The Monarch

Chapter 2

Closer little star... The voice was soothing, yet sent chills down the man's spine. As he reached forward, closer to the water's surface, it seemed to leap up, numbing his fingertips. It bit at any inch of skin it could reach. Skipping across the creek was a blue monarch, little shards of ice piercing into its thin legs.

The man sunk his arm deeper into the water, deeper than the water let on. Despite the shallow look to it, there was no bottom. He pushed through further, the water to his shoulder now. Eventually, the water cut his skin, like a blade. It began to stain the stream crimson, becoming warmer as his own blood surrounded his arm. The insufferable pain tore through him, it was nearly blinding, but he couldn't let go. It called to him. He had yearned for it.

Closer...

The voice was closer now. He turned, spotting them looming over his frigid body. They grinned maliciously, reaching out to take him. The man's screams of horrors and cries for help weren't able to be heard.

The blue monarch continued to skip along the water, but lifted up into the air. It strode over to the figure, perching upon their finger stained with blood.

"Do not fret. He is not dead." The butterfly did nothing, not even twitch.

The figure began to chuckle quietly. "Though, if he does not escape soon," They forced the monarch off their hand, tossing it back into the air.

"He will be just another mystery to remain unsolved."