When Blackbirds Fly

Chapter Fourteen

Pitch black. That's all I can see. Everywhere, consuming me and everything around it. I try raising my hand and discover that my limbs have regained feeling. I flex my fingers. It's completely silent, other than an eerie dripping noise. I can't tell where it's coming from.

Then an ear-shattering uproar comes from all around me and I drop to my knees, covering my ears and squeezing my eyes shut. It almost sounds like a vortex mixed with a siren. The sound gets louder and louder until I can barely stand it. I can't help but scream, although that can't be heard. Then the noise slowly fades away until all that's left is the echo of what once was. I slowly open my eyes. I can see now.

It appears as though I'm in a dark room. The walls, ceiling, and floor are black. The only light is emanating from a humanoid figure in front of me. I say humanoid because nowadays, I can't tell if a person is actually a person anymore. The silhouette in front of me steps forward until I can make out more details. It's wearing a black cloak lined with shimmering gold. The hood is up, so I can't make out any facial features. For a moment I just sit there, dumbfounded. Then the figure speaks.

"Rise."

The word echoes throughout the room. I feel as though there are thousands of spiders creeping down my back. Its voice sounds like it's being sucked back into it as it speaks; yet it's coming from every corner of the room, penetrating my skull. Not only that, but there are multiple voices coming from it.

I do as I'm told and stand.

"Call me Cronan. There is no need for further explanation about who I am."

Was this the voice inside my head? It sounds more masculine than feminine now that it isn't whispering.

"I'm sure you're curious, so I'll start by letting you ask a question. I'm feeling generous today." he says.

"Okay." I hesitate. My words sound so weak and insignificant compared to what I've just heard. I don't want to get on his bad side. Something tells me that if I do....well, it won't be good. Despite this, I can feel my curiosity winning me over.

"Who are you?" I ask.

Immediately I can feel the temperature drop. Slowly, Cronan lifts his hands to his hood. Every second that his fingers get closer to grasping the fabric I feel a stronger sense of dread. Before he takes the hood off all the way, he stops to smirk. After that, everything goes in slow motion. I watch as the hood gently lifts over Cronan's head and falls behind his shoulders.

I gasp in wonder. Curled horns sit on top of his forehead. Long, silky white hair falls all the way to his knees. Even stranger is his skin. All I can see are his arms and his face, but every inch is covered in swirling blue galaxies. The closer I look, the more entranced I get.

I realize that I was correct in my assumption that he was a male, judging from his features. I allow my eyes to slowly travel up. I see that he has pointed ears and -

When I meet his eyes I let out a scream of pure terror.

"Who am I?" Cronan chuckles.

I wish I never asked.

"I am everything you wish you never saw, everything you wish you never will see. I am the images and thoughts that circle in your brain; the ones you wish you could get rid of but can't."

I'm paralyzed.

"I wasn't planning on telling you, child, but since you asked..." His voice gets louder and louder, filling every inch of my brain until it's almost deafening.

"Hello, Merle. Nice to meet you. I am Cronan, the Lord of Nightmares."

Word Count: 645

Introducing: Cronan. 

Whaddya think? 

-RS <3