Amalgamation of Hysteria: Roses- Book One (Sneak Peek)

Prologue

Crimson roses with emerald vines intertwined were painted on the walls, while beams fastened to create a ravishing design of the sun upon the ceiling where a candled chandelier hung. Moonlight filtrating through an open window highlighted a young boy at rest on an ethereal velvet bed made specifically for his luxury. As the prince, the entirety of his living space was lavished with intricacy, including his own handmade flower crown weaved by the stems. It sat upon his wooden dresser, which was painted white with pink blossoms.

The door, at the opposite end of the room, was soon opened, and a man stepped over towards the sleeping child. "Wake up," he whispered while prodding the young male, "I have an entreaty."

"Oh grandfather, how may I help you?" yawned the prince, sitting up at once.

"Come with me, out of the dynasty and to the forest. We shall play a mind game, and thereafter a surprise will await you," had replied the child's grandfather with an unarticulated leer.

The boy giggled, "Have Tiger and Tawny been awoken as well, to accompany us?"

"No. This is for you only, not your little brother and sister. I'll be waiting aside the entryway." The prince's grandfather walked towards the doorway, "Be swift and silent."

Lifting himself from off his bed, the male stretched and smoothed down his sleepwear. For an event like this, he thought, I should wear one of my best outfits. Grandfather has never really had any interest in me before, so I suppose that I shall try my best to impress him.

Selecting white finery the boy suited up. For a final touch he placed his flower crown upon his head of wavy ginger hair which had granted him his name: Fire. As he left his room, went down the hall, and had gone halfway down the grand stairs, panic struck him as he realized he had forgotten his contacts.

Despite having perfect vision, his eyes were much different from an ordinary person's. The only purpose of his contacts was to help him blend in with the rest of society; to appear normal. Fire hated them, believing that dissimilarities should be embraced. Though he knew that with such a judgmental society he'd have to hide his eyes.

Henceforth, only three knew about his abnormality, his deemed imperfection; not even his own grandfather. Though by now it was far too late to receive them, for his grandfather spotted and waved him over from the entryway.

"Come along, we're running low on time, we must hurry," the man groaned as he pulled Fire out the castle's entrance.

He hasn't even noticed, the prince thought with both relief and dejection while being dragged through the village by his arm. Using his free hand the boy held his crown in place. I can't lose you.

"Now," started the grandfather, slowly shutting and locking the dynasty's metal front gate to prevent clatter. "Let's hasten before dawn makes its peak."

For seasons it seemed they had trekked along the leaden yet vivacious forest, although it was barely over an hour. Fire, despite winded and laggard, hadn't asked to move at a more leisurely pace than that his grandfather had set for them. Perhaps this is a test of endurance, the young boy thought. If I have stamina, hunting for my dynasty shall be simpler.

The prince and his grandfather soon were at a halt near a broken down cottage house. I've never seen this before, pondered Fire. "Grandfather, where have you taken me?" he asked, with his gaze concentrated on the dry earth to not convey attentiveness to his eyes.

"The location doesn't matter much," he replied, letting go of Fire's arm and instead clasping his hands around the boy's tense shoulders. "Be that as it may, inside awaits your special little present," said he with a hint of bitterment laced in his voice.

We are very far from the dynasty I believe, thought Fire, though I will listen to grandfather and not pester. After all, I must make an adequate impression on myself.

"Why do you stare earthward, little boy?" asked the large man.

Disconcert tingling unfurled on the whole of his body; lento the young boy brought his gaze to his grandfather. "Mother, our Seers, and I have known about this for years. I wear contacts to hide my imperfections. But I didn't ever let anybody see, Grandfather. I kept it hidden. I..." Fire's voice abated under his grandfather's nonchalant stare.

"To digress," the man abruptly started, "I must ask you essential questions pertaining to morals."

Grandfather doesn't look shocked by this, perhaps he had been told? wondered the prince. Alas, he has questions for me. I aim to overawe him with my answers.

The young boy's grandfather tightened his grip on his shoulders. "If one were to suspect that a child were to commit irremissible sins in the hereafter, would it be unjust to... execute them? For if that child's birth was a malison in and of itself, would it be pardoned? But if that child perished not by my own hands, but that of a creature, would blame be cast upon myself, or would the sun gods be accepting of my virtuous act?" The large male paused, "That is what I want to know."

From how oddly specific the questions his grandfather asked were, and due to the unyielding seize upon his shoulders, the boy palpitated, his breath hitched, and he tried to shrink away. Disturbed and affrighted he thought, Who is this child? Grandfather can't be talking about me, right? Is... No. He just wanted some special time with me, and he just asked a question. Of course, I can answer it. And of course, he wouldn't ever do anything like that to me. I'm family, and nefarious acts aren't committed against family. It's quite an important rule.

"W-well," the prince started with a tremulous voice. "If a creature were to kill whomever they may be, the sun gods shan't blame you, but if you were, it depends... And anybody who... anybody who commits sins as horrible as it seems you describe them as should at least be given a chance to be redeemed. But... if it's really bad then I suppose not..." A metallic, dry taste in his mouth; nauseated from overwhelming pressure and fear; Fire's eyes darted around as he said, "Grandfather, who is this child that you suspect-"

"I am pleased with your reply, Prince Fire," interrupted the man, sniggering. "Now, wouldn't you like to see your special little surprise?" He removed his hands from upon his grandchild's shoulders and instead grasped his left hand with his right. "Now, come along-"

"Maybe in the morning I could see? It's cold out here and I don't want to lose the rest of my slumber," Fire vocalized, attempting to break free from the clasp upon his left hand. "Grandfather, could-"

"No no, I insist," snapped the man, forcefully prising his struggling grandson towards the broken down cottage, ignoring the pleas of terror. Loud snarls and howls arose from within the broken structure; the latched door was fed with strikes; the prince's grandfather kept his arm locked in his hold.

Through his ineffectual thrashing, out of the corner of his eye he saw his grandfather reach for an oddly shaped metal stick tucked away in his back pocket hidden by his coat. As he pulled the trigger aimed at the sky a blaring thundering sound set a state of pandemonium for both Fire and the creature locked away, who at once ceased its hassle.

"Get in there you little demon," his grandfather snarled while unadroitly unlocking the door's latch. The young boy was forced to the front of the man, who cast him to the cottage where growls alongside lustrous eyes were laid; where metal spheres, chains and locks were attached to the palisades.

In a trice, the fallen prince pulled himself to his knees, and the pulverent wooden floorboards splintered his hands. The creature, distinguished to be a large dog, drew its lips back in a hideous snarl.

Resorting to primal instinct, the canine's hackles raised as saliva dripped and dangled from its slacked jaw. It was frail, spinal cord and ribs evident beneath matted fur; malnourished, starved and beaten for weeks.

Tranced, immobilized, it was a blur; obscure and blind. Impuissant, he had no elude, only to succumb to a state of crimson, affliction and tenebrosity. A crack, a whimper, and evanescence.