The Marked Guardian

A Taste of Life

Jennia's eyes were completely glued to the pale creature. Her blood felt chilled to the bone yet hot with adrenaline at the same time. She watched it carefully, trying to be as silent as possible and even forgetting to breathe.

Till it suddenly began tapping its claw rapidly against the window, making her jump. It smiled as if it loved the fear in her eyes and bang its hands against the.. glass window.

It's glass, Jennia remembered, struck with fear.

As Jennia jumped to her feet, she could see tiny lines of cracks forming quicker and quicker; almost as if they were racing Jennia along the glass wall to the door.

"Maria!" Jennia struggled to screamed, wanting anyone to come for her. "Mother! Jasper! Gerald, someone please!"

Sounds of glass falling to the floor echoed throughout the hallway and she could hear it screech after her, clacks hitting against the floor. Glancing over her shoulder, Jennia began crying when she saw how much of a mistake it was to look; it was running on all fours, talons suddenly extended as it got closer.

Jennia let out a scream when she suddenly collided into the door, but suddenly feeling relieved. Her shaking hands threw the door open and slammed it shut, throwing down the bar that hung on the side.

This must be why all doors have a metal bar like this, Jennia thought, astounded.

"Child, what's the matter with you!" Lila yelled, suddenly in front of Jennia. She yelped in surprised and began to open her mouth to explain what had just happened, but the creature on the other side of the door answered for her. It was clawing and slamming its body into the door with splints of wood falling out. Lila's eyes widened and she clenched her chest. "Is that..?"

"Yes, Mother, we have to go!" Jennia cried, grabbing her by the hand. She thought her mother was stunned into shock, but Lila suddenly took her hand back and said, "You need to find Maria and Gerald, Jen. "

"What? No, I need to be with you-"

Lila interrupted. "Sweetie, trust me. Go find them and then go to the cellar."

Without letting Jennia reply, she gave her a long kiss on the forehead, and stalked off back up the stairs. Confused and conflicted, Jennia rushed through the halls. The door behind her was almost completely bent in.

Jennia started off running through the halls, not caring how loud she was, but as soon as she walked into the main hall she had to cover her mouth with her hands and bit her fingers to keep herself from screaming - they were everywhere. The curtains in the main hall were completely open and Jennia had no way of getting to the other side of the house. Tall , white hound-like creatures were sniffing the ground and clawing the window, snipping at one another when they got too close to them.

Suddenly, there was a clash behind them in the shed. The devilish animals slunk to the ground and stalked over towards the noise.

Is Maria still in there? Jennia thought, horrified. Concentrating on the small window of the shed, she could see Maria's black hair lined with grey moving around on the inside and dread set into her stomach.

"Hey!" At first, Jennia didn't know where the sound came from, but her lips trembled and she realized it was from herself. What the hell am I doing? "Over here!" She ran to the window and slammed her fist against the glass repeatedly, instantly getting all their attention. Watching their mouths open, Jennia flinched as a small one threw itself against the window, fully expecting it to shattered. It hissed loud until it became almost almost humanly scream-like, teeth shown like a knife display.