Spirit Fire - Amos

Chapter 11 - Darkness

I was standing alone outside in the night. I could hear crickets chirping and night-animals stirring, but could see nothing. An owl hooted, and a bush rustled.

     As my eyes adjusted to the dim surroundings, I could see outlines of trees. I was in a forest.

     A cloud moved, revealing a brilliant full moon. The light shone through the canopy in silver streaks, striking the low, creeping fog along the ground. It was as if I was standing on clouds. In places untouched by the light, it appeared darker, like an endless pit.

     I heard the low moan of wind, pushing through the trees, swaying and rustling.

     I looked around and saw nothing but darkness further in the forest. My feet disappeared into the fog, which churned around my legs like a weightless gray ocean.

     I felt alone and afraid. Isolated. As if I was the only person in the world, stranded on a remote island in a far away land. Left to fend for myself.

     Suddenly, I heard rustling in the bushes behind me. A low hum resonated from them, and I began to feel the ground shake.

     I spun around to see two, glowing red eyes staring at me through the mist and darkness between the trees. It was slowly approaching, almost stalking.

     I started to panic and slowly stepped back.

     The eyes continued to come closer. I watched as it came through a ray of moonlight, revealing a black snout, followed by a scale-covered head. A black dragon's head.

     Another pang of fear flooded through me and as I stepped back, shaking uncontrollably. I took another step and tripped over a gnarled root, landing on my back.

     Gasping for air, I struggled to crawl backwards to get away but it came up too quickly, now only a few feet away, its whole body revealed in the light.

     Still crawling, I backed up into a tree. Pushing into then trunk I tried to stand but the beast was already in front of me. I stopped, crippled with fear.

     The dragon's body, rippled with muscle, stared into my eyes, holding my attention. I could not look away. It scraped its talons along the ground up to the tree.

     I collapsed to the ground, cowering as it hovered above me, still staring at me with blood-red eyes, ringed with black.

     The beast slowly opened its maw, baring its razor sharp teeth. I looked away, tears running down my face, anticipating the strike.

Darkness.