The Creatures that Haunt the Shadows

Year 1: Creature in the Catacombs

Hunger. Creature could feel nothing else. It consumed everything. Every action, every thought. All that mattered was the Hunger, and trying to satisfy it with-

Creature stopped in their tracks, their no longer human ears hearing something.

"It's so dark and cold Jasmine." Creature heard the shiver in its voice. "C'mon let's just go home."

"No! I have a bet to settle. Besides it won't be that dark in a sec."

Creature heard the sound of soft, juicy flesh smack against a hard substance. The Hunger growled and clawed inside, but Creature pushed down the pain. Patience always worked in its favor.

Creature heard something click into place as a terrible white brightness blinked into existence down the cavern. With a soft hiss it retreated deeper into the darkness. Safe, conforming darkness. Perfect for attacking light dwelling prey such as this.

"Haha! Got it. Now, let's find that skull."

"You really think a t-Rex skull is going to be down here in these abandoned catacombs?"

Creature skittered behind a deteriorating wall as the fleshling prey rounded the corner into Creature's den. Light illuminated the space, showing the filthy floor littered with bones and shreds of burial clothing. Creature's most recent meal. Fresh meat so rarely wandered this far into the catacombs.

Creature looked at the two fleshlings. The one holding the blinding light was built powerfully with a long dark mane of hair. They held themselves with confidence and power. The alpha for sure. The one next to it was much smaller with a short mane of light hair. It reeked of delectable sweat and panic. The Hunger protested, almost taking control. But creature reigned it in. Not yet.

The pair walked forward passed Creature's bedding. "Pft. Doubt it, but we have to check either way. Travis may be a crack-sniffing conspiracy theorist, but in the very rare chance there is a dinosaur skull down here, we could make some good money."

Not yet.

"Y-yeah. I bet those ghouls he described are some drug induced theory too right?" The runt stuttered, kicking one of the splinters of bones covering the floor forward.

The Hunger began to grow hotter inside Creature as a warning, but Creature pushed it back. Not yet!

"Oh absolutely. Nothing like that exists." The pair walked directly in front of Creature in its hiding place.

Now.

Creature reached through a hole in the wall, ripping its claws across the throat of the alpha. It fell with a sputter and a fountain of crimson.

The runt screamed as Creature moved from around the wall and pounced on its kill. The Hunger was delighted with the feeling of hot blood and flesh under Creature's claws an in between it's fangs. Euphoria flooded Creature as it felt the Hunger devour something other than it. It was relief, freedom from that ever present pain.

Creature felt it's mind drift, far far away. It was under a dark cavern with pinpricks of light in it. It felt endless above it. The air was fresh and free of the scent of decay. It rested in something soft and wonderful. Another creature lay next to it, holding Creature's soft... fleshling hand. They bared their teeth at Creature, but it wasn't threatening. It was kind and sweet. They moved closer, snuggling into Creature.

"Aren't the stars beautiful?"

It was over. The Hunger returned from its rampage, devouring whatever Creature was seeing. Creature couldn't help but feel frustrated. They liked that. Whatever it was. How dare the Hunger take it from them?