The Indicent

A Chapter by Imagination-mage

This is Portland, Oregon; a tiny little city that has marvelous views of the sea if you survive the torturous trails in the forest or wildlife that inhabit the place. It’s a nice place, filled with nice people and tons of fresh air, only problem…are the creatures that inhabit the forest. Every night, the same thing; weird noises, trees falling (well more of like were slashed and hacked out of place) and the mysterious trails of dead animals and the claw markings on boulders along with scorch marks on the trees that weren’t decapitated. I walked up the trail, following the smell of brimstone and animal blood, till I came to a large boar.

“Pig?” My immature five year old voice squeaked. I was as curious as any kindergartner in Portland was but I just took my curse on to a whole new level that was known as stupidity. I had snuck out of my home, following the accursed trail that led up the mountain and towards the cliff side that gave gorgeous views of Portland but one slip could cost you your life. I had made it this far and I wasn’t gonna back down now. I pushed a long branch out of the way and hopped over a small dip, feeling like I had jumped the Grand Canyon. I smiled smugly to myself, soon humming the We are the Champions to myself except replacing the we with I am.

“I am the champion, I am the champion!” I sang proudly. “No time for losers cause I am the champion…”

I took a lungful of air and hopped on top of a large rock and let my voice fly.

“Of the WORLD!!” I sang, the birds dispersing from the cry. I shot my fist up and laughed. I slid down the rock and was about to continue on my adventure till I saw the claw marks. I froze, realizing the sheer size of the beast I was trying to locate. My instincts seemed to take the best of me as my eyes widened and I found myself shivering. I lowered my voice as I continued singing “I am the champion…my friend…”

I then heard something zip by behind me making me turn and my eyes nearly bulging out of my sockets. I tried moving on as I continued “And I’ll keep on fighting till the end…”

I let out a gasp as I heard the bushes rustle again as I tried turning fast enough to see the unknown creature only to see a long black tail being pulled into the bushes. I walked faster and faster soon running like mad. I felt tears welling up in my eyes as I screamed “MOMMY!!”

Something then popped out in front of me and lunged, tackling me and bounding me by the wrists. We fell back, rolling till the world just seemed to be a swerve of colors. I was pressed onto my back, feeling long claws digging into my wrists and sides; the only sound was the birds flapping their wings in the sky and me whimpering. The beast on top of me was part human and part reptile with large black and red bat like wings coming out of the shoulders, a toothy smile and a very bulky body structure. I felt tears roll down my face as I felt the drool roll down from his bottom lip and land on my cheek.

“Well looky what I caught today…” He smirked, his serpent like tongue flicking out and retreating back inside. I was shivering uncontrollably as I tried thinking of what to do next.

Run…Scream…Pee… I thought as I suddenly started to sob. The man released one of my wrists and wrapped his clawed fingers around my throat, squeezing.

“Shush, shush, it’ll be over soon.” He muttered and commenced strangling me. As I gasped for air, my eyes caught onto a broken branch. I quickly reached and swatted the unknown predator with it making him release me. I got up and ran, running so fast that I couldn’t believe I was the slowest kid in my grade. I made turns, hearing the roars of the predator as he tried closing in. I turned back only to see the black blur zip by my head, my reflexes making my duck. I soon came to the edge, my legs aching and my heart thudding in my chest. I looked around, hoping that some miracle would swoop in and save me. I heard trees suddenly fall behind me, my senses on high alert as I backed up. The creature soon appeared from the forest, revealing his red, scaly skin and a single tooth sticking from the side of his mouth, his tail twitching behind him. He lunged again, I screamed and fell back. I felt myself fall, rolling on the side and screaming. The tears in my eyes were falling skyward, my throat going sore. As I fell, I felt arms wrap around my waist and fly me away. I felt the comforting warmth of a girl about my age but species of the unknown predator.

I was placed on the outside of the forest, completely bewildered. I turned back at the forest, all seeming quiet all of a sudden.

“Justin, Justin!!” a shrill voice called. I turned only seeing my mom race over and give me a death grip hug. I was so scared, still shivering and clinging to my mom for dead life.

“Oh thank god…” My mom whispered, standing up and turning away from the forest. “Let’s go home.”

I felt so at peace and safe in my moms arms, suddenly realizing how emotionally and physically exhausted I was. I looked back towards the forest, soon seeing that the scenery had already darkened at the call of night and the trees were now silhouetted in shadows. But as I looked back I spotted green eyes glowing in the distance, watching me. I waved, the figure waving back as I soon closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.

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