Kayden Van Din
Shadow hovered inches from Norman's face. His lips were tight as his eyes were wide with unexplainable fear. Brannon glared from Shadow to Kayden.
"What are you doing?" His arms tensed as Kayden shook her head.
"I'm not doing anything! Shadow- leave them alone!" She stumbled over her words out of fear. Kayden threw her hands out as if Shadow would come to her like a puppy. A snarling noise emitted from the creature.
Norman pressed his back against the wall and tried his best to keep his distance from Shadow. Fear pumped in his veins. The horrible, murderous being was so close to Norman. It reeked of death and only made Norman press himself further against the wall. Brannon was stuck between lunging at Kayden, who he believed was controlling Shadow, and protecting his younger brother.
"Stop it, Kayden. This isn't funny." He gritted his teeth as sweat formed on his forehead. Shadow floated, waiting for Norman to scream or for Brannon to look away. Kayden took a timid step forward, her words fumbling beneath the steady tears.
"Sh-shadow. Get a-away from them. Now." Her voice was weak, containing little to no command. Shadow continued to hover near the two nuisances who stood in its way. It's black, swirling mass was almost like a galaxy without stars. An empty, eternal expansion of darkness inches from Norman Van Din.
Kayden could feel it. Shadow was seconds from lunging, strangling her younger brother, its favorite hobby. She had to make a split-second choice.
"Brannon!" Was all she could say before she realized it was a mistake. Brannon looked away. That one, vital distraction Shadow needed. It snapped like a viper around Norman's neck. He fell to the floor, his hands groping at his neck. Brannon rushed beside him, falling to his knees. His brother's mouth was wide, gasping for any air available to him.
"Call it off! Now!!" Brannon cursed. Kayden ran towards her brother.
"Shadow!" Her voice quivered as her brother was dying. She couldn't control it, no matter what she thought or what she did. "Brannon, I can't control it!"
Norman struggled to keep himself alive. He couldn't breathe and he was losing vision. He could see his brother kneeling over him calling his name. Norman was scared. So scared of dying, of losing his family. He knew it would happen eventually, but he didn't want it to be this soon. With his last breath he muttered quietly to Brannon.
"I love you and-" Norman's eyes glazed over and Shadow slithered from around his neck. Brannon choked. He shook his brother.
"No. Norman! Norman!" He cried, the tears unstoppable. He banged his fist on the wall behind him. His jaw tensed as a glare that met every feature lifted to Kayden's eyes.
"What have you done." He could barely speak to her. "He was right. You are a murderer."
Kayden shook her head violently, her own tears pouring from her eyes. "You don't understand! I didn't do it! I couldn't control it!" She cried.
"I don't care! My brother is dead because you never listen. I told you to leave that demonic thing alone, but you just had to play hero!" He spat. Brannon couldn't hold back his rage. He slipped a knife from his pocket.
