“Did everyone make sure to do their bits today?” my father asked.

My heart sank. All I could think about was what happened this afternoon. It didn’t seem like such a big deal to me. But you never know. Nonetheless, my brother went to open the door.

“Oh hello there! Sorry I was not sure if anyone was in”, said the visitor who looked like a high ranking guard. I have seen him in my sister‘s mining block before. “Apologies, sir! I wonder on what occasion a respected guard such as yourself is visiting our house?” said my brother.

“What do you mean? I was invited to dinner by Rivia. Your sister?”

I couldn't help but think. Since when do guards come to our homes for dinner? Father got up from his chair immediately and went to the door.

“Hello sir! Oh yes, of course! My son must have forgotten”, my father said respectfully. I couldn’t help but whisper to my mother. “How did we get the onion soup, mum?”

“I don’t know. Your sister brought the ingredients and asked me to make it today.”

Rather strange that is.

Well, even if there was an issue, father should be able to handle it. After all, he’s a man known for his work and dedication in the town. He's a smart one.

“She didn’t tell us about it, did she?” blurted out my brother in confusion. Understandably, my father got flustered. I don’t think he can cover it up anymore.

“No, no. She did, to me and mum. Didn’t she dear?” my father asked my mum.

“Yes, yes. She said an esteemed guest would be coming today, so prepare a good meal.”

The visitor became irritated. “Enough of this farce! First your daughter invites me and disappears. Now, you all don’t even have the courtesy to invite me in. Am I a joke to you?”

“No, no, we didn’t mean to, sir”, said my brother trying to repair the damage he’s done.

“Enough! I will go find that wretched woman. She keeps trying to slip away from my fingers. I will find her and bring her back. Then we can all eat together as planned”, he said with a scheming look on his face. My father looked scared as if he realised something. I couldn’t tell what it was.

I slammed the table I was sitting at. I couldn’t help getting angry at the things I’m hearing. The guard looked at me for a second. Shit! I need to cover it up.

“Ah brother, I think I inhaled too much Deathglow stone powder today. My hand is hurting!” I pretended to get hit by a sudden surge of pain. My brother left my dad’s side and came to me.

My mother frantically replied to the guest, “Please, I beg you. Kindly come inside and wait in the warmth. There is no reason for you to remain out in the cold. My husband will look for our daughter.”

Slap!

The guest slapped my father in his face. My father fell silent. The guard scoffed but just as he turned, we heard a loud growl. So loud that I thought my ears would burst. It did not sound like the growl of a man or a dog. it sounded like the growl of a beast. That sound alone frightened me.

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I heard screams in the distance. Once again, mum asked everyone to come inside.

“Tremble inside like the cowards you are. I will be back to show you a lesson once I find what’s happening”, said the guest and walked away.

My father eyed everyone immediately, “We need to look for Rivia”. My brother offered to go with him. I felt like I should go too. “Should I come dad?”

“No, stay with your mum. Me and your brother will go.”

They left the house and shut the door behind them. I could still hear people shouting. I wanted to divert my attention. Mum sat beside me. “Hopefully they find her before the soldier does”, she said. She’s probably worried I’m frightened. She kept talking to me while we were eating.

To be honest, they might be punishing someone, my mum said, trying to assure me. “Every now and then someone goes hungry and they resort to stealing. Punishment for stealing food is 50 lashes. It could be some of those people.”

Not the most reassuring thing to hear after what happened. But yes, I knew about that. People don't care about the lashing still, and steal though. My problem is, these screams sound different. But then mom said something I have only heard about twice before.

“Or… it could be a possession.”

Bang! The whole house shook. It sounded like colliding stones. I felt shockwaves through the house. My mother too became visibly worried. I want to check what’s going on outside. Because if I don’t, I know my mother will.

“Let me go and see, mum.”

“Please don’t go, Straak.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.”

“No, I don’t want you to go. I will go”, she said as she got up from her chair. “I will walk to the next two blocks towards the southern gate. If I see anything dangerous I will return right away. Stay here”, saying that she left.

I don’t know. I got a really bad feeling about this. Especially when she brought up possession. I have never experienced it myself, but I hear stories all the time, as it happens in the town every few years. An evil spirit takes over the body of a human being and transforms them into a monster.

Bang! Another sound of collision. I got up from the chair and walked around in the house to keep myself calm. I hope they find Riv.

The sounds got louder and louder. I became all the more worried. I should go out once around the corner and have a peek. Not for too long cause mum might come back.

As soon as I opened the door, I saw our neighbours, also standing in front of their doors. Unlike military buildings our homes do not have windows. Our houses are built this way to protect ourselves from the air outside, as it is heavily filled with dust and smoke. Everyone looked just as confused as I was. People are trying to talk to each other without making noise. They’re probably scared of the guards. Right at that moment, three guards walked into our street.

“Why are you all outside?”

“Can someone tell us what’s happening? What are the screams we are hearing?”

One of the soldiers fidgeted. “Punishments. People are just being given punishments”, he said without hesitation.

“The ground was shaking, you know. Is it a possession?”

“S-Shut up and go, or else I will have to lash you too.”

A sharp sound rang in my ears. It's the sound you hear, when you swing something so fast that you cut through the air. I heard that exact sound. Before we knew the ground shook as if a huge boulder fell from the sky.

Something crashed into the ground far behind the guards. The shockwaves from the crash were so strong that they made me lose balance. I wobbled, but still stood with my eyes open. Silence filled the air for a moment. From inside the dust cloud, where the crash happened, emerged an abomination.

It was stony and large. It reminded me of a snake but something about it felt dangerous yet majestic. Six snakes protruded from its back, which made it look like it had 8 arms. It had long sturdy legs, both of different sizes. It wasn’t of a normal height. For all I could tell in the darkness, it was as tall as 4 men.

Someone screamed. “It's a possessed! Run away everyone!”

Everyone ran. I began to run too. One misstep and I can be stomped to death. As I ran without looking behind, someone’s chopped off leg flew over my head. It rained blood. People were flying. I screamed in fear. Although I chose the wrong time for it and tripped.

Luckily I was beside an alleyway before I was stomped on. I quickly turned and leaned against the wall. I was panting. I wanted to stay there, but I knew I had to move. Where are mum and dad? My brother and sister? Fresh blood splashed on my face from a man who was thrown beside me. I have to go now.

I ran and ran. People were scrambling like me. I ran so far that I passed the next two mining blocks. I didn’t understand any of it. In the first block I went past, there was no damage. I thought maybe the monster didn’t come from this direction. But towards the end of the second block, I started seeing the damage. Droplets of blood, broken windows, broken walls and dead people. I tried my best to avoid looking at the bodies.

I stayed vigilant and walked. The monster still seems to be in the direction where my house is. While I was turning my head, looking around, I heard a mumble. I want to say the sound reminded me of a child or even maybe a baby. The last thing I want to see is a baby dying in front of me. I tried to avoid meeting eyes with anything. A few steps later, I saw it.

A lone baby boy clapping his hands and saying random things. He was on the edge of the road surrounded by rubble and dead bodies. I approached slowly, looking for any adults around. He seemed to be alone.

“What are you doing here little boy?” I brushed his hair. He clapped more. “Mama boo”, he said and pointed towards the direction where I came from. I wish I understood baby language. I heard the gravel sound of that monster again. Like stone and stone rubbing together.

Suddenly the baby boy raised his arms. “Aa?” He said, with an innocent look on his face. I was going to take him anyway, but it felt like he almost asked for my help. I couldn't help it.

“Smart boy aren’t you?”

I peeked behind me and looked at the little guy again. No danger yet. Stretching my arms out to pick him up, I said, “Come here boy.”

Then, poof. He was gone. I blinked my eyes several times and looked around. Huh. What just happened. While I was trying to figure out what happened, suddenly I felt a searing pain on my back.

Boom! I felt a burst of black flame erupt on the back of my body. An agonising scream left me. Nothing burned on me, but the pain was as real as it can get.

I tried to tap my hands on my back and put the fire out. No use. It was so painful that I couldn’t help falling on my back. I didn’t know what I was doing from the pain, but I still tried to roll on the ground. I need to put out this fire. The flame did not let go. I screamed from the pain. I screamed and kicked and kicked. Before finally giving up and passing out.