Post by Dymion on Oct 6, 2015 21:29:03 GMT
Just off the border of Etirath...
Dark, thick clouds gathered in the heavens, as bright rays of gold, crimson and lavender danced across the sky. Night, slow and silent, worked to grip the world, and as the daily celestial war was waged, soft winds whipped the earth. Peace, disguised in the cloak of darkness, had come to the land. The day's deeds were done. And yet, distant yet close, a heavy, ominous storm brewed, streaks of white fire bolting to dirt below. A dull roiling echoed across the distance, echoing off every surface of the foothills. Their rolling shape did not to muffle the steady booms. They only faded, their greens and browns vanishing as light relinquished its hold in the world. Shadows and distant flashes filled the void. But ever closer the great winds creeped, blasting the cooling rocks.
It was an omen, such a storm on such a night, the moon tucked away behind the expanding clouds. But Dean did not know such things, and so paid no heed as the sun set. Perched on the railings of his family's porch, his soft, blue eyes only glanced at it once, then turned to his pup. Steed. Okay, so he had wanted a horse, a big, sturdy creature to call his own, just like Daddy's. And maybe he hadn't gotten it. But that was because Momma knew best, and as he tossed the small twig he had found back into the yard, Dean smiled at the bundle of fur as it bolted across the grass. It wasn't such a bad gift. His smile vanished as he felt a hand on his shoulder, and instead, curiosity filled his eyes, head looking up. It was Momma. Her soft, green eyes looked at him with a warm kindly love.
"Time to go inside, dear."
"Yes, Momma."
"Don't forget to help Daddy with Elene, first."
A new smile cracked across young Dean's face, and with childish excitement, he got to his feet, bolting across the yard and to the barn. Elene was Daddy's horse... the really big one. She was like the one Dean wished he had. So when he got a chance to help with the big brown mare, it didn’t take long for the eight year old to reach her. Even with the approaching storm, today was no exception, and as winds pulled at his clothes, the young boy reached the building just in time to meet Daddy. The sight of his son set a smile on the middle aged man, his gruff stubble deceiving compared to his smooth, deep voice. A large, leather glove pointed towards the barn door, his other hand holding Elene’s lead.
“See if you can hoist that bar, Dean.”
The words had hardly left Ned’s mouth as two hands gripped the wooden beam that spanned across the two doors, pushing at it from the bottom. This time, he would do it. And Daddy would watch as he showed him he could. But despite all the grunting and groaning and effort, he only could push it up halfway. With a puff of air, his arms dropped, defeated, a frown on his face as he looked at his father.
“I still can’t get it.”
The soft kind smile on his father’s face said it all, his hand absentmindedly wrapping the lead around the pole he had set for this very reason.
“You’ll get it next time, Dean. Go inside and grab Elene’s blanket, while I get her in. She’ll need it for this storm. It’s looking pretty bad.”
BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!
Dean shuddered beneath his blanket as the rumble of thunder rattled the bed and the walls, the sound of rain constantly battering the wood. Outside, he could hear the wind howling, assailing the home with a torrent of air.
BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!
In his chest, he could feel something well inside, drawing at his doubts. Would Elene be okay? And the barn? The fields? What about Momma and Daddy? Would they have to chase down Elene because the lightning scared Elene out the barn just before the thunder made it fall? Would they all be okay? Would they all...
He told himself to stop worrying. Daddy wouldn't let any of that happen. He was too strong. The storm would go away. It was weak. Daddy was always there. The thought calmed him down. Steed helped, his warm body nestled up against the young boy. It felt nice, just like knowing that everything would be fine. In the morning, he would wake up, get up, and go to the kitchen to find Momma there making breakfast. Because everything would be fine. Dean could feel the slight fear alleviate. He closed his eyes.
BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!
Something shifted on his covers. Imagination did the rest, and Dean sat straight up, wide eyes staring at whatever had twitched. It was only Steed. But something was wrong. The young pup had slept perfectly fine through all the thunder. But he was awake now, ears perked up as he looked out of Dean's door. The young boy craned his head, trying to see what monster was hiding outside in the hall. He couldn't see anything, so why...
He didn't even finish his thought before the young pup bolted from the bed, flying into the dark.
"Steed, come back!"
BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!
The boy's loud whisper paled to the cacophony outside. A few moments passed, and in young Dean's mind, a battle waged. He really liked Steed. Really, really liked Steed. So, with the slightest apprehension, two little feet touched the floor. He had to save Steed. From the monsters in the dark.
When Dean emerged from his room, he already felt a little better. He didn't have to sneak down the hall, the creaking boards hidden by the sounds outside. And it wasn't that dark. Just a lot. Blue, wide eyes scanned the floor, looking for the outline of his puppy. He didn't see him. He had to go further. Dean took a step. Nope, no dog. He took another. Then another. Then another. There.
Dean had just rounded the corner when he saw the furry outline, scratching at the front door. Whimpering.
"Steed, come on! Before the monster's get you!"
Even without the boom, his voice didn't affect the dog, its whimpers reaching his ears. Dean was confused. What was wrong with the door? It had worked fine when Daddy had come in? Curiosity tugged at the boy. He took a few more steps, moving across the dining room and to the door. His eyes focused on the wood. He couldn't see anything wrong. It was just a door. Wood, and the metal pieces that let it move. Small hands gripped the handle, and slowly pulled it open. Maybe there was something on the outside.
Heavy rain and winds buffeted the young boy, and all he could do was try to shout as Steed bolted across the yard, a flash of light illuminating the world outside.
BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!
A sense of despair ached in Dean's heart, watching as his puppy vanished around the corner of the barn. Had he done something wrong? Had he upset little Steed? Why did he run away? Why would he...
Dean didn't even notice the bolt of brown that zoomed back until he had almost been bowled over, the young canine yelping with tail between legs as it zoomed past the boy and back to the room.
BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!
"Steed!"
No one would hear Dean even when he shouted, the thunder perfectly timed and the rain so similar to his pattering feet. Back in his room, he looked around. Where was Steed? He'd seen him come ba-... The sound of whimpering echoed in the room, and slowly, dean dropped to his knees, head tilting to the side to see under his bed. Two, round brown eyes stared past him, into the hall. Dean didn't notice the shadow pass his door, his attention on the puppy.
"Come out, Steed. It's okay."
Dean tried hard to sound soothing to the puppy. It wasn't working. The dog refused to budge one muscle. It took a few minutes for the boy to give up, and slowly stand back to his feet. A sudden thought struck him. Why was the wind so loud? And the rain? Realization slowly dawned on the child as his eyes widened. The door! Small feet pattered quickly to the doorway. Small hands quickly pulled it shut. A breath of relief, and a silent thanks went up that Momma and Daddy hadn't woken up. Shoulders sagging at his little adventure, he turned and began down the hall. That's when he saw it. The door to Momma's and Daddy's door was wide open, all the way at the end of the hall. They never left it open. It was always closed. Always. That only meant one thing. They had to be up.
A sense of apprehension and a search for relief washed over him. Was he in trouble for waking them up? Would they maybe let him sleep with them? As his legs carried him forward, a sea of questions plagued his mind. He could go back to his room, and pretend it had never happened. The whole story would be his alone. And Steed's. But Dean needed comfort. And so he peaked his head around the doorframe. Oh, how he wished he hadn't.
"And I saw a maid, as fair as day, and took her to my bed. but as she sprawled across the sheets, I instead just severed her head."
Dean's young mouth dropped in horror, a flash of light from his parent's opened window illuminating the crimson sheets around his father's limp figure. The words of the demented ditty didn't even register, only the fact that the course, raspy voice came from two figures spinning in the open floor. His mother, her head lolling with the movements, and... a monster. A human monster.
Sendam was quite enjoying himself. This woman had great taste in music, a talent for appreciating voices, and she knew how to let a man lead. Of course, she didn't say that. But he didn't need her to. The complacent silence was enough. Granted, he had to do all the work, making up the words as he went and humming when he couldn't think of some, but he wasn't one to complain. That just soured the moment. And indeed this was an excellent moment. Just him, a lass, and her dead ex-husband. Now he just had to have her for dinner.
The madman wasn't even aware of the watching eyes until he tilted his partner back, her cold eyes zoning in on the young boy as his sickly green ones lighted on the brat. A few moments passed, the storm raging on as they took in one another. One frozen in fear. The other simply waiting. But as thought took Dean over, and he made to bolt, the quick reflexes of Sendam won the day, and as the boy's mother thunked to the ground, cold, wet hands gripped the boys shirt, pulling him up and off his feet.
"Ahhhhhh, no you don't."
Before Dean could start his scream of terror, two hands roughly pushed him against the wall, gripping his shoulders while his feet dangled off the ground. For a few seconds, all that occurred was the terrified shouts of the boy. Sendam simply watched, eye brows raised in a questioning look. When the grating sound stopped and the boy began to sob, the madman released a quick sigh.
"Are you done?"
He didn't get answer, large tears pouring down the boy's cheeks. A small, low growl escaped Sendam's throat, eyes rolling as he released the brat. A solid crack revealed he had hit the ground, and as fast as he had pinned the boy, the madman crouched down, right hand locking around the Dean's throat to hold him. His other hand reached up, caressing the child's cheeks like a mother as he stared him in the face, malevolent eyes burning with an inner glee. His voice was something different, soft and deceivingly soothing.
"Oh,shushshushshushshushshush. There, there, there. What could possibly be wrong? Is it something I said? Or maybe, my winning smile?
As the last word left his lips, his grip on the boy tightened, lips curling back into a demonic grin, displaying his pointed yellow teeth. Dean glanced only for a small moment before his eyes closed, a new wave of sobbing racking his small frame. All this did was set Sendam off on a cackle, his volume and shrillness increasing with each moment until it drowned out the tears. His demeanor had a sudden shift.
"SHUTUP!"
The sudden, violent snarl shocked the child, his sobs dying to small sniffles and hiccups as he tried his hardest to be quiet. A calm smile, this time teeth hidden, spread across Sendam's twisted lips. he cooed his next words, the tone soft,
"Thank you. Now, I'm going to teach you something, boy, and you had best listen well."
Dean remined wide eyed as Sendam's free hand brushed back the child's hair, his face coming close enough that their noses nearly touched.
"Stop looking for the monsters in the dark. You won't find them there. He smacked his lips, taking a deep breath before he continued. His free hand put a finger to the boy's head, tapping it. "They're up here, waiting to get out." The smile plastered to his face grew, and his voice took a light tone. "Keep them there. They come in quite handy." He finally flashed his teeth, the grip on Dean's throat loosening as he stood up swiftly. His hand disappeared into the coat he was wearing, and moments later, could be seen, a red object in his hand.
"Have an apple."
Dean didn't move as the fruit landed in his lap, terror freezing his mind as he watched the lunatic walk away, facing the corpse of his mother.
"Now, if you'll excuse me..." The demented figure bent over, grasping at the feminine figure and groaning as he shrugged it over his shoulder. His green eyes locked onto the boy. "...I'm late for dinner."
Eight heavy steps brought the madman to the window, and with yet another heavy groan, his muscles straining as he heaved the body out the window and into the storm outside.
BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!
One leg went over the edge of the window before he threw one last glance back at the still immobile child, and then he was gone. With Dean's life in tow.
Dark, thick clouds gathered in the heavens, as bright rays of gold, crimson and lavender danced across the sky. Night, slow and silent, worked to grip the world, and as the daily celestial war was waged, soft winds whipped the earth. Peace, disguised in the cloak of darkness, had come to the land. The day's deeds were done. And yet, distant yet close, a heavy, ominous storm brewed, streaks of white fire bolting to dirt below. A dull roiling echoed across the distance, echoing off every surface of the foothills. Their rolling shape did not to muffle the steady booms. They only faded, their greens and browns vanishing as light relinquished its hold in the world. Shadows and distant flashes filled the void. But ever closer the great winds creeped, blasting the cooling rocks.
It was an omen, such a storm on such a night, the moon tucked away behind the expanding clouds. But Dean did not know such things, and so paid no heed as the sun set. Perched on the railings of his family's porch, his soft, blue eyes only glanced at it once, then turned to his pup. Steed. Okay, so he had wanted a horse, a big, sturdy creature to call his own, just like Daddy's. And maybe he hadn't gotten it. But that was because Momma knew best, and as he tossed the small twig he had found back into the yard, Dean smiled at the bundle of fur as it bolted across the grass. It wasn't such a bad gift. His smile vanished as he felt a hand on his shoulder, and instead, curiosity filled his eyes, head looking up. It was Momma. Her soft, green eyes looked at him with a warm kindly love.
"Time to go inside, dear."
"Yes, Momma."
"Don't forget to help Daddy with Elene, first."
A new smile cracked across young Dean's face, and with childish excitement, he got to his feet, bolting across the yard and to the barn. Elene was Daddy's horse... the really big one. She was like the one Dean wished he had. So when he got a chance to help with the big brown mare, it didn’t take long for the eight year old to reach her. Even with the approaching storm, today was no exception, and as winds pulled at his clothes, the young boy reached the building just in time to meet Daddy. The sight of his son set a smile on the middle aged man, his gruff stubble deceiving compared to his smooth, deep voice. A large, leather glove pointed towards the barn door, his other hand holding Elene’s lead.
“See if you can hoist that bar, Dean.”
The words had hardly left Ned’s mouth as two hands gripped the wooden beam that spanned across the two doors, pushing at it from the bottom. This time, he would do it. And Daddy would watch as he showed him he could. But despite all the grunting and groaning and effort, he only could push it up halfway. With a puff of air, his arms dropped, defeated, a frown on his face as he looked at his father.
“I still can’t get it.”
The soft kind smile on his father’s face said it all, his hand absentmindedly wrapping the lead around the pole he had set for this very reason.
“You’ll get it next time, Dean. Go inside and grab Elene’s blanket, while I get her in. She’ll need it for this storm. It’s looking pretty bad.”
BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!
Dean shuddered beneath his blanket as the rumble of thunder rattled the bed and the walls, the sound of rain constantly battering the wood. Outside, he could hear the wind howling, assailing the home with a torrent of air.
BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!
In his chest, he could feel something well inside, drawing at his doubts. Would Elene be okay? And the barn? The fields? What about Momma and Daddy? Would they have to chase down Elene because the lightning scared Elene out the barn just before the thunder made it fall? Would they all be okay? Would they all...
He told himself to stop worrying. Daddy wouldn't let any of that happen. He was too strong. The storm would go away. It was weak. Daddy was always there. The thought calmed him down. Steed helped, his warm body nestled up against the young boy. It felt nice, just like knowing that everything would be fine. In the morning, he would wake up, get up, and go to the kitchen to find Momma there making breakfast. Because everything would be fine. Dean could feel the slight fear alleviate. He closed his eyes.
BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!
Something shifted on his covers. Imagination did the rest, and Dean sat straight up, wide eyes staring at whatever had twitched. It was only Steed. But something was wrong. The young pup had slept perfectly fine through all the thunder. But he was awake now, ears perked up as he looked out of Dean's door. The young boy craned his head, trying to see what monster was hiding outside in the hall. He couldn't see anything, so why...
He didn't even finish his thought before the young pup bolted from the bed, flying into the dark.
"Steed, come back!"
BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!
The boy's loud whisper paled to the cacophony outside. A few moments passed, and in young Dean's mind, a battle waged. He really liked Steed. Really, really liked Steed. So, with the slightest apprehension, two little feet touched the floor. He had to save Steed. From the monsters in the dark.
When Dean emerged from his room, he already felt a little better. He didn't have to sneak down the hall, the creaking boards hidden by the sounds outside. And it wasn't that dark. Just a lot. Blue, wide eyes scanned the floor, looking for the outline of his puppy. He didn't see him. He had to go further. Dean took a step. Nope, no dog. He took another. Then another. Then another. There.
Dean had just rounded the corner when he saw the furry outline, scratching at the front door. Whimpering.
"Steed, come on! Before the monster's get you!"
Even without the boom, his voice didn't affect the dog, its whimpers reaching his ears. Dean was confused. What was wrong with the door? It had worked fine when Daddy had come in? Curiosity tugged at the boy. He took a few more steps, moving across the dining room and to the door. His eyes focused on the wood. He couldn't see anything wrong. It was just a door. Wood, and the metal pieces that let it move. Small hands gripped the handle, and slowly pulled it open. Maybe there was something on the outside.
Heavy rain and winds buffeted the young boy, and all he could do was try to shout as Steed bolted across the yard, a flash of light illuminating the world outside.
BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!
A sense of despair ached in Dean's heart, watching as his puppy vanished around the corner of the barn. Had he done something wrong? Had he upset little Steed? Why did he run away? Why would he...
Dean didn't even notice the bolt of brown that zoomed back until he had almost been bowled over, the young canine yelping with tail between legs as it zoomed past the boy and back to the room.
BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!
"Steed!"
No one would hear Dean even when he shouted, the thunder perfectly timed and the rain so similar to his pattering feet. Back in his room, he looked around. Where was Steed? He'd seen him come ba-... The sound of whimpering echoed in the room, and slowly, dean dropped to his knees, head tilting to the side to see under his bed. Two, round brown eyes stared past him, into the hall. Dean didn't notice the shadow pass his door, his attention on the puppy.
"Come out, Steed. It's okay."
Dean tried hard to sound soothing to the puppy. It wasn't working. The dog refused to budge one muscle. It took a few minutes for the boy to give up, and slowly stand back to his feet. A sudden thought struck him. Why was the wind so loud? And the rain? Realization slowly dawned on the child as his eyes widened. The door! Small feet pattered quickly to the doorway. Small hands quickly pulled it shut. A breath of relief, and a silent thanks went up that Momma and Daddy hadn't woken up. Shoulders sagging at his little adventure, he turned and began down the hall. That's when he saw it. The door to Momma's and Daddy's door was wide open, all the way at the end of the hall. They never left it open. It was always closed. Always. That only meant one thing. They had to be up.
A sense of apprehension and a search for relief washed over him. Was he in trouble for waking them up? Would they maybe let him sleep with them? As his legs carried him forward, a sea of questions plagued his mind. He could go back to his room, and pretend it had never happened. The whole story would be his alone. And Steed's. But Dean needed comfort. And so he peaked his head around the doorframe. Oh, how he wished he hadn't.
"And I saw a maid, as fair as day, and took her to my bed. but as she sprawled across the sheets, I instead just severed her head."
Dean's young mouth dropped in horror, a flash of light from his parent's opened window illuminating the crimson sheets around his father's limp figure. The words of the demented ditty didn't even register, only the fact that the course, raspy voice came from two figures spinning in the open floor. His mother, her head lolling with the movements, and... a monster. A human monster.
***
Sendam was quite enjoying himself. This woman had great taste in music, a talent for appreciating voices, and she knew how to let a man lead. Of course, she didn't say that. But he didn't need her to. The complacent silence was enough. Granted, he had to do all the work, making up the words as he went and humming when he couldn't think of some, but he wasn't one to complain. That just soured the moment. And indeed this was an excellent moment. Just him, a lass, and her dead ex-husband. Now he just had to have her for dinner.
The madman wasn't even aware of the watching eyes until he tilted his partner back, her cold eyes zoning in on the young boy as his sickly green ones lighted on the brat. A few moments passed, the storm raging on as they took in one another. One frozen in fear. The other simply waiting. But as thought took Dean over, and he made to bolt, the quick reflexes of Sendam won the day, and as the boy's mother thunked to the ground, cold, wet hands gripped the boys shirt, pulling him up and off his feet.
"Ahhhhhh, no you don't."
Before Dean could start his scream of terror, two hands roughly pushed him against the wall, gripping his shoulders while his feet dangled off the ground. For a few seconds, all that occurred was the terrified shouts of the boy. Sendam simply watched, eye brows raised in a questioning look. When the grating sound stopped and the boy began to sob, the madman released a quick sigh.
"Are you done?"
He didn't get answer, large tears pouring down the boy's cheeks. A small, low growl escaped Sendam's throat, eyes rolling as he released the brat. A solid crack revealed he had hit the ground, and as fast as he had pinned the boy, the madman crouched down, right hand locking around the Dean's throat to hold him. His other hand reached up, caressing the child's cheeks like a mother as he stared him in the face, malevolent eyes burning with an inner glee. His voice was something different, soft and deceivingly soothing.
"Oh,shushshushshushshushshush. There, there, there. What could possibly be wrong? Is it something I said? Or maybe, my winning smile?
As the last word left his lips, his grip on the boy tightened, lips curling back into a demonic grin, displaying his pointed yellow teeth. Dean glanced only for a small moment before his eyes closed, a new wave of sobbing racking his small frame. All this did was set Sendam off on a cackle, his volume and shrillness increasing with each moment until it drowned out the tears. His demeanor had a sudden shift.
"SHUTUP!"
The sudden, violent snarl shocked the child, his sobs dying to small sniffles and hiccups as he tried his hardest to be quiet. A calm smile, this time teeth hidden, spread across Sendam's twisted lips. he cooed his next words, the tone soft,
"Thank you. Now, I'm going to teach you something, boy, and you had best listen well."
Dean remined wide eyed as Sendam's free hand brushed back the child's hair, his face coming close enough that their noses nearly touched.
"Stop looking for the monsters in the dark. You won't find them there. He smacked his lips, taking a deep breath before he continued. His free hand put a finger to the boy's head, tapping it. "They're up here, waiting to get out." The smile plastered to his face grew, and his voice took a light tone. "Keep them there. They come in quite handy." He finally flashed his teeth, the grip on Dean's throat loosening as he stood up swiftly. His hand disappeared into the coat he was wearing, and moments later, could be seen, a red object in his hand.
"Have an apple."
Dean didn't move as the fruit landed in his lap, terror freezing his mind as he watched the lunatic walk away, facing the corpse of his mother.
"Now, if you'll excuse me..." The demented figure bent over, grasping at the feminine figure and groaning as he shrugged it over his shoulder. His green eyes locked onto the boy. "...I'm late for dinner."
Eight heavy steps brought the madman to the window, and with yet another heavy groan, his muscles straining as he heaved the body out the window and into the storm outside.
BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!
One leg went over the edge of the window before he threw one last glance back at the still immobile child, and then he was gone. With Dean's life in tow.