Deadly Quartet

Thunder crashes in the night, shaking the cabin down to its framework. Lighting illuminates the forest, marking my silhouette against the outer wall and the locked door. The torrents of rain slide down my marred skin like shining black snakes; increasing the blood flow and staining my tattered clothes further. I walk closer to the window and stare through it at the trio who are washed in warm firelight.

Another flash of lighting; again my shadow bathes the wall and seeps through the window, creating a wavy outline of myself against the hard floor. The voices from the inside stop as they stare at the dark outline on the floor. The smallest one, the female, looks up at the window; my eyes lock with hers, though she cannot see me. All is dark until another lighting flash reveals me. The three of them leap to their feet and race towards the door. A gust of wind catches it when they unlock the deadbolt, slamming it into the side of the cabin.

Their silhouettes bathe the flooded earth in front of the porch as I turn towards them. I limp to the steps and I feel the weight of their cringing as they take in the sight of me. I reach the final step and my knees buckle; sending me headlong onto the water-streaked porch. I hear the muffled shouts and the scuffle of feet as they rush towards me. Darkness floods from the corners of my eyes and I see no more.

I am pitched through the darkness out of the cave entrance; the voice calling out after me, “You are all needed for this task!”