• This is the second book of The Collected series •
"Those who bring pain are here to save, and those who bring hope will bring death. A great evil rests on the horizon, eating away at each setting sun. Nothing is as it seems while you beg for salva...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Four months ago
I bolted straight up, almost to my feet. Yellow lights illuminated the small room built of rusted metal. Except for the table I lay on, it was shiny and smooth.
I felt numb, my head especially. Fuzzy and confused. My back and stomach couldn't be felt either. Such an odd tingling feeling. My tongue felt heavy in my mouth, like it would be difficult to talk.
"Hello?" I croaked, throat raspy.
Where was I? And how had I got here? What was this place and... who was I?
I didn't know anything, couldn't remember anything. Not a single memory or name I could grasp onto.
"Is anyone there?" I swung my legs off the table, letting them dangle for a moment as I tried to remember. Something. Anything.
A space in the wall started to slide open, a hidden door. On the other side stood two hideous creatures. Big and horrifying. Their skin was dark and looked tougher than rock. One had small tusks protruding from its mouth and both had small beadyeyes.
"Number four, our guardian, you have awoken from your slumber at last." The one with tusks stepped forward and my hands gripped the sides of the table.
"We know this must be very confusing, but it will make sense soon." Tuskless's little eyes bore into mine and I felt a sort of familiarity. "Don't worry, we are your family."
"Who are you." My knuckles were surely white by now. "Where are we?"
"I believe you would call us The Collectors, and this is The Collecting Point." Tusks smiled and it sent a chill down my spine.
"Number four, you are the guardian of The Collecting Point. Sent to protect us from the horrors of the humans." Tuskless came closer and his horrid stench hit me, I had to force myself not to gag.
"Humans?" The word was familiar yet strange.
"Yes, the monsters created to kill us." Tuskless lay his hand on my shoulder and my muscles coiled like a wire. "We're just glad you have risen again. You must begin your training immediately."
"Why can't I remember anything?" I slipped off the table, wobbly on my feet. I didn't miss the look the two shared.
"Because your life starts now," Tusks nodded nervously, "Nothing before today matters."
"Come, it's time we begin." The two stood on either side of me and lead me out of the room.
I did not feel like their guardian, but their prisoner.
✶ ✶ ✶
Present day
One, two, three hits and he's down. The second Collector charged. Duck, punch. He's on his knees. I smash his head into my knee and watch as he falls to the ground. Weakly he tries to stand again, my heel fixes the problem.
