Behind the Door

Prologue

I run across the clearing, praying to God that I will be safe. I pray for my safety and the safety of those that I love. They haven't done anything to deserve what I am about to endure. However, nor have I. I still pray even though he will surely be after them next, whether or not he reaches me first. After all, when a monster like him gains a thought, nothing can change his mind.

As I continue running, I think about the family that I have left behind. My brothers would be looking for me desperately and my father would be demanding my whereabouts from neighboring areas. The lights from the search parties would fill the dark and gloomy forest and they would return empty handed.

However insignificant I was as a human being, as a member of the church, I was important to the family and friends I knew as well as the people who believed in me and placed faith and trust with me.

I strain my ears, desperate to perhaps hear birdsong once more before I leave this world. Unfortunately, all is silent as if I am the only living creature left and all is dead. How ironic life can be before one has to die.

With no sense of direction and no clue of where to go, I run straight forwards. A towering slab of rock stands in my way like a ruthless giant. I find myself lost. I can't be lost, I tell myself silently. I will find a way. I must.

Turning around in my wild state of confusion I hear another set of footsteps, fast approaching me. These footsteps are loud yet they are not clumsy. He wants me to know that I am doomed. He wants me to know that there is nowhere to hide. I shudder as I think about the creature these feet are attached to.

He is not even human. Not anymore.

I spot a dark and menacing figure coming closer in between the trees. There is no more use to run. It's hopeless.

I crawl to my knees and raise my head upwards to face the sky and my oncoming death. My father always said that when death comes knocking on your door, greet him with welcome arms and a smile. After all, when greeting death you are greeting the Almighty Father, at least that is what people tell me.

I pick up the sand and dirt surrounding me, closing my eyes. It reminds me of the sea and I feel a strange sense of calm overcome me. I had only been to the sea once and it was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. The waves lapping against the shore, the sounds of animals enjoying the Lord's riches, the sun warming my skin like a fire in winter.

I open my eyes reluctantly and the calmness and all the memories evade me almost instantly.

Slowly, the footsteps come to a halt and the tall structure of a man stands before me, his cruelness and monstrosity leaps off him like a bad stench that no one can forget or remove. It lingers like a sickness, never leaving until one is dead because of its very existence.

This monster that approaches me is Gzarhel and to call him a man would be disgraceful and offensive to all men of God. His tall and strong build towers above me. I see his face and I nearly turn my head away in disgust. Not because he is ugly but because I know that underneath that human-like mask lies a demon so horrid it was sent straight from hell and the Devil himself. His bloodshot eyes show only anger and insanity as he stares at me, almost surprised to see me kneeling and defeated in front of him. Soon, a wide and maddening grin spreads across his face, displaying all of his perfect pearl white teeth except for the one I knocked out during my escape.

I glance down for a moment to hide the satisfaction in my eyes. It may be small but my act of defiance gives me a sense of strength to face whatever horror may come my way.

"Well then, what do we have here?" Gzarhel wanders around me, inspecting and poking me with the hilt of his sword.

"Is this truly Kahdi? The man who dared to stand up and face me? Is he now kneeling in front of me in submission? " His words sting like ice, reminding me of the disappointment I have become.

"This is truly I. And I would stand up and face you again had I only a weapon," I reply, brushing off Gzarhel's previous words like the dirt that we stand on.

"Would you now?" Gzarhel pulls a face of mock horror, "Such a shame I have only one sword," He strokes his dagger and takes his eyes off me for but a moment, displaying a sense of sickening affection towards his blade of death and destruction.

"Such a shame a weapon of the church has made its way into your blood-stained hands," I retort with a sour tone.

I can remember seeing that same dagger in one of the priest's chambers. We used it before during ceremonial sacrifices but only if necessary. And if we did, the life we took was always respected. Just because a sheep was not a man did not mean it was not a creature of God.

I don't even blink and Gzarhel changes back in the heartless demon he is. He glares at me and I can feel the cold touch of metal upon my skin.

"Any last words before I send you on your way to hell, Kahdi?" Gzarhel points his dagger at my neck. I spot a single drop of ruby red blood drop onto the ground.

"Yes." I reply, not taking my eyes off the red marker. My eyes look back up to Gzarhel. "You may take my life for my time has come. I have faith in God that I or another of my blood will return to avenge the innocent lives you have taken."

Gzarhel gives me another smirk.

"In that case, till we meet again." He pulls back his weapon, preparing for the final death blow. With a thud, my head rolls onto the ground. Crimson blood taints the ground and my body lies down on the sand. My last thought is that I am now one with the earth. At least until I come again.

"Goodbye, brother"