Shadow Mark (Beast)

Chapter One

Joshua: (Waking up in his bedroom, confused and blurry eyed) I need to see if Cat is downstairs. (Grabbing for the doorknob, he is interrupted by a cold, eerie scream comes from behind him) What is that? Something's wrong here, and I don't like it! (He turns around and heads towards where the scream originated) Is the screaming from outside? Must be one of the neighbors. (He looks out the window to see nothing but an empty street. The screaming continues again) That scream... Where is it coming from! (A thud on the door startles Joshua. He scrambles to the door and opens it) What? No! Not this again! (Joshua is facing a silhouette of something unearthly. The silhouette is not revealed, but the terror on Joshua's face proves the menace of this shadow)

Cat: Wake up! Joshua, I need you to wake up! Breakfast is ready! (Continuously shaking Joshua) Brody and your dad are waiting for you! (She pulls open the curtains to shine some light in his room) The pancakes are getting cold Joshua. (Joshua jolts up in fear)

Joshua: Cat? Cat! I just had the worst nightmare of my life! (He gets up and wipes the sweat off his forehead) There was a sun and moon on my hand, and there... there was screaming! And there was a silhouette! Nothing of this world! (Joshua gets up and takes a deep breath)... At least it's over.

Cat and Joshua both walk down into the dining room, where Mr. Scotts and Brody are already feasting on their breakfasts. The sun shines from the windows overhead. Mrs. Scotts is baking another batch of pancakes in the kitchen.

Joshua: Good morning mom!

Mrs. Scotts: Good morning, Josh! Your pancakes are on the table. Cat, can you please help me bring this last batch into the dining room? (Turning around holding a plate of fresh pancakes)

Cat: Oh, yes! (walking into the kitchen and grabbing the plate) These pancakes smell delicious! (she walks into the dining and places the pancakes on the table) I can't wait to eat!

Mrs. Scotts joins them in the dining room for breakfast. They all eat silently until Joshua breaks the silence.

Joshua: Hey? Where did you get that sun and moon? (He realizes it's the same symbol that was on his hand in the nightmare)

Mrs. Scotts: Oh! I got it from the garage sale across the way. Don't you like it? I think it is very nice! (spoken lightly in a posh tone)

A silence breaks over the dining room once more. Josh thinks deeply about the marking and sigil. A weary sensation runs through his body before he has the thought to answer.

Joshua: It... doesn't fit the scenery of the dining room. Maybe you can move it? (Joshua looks at the sigil) It would look nice the living room... Or maybe even the loft?

Mrs. Scotts: Oh please, if it were in the loft no one would be able to see it. (smiles kindly at Joshua but has the look of confusion in her eyes)

Joshua: (under his breath) That's the point...

Cat: (shoves Joshua's arm lightly) That isn't very nice, grumps!

Brody: Why were you sleeping so long, Josh? Staying up all night playing video games?

Joshua: (Thinking of an alibi) Yeah... sure, I was just playing Just Cause and I happened to get caught up in the rift of things going on in the game. Ya know, explosions, fast cars and killing a fascist dictator's army. (he sinks into the back of his chair)

(doorbell rings)

Mrs. Scotts: That must be for you, Joshua. Your friend has been checking to see if you were up all morning since about 8:30. He was talking about some sort of symbol. Also, he seems to be repelled by that sun and moon.

Joshua: I am surprised everyone isn't. (He leaves the table and picks up the coat hanging on the wall)