Death by Choice

Chapter 1 - Death

The dim lights that came from the end of the tunnel became shrouded by a large, monstrous figure. Its growls reached Aaron's ears and echoed in the tiny and dark space.

Everything slowed down in his eyes. From the corner of his vision, he could see his newfound friends running back without paying him any heed. Their shouts mixed with the growls, and their frantic footsteps filling his head.

With his body frozen, Aaron could only look in front of him as despair filled every part of him. A giant pitch-black claw was slowly making its way towards his face. He could see three more similar claws heading in the direction of the rest of his body. Their tips glinted red, reflecting the creature's ruby red eyes. Eyes that did not even look at him as it stared towards the running humans with a delighted sparkle.

He could feel the wind that was pushed to him by the hand – or rather, paw. Caressing him as if it was the wind in the plains that he often felt as he grew up. It felt almost comforting.

Almost.

If only he could not see the creature's sharp claw reaching for his eyes. If only he could not smell blood and grime mixed with the foul odor that the creature emitted.

If only he could not see flesh and blood, his comrade's remains, hanging off of its fur.

Aaron wanted to shout but no voice left him. He wanted to run but his legs refused to move. He wanted to cry but his eyes felt dry. He wanted to do something, anything, even if it could not save him.

But he couldn't.

He closed his eyes. His 19 years of memories quickly replaying themselves in his head.

He missed his father, stern but reliable. He missed his mother, kind and caring. He missed his little sister, mischievous but sweet. He missed the grass that felt soft under his feet. He missed the home that made him feel bittersweet.

He wished that he could say his goodbye.

But alas, he was never given the chance.