Creatures of the Darkness

Chapter 3 - Turtles

I walk through a large clearing, occasionally closing my eyes to savor the calm and the cold. I could easily find my way home from any part of the woods, blindfolded, even, I had been through them so often. Humming to myself, I turn around when I hear something.

Nothing. Of course. No one else is stupid enough to walk through this forest. Even animals avoid the area.

"Ever wondered why turtles live so long?"

Great, now my mind is playing tricks on me. That's what I get for leaving the safety of my house in the middle of the night to take a walk.

I ignore the voice.

"No answer? Come on. Humor me."

I scoff and answer as sarcastically as I can, walking a little faster. "Must be because they were entrusted with the secret of immortality."

"That's a new one. Let's go with that."

A long silence follows, and I begin to dislike whoever is behind the voice more and more.

"I haven't had someone to speak to in a long time. Would you consider coming back tomorrow?"

"Hell no." My immediate response, no hesitation.

"That's a lie. You've come here every day for the last seven months. I've always watched you."

An involuntary shudder makes its way down my spine. If he's telling the truth, he knows what I've hidden.

I attempt negotiation.

"I'll talk to you once in a while if you swear to never follow me again."

A laughter devoid of anything recognizable replies.

"No deal! You're much too fun to observe."

"Then what do you want?"

"Join me in eternal life."

He is surely joking. There's no such thing. Oh well, I'll play along.

"Fine, but not tonight. I have to mentally prepare myself."

"Understandable. Take all the time you need. I'm always here."

I can almost hear the grin behind the voice, and it's beginning to freak me out. I run the rest of the way home and lock the door behind me.

I'll make time tomorrow to find out what that creep actually wants.