Shapeless

Prologue

Prologue

The young boy tossed and turned in his bed. He called out in his sleep, writhing. He sat up with a gasp, jolted awake. The blonde had been sleeping peacefully in his bedroom when he was suddenly ripped from the sheets and dragged down the hall.
Or at least he could have sworn that's what happened.
he patted himself but sure enough he was still there very much uncaptured. The only sign of the struggle was his heartbeat that refused to settle.

He sighed and rubbed his eyes. Him and his sister had been terrorized by sleep for a while now. He didn't understand why but he didn't have the energy to figure it out.
The kid stared blankly into the darkness, the corners in his room more ominous at night.
he shook away the feeling and slid out of bed. snatching his blue jacket and pulling it over his head he creeped out into the hall. He tip toed past his siblings room ever so gently to avoid waking her up. She had been having a hard time and deserved the rest.

The boy finally reached the top step and unlatched the gate. The families dog was curled up in the corner sound asleep. He padded into the kitchen and opened the cupboard to grab out a glass. The material clinked loudly against the counter and he winced. "Shhhh." Although he didn't really know what he was shushing to.

The boy shakily filled the water to the top almost overflowing. Just how he liked it.
He sipped the water quietly, glancing out into the backyard.

The glass was fogging up from the boy's breath, the darkness obscuring the pastures beyond. He could barely make out the lone chicken coop in the faint light coming from the porch.
The boy finished his glass of water and made his way out the door into the night.

His family was still fast asleep but he had so much nervous energy that he had to go and do something with.
The boy shivered as a slight breeze kicked in, ruffling his light colored hair.
A nearby owl complained about his presence like he didn't belong. He loved the night. The night was his domain and he would prove it to the world.

He crept to the side of his house and stopped at a small, red bike. it was his bike. The one thing that could free him from it all, the restrictions of daily life would fall away when he put his foot to the peddle. He couldn't explain it. But it just felt right.
The boy mounted his bike and slowly rolled through the rocks and grass, making more noise than he wanted.
When he made it to the road he forgot all about the nightmare and grinned through the wind whipping at his face. He rested his feet in the pedals as gravity took over, shooting him down the street gaining momentum with every minute.

The young boy threw his head back, enjoying the feeling of the moment and stopped watching the road ahead.
Suddenly he felt himself slamming into something. Something huge right in front of him. He was flung onto the road. For a moment he lay there, dazed.
What had he hit into? Shakily, he pushed himself up. He winced,small pebbles imbedding themselves into his palms. The boy blinked in confusion when he realized he was alone. The road ahead was completely empty.

He got to his feet, dread settling in his stomach. The hairs on the back of his neck standing straight up.
He whipped his head from side to side.
"That's impossible..." how had he wrecked his bike so brutally if there was nothing in his path? Had he imagined the whole thing?
His unease grew and he realized that maybe his parents weren't crazy after all. Leaving the house at night was a dangerous thing to do.

Stars shimmered. In the sky, dawn was barely peeking through on the horizon.
Silence. Pure silence.
It seemed like he was the only one there, first to step foot or wheel on the bare earthen road. Fueled with power and the fresh free feeling, he zoomed down the street, passing neighboring buildings and nearly crashing into a fence, he finally came to a stop. Parking his bike, he paused at a tall corn field, whispering in the cool breeze.
The blonde's eyes glowed with interest. I wonder what I'll find in there... he thought mischievously. Into the stalks of corn he crept carefully.  Immediately the crops swished close behind him. Goosebumps shot up his arms. No matter what, glancing around, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched.
Shaking his head and shivering he continued. It's just cold. He insisted, though his belly felt hollow with dread.
Something slimy slithered over his feet and it made him jump. He shut his eyes tight, then opened them slowly. just my imagination! His mind screamed. Though he didn't really believe it, not realizing it was just a slug.
Suddenly the crops crackled behind him. Hair on his neck prickling, the kid slowly turned around. His eyes widened with terror. In front of him, Red eyes shone through the night. Glowing eerily in the dark, no pupil cut through the iris and a menacing hooded being loomed ahead.
The little boy gasped, backing away slowly. A quiet hiss sent him dashing away towards the road
Its tone was raspy, inhuman and he doubted it was even mortal. "Run if you want, but your fate is sealed."
What? but before the boy could think the rest, the little blonde tripped over a soft mound that he couldn't make out in the dark. A sudden stench of rotten flesh filled his senses.
Gagging the young boy leapt onto his bike and peddled home, heart pounding in his chest.  At once it hit him.
What he had tripped on. It wasn't a soft boulder...
his throat felt dry.
He had tripped over.... A dead body!
Screaming internally, the frightened boy rapped on his house door. He could see the outline of a creature slinking a little ways behind him.
Fear spiked through him and his stomach lurched when the door finally gave way.
"Mom? Dad?" he called uncertainly in the shadows.
The sound of his parents clattered down the hall and a shadow fell over him.
"What is going-" his mom stopped when she noticed the look of fear in her son's eyes. She crouched down. "What is wrong?" his mother's green eyes had a look of concern.
His father came to his side. "What were you doing out in this darkness kiddo?" his blue eyes demanded more sternly.
Their son couldn't manage to speak, heart thumping and blood roaring in his ears.
Just then, he heard the sound of small feet climbing the basement stairs and his sister appeared, rubbing her eyes.
It was still extremely dark outside. He often woke up early. But this night it would be his biggest regret.
Drawing the child close, her big brother swallowed.
"It's here!" he choked out in horror as a shadow approached the porch. The parents were too confused to react as a mysterious dark cloud seemed to wreath around the base of the door, making its way inside. The little boys eyes widened and his feet seemed to fly down the stairs, dragging his sister with him.
The silence made his breath seem to echo even louder. With a gulp, he crept past his sister's bedroom door. As he crept past the bathroom mirror, he thought he saw a flash of movement. Turning his head, his heart skipped a beat. In the mirror, it seemed like his reflection. Same face, same blonde ruffled hairdo- he patted his head just to make sure. And as it normally should, the reflection did the same. But then, he noticed a difference that made him shudder. His eyes widened in terror. His mouth dropped in fear. The mirror version moved before him. Backing away, hands raised protectively, the reflection seemed to follow him, walk forward. Was that an eye flash, or a light's glare? He didn't want to find out. Nearly screaming out loud, he spun around and dashed into his room, leaving the glaring reflection behind, shutting his white door and locking it with a click.
His sister couldn't understand his fear. "Who is with daddy and mommy?" she sniffed curiously. He blinked sadly, giving her a hug. "You are too pure for this world, my little sky hawk." He tucked her into the bed and climbed in beside her, heart thumping against his ribcage. His mouth still hung open, dry with disbelief. He had always thought it would be awesome to live like his favorite books, but now that it was true, he just wanted it to be a dream. He prayed that everything would be okay. His parents would take care of it right? Maybe he had even imagined it. The thought barely comforted him. He threw the blanket over his head, in the childish instinct.
If they can't see me, they won't get me. Shutting his eyes, he felt a frightened tear run down his face, sweat beaded his forehead and he realized his hands had gone numb. The moment his eyes closed, a blood curdling scream sounded from upstairs. Mom? At the piercing sound the boy's eyes snapped open and he gave a shudder as it hit him. I can't go to sleep! I'll just keep seeing it again. Was nowhere safe? He trembled violently under the covers. If he went to sleep- no he wouldn't go to sleep. For the beast would be there still, waiting for him, like a spider in a web stalking its prey. Don't go to sleep!  Whenever his eyelids drooped, he repeated the phrase over and over. He swallowed, blue eyes wide, repeating it again. Another scream sounded. Dad? Suddenly a howl of a beast boomed above.
The traumatized kid's hair stood on end and he tightened his grip protectively around his sister. I will keep you safe, don't worry. He whispered, shaking, "Don't go to sleep."
He grew pale.
"what if they aren't there when I wake up?" Terror filled him at the thought. He cried silently to himself, determined to keep his sister safe.