Façade

Chapter One

A torch burned overhead, its light bathed the surrounding walls in a soft glow. Moss grew on the rough-cut stones, eating into the gritty paste that was holding everything together.

A worn bed with straw sticking out of the sides sat against the far wall, held by a rough wooden frame. Stitched together sheep's hide lay over the bed, left untouched by its owner.

There were no windows or source of light to be heard of. This made the whole room feel empty, not just in belongings, but its lack of warmth as well...

The old wooden door was shoved open, a scruffy man falling to the stone floor inside. He curled up into himself, "N-no...!" he pleaded covering his face with bleeding arms covered in deep lacerations, "P-please...! Just don't kill me!"

Heavy footsteps could be heard coming down the steps leading into the room, the distinct clicking of claws echoed through the room. This made the man start to tremble as he felt his death closing in on him.

"P-please..." he moaned.

A hulking figure hidden in shadow appeared in the doorway, slanted red-black eyes narrowed at the man. This caused him to start whimpering as he scooted away from the door on his backside, "I-I'm sorry..."

"Cease that dreadful noise..." a gravely voice snarled, "It irritates me..."

The man's eyes grew wide as the torch began to flicker, he started looking around fearfully, as the figure in the doorway was no longer there, "P-please..." he said, "W-what did I d-do to you...?"

He flinched back with a cry of terror as the figure appeared crouched before him. Large paws stuck out on either side of the crouched figure shrouded in an obsidian cloak. The large hood hung low over its almond shaped eyes, hiding the upper half of its face in shadow.

Tufts of greasy black hair hung around its deathly pale face in clumps, contrasting with the dark scar along the left side of its face from its jaw to its cheek bone.

Thin pale lips curled back in a snarl as this man-no-this beast watched him like a wolf watches its next meal; he was enjoying this...

The man shrank under his burning gaze, feeling insignificant as he was trapped under the watchful eyes of his captor.

"W-what do you want from me...?" he asked, his voice sounding strangled by fear.

The beast's gaze focused a bit, unknowingly revealing that his mind had been wandering elsewhere. He let out a held breath, bringing the stench of death and decay.

The man lowered his hands, something was upsetting the being crouched before him, "What's wrong?"

"It doesn't concern you..." he murmured looking away, seeming distracted by something.

The man looked at him in sudden concern, not knowing what he would do next. A deep keening soon began outside, sounding like the roar of the wind.

"The time is nigh..." the being murmured looking back at his scruffy prey; he slowly stood, lifting the scruffy man by the front of his shirt and dragging him up the steps after him.

The scruffy man clung to the larger man's arm as they exited the narrow stairwell. The surrounding terrain was bare of any life, only until the tree line began did patches of grass and weeds peek out of the dark soil.

A fidgeting figure stood on the edge of the clearing, shrouded in a tattered cloak made of more patches than cloth. His bony, hook like fingers fiddled with the ancient sheath hanging from the large metal ring around his throat.

The figure's excitement only grew upon sensing his master, this worried the smallest man being dragged against his will toward a cracked boulder.

"W-what is-"