The Corrupted Soul

Chapter 1

[This is book 3!]

Running across the rooftops of the moonlit city, the streetlights reflecting off the fresh snow even as more fell, I watched the few cars below struggle to plow through the blanket. I had to agree with them, if I were to stop for even a moment in my sprint, I would not be able to start it up again. The snow was too thick and the roofs were too slippery to risk stopping or making a sharp turn.

I had been through worse though.

It only took me a couple more minutes before the woods were in sight. I could go to the treehouse for tonight, it was where I usually stayed, it was basically my house now. I looked to the sky, the snow showed no signs of halting its fall anytime tonight, so I decided against sleeping in a wooden house with no insulation. I altered my course sharply, against my better judgement, and slid off the edge of the rooftop, "ShiII-"

I fell hard against the ground from the house's roof, landing hard on my side, and suddenly having a throbbing pain in my hip. the snow piled on the sidewalk cushioned my fall, but only slightly. Oh that is going to hurt tomorrow...

I growled quietly as I stood up and dusted the snow off my clothes, ignoring the protests from my leg. Sighing heavily, I retracted my Crawler legs and continued walking on foot. It would take three times as long to walk where I was headed than to run across the rooftops, especially with a slight limp, but the snow was way too thick and the ice would make it far too difficult to start up another run.

I pulled my hood up over my head and kept walking. Nighttime was always beautiful in this city, not many cars drove around, and it was almost always calm and quiet. Every winter was just as beautiful as the last. Whether it was a clear night, or a thunder storm had swept by, the night's beauty never faltered. I wondered just how much of that view was because I was a Crawler, and how much I would have shared as a human?

I had been here in this city for two whole years now, which was a strange thought. It truly did not feel like it had been that long. The city adapted fast to Crawlers living within, like people getting used to hearing the occasional far off screech or thumping on their rooftop, so I suppose the fast acceptance had to do with time feeling a little short. If it was back in the old world, there would still be people protesting our very existence in the city, even though there was really not much they could do to change it, they would keep wasting their energy and breath preaching about us not being fit for the city. Racism never fails...or is it Species-ism? Specism?? Whatever, it's not important.

As the wind picked up and blew gusts of cold snow against me, I was glad I could finally see the blue house up ahead, quickly making sure there were no cars coming on either side of the street, I extended my Crawler legs and ran across the road, where I could dig my claws into the ground for traction much more safely than a rooftop. Still didn't keep me from slipping once or twice, though.

The flowerbeds and pots around the front and back yard contained nothing but dirt and a few resilient weeds, but now the snow topped buckets and baskets couldn't possibly contain any flora. I circled the house a small bit and came to a closed, but unlocked window. Sliding it open from the outside, I climbed through, and quickly shut it behind me, locking the cold air out.

Olive let me stay at her house whenever I might need to, stay in for a stormy day, drop in on any random night, but especially times like this where there was a snowstorm pelting down. They always kept the window to the room unlocked, in case I ever needed to drop by. There was no worry of burglaries, everyone in the neighborhood knew a Crawler lived in this house, and that she was friends with me. I heard a faint bark from just outside the door to this room, I growled faintly, not an aggressive growl, but one that meant "it's me".

With a small huff, I heard Martian trot off down the hall, now realizing there was no threat. He was a great guard dog, but also a big baby and sucker for attention. Bizarre how he tolerated Olive and I, instead of cowering from the top tier predators.

I flopped back onto the bed with a small sigh, glad to be out of the storm. I was not prepared for that to start up, if I knew it would I would have brought out more than a hoodie.

It was a new moon tonight, and the thick clouds completely blocked out the sky, making it one of the rare nights where Crawlers could sleep. Olive was no doubt already taking advantage of that upstairs, and I planned to follow suit.

The past week had been exhausting. More and more news flooded in of Crawler sightings from concerned citizens. Not a single report had been the only three Crawlers that were supposed to be around.

After defeating the Lurkers and Olive's father, all who had helped us took the cure to return to their human lives. All but two others. Olive, of course, surprised no one by remaining. She preferred the life of a Crawler to that of a Human. On the other hand, everyone was Shocked by Felix remaining.

He was one of the most reluctant to get infected in the first place, stating he did not want to be a Crawler, but would rather help defend everyone than sit back and watch. Apparently, he too was surprised. He had not expected to enjoy the life of a Crawler as much as he had, and he wanted to stay.

This meant there should only be three Crawlers in existence, but sighting after sighting were appearing of what people had Dubbed "Shadow Ferals".

They only appeared on the darkest nights near the most unsuspecting people, but not a single one had been attacked or threatened by them. Thus, people began to see them as if they were sneaking around for some other purpose. Everyone was on edge, and rarely went out under the moon anymore.

Staring at the ceiling, I sighed. We know there's something around...we found one two years ago. It still makes no sense that they are only showing up now...

We hadn't told anyone about the Crawler we held in the lab. It would cause nothing but panic, and possibly harm towards us.

I shifted a bit before trying to fall asleep, listening to the snow tapping the window and the clock silently ticking away.