New Gods [dc comics]

Chapter 5: He Who Collects

I was breathless. Everything burned from my shoulders down to my calves. My feet felt as if they were frozen raw. But I kept running. From what? I'm not sure exactly. I just had that instinct, that flare, in the back of my mind flicker on and off telling me that I did not want to stay and find out. But then again, where was I? My legs falter as I glance around.

I was nowhere.

Blackness surrounded me reaching farther than I could see. It was almost suffocating. I stopped and slowly spun around trying to find a source of light. Static filled my body, numbing my skin. It was only then I remembered where I was.

This is not real.

I let out a breath of disbelief. Not once have I ever became aware during a dream. I began pinching my skin, that did nothing but leave small crescents on my skin, I moved to slap my face. Nothing was working. The sting on my face and arms sent a shiver up my spine. Why does this all feel so real? Someone called out to me, telling me to run. A little girl emerged from the darkness, it was me, I couldn't be any older than seven, my princess pajamas were torn and smudged with dirt. She ran to me and pulled me along to match her quick pace.

"Hurry! He can't know you're awake!"

He? I look behind me careful not to trip over myself. There was nothing. Looking ahead towering trees appeared, we were now running in a vast forest, fog hung low, the air smelt artificial.

Reaching a fallen tree we crawl underneath, our breathing ragged. "He's after us, I'm not sure how long it'll take him to find you in the real world, but you need to be ready."

"Who are you talking about. I don't understand!"

The little girl opened her mouth only to be cut off my a menacing voice,
"COME OUT LITTLE ONE! I DO NOT WISH TO WAIT ANY LONGER!"

My younger self ushered me into a small hole, "He has followers all over Earth, they will come for you. He's the main reason father hid you. Everything will come back to you soon you just need to be patient and pray to the gods that he does not find you before then." She began covering me with leaves and dirt, " His name is Zaroch, he's pure evil. And you killed his father. You'll know when he's coming when you dream of red."

A sinister laugh rang out into the forest, chills ran through my body. The laugh was filled with insanity and bloodlust.

"There you are~"