The Land Never Lost

Chapter 6

Peter began his search in the alley of the bakery. The alley was dark and quiet. After inspecting the entire alley, he crept slowly to the exit of the shop. When he found no prints Peter started walking towards the park. Along the way, he was finally able to absorb the damage from a few nights ago. Branches and leaves were thrown recklessly about the road. Peter noticed some car windows were shattered. Peter winced as he ran by all the destruction. There was a feeling he could not shake. Had Peter been able to do something about those monsters, this road wouldn't look so sad. Those prints had a lasting effect. The world seemed more depressing.

When Peter made it to the playground, a wave of negative emotion washed over him. The force was enough to make him stumble mid stride. Peter fell to one knee just before he reached the gate. He put his hand on the ground to push himself up. Only, it was too late. Before he realized his own hand was placed perfectly in the cold obsidian print.

Peter was overtaken by a barrage of scenes that played in his mind like a horror movie. In one moment he saw a baby wrapped in a weather worn blanket on the steps of the orphanage. The baby's cries stung Peter's eardrums. Quickly, the cries turned into sobbing and panting. Peter saw a young lady carrying a baby running through a dark alley. Behind her were dozens of dark creatures tumbling over each other as they chased her down. A wave of pitch black energy raced towards her. The woman set the baby down on the front steps of an orphanage. She kissed the baby, her tears falling onto his face. Then she turned and raced back towards the monsters. As she was lost in the black mass, Peter's own vision went dark.

When he opened his eyes, his face was streaked with tears. Peter was silently crying as he sat in the same spot he was knocked down to. He sat there for what felt like an eternity.

After some time had passed Peter felt like he had regained control of himself. He rubbed his wet cheeks dry. Peter got to his feet. He crouched down and swung his arms.

"Okay, enough of that nonsense. Keep looking Peter." He made his way through the park. There wasn't another print in sight. Peter's frustration bubbled. His recent experience with the visions only seemed to add to his agitation. "Oh come on! The only print in this entire park and I happen to fall into it? Those stupid monsters!". Peter was punching his fist, acting out a fight. "I swear the first one I get my hand on." Peter spun around and kicked. With a loud thump, Peter's foot connected with something. He felt the invisible force fall backwards.

"Oh snap! I got one! I got..." Peter suddenly realized he saw a shadowy creature lying unconscious on the floor. "What the hell?!" Peter watched in horror as the monster started to get back to his feet. If you could even really say this creature had feet. Peter backed up quickly. After only a few steps his back was against the fence that led into the woods. The creature turned slowly to face the boy. The entire figure was a swirling pool of darkness. Peter wasn't sure what he was seeing. He was, however, positive about one thing. There was nothing scarier in this world than what your imagination could create. This monster was the perfect canvas. Peter felt this was the point. You weren't supposed to fear the creature, just whatever horrors your mind could come up with.

After a long deep breath, Peter crouched down and swung his arms. "Oh well, this might be my only chance." Peter would like to believe what he did next was the stuff of legends. In reality, he closed his eyes and charged the monster blindly. A flash of green broke through the darkness clouding his vision. He reflexively opened his eyes in time to see a young girl standing in between him and the monster.

She wore a green leather jacket and a short green skirt. She had leather thigh high boots that were so pristine white they seemed to glow. Her blonde hair was cut short. It only took a second for Peter to notice all of this. You can't really blame him. He lived with five boys his entire life. Seeing any girl would've had his attention. Seeing this girl made Peter feel as happy as he ever had been.