wiped its hand from the door taking the blade with it, together the slammed the barn door shut and pulled down the wooden bar. They both collapsed on the floor breathing heavily as they recovered, Ryan sat up and spat on the floor. ‘We can’t rest, that things going to continue to try to get in here,’ as if to prove a point one of the planks was ripped off of the wall causing Jennifer to scream.
More planks were ripped off of the walls and they saw little snippets of the monsters appearance as they awaited their death, Ryan cursed when he realised he had left the crossbow on the other side of the barn door. ‘Jennifer, look around for anything we can defend ourselves with.’ Ryan pulled his bronze dagger from his belt and placed it on the floor along with a small hunting knife from his boot. Jennifer nodded and ran off in search of tools; in the few minutes that followed they had a small collection of farming tools. The had lost a hoe and a spade when Ryan and stabbed at the monster through the hole it was making in the wall, it was almost big enough for it to fit through and Jennifer was in hysterics. ‘Hey, calm down, we’re gonna get through this alright? Look at me, look at me! We’re going to be alright.’ Ryan said gripping her by her shoulders and shaking her a couple of times. It seemed to do the trick as she nodded and seemed to calm down. They both turned to hear the monster roar again as it clawed its way into the barn.
‘Up the ladder, quickly!’ Ryan roared as the beast screamed, its head pushing through the gap. It’s yellow, beady eyes met with Ryan’s and the world seemed to stop as the two stared at one another. Ryan found himself examining the monster, plans forming in his head. The creature snarled baring it’s long jagged fangs, it hissed and retreated back. Ryan watched as it exposed more of it’s body to his line of sight, he found the beast was naked. No fur or feathers were found on it’s body just dark cream coloured flesh. Bones were clearly visible from underneath the skin on it’s arms, legs and spine while thick muscle bulged from it’s shoulders, thighs and chest. The monster stood at about seven foot, its lower body looked incredibly weak compared to that of its upper but Ryan could remember how quickly it had caught them up in the fields. He cocked his head to the side and winced, on the side of the creatures neck a quick pulsing movement was seen, a vein maybe? The monster roared as it threw itself against the hole the jagged planks tearing its skin causing it to bleed as splinters flew towards Ryan. ‘What the hell are you doing? Get up here now!’
Ryan snapped out of his trance as the beast gave a threatening growl before its shoulders smashed into the sides of the gap, its eyes never left Ryan as the young teen bustled about throwing all of their weapons up onto the platform with Jennifer. Ryan watched the monster pull back its body in another attempt to break through, without thinking Ryan picked up a short sharp piece of plank and waited silently. ‘What are doing?’ Jennifer screamed frantically, Ryan ignored her as the creature smashed into the wall it’s head and shoulders fitting through with ease. Ryan saw his chance and raised the makeshift dagger over his head bringing it down on the monsters neck where the vein pulsed. The monstrosity turned its shoulder at the last second as the sharp plank penetrated the flesh, it roared in agony as it’s head snapped forward opening its jaws and attempting to bite Ryan. He winced as the monsters face stopped a couple of inches away from his own, he could smell its ragged hot breath, the strong stench of raw meat as it snapped at him. He turned his head away in an attempt to block the stench as the monster roared again almost splitting his ear drums before yanking its head out of the gap. Ryan quickly burst into a run as he joined Jennifer and Scruff up on the platform, he glanced over the edge to see the monster throw itself at the gap once more, this time it’s body smashed through the gap in the wall causing the entire barn to shake. Ryan quickly steadied himself and watched as hundreds of small beads of crimson dropped from the many wounds the creature had inflicted upon itself, with every movement it made more blood began to fall. Ryan quietly joined Jennifer and Scruff behind a hay pile as the monster stalked the barn.
Ryan panted heavily as a bead of sweat ran down his face, a hand tightly clasped over his mouth as a voice hissed ‘Shut up you fool!’ Ryan turned and looked into Jennifer eyes, the voice was harsh but deep in her eyes Ryan could see how scared she truly was. Ryan slowly moved Jennifer’s hand with his own, giving it a quick squeeze before he slowly stood up. ‘Where are you going?’ She cried out a little too loud as the monsters head snapped round and looked into their direction, ‘Damn it, shut up! I’m gonna try something.’ Ryan panicked as the creature slowly got closer, he picked up a small stone and threw it to the other side of the barn, it bounced of the wall and echoed within the barn. The creatures head snapped around confused, it turned back to Ryan and growled before spinning around and poking its head forward, searching for movement. Ryan quietly picked up his small bronze dagger and crouched on the end of the platform, he wiped the palm of his hand on his grubby trousers before carefully gripping the blade. Ryan rolled his shoulders wondering why he was doing this before leaping off the platform into the air, he shouted a quick curse before bringing the blade down into the side of the monsters neck. The impact jarred Ryan’s shoulder as the blade stopped halfway through the beast’s neck, ‘Awww fu-,’ Ryan muttered as the beast stumbled forward. He was interrupted as the creature roared into the air, it flailed its arm back and Ryan felt its sharp claws tearing the flesh from his back as it grabbed him. It pulled him in front of his face and arched its head back baring its teeth as its small eyes burned into his skull, a glint of grey flew through the air as something hit the monstrosity with such force that Ryan was thrown through the air. His body bounced off of the wall and he landed heavily on the floor his entire body screaming in agony, Ryan slowly lifted his face from the dirt his head spinning and his vision turning blurry. He moaned as a trickle of blood ran down his cheek, he watched as Scruff tore into the monster with his fangs and teeth but always moving out of the way of its flailing claws. Ryan shouted out as a thin cut appeared on his arm, from within the hay next to him he eyes a glint of metal in the light.
Scruff yelped as the monster smashed its fist into the dogs body sending him flying across the barn, Jennifer shouted out catching the creatures attention as she flung a rake at it. The beast hissed and easily sidestepped the tool before roaring at Jennifer, she quickly paled and took a few steps back her heart beating faster and faster. An object flew at the beast’s head, closely followed by a ring of metal as a bucket bounced off the floor. The creature arched its neck and roared into the sky, it span around and Ryan could see the fire of anger burning in its eyes as it charged at him. Once it was close enough Ryan crouched down ignoring the screams of agony its body made, he grasped the handle of a sword and pulled it free from the hay. Red dots appeared in front of his eyes but Ryan ignored them, as soon as his vision was once again clear he saw the fear in the creatures eyes, as if remembering the tool which Ryan now possessed. It cried out as it tried to stop or alter it’s course but it was going to fast and had covered to much of a great distance. Ryan screamed and stabbed forward with all his strength, the blade easily cut through the flesh and muscle, it clipped a bone jarring Ryan’s bad shoulder but still he pushed forward until the blade cut straight through the heart. The blade continued to travel until it burst out from the monsters back and Ryan and it were in a hug like embrace, Ryan could feel it’s claws trying to cut his back open but Ryan had destroyed the last of its strength. Turning his body Ryan let the monster fall off of the sword and onto the barn floor as crimson painted the floors. Ryan staggered backwards as his legs gave away and the adrenaline left his system.
Ryan opened his eyes to find Jennifer kneeling beside him wiping the blood from his face, ‘Are you okay?’ She asked gently as Ryan slowly got up into a sitting position. His head spun and his entire body seemed to hurt, ‘I’ll live.’ He croaked, as Jennifer leant forward and kissed him gently on the lips. ‘That’s for saving my life,’ she said quietly as the two looked deep into each others eyes. Ryan leant forward and kissed her on the lips, ‘That’s for saving mine.’ Scruff padded up to them and licked Jennifer on the cheek, ‘Oi,’ She laughed stroking the dogs crown.
‘I guess that’s thanks for saving his as well.’ Ryan chuckled before coughing and clearing his throat as he spat a gob full of blood onto the dirt, Jennifer smiled and leant forward throwing her arms around him, holding him tightly. Ryan smiled and gently hugged her back ignoring the cries of protest his body made with every movement.
They stayed like that for a long time, ignoring the roars in the distance, the warning bell in the city and the cries of pain, dismay and horror that soon followed.
Kyran-Storm Curry.