Witch

The Monster

Arnesen tried to catch the cloak that Lukas was wearing as it flew out from behind him, but Arnesen's fingers fell short. Shortly after the scream and after Lukas had completely disappeared from Arnesen's sight, the townspeople crowded near. Those who were brave had their pitchforks and torches held above their heads, those more cowardly were indoors and only peeking their eyes over the windowsill. As the common folk questioned the old bully on who it was, Lukas's name leaked out.

"It was 'at old freak Lukas. 'E was always talkin' about 'imself like there was somebody wit' 'im an' actin' all strange-like... An' now I gone an' seen him pourin' col'red light from 'is 'ands like some firework show or summat." Arnesen rolled his eyes at the old bully, but those who could hear the boy listened intently. With an almost smug expression, the boy continued. "I always knew there was summat wrong wit' 'at boy from the day I laid eyes on 'im! No friends an' always alone, sulkin' 'round the streets wit' 'at strange look on 'is face. Sure enough, he learnt in witchcraft!" It was at these words that Arnesen snapped.

"Maybe if you hadn't attempted to kill him he wouldn't be so 'strange.' I suggest you watch the limits of your mouth before anymore garbage spills out of it." The crowd and the large-mouthed boy turned their attention to him immediately. "If I hadn't shown up at the right time to see you and your buddies throw him into the river, he would have died at your hands." The entire clearing was hushed now. The boy facing Arnesen smirked and walked towards Arnesen, leaning over him. His foul stench entered Arnesen's nostrils, which caused them to flare. Arnesen covered this motion by defiantly meeting the other boy's eyes head on, staring fiercely at this big coward.

In actuality, none of these "boys" were really boys at all at this point in the story, save perhaps Emil. They were more so young men than anything, but the term "boy" seems to fit them rather nicely.

The boy towering over Arnesen leaned forward ever so slightly, but just enough so that his breath was felt on Arnesen's face. "An' maybe if 'e 'ad died then an' there, we wouldn't 'ave this problem, aye?" At this remark, the crowd around them cheered. Blossoms of red anger appeared on Arnesen's cheeks, and the look of his face darkened immensely. So much so that the bully in front of Arnesen began to back away from Arnesen slightly, a hint of fear flickering in his eyes. It was at that point that Arnesen bent down and picked up a small pebble from the ground, rolling it in between his fingers.

"I wonder... how many stones did you throw at him? How much blood did you see pour from his back? How many blows to Lukas did you deliver that became black and blue in only seconds? How light was his frame as you threw him into the river?" Arnesen laughed, a dark, dangerous laugh as he stepped towards the bully slowly, looking at the rock. "How much did he fight? Oh, that's right... he didn't. He'd given up, because of you." Arnesen began to laugh, and the bully continued to back away, recognition from all those years ago finally settling in.

"'Ey, I know you! Yer that... that... ah..."

"What does it matter, my name?" Arnesen snapped, appearing to be rather insulted that his side of the conversation had been interrupted. "My name, of all things?" The clearing was not scoffing at Arnesen any longer, nor saying much of anything as they watched the two boys.

"What's wrong with this town, I ask you!" Arnesen suddenly bellowed, running his hand through his hair as he began to laugh pathetically. "What's wrong with you people?" He asked, sweeping his hands around the circle. "Why is it so vital to hunt down a witch when a person who attempted murder on an innocent child is standing unarmed and right in front of you all! How can you be so idiotic to ignore the real monsters of society?"

The crowd had no answer, and the bully ran from the scene. Arnesen stood in the middle of a circle, panting from yelling so much. When the Witch Hunters arrived at the scene the townspeople described the boy, told of the direction he had gone and followed them as they began to hunt Lukas down.