Dark Creatures

Thick curly smoke fills the air as embers singe the thick fabric of my dress. My toes burn from stepping on hot ash and splintered wood. Each breath is agonizing. Confusion, panic, and fear as I watch my close family and friends scream while grabbing what’s closest to them. Blood stains the grass, homes, and the dead. “Elvira ! Hide! Run away!” Screams my mother from the house. It all happened so fast. The night was cool to the touch. In a blink of an eye it was blazing. A creature locks eyes with me and starts bolting towards me. “Elvira! Listen to me! Run!” Crying out loud my mother runs to me as I’m paralyzed with fear. The creature stands tall with long talons hanging from it massive arms. Flesh that looks rotting, blood dripping from its mouth full of razor teeth. It raises it arm to swipe and I don’t even have time to brace. A thick liquid is sprawled across my face. The creature had sliced my mother clean into 4 parts. Her head tumbled beneath my feet. Opening my mouth to scream, my eyes open and I’m staring at sleeping quarters wall. “Elvira are you ok?” Charlize gives me worried eyes. “Another nightmare sweetheart?” Her gaze turns apologetic and she sighs. “Yeah, another nightmare” I wipe my eyes clean and swing over the side of the bed. “I’m always here to talk about” She smiles with those round brown eyes. “Charlize, no offense. We’ve been over this. I don’t need to talk about it. It’s fantasy. Something my mind makes up because I’m bored. I mean can you blame me? Look at the world we live in” She looks down at the ground and leaves the quarters without a word. Not many humans are left in the world. They keep a small population of us alive to tend to their world. Some of us slaves, farmers, and village workers. The village workers got to live normal lives providing and living as the world use to be. I was not as lucky. Fated to work until I die cleaning up after the royal family of Orcs. Loyal warriors of King Asmodeus, demons and monsters came in many forms here. Some very obvious and others not so much. It was important to watch your tongue at all times, it could very well be the last time it’s attached to your body. The creatures of the world made it very clear the were not afraid to slaughter any disobedient humans. Each species stayed in separate kingdoms, only wandering to complete business. In the center of it all was the human village, where we come when allowed. If you had gracious masters you’d come frequently, to enjoy food, company and still feel some normalcy. The creatures would come to purchase slaves, torment, and remind us who’s world we’re living in. I start my daily chores. I was a cleaner. Most upper class families of the species have human maids, cooks, groundskeepers, and other workers depending on the species. I was safe from s****l torment unlike other unlucky humans. The King and Queen Orc were not tolerate of it in their palace. It was possible a human could taint the bloodline.we humans were not aloud to intermingle unless paired to repopulate. I always longed for touch, but I’m destined to never receive it. It was a 1 out of 1,000,000 chance to get selected for breeding. Absentmindedly I clean each room, mopping floors, dusting, and wrapping up large amounts of orc splooge into sheets. “Elvira” A deep but smooth feminine voice calls. It was Queen Anges. I stand up straight and flatten the front of my dress. “Yes my Queen” I say attentively. She’s always been a gracious Queen. “King Asmodeus is requesting the Kingdoms gather for a gala. You’ve been promoted. Don’t think I haven’t noticed your extra effort. Me and the King are very observant of your obedience. From now on you will be the Coordinator.” I keep my gasp down my throat but can’t help to smile. Coordinator is a big deal. I no longer clean up after others. I delegate the other humans tasks. It also means more trips to the village for me. Excitement starts bubbling in my blood. “Thank you my Queen” “Please go the village today. Pick out a suitable gift for our King. Change into your updated uniform before you leave. We expect by Friday to have your plans for our contribution to the gala.” “Yes my Queen. Right away.” She nods and walks off down into the hallway as I head back towards the sleeping quarters. Draped along my bed is a white dress with a black bodice. Stitch along the sleeves in red was the Orc Kingdom symbol. A simple circle with a spear slashed threw the middle. The fabric was softer than the maid uniform. It wasn’t a closed chest like the maid uniforms either. But revealing, I had forgotten what it felt like to see my womanhood. Staring blankly at my self in the mirror I gaze at brown flowing locks cascading down my shoulders. It tickles as it brushes against my chest. I lock gazes with dark green eyes, freckles covering my cheeks. The dress brought back the woman in me. I grab a satchel left hanging on the bed post. It contains a large bag of gold coins. I’m greatful it’s an hour ride to the village. It’ll give me time to catch up on my thoughts.