The Monarch: Days of Dusk

Eric Dark. So dark. Pain. These were the first things I noticed as I woke up but I don’t remember sleeping in the first place. Why is it so dark? I tried to get up and immediately my left knee throbbed with pain. Damn Swaying a little, teeth clenched, I cursed. What the hell has happened? Where the hell am I? I questioned myself in the dark. I realised to my horror that I didn’t knew. I could feel my body waking up, life kicking into my limbs again, I could feel my body again, the pain too. Trying to divert my mind from the pain and also to quell the growing fear, I looked around but to no avail, it was too dark. Then I spotted the light. I turned towards it, it was a flickering, pale yellow light. Gazing back, I could see nothing but the abyss staring back at me. Instinctively, I started moving towards the light. Pain was bearable and I could walk, albeit with some difficulty. I tripped and almost fell after a few steps but managed not to fall, at least not on my face. Still I scraped my hand a bit and it wasn’t exactly comforting to my shoulder and knee. Great, what next? While following the light and moving towards it, I felt a primal kind of feeling. Like something innate, to come out of the dark and seek the light.It felt like the will to move towards it was not wholly my own but was something that my very essence demanded. As I was reaching the light, I noticed that the ground below me changed. It was wet now. Not the muddy kind of wet, but the slick wetness of water upon stone, just a bit rougher. The light was now becoming more and more beautiful, enchanting even. It’s reflection in the water granted it somewhat of an ethereal quality. Limping towards the light as I could, I could feel my fear and anxiety lessening with every new step. Every step brought a sense of relief. But as I drew closer, I stumbled upon a horrific site. There was a lamppost burning brightly and underneath the light, clutching the pole tightly, was a blood smeared girl. She had on what looked to be a white dress, blood smeared on it here and there. Her neck was fully covered in blood and her beautiful face was in stark contrast with the rest of her body. Her fair hair fell down over her shoulder. She appeared to be in pain, clenching her jaw while her eyes were closed. Such long eyelashes….The whole scene bewildered me to no end, I even forgot my own fear. “Are you hurt? Who are you?” I asked, my voice sounding oddly low. “They did it.” She said weakly, sobbing. “They would not be bound for long….” What the f**k is she talking about? She seemed like she was in a trance. I drew closer and was about to ask another question when her eyes flicked open and she looked at me. I staggered back, almost fell. I was shocked. They were dark. Completely. There was no discernible iris, no pupil, everything inside of her sockets was dark. Then she screamed. A bloodcurdling, chilling scream that shook me to my core. She screamed without relent, like she was under some form of torment. She never moved an inch, mouth agape, just screamed. I panicked, shocked by what was happening. I instinctively made to the right, limping as swiftly as I could, the ground suddenly turned into a slope and I slid down on my back. After reaching the flat surface, I got on my feet quickly, limping away. After I covered some distance, I noticed I could no longer hear anything. Looking back, I saw no one was following me too. That’s a relief. Now, my body was protesting from exhaustion and pain. My heart was beating like drum in my chest, ready to burst any any moment. Looking back, I saw that, apparently, my “tunnel” was a fallen building with windows boarded up. Strange, though no more than what was inside. Looking up, tonight was a full moon. It’s light illuminated my surroundings. I saw buildings here and there, all run down and fallen into disrepair. I was in an abandoned village. Every house looked deserted. I decided that the vest course of action would be to find a safe place to spend the night, rest my body. Gods know I need it. As my thoughts swirled, some questions rang in my brain again and again. Who was that girl? Was she for real? What was I doing there? Who the f**k am I? I questioned my own sanity. No! I can’t think like that now. I have to find a safe place first. So I started roaming around. Whilst roaming the village, I constantly thought just what the hell happened here. Where are all the people? Then I heard something and I became absolutely still. It sounded like someone was crying, sobbing quietly. HOLY HELL! I quickly limped in the opposite direction, as fast as I could. Even if someone actually needed my help, what good can I do, being all battered as I am? I tried to assure my conscience. I can hardly keep myself from falling. As I was thinking this, I sensed movement behind me and as I turned, I saw something moving to strike me. By sheer reflex, I brought my arm to shield my face and then it struck. CRACK. The force behind the attack was so much that I fell from the impact, my hand hitting my head hard and upon falling, my shoulder erupted in pain. Groaning with pain, I tried to see who the attacker was. The attacker raised a weapon which appeared to be a rod or a solid stick, poised to strike again. Gods! Bleary eyed and in deep pain, I stammered quickly. “No no no NO! Please, stop!” I pleaded, my arm raised. “Huh” she exclaimed as she brought forth a lantern from under the folds of her cloak and shone the light on me. “You are not feral.” She said it as a matter of fact, more to herself than me. Feral? What the f**k is she talking about? I focused my vision and saw her as clearly as I could. She was about six feet, lean strong build with scarlet hair and a somewhat pretty face, though it was hard to see in the light. “Who are you?” She asked. “What are you doing here?” Like I know! “I…..” Just as I was about to say, I heard something run towards us, swift. We turned to see what it was. It was a small child, no more than 6 or 7 perhaps. It was hard to tell if it was a girl or a boy. Unbound dark hair and dark clothing, the child had something uncanny about it. There was a certain ‘stiffness’ in it and the way it stated at us gave me the chills. Who…. It stated still for a few seconds and then made a low hissing sound and in the blink of an eye, rushed towards me.