Spirit Animals One-Shots

late halloween-y thing

  He was shaking. He had no idea where he was. It was dark and cold and so.. empty.

  "Hello?" Devin called out softly. It echoed. It was like the whole place was taunting him.

  "Hello, Devin Trunswick."

  Devin nearly jumped out of his skin. He whirled around wildly, trying to spot the source of the voice, but to no avail.

  "No, no, child. You cannot see me. Not yet." The voice, a man, said with a wheezy chuckle.

  "Who are you?" Devin called out. He intended to sound confident, like the lord's son he was, but it came out weak, so afraid. He cursed himself.

  "That is everyone's problem," the voice said dismissively. "Why does it matter? We go about our days collecting information that we will never use, or information that is so fragile it will break when used incorrectly. Tsk tsk."

  Devin raised a brow. Suddenly, he felt awfully cold. Had the temperature suddenly dropped? His toes felt like icicles.

  "But I understand."

  Do you? Devin thought with a snort.

  "I do. You are cold and confused so you think recklessly."

  The boy's attention was drawn to a flame illuminating the dark space up ahead.

  "That fire looks awfully inviting, doesn't it? So warm, so comfortable."

  Devin felt a little like a rat drawn to a trap. It looked all fine and dandy until the cage clamped down around you.

  "Go on," the voice urged quietly, "stay warm, little one."

  He felt annoyed. Little one? He was hardly little. Without a word, he warily walked forward, eyes flickering here and there. Finally, he stood in front of the fire.

  He felt tired. Had his bones suddenly gotten heavier?

  "Now, now, you must be exhausted."

  Devin's eyes widened as a pillow appeared out of thin air. His heart was pounding. That wasn't supposed to be possible.

  "Perhaps I should let you rest."

  Maybe this was just a dream? A stupid little dream. If he could just go back to sleep, then he'd wake up in his own bed.

  "Go now," the voice whispered, "lay your head down for a nap."

  Devin slowly lowered himself to the ground, lying his head down on the plush pillow. It felt good.

  "Sleep well, Devin Trunswick."

  "How do you know my name?" Devin murmured sleepily.

  "Shh.."

  When Devin awoke, it was not to his warm bedroom, under his soft blankets, but to a fire reduced to embers and an empty black setting.

  "Welcome back."

  He felt a wave of panic crash over him, before it was gently pulled away, but not by him.

  Dear Tellun, Devin thought, swallowing his nerves, he can control my emotions.

  "This is not the place to be afraid," the voice soothed him, "you are in very good hands."

  He didn't want to be in any hands. He wanted to control himself. But, the thoughts faded as a blanket of calm enwrapped him. He was safe here.