Broken World

CHAPTER 1

The beginning

I lay in bed, and let the quiet of the outside calm me. The only thing I hear is the sound of owls and leaves rustling in the wind. My mind wanders from one thought to the other, sometimes jumbling them up because I'm so tired. But for some reason I can't sleep. I feel like something is coming. No, not coming, but something is definitely about to happen. I know it.

The rustling of leaves gets louder first, and not as natural. Then comes the footsteps, loud and uneven. Last comes the sounds. They, it, whatever the things are, make a horrible gut-wrenching sound that gurgle up from the throat, and escape in a growl.

I plug my ears and squeeze my eyes shut. They're probable just a pack of wild pig or dog, which are very dangerous, but will probably pass if they don't see movement.

The first scream, high and ear splitting, breaks the unnatural silence and tells me those things are far worse that wild pig or dog. I quickly close my blinds, and lock my door, just incase. Whatever the things are, I hope they're not strong enough to break wood or glass.

Tears flood down my cheeks as I hear more screams and more gurgle sounds and noises that just don't make sense. The screams and noises get closer and closer as the things, or thing, attacks each house.

No one is home at my house. I'm all alone.

The noise in my house begins downstairs. I hear the claws scrape the front door, and then I hear the bodies banging against the wood. Finally I hear the wood split, and my stomach drops. The sound of their feet on the tile floor is sickening, and then they start upstairs.

I count thirteen steps and they're upstairs. They start their investigation in the kitchen. I don't know why they didn't try downstairs first, I guess they could tell no one was there. I hear pots and pans clattering agains the wood floor, and bowls and plates crashing as they fall. No one in the kitchen.

They're in the tv room, one room closer. I hear their claws rip up pillows and scratch the piano. No one in the tv room.

The bathroom. They turn on the tap and I hear the water fill up our clogged sink as it splashes on the ground. They rip up the bathroom curtains, and flush the toilet. No one in the bathroom.

Each step they take is closer and closer to my room, now they're in my brothers room. Thank goodness he's out with friends tonight. They rip up his sheets, and I hear all his books fall as they check behind them. No one in that room.

My parents room. They're out tonight. Hopefully more safe than I am right now. The things turn on the sink in my parents bathroom and flush the toilet. They rip up the sheets and turn on and off the light. I realize I have to do something, fast, or I'm dead. No one in my parents room.

The handle to my door wiggles as they try to open it. Tears stream down my face but I don't dare make a sound. My body is frozen in panic as they start to claw, and then I know what to do.

Just as they start banging on my door I take the heaviest most solid item in my room that I can find and I throw it at my window. I hear their confused noises as the glass shatters everywhere. They claw and hit the door faster. There is more than one. In a split second I'm on the roof. Then the door splits, and I see their faces.

They are humans, or were humans. Their hairless, naked body disturbs me, and their cold hard eyes tell me they're no longer in control. They're skinny, but at the same time look strong and fast. Then they're moving and I jump off the roof.

I sprint as fast as I can but I hear their light footsteps behind me, catching up. I don't dare look behind me.

Then I hear a shot, and something squeals but there are still two sets of footsteps behind me. Another shot, another squeal, and only one set of footsteps, but it's still chasing me. It's catching up, I'm dead I tell myself. I'm about to die. I brace myself.

Something tackles me to the ground, stopping my sprint, but it doesn't hurt me or kill me. It says sorry and helps me up.

•END OF CHAPTER ONE•