#chapter tag

Peace never seemed to last long for him. Most of his life could be described as brief windows of happiness, only to be followed by yet another fuckin' problem. Whatever. That's how life went right? Yeah, as long as you weren't alone it was fine. Wait, was he alone? Picking away at his own memories like an ant to a crumb. No, he wasn't alone. Who could it be? His mother? No, she was too busy looking down the end of the vodka bottle to give a damn about anyone outside of her own existence. Dad? Hell no…. He hardly knew him, no it was someone else. Who? The question itched at his mind like scab begging to be ripped at. Who had he forgotten?

Suddenly he was jerked back to reality, cold water twisted itself around him like a python. Rushing into his mouth and nose. He could feel the sting of it in his bones, his lungs flooded. Any air within them was pushed out, into bubbles that floated to the world above him. Desperately he screamed out for help, but his voice didn’t make a sound. No one could hear him. Shock trembled through his limbs, slack and weak. Nothing was clear anymore, not even the moonlight. Please help me.. Who was it that he expected to come? Legs now stiffened, it was done. He could fight no more. His flailing arms stopped, no more strength in them. Nothing left lay behind his panicked eyes, still wide with grief. Sinking, ever so farther into the lake.

He didn't expect he would ever open his eyes again. But when he did, the watery grave that imprisoned him was gone. Where he was now…. Where exactly was he now? Sitting somewhere empty, a room. The walls and floor were white, clean and lifeless. It was so cold, but he didn’t shiver. Perhaps he was already cold to begin with. Despite being freed, he still felt empty. Devoid of any energy or willpower. Arms dangled down, resting on his legs. Like a doll with no puppeteer. Jaw slacked open wide, though he breathed no air. His eyes rested on the floor below him, blankly. If not for the figure that stood before him, he might have stayed that way until the end of time. A dog, with black fur. No, that wasn’t fur. It was just skin, which caused an uneasiness to stir in his stomach. Almost like when you look at something that by all means looks real, but something about it is still off. Whatever it was troubled you, but you couldn't quite put your finger on it. Some vague yet menacing detail that escaped you gave it all away. Nothing but a mimic, a trick of the eyes.

This dog, no, this thing. Its shape was quite similar to that of a dog, true. But it had no details on its face. No snout, just a pointed muzzle. Sharp ears with no inside. Despite the lack of pupils, he could still feel its threatening gaze fixed on him. Though he could not feel his heart beat, dread draped over him and crawled along his skin. Fingers twitched with anticipation, every cell in his body crying out for him to flee. Afraid, like that of a mouse spotted by a hawk.

“What brought you here?”

While this creature's mouth didn’t move, he knew it was the one that spoke. As he contemplated his answer, his urge to escape died away. The real question was who had brought him here? Had he really found his way to this strange place alone? Maybe this place wasn’t even real. Let's see, there was the lake… but what about before? He hadn't the faintest idea. Within his chest, a spark of aggression flashed. Fight. Yes, he fought back against that sorry excuse of a human being. His hand gently hovered over his jawline, it ached where he had been punched.

“I think somebody murdered me.” Finally, the words rolled out of his mouth. Everything was still fuzzy, but he remembered now. This person, who he couldn't recall. Yes, they were responsible! Just the thought of it spurred a fury in his chest.

“Was it fair?”

Ripping his life away, what justified this asshole to do so? That awful feeling of being smothered below the reservoir, all caused by them. They did this, they were to blame. “No…” His voice strained with resentment. The creature that stood before him had drawn closer, lowering its head. Studying him. “What are you going to do about it?” This question felt more like a reminder of his helplessness, rather than genuine curiosity. Like this thing was mocking him. At a loss, he scoffed, "Nothing, I lost. I'm useless now."

“What if you could?”

The mimic now had his full undivided attention. “I would make them hurt like I did.” Maybe even worse... He was numb to the feeling of his lip curling, teeth clenched and fists tightened into a ball. Just the thought of it burned his pride. Ate away at him, greedily gnawing at what little there was. “Would it bring you peace?” Fuck peace, he didn't want peace. There was no morality in murder. No, he wanted revenge. He was stolen from, what was his was torn away without mercy and it would forever be gone. There was no 'right' here. There was just some asshole who took everything from him, and got away with it.

"I don't want to die."

This is what he wanted. Rid the world of those who were responsible, and take back what was his. He wanted it back.

An eerie growl of satisfaction echoed off the walls, as the mimic finally revealed its fangs. And a twisted smile split across its face. "So it is a deal then? We seek out this vile wretch, and in exchange you give me their flesh and soul in exchange for your new life?" Gratification flourished through his veins, a passion that brought feeling to their empty soul. A reason to continue. It felt euphoric, forcing a chuckle from his lips. What a wonderful dream! The power to take back what was his. "Who the hell wouldn't say yes to an offer like that?"

As he uttered those last words, everything went dark. Once again, he was at rest. No fear, no delight, and no pain… He finally was able to disappear. But this didn't last long. Nothing nice for him ever does. Gradually those earthly sensations made their way back to him. He felt his throat close once more, the air squeezed from his insides. And that horrid panic ignited in his chest once more. The fight for survival swarmed his thoughts and composed his movements. Through blurred vision he started to make out a light above. Clawing for the surface, he screamed and flailed desperately trying to race towards it. Ringing had begun to infect his ears, and stifled the noises around him even as he broke free to the world above. Freezing night air hit his skin, and various curses spewed from his mouth in shock. Struggling just to keep his breath, he kept his head afloat the best he could. Lake water still lapped at his brow as he blindly swam forward. This god awful ringing in his ears refused to let up.

Just keep fighting, eventually he had to reach land. And soon enough; his feet though numb from their endeavors, scraped against rock and sand. Finally! Using the last of his strength, he crawled through the dirt. Enervated, it was all that he could do to lean forward as water rose in his throat. Burning as all that suppressed his insides came gushing out forcefully. Finished, he flopped over onto the ground, and tried to catch his breath. Time passed, he wasn't sure how long. But the ringing had finally stopped, and was replaced by the gentle hum or the crickets. He lay there by the lakebed, staring up at the sky above. What happened?

Nothing seemed real to him. Not the chill that clung to his hands and knees, nor the stars as they glimmered like tiny pieces of glass scattered across the night sky. That dream from before, there was a dog. They talked, talked about such bittersweet ideas like vengeance and life. Was that a near death experience? His brain just giving him the satisfaction he craved before it all came to a stop? But then… What woke him? At the bottom of the lake, by all means he should be dead. So why wasn't he? It just seemed so absurd he simply couldn't believe it. Nearby, twigs cracked from the weight of a foot. Jolting from his spot, he twisted his neck upward to see the silhouette of a stranger looking at him from some railing above on the hilltop behind. The atmosphere was unnervingly quiet as they stared, trying to make out the face of the other. From their figure, he guessed it was a man. Broad shouldered. But he could only see so well from down here. Tree branches rustled, leafs breaking away with the breeze. Raining across the grimy wet mud he gripped at, slowly moving himself further on land. “Hey.” Words came weakly, and steady came the strength to hoist himself to his knees.

“You… There…”

Then shakily to his legs, using a nearby log for support. The world seemed to sway and he wobbled forward like a drunk to the steep incline before him. “Call. Call someone. Please. I think I.. I might need a…” Their visitor abruptly turned around, gazing at something behind them as if startled. “A… Hey. Can you hear…” Between coughs, and groans of pain he tried to regain the man’s attention. But he could see the interloper backing away from the railing. “Listen to me… What are-” One wrong step sent him falling face first into the soil. Spitting grains of earth from his tongue, agitated and exhausted he wiped the muck from his eyes. “God damnit… Just give me a chance to…” Trailing off, he heard the fleeing of footsteps on concrete pavement. Haphazardly reclaiming his footing, he was just in time to see the interloper taking their leave. No! No, no wait! Waving his hand about as one last resort to be seen, he watched as the figure vanished. Are you fucking serious? Defeated, he sank back down to his knees. What now? Perhaps it was better to wait here and rest, get the stability to climb up. Just as he leaned back, white lights shined up above. And with it, muffled voices. A group of folks from the sounds of it. Could it be, had that guy returned with help? Relief washed over him as a flashlight illuminated the environment below. Thank god! Scrambling down, he could just barely see them heaving themselves over the railing and through the bushes towards him. Holding his hand to shield the light from his clouded vision, once more he yanked himself from the ground. The voices drew closer now, garbled and alarmed. Thank god… He could almost cry. As the blinding light was waved away, he unshielded his eyes only to be greeted by a fist. Within seconds, he was back down on the ground. The taste of mud was replaced with blood, his head bounced as he fell backwards. Stunned he laid there, dumbfounded. What just happened? The collar of his soaked and filthy tank was lurched back up, facing a rather ugly shit of a human being. Nose and teeth crooked, a ting of yellow stained them as the man shouted insults that went unheard. His face peach and sunburnt, scarring decorated his rough leathery skin. The ringing from before had come back, and drowned out the group of thugs that surrounded him. A revolting stench came from his attacker’s breath, nauseating him. Tossed to the side, he collided with a rotted log and before he knew it a flurry of stomps came from every direction.

What did he do to deserve this? Trying to block his face as they aimed for his limbs and torso, one individual swiftly landing a blow to his head and gut. One right after the other, they pelted him with their boots. And then it all came to a halt. Was he dead? No, all over his body throbbed in agony. But he was still alive. But how? Trembling, through his garbled hearing came petrified howls and wails. People dashing about in the shrubbery. Peeking under his elbow, he saw as the men scurried about. Running from something vicious. Beastly snarls followed the cries of distress. Lowering his arms, he sat upright and watched as the men threw themselves into the lake to escape. But were suddenly dragged under by some unseen force. And crimson levitated to the surface where they had been seconds ago. It was an uncanny sight, seeing them one by one disappear under the lake’s abyss. He watched as the last one frantically splashed about and hollered for his mother before he too was silenced. A path of gore stained the water, still and calm. For a few minutes, everything stood frozen in place. As if the forest itself was in awe of what had occurred.

Jerked backward, he was lifted nose to nose with yet another brute. Sweat dripped from the man’s forehead, his teeth clenched and his eyes wide with fear. “You think you're funny? Huh? We tried to make it real easy for your scrawny ass, and you're just digging your grave deeper boy! What the fuck is that? Speak up!” The odor of cigarette smoke and gasoline was overwhelming. He wasn’t even sure how to respond, much less had the energy to. What thing? What was he raging on about? Pupils darting about, the man suddenly wrapped his cumbersome arm around his victims throat and started to lug him away. Gripping at the forearm that trapped him in a headlock, the weakened man feebly tried to break loose. But to no avail. This roughneck huffed as he feverishly ducked them both behind a nearby patch of underwood. “You messed with the wrong family, you know that? The Blackwood family ain’t no yobbo fuckwits, you hear me? Even if I die here, your dead meat!” Hissing into his ear as the hefty man tightened his stranglehold. “You hear me boy, dead-” Snap. The crack of bones and the sickly guishing of muscle being torn. Iron polluted the aroma around them, and warm liquid drenched his back as the grip around his neck loosened. Gasping, he freed himself from his foe’s headlock. Dead weight started to compress upon him, with the last of his strength he wiggled himself out from underneath the heavy body. Strings of blood slithered from his back as he slid out, digging his fingers deep into the mud to tug himself forward. Halfway out, he dared not to look behind him.