Fear The Light

The field and the stranger

The sudden fall of snowflakes quickly became sheets upon the dark dirt. In a mater of a few days the snow was nearing 9 inches and growing. I hunted and scavenged over the course of a week; crossing over a massacre of what looked to be small hiking groups. An unnerving two days travel from my cave. No survivors. Like the previously attacked areas I took what I could and burned the remains. With my hands clasped I hoped the dead could hear my many silent prayers.
I heaved harder on the rope pulling the heavily packed sled behind me as the icy wind blew harder. The night was running short and although the snow covered my tracks I had no intention of watching the sun raise while out in the open.

My boots crunched down into the pristine snow of the small open field. Mucky clouds hung low in the midsts of dark sky's; my head turned to the sky trying to suck down more air into my frigid lungs. I stood within the middle of the white field for a moment. A crack was heard from behind. The sound sudden and echoing, nearly blending into the thickening wind. Dropping the rope I spun around, turning in all directions making myself dizzy with panic, searching for the cause of the sound. My eyes landed on a crouching figure just within the brush of the tree line. It was approximately 100 feet from where I stood, my line of sight blurry with a flurry of falling snow. The being rose slowly, it's movements smooth and fluid. My footing faltered as I stepped back knocking myself to the ground. The being approached the clearing with swift steps. Hastily pulling myself off the ground I turned to run, my boots slipping on the slick snow. I hadn't made it but five feet before I stilled.
The being was now in front of me. Soundless and fast. It's appearance far from that of the monsters I had known before. His burning eyes staring into me as he came towards me. Shutting my eyes, my heart beats filling my ears, as the numbing cold clawed through my clothes as I fought against a panic attack. I have waited for so long to find another person but now I wasn't so sure it was a good thing. The deep seeded fear of the unknown was almost too much to bare. He didn't look to be deformed and didn't smell rotten either. Although very tall, dark and underdressed in his tattered dark clothes he posed no real threat.

A thudding crunching sound was suddenly heard. My eyes shot open to see the large man on his knees, palms against the snowy ground. Stepping back I surveyed the sight before me. Is he bowing?
My only question answered as his deep sultry voice bellowed from his mouth.
"Please give me aid" he said. An unrecognizable accent lacing his words.
My gaze flickered to the lightening clouds, daylight was approaching. Turning back to face him with a silent scream, my instincts running a muck within my brain.
"Why should I help you? And how do I know you won't kill me or that your not one of those monsters!?"
His voice reverberated off the ground sending a shiver through me.
"Do not fear me, for I am of the lost...but those who aid us shall never be befallen by death"
With an unsettling sense of easement I turned away, my speedy steps trailing back to my sled, grabbing the wet rope I began to walk around him. He hadn't moved. A dark statue in the midst of white. A wall of guilt rising into place; I made pace toward the tree line as my voice hurried out.
"Alright. Common then...we won't have much time"
My gut warmed in agreement to my decision. I hoped I had in fact made the correct choice. His heavy foot falls trailed after me. The sun just began to glimmer through the thick grey clouds as we entered the mouth of the cave. I bent back occasionally towards the tall dark figure behind me, making sure he followed me deep into the twists and turns of the caverns and tunnels of the cave. Finally I was home. Unraveling the binding from the sled, the items clattered onto the floor. One after the other I gathered up and took all of the supplies inside paying little mind to the statuesque figure that stood beside the doorway. Although silent I could feel the unmistakable burn of his intense gaze on me. Stretching heavily, my back cracked, the relaxing sensation curling around my body. My pace hurried as I stoked the fire before sauntering back out of the doorway to find the figure still there.
I motioned for him to enter but he made no move to do so. My brow rose as my questioning tone coated my voice.
"So will you be sleeping out here or will you come inside?"
"If the entrance is conceded then passage will be granted."
I stood silent. Bewildered to the deepest sense of the word before giving up and taking hold of his arm.
"Common"
He didn't resist. His steps sounding strangely echoey in the small caverns. Placing the makeshift door I continued with my routine. Lighting the torches around each room until all was bright. By then I could now see him clearly. My voice caught within my throat, my wide eyes stared at the demonic monstrous looking thing sitting cross legged in the middle of the room. It wasn't a human like I had originally thought. Although in the dark he was nearly identical to that of a large adult, dark skinned man. A squeaky sounded escaped me as my legs gave out. The stone floor warmed my numb legs slightly as I willed myself to stand but to no avail. I had pushed myself too hard and for that I could no longer stand. We stared at each other, a tense speechless silence between us. My eyes taking in his appearance. His limbs were very long, hands with long fingered claws, his skin looked smooth like it was covered in snake scales and dark mist. His body seemed to morph continuously like he was always changing, his features although Inherently attractive were difficult to pin down. But some features were distinct, he was very muscular and tall, his eyes were like burning suns, high cheek bones and a defined jaw full of fang like teeth and a long slender nearly missable tail. Tearing away my eyes from him, a dizziness swept over me. I hit the floor unable to even hold myself upright. What's going on? ...

My vision blurred as I watched the demons uncovered feet come forward.