The Timid Monster

The Timid Monster Chapter One- Timid He was smug as he looked at me, but I ignored it. I was here for one reason. “What is it called?” I asked him. “The Timid Monster is the named we’ve given it.” That was preposterous. “How can it be timid but also be a monster?” He smiled a grand smile and said sweetly, “Go see for yourself.” I wasn’t one to back down, so I went closer just a few feet. A lancing fear struck through me, so strong it almost made me weep as if I were a child. I was no child. So I forced myself to take another step, each one bringing me closer, made more fear pump in my veins as if a syringe had shot it straight into my still heart. My heart no longer beat, hadn’t in years, but the blood circulated fine in my limbs thanks to a spell. My skin had a healthy hue to it and no one was the wiser. The figure moved and my breath left me. What was it emitting that made me so afraid? I took a step closer and saw it shaking, just slightly. Perhaps timid fit. Sinister also fit. But how could they go together? The glass was dark so I could only make out a silhouette. No eyes looked back at me and I heard nothing. I could only feel it’s presence, jolting every hair on my body to attention. I had reason to be afraid here. I ached to ask it my question but the words froze on my lips. It moved. Then I saw eyes and a scream ripped from my throat, sharp and frightened. My knees buckled and I brought my arms overhead in an effort to protect myself but nothing came. I looked back up and nothing was there so I stood again and the eyes looked back at me. They pulsed at me, searching not for the features on my face but for the weaknesses I might possess. I knew this creature would know them with a look. “Hello?” I forced myself to say. I had nothing to fear, it was locked up. It could not hurt me. A smile, the most frightening smile that ever damned any face spread across its. I refused to buckle under my fear again but my knees clanked together, threatening to do just that. “Sweet creatures like you taste good.” It said, its voice a whisper, caressing my ears. Sweat gathered around the parts of my body that touched. “What creatures have you tasted?” I asked it. I was looking at it but my mind was blank. I knew nothing else of what I wanted. Was it doing that? “Many, angels, demons, humans, and even warlocks like you. Warlocks don’t taste as good as angels though. I’m not going to eat you. I’d much rather breed you, but I can see that someone beat me to it.” My words were all jumbled in my brain so I said nothing for a while. “What are you?” I asked finally. It smiled and I flinched away. I chanted in my head, you are here for a reason. You are here for a reason. “I am a ghoul.” It said. “Where do you come from?” I had no idea what a ghoul was. “A realm long since destroyed. You have never heard of it.” “I would like to know its name.” Another smile, “Would you?” “Yes,” I whispered surely. “Diablerie.” It said and a shiver went up my spine. The glass disappeared and It was before me, towering over, looking and pushing with its aura. I was being suffocated, I would die . Surely I would die; this feeling would kill me and my unborn child. “Be still.” It said and I heard sirens, an alarm, I realized. It was out. Out! “I have something to give you before I go.” It said. Did I want something from it? But it didn’t seem like I should say no. I looked up at its terrible face and nodded. It smiled and I cowed in fear, but my legs held me up. “You are strong Bolivia. Many have come across me in search of the truth about themselves and I have devoured each one. Bolivia Enterprise. The blessed one. You have a long sinister road ahead of you young warlock. Take this.” It extended a black, rotted hand. In it lay a ring. “What will it do to me?” “You will forever remain unchanged. The child I’m afraid will not be protected. Take it. You will be impervious to the elements, and most importantly you will live for thousands of years with this ring. No harm will come to you. I will be your guardian. Your champion. Don’t be afraid any longer Bolivia. You are greater than that. Far greater.” It said. The alarm still rang and smoke filled the room. I took the ring and it slid onto my finger on its own. A lightning bolt struck the creature and I fell, slamming onto my back. “What is your name?” I called into the smoke, maybe it could still hear. My ears rang so loud I wasn’t sure I would be able to hear it. “Tabulas, do not speak it to anyone unless you need them to die a horrible death. It is a curse.” It said and another bolt hit it and then it dissolved into shadows, seeping into me through my nose. Blood dripped from my eyes and nose. I fainted and knew no more.