Prologue

It was only now that Willem realized just how dark of a situation he had placed himself in. Anyone could see that the old cottage he approached was housing something of terrible evil. The roof was barely held intact, the garden had grown to the point that it was closer to a forest than a lawn and every single one of the windows were boarded up. Whether to keep something in, or keep something out it was hard to tell.

As he drew nearer to the old building he began to cringe as he noticed that the view was not the only part of the house that had become foul. The thick smell of rotting meat and stale blood consumed his senses as he walked closer, defiling his nose and throat as he breathed in the damp air, and yet Willem still continued on, walking ever closer to the dark oaken door. The prize that await him behind that door was worth any amount of discomfort or pain the world could throw at him.

As he reached the door a sharp pain ran up Willems back, all of his emotions rising up at the same time, and he soon found himself crouched over in a coughing fit, and then, as soon as it had begun, it left again. But Willem knew that it was too late to reconsider what he was doing. He looked down at his sleeves, now spattered with blood, and knew that this was the only way. Reaching up with his hands still shaking, Willem placed three heavy knocks on the cottage door.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Only a moment later the silence was broken by a deep rumbling voice.

“Who goes there?” it asked.

Willem shuddered at the sound of the voice. He suddenly realized just how dangerous what he planned to do was. But there was no going back, even if he wanted to, as Willem knew there was no escaping the being that was the source of the voice.

“My name is Willem Dwight” he said, “and I come asking to take part in the blood ritual.”

“Do you understand the price of what you ask, boy?” it replied.

For a moment Willem hesitated, the guilt of what he was doing weighed on his mind. The life he had always known would disappear and there was no way to tell if the change would be a good thing. But there was no other choice. His mind was made up.

“I understand the price” Willem stated, “and I am willing to pay it.”

For a brief moment there was silence.

“Very well. You’d best come inside then.”

After the ratting of locks being opened, the heavy door slowly swung open to reveal a tall and sickened man. The man’s skin was pale and he was much thinner than Willem expected, but looking into the man’s eyes showed a power that could not be diminished by even the strongest of sicknesses.

Taking a step inside shocked Willem. No longer could he smell the rotting flesh, and no longer could he see the abandoned cottage that had greeted him. Inside smelled of pine trees and fresh grass, and the entire room looked like it was brand new. It was now a small wooden cottage with a few miscellaneous pieces of furniture placed around the room. The biggest shock however was when he turned around.

No longer did a sickened old man stand in front of him, instead there was a large, bulky dark haired man who looked to still easily be in his prime.

“I believe I’ve yet to introduce myself” the man said as he reached out his hand, “Marcus”

“Willem”

“As I’ve heard. I also heard that little coughing spurt of yours. I assume that’s why you’re here?”

“Yes. I need what you have, and only you can give it to me.”

There was a brief moment of silence as the man known as Marcus crossed the room to sit on an old leather couch.

“There is a price. I can be kind, but if you want to join my family, you cannot keep your old one.”

“I understand. I’ll do whatever it takes”

***

Reviews

[steven]

seems like a very promising book, when will the rest be released?

[Hanif Centre]

Haha, when i get around to it.
I've drafted the first chapter, but I prefer not to post incomplete work. Once I think it's ready for reviewing I'll post it online.

[steven]

did you join Monster Tales: Fan group?