Of Demons and Fallen Stars

Prologue: Dying Stars

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Even stars die and become nothing but dust.

***

Stella Bloodmoon strolled across the park, unfazed by the fact that it was empty and unnaturally quiet even in the middle of the afternoon. She was in a really good mood after meeting with her friends and her twin sister, and was then content to wander inside her own happy thoughts, that she did not even notice the eerie stillness that seems to envelope the place.

Seemingly by habit she touched her growing belly and smiled to herself. Her firstborn child was only a few weeks away from being born and her closest friends and Luna, her twin sister, were just as excited as her about it. They had too much fun planning for the baby’s room that they lost track of time.

Stella suddenly looked up alerted by a noise from some bushes off the path ahead. She suddenly regretted not allowing her sister to walk her home. Luna had insisted on it but Stella does not like being treated like someone helpless and fragile just because she was pregnant. But if some wild animal attacked her from the bushes then, she probably could not even run away. 

She almost screamed when a small dark figure suddenly emerged from the side of the path. It was a young boy of about twelve, his eyes wide with surprise when he saw her. He stopped on his tracks for a moment but he gathered himself and turned quickly to leave. But before he could run off again Stella noticed something glistening on his forehead and down his neck. Blood. Before Stella could react he faltered and suddenly fell on the ground. He was gasping in pain. Stella ran over to him and after a quick examination she immediately knew he did not have much time. He had lost too much blood from several deep wounds. He needed quick medical attention. She pulled him to her trying to keep him still as he tried to get up. Stella could not even start to wonder how a child could be hurt so much.

She looked around trying to call for help but the place was empty except for the two of them. She turned her attention to the kid who lay dying in her arms while trying to reach for her phone. He looked up at her, his eyes were wide with fear and knowing, knowing that he was about to die. Stella stared back and froze. The boy’s eyes glinted like burning coals.

He reached for her cheek and where his small fingers touched her it felt like it was burning. Stella felt suddenly ice-cold, like all the warmth from her body was being drained. She suddenly felt light headed. Before she knew it she was lying on the ground. She saw the little boy close his eyes before she too was swallowed by darkness.