Our Journey Together

Chapter 1

Max POV
"Kiddo, what did I say about running off on your own?" Dad questioned. His face having a strict expression as he looked down on me.

"U-umm, not to" I stuttered out nervously. Subconsciously playing with his fingers, looking away from his face. I was just so excited! Dad brought me to buy a new toy because I was a good boy during the school trip. 

"I just wanted to look around the store, dad. There are just sooo many toys!" I replied hoping that he would forgive me. I never wanted to make dad angry or upset with me.

An amused grin broke out on his face. "Really, kiddo? You were that excited?" He chuckled. 

"Just don't do it again, okay? Your mom  will kill me if she ever found that her little teddy bear went running around on his own" he said, petting my head fondly.

"Okay dad! I promise I won't go exploring again alone!" I declared, smiling at him.

Suddenly, the room became very cold. The countless shelves of toys were enveloped in darkness. Everything started to distort and disappear. I started shivering. It was so cold!

"Dad, what's happening?" I asked while tugging the Hem of his shirt. I looked around the toy store, but everything was pitch black

"You Promised, huh kiddo?" A haughty voice drawled, pure malice dripping from the question. 

The fabric in my hand disintegrated as unbridled fear entered my body.

"W-what? W-what do y-you m-mean dad?"  I asked fearfully, not daring to look back at my dad. I felt so scared now. The coldness around me seeped into my bones. A hand gripped onto my chin, forcing me to look at my dad's face. I shut my eyes tight. 

"Look at me Kiddo" The voice urged. 

"N-no, you're n-not dad! G-go away!" I  desperately exclaimed while trying to fight against the vice-like grip, but my body didn't budge. I was frozen with terror. 

"I j-just want dad b-back!" I pleaded

"LOOK AT ME!!" The disembodied voice yelled. "LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID!!"

The ear-splitting scream forced me to open my eyes. What I saw, shocked me to my core.
It was dad, but there was blood. So much blood. Hot, crimson fluid was flowing from his forehead. He looked hurt. I gazed into his eyes and the look in them was frightening. They had turned black, and they bored into his soul, accusing him of something. 

"I d-didn't do a-anything t-to y-you d-dad" I whispered. My hands started shaking uncontrollably. A metallic taste filled my mouth, as I looked at the warped figure before me.

"Are you sure kiddo?" The black orbs started swirling. "You promised daddy that you won't go exploring, but you didn't care did you?" the figure questioned him, as a twisted grin crept into his face. His eyes widening in delight.

I was rooted in place. My forehead thick with sweat. My heartbeat pulsing erratically. My breathing becoming faster.

*VROOM* *HONK-HONK*

My head snapped towards the sound.
The scent of burning rubber invaded my nose. A blood-red truck was careening at high speed...
towards me. 

It's ghostly white headlights blinding me. It's wailing honk drew blood from my ears. I could feel the truck accelerating. Not stopping.

"It was your fault that I died, Max" the figure spat out vehemently. "Its only fair for you to die, the way I did"