29 April 2012
The howl sounded shrilly in the distance, jolting Vega from sleep instantly. Her eyes darted around the cave she had come to call home, gradually focusing through the gloom to take in the rough stone walls, decorated with paintings left by people who had lived here long before her civilization had even existed. A cool breeze rustled dried leaves in the entrance, the night air bitterly cold as it swept in, making her shudder slightly. She took a moment to adjust, as her brain sleepily struggled to recall why this particular sound was so familiar, eventually focusing on the horrifying conclusion. Suddenly she was no longer tired; it felt as if her blood had turned to pure ice in her veins as her heart began to pound fiercely, sounding harshly in her ears; almost threatening to drown out the howls with the ferocity of its beat. Goosebumps sprung up and covered her arms, dimpling her normally smooth skin as the hairs on her body rose in fright, like an animal bristling in preparation of danger. She sprang out of the furs she had been wrapped up in, trying to force herself to stay calm, even though her head was crammed with violent, flashing images, each one more morbid and brutal than the last, appealing to her animalistic instinct to run, to save herself from the horror that was approaching. She drew a nervous, shaking breath, trying to keep it shallow and quiet as she carefully collected up her belongings and placed them quietly into her tattered rucksack; scuffed and worn it was a testament to the lifestyle she had led ever since the world had ended. She knew she didn’t have much time, but she couldn’t leave without her discoveries.
She moved across to the tattered old animal furs which made up her bed, and gingerly picked up a small cloth bag which had been placed carefully on a makeshift shelf. This was her newest discovery, and certainly the most dangerous. She felt uneasy that it was in her possession, it was such a volatile and unpredictable object, but she knew that it could be her only chance. Uneasily she stroked the cloth with her fingers, marveling at its soft, suede texture, as she tried to ignore her heart which was hammering in her chest, like a bird fighting to be freed from its cage. Carefully she opened the bag and let the small sphere which made up its contents roll out onto her dry, cracked palm. Even in the dim bleakness of the cave which it looked beautiful, reflecting even the lowest sources of light back brightly, as if polished beyond any means known to man. Of course, it probably had been, she thought ruefully, as an expectant shudder of excitement and dread snaked down her spine.
A bloodcurdling baying sounded out from the mouth of the cave, joined by heavy panting that reverberated off the walls, into a cascade of sound that Vega felt like she was falling into; so furiously it swallowed her up, carried away her senses into a confused mess of panic and rigid terror. Claws scrabbled for purchase on the smooth, worn stone, like nails being drawn down the chalkboard, snapping Vega back into the chilling reality of her situation. She stared with dread at the new arrival, barely able to breathe. The creature was huge, with sinister, taloned claws that had actually marred the stone with long, raking scars. Red eyes gleamed out of a face that was almost dog like in appearance, with a flat head and gaping jaws that held a startling array of yellowed teeth. But unlike a dog it was totally hairless, with patches of skin hanging off in tattered rags; boils covered what skin there was left, and these competed against thick, oozing wounds that had been left by the claws of its pack mates, giving the creature an appearance of something almost dead or dying, yet Vega knew better than that. A forked tongue lolled out of its mouth as it tasted the air, and Vega felt herself flinching, as if it was tasting her. She tensed up, her fingers going rigid, and felt the weight of the sphere in her hand, reminding her that she had a chance at least. She knew there was no time to think, she just had to act and hope for the best, although she experienced the sinking realisation that a favourable outcome was unlikely.
Closing her eyes tight shut she squeezed the ball in both hands and instantly felt a warming sensation as it began to emanate heat, as if sending out waves of impossible energy from its very core. Brilliant white light shone fiercely on her eyelids, daring her to open her eyes and drink it in. The temptation was there, she knew from experience how breathtaking that light could be, how reassuring it made you feel as it washed over you, drawing you in and promising salvation from the dark. But she kept them firmly shut, even as a myriad of colours began to swim across her version, it would not do to lose herself now, she needed her wits about her, and she knew only too well how disorientating that light could be.
The creature howled in frustration, and she heard its claws scrape as it leapt towards her, that panting drawing closer and closer, until she felt hot breath on her face. She imagined it opening its mouth, those teeth coming in contact with her fragile skin… Suddenly she experienced the feeling of the ground being sucked away from underneath her, and her stomach lurched uncomfortably as she dropped downwards, her hair whipping at her neck as it billowed around her head, and the panting was drowned out and replaced by a loud rushing sound, as if she was being hurtled downwards at high speed. She tried to move, tried to open her eyes, anything to feel less helpless, but she couldn’t, it was as if her body was no longer under her control, and she had no way of protecting herself from whatever awaited her at the end of this fall. She felt nauseous and sickeningly dizzy; her head felt disconnected, as if her brain was shaking within her skull, disjointed from reality. She felt herself sinking into a faint, and darkness began to cloud over that fierce light which still shone from beyond her eyelids. She slipped into it almost gratefully, welcoming the serene peace of the darkness as it overcame her, stowing her away into its silent depths.
Opening For My Novel (quite Long But Any Feedback Hugely Appreciated) • Opuss № I