Corrupted by Flames

Chapter 1

Thud.

The sound echoes from in the distance.

My fingers fumble with the matches. One strike, two strikes: the room lights up by a single flame. I place it in the lantern and watch it grow.

Thud.

You know those restless nights where you can hear trees wallowing in the distance? Where the wind shifts itself around the empty house like a curious cat trying to play with every crook and cranny left unfixed? This often results in many drafts of air to pop out, scurrying around the house like scared mice.

Unfortunately, it isn't one of those nights.

Thud!

I scram off my sleeping mat, letting the blankets fall to the wooden floor.

Thud!

The sound is becoming rougher, more persistent. Almost as loud as the blood running through my veins.

I keep my eyes on the door, ignoring the numbness seeping into my socks from against the cold ground. My sword is in the corner, leaning against the wall. Allowing myself to build a slight resistance to the frosty air on my bare chest, I make my way to the other side of the room.

Thud! The sound of things breaking follows. Glass falling to the floor, wooden doors splintering. It sounds too close for comfort.

I reach for my sword from beside my bag and unsheath it. My eyes never leave the only entrance to this room.

My heart is like a drum, beating frantically in my ears. It would be easy to mistake the noise for the banging coming from outside. However, I knew that there is going to be no more sound coming from the front door. No more pounding at least.

Breathe Dan, you've done this before.

I breathe in, rolling my shoulders in an attempt to release the cramps sleeping brought.

Silence. Absolute silence.

For a temporary second, I risk glancing down at the bag behind me. Do I have time to put shoes on? The gentle clicking of feet from the hallway told me no.

I raise the hand holding the sword and direct my leading foot to point towards the door. There is more than just one pair of clicks now and not just coming from the hallway but in the other rooms, such as the abandoned kitchen and living room.

The clicking increases in volume the closer they get. It is only a matter of time before they made their way to me.

Brace yourself

Two arms. Well, more like skinny bones with stretched skin, appear in the room.

The thing is, they are grotesque. There is no way you can get around not thinking it is grotesque. That's what the Coradë are. Beasts that take the form of a human but are far more animalistic. One look at the wide grin and unhinged jaw would send most men packing. Hideous creatures.

My spine inwardly shivers.

It makes its appearance more obvious as its head and arms peers through the doorway. Instincts tell me to stay as still as possible. Both my breathing and posture stay rigid as I watch the beast lower its head to the floor.

Against the wooden floor, it rubs its head against it. The motion sets me off giggling quietly at its ridiculousness. My weight shifts onto the heel of my foot.

Immediately the small change is noticed. The Coradë lifts its head, stares right into my direction, lowering its entire body to the ground.

As soon as I shift my foot to my right, it leaps. It's hands reaching out as it blindly reaches for me. I move to the side, barely dodging its grasp.