The Honor of Beasts

Chapter Five

Laughter dances with the nice spring breeze, merging with the songs of birds faraway. We roll in the green grass, racing each other. Demetri and Rosalia. My brother and I, playing together and grinning from ear to ear.

But you're not supposed to play.

The voice startles me and I shake my head to get rid of it. We're happy little children having fun.

But you're not little. You're almost 18.

No, that's wrong. I stop, turning to look at my twin brother. He still has chubby cheeks, just like mine. Short legs and little fingers. I shake my head again, we're eight not 18 or anywhere near that.

Demetri passes me, sticking his pink tongue out. "What's wrong? Did you see a unicorn?" He asks mockingly, noticing my stares —knowing I still believe they exist.

I stick my tongue back out at him, "Winner gets the loser's blueberry tarts!" I shout then start rolling again. I pass him easily, smiling to myself and already savoring the taste of delicious victory, which in this case is the taste of blueberry tarts.

I always win.

  Someone screams. It's so loud and sudden that I stop to raise my head and look around. But I see nothing...except Demetri gaining on me. Strange...could I have imagined it? I take in a deep breath and start rolling once again. I've barely started when I hear it again, longer this time. I feel like I've heard it before, but I'm not sure where.

Turning to my brother, I ask, "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"The screams."

"The only screams I'm hearing are my screams of victory!" he says, chuckling at his stupid joke.

"No, I'm serious," I put a hand to stop him when he comes near me. "I think someones in trouble."

"Well, I don't hear anything," he pauses, eyes narrowing suspiciously. "Are you trying to trick me so you could win?"

"Why would I do that? I was already winning you idiot."

"I was right behind you. Now let me go."

I open my mouth to reply but I hear it again, closer. I look back at my brother, who's still eyeing me suspiciously.

"You can't tell me you didn't hear that, it was so close." I stand up, trying to pinpoint the source of the screams and Demetri takes the chance to escape.

"Demetri!! We have to help!"

"You're the one who needs help!"

"Fine, I'll go-"

I hear it again. Louder, closer. I start walking towards it. The person screams again -a boy by the sound of it- somewhere behind me. I whirl around and run in it's direction. He screams again, from my right, I turn. He screams again, from my left. Again, more urgent, above me... then below me. He screams in my ear, I feel his breath graze my cheek. Or was that the wind? Suddenly, it's everywhere, surrounding me on all sides, caging me within it's horrible sounds. I turn around covering my ears with my hands, but it only gets louder. What's happening?!

Maybe you're going crazy.

That voice again. No, no no no. Something's wrong.

The boy screams again, a high pitched scream. I feel my ears bleeding. I try to call my brother, but when I open my mouth only screams come out. I fall to the ground and cuddle into a ball, trying to stop the screams from seeping in. Trying to stop the pain.