1. The Mountain


    Date: 4/11/2016, Categories: Supernatural, Author: DylanThomas

    ... but when I took a second, they knew and came, hunting, seeking vengeance. "This is my home, my territory, they could not find me. They hunted for days, but soon tired. In the valley, people stayed indoors at night, but soon became complacent, and as their vigilance waned, I returned. It continued for many moons. I took many women, perhaps hundreds. "One night, your people gathered at the entrance to this cavern. They wanted to talk. I sat and watched from the high ridge, amused as they called to the emptiness. But I heard their words; a maiden sacrificed at each solstice, if the attacks ceased. Your people were defeated. I no longer had to go to the valley for revenge, it would be brought to me. I just had to wait, but that, for me, was easy. "Young women were brought to me, and though my word was never given, I honored the agreement. There were no more attacks. But your people took me for a fool; many that were sacrificed were neither a virgin nor young, and some came expecting pleasure. "I am no fool, and I would not dishonor the memory of my sisters; they suffered pain and untold humiliation, so those that come here must be treated the same way." I sobbed loudly as tears streamed down my face. "I am sorry" I said. A tendril slithered up my body and came to rest on my chest. It was feeling my heart. I gently lay my hand over it, praying the gesture be seen as compliant. "I know words are inadequate after all that you and your kind have suffered, but I am sorry." The end of ...
    ... the tendril coiled around my hand in a gesture that felt almost tender, and remained against my heart as I cried. I have no concept of how long I sat there and cried, just that the tears did stop, leaving an empty, raw feeling. Every nerve, every emotion had been exposed. I had been drained. Eventually I found the strength to stand. The tendril in my hand tightened it's grip, but not menacingly, it was supporting and helping. "I will stay." I sensed the creature move slowly closer. "Why? I am done with you. Have you no care for your self?" "I care about my people and what is happening to them, but now that I know the truth, I care more about making right the wrong that has been done to you and your kind. I have said that I am sorry, but words alone cannot undo the past, so I will stay. I will remain here to atone." Silence. I sensed the creature pacing. "If you stay, it will destroy you." I caught hold of the word. 'It. Not I.' "I could not live with my conscience if I did not do what I believe to be right, so destruction of my physical body hardly matters." The creature growled. The tendril gripped my hand and forcibly pulled me. When I stumbled a second reached around my upper arm. I was being led towards the opening. Given no choice. I knew the creature had the strength and will to physically eject me. It seemed pointless trying to resist. I hardly had the strength. I saw a distant light. I was back where I started. The tendril on my arm released it's grip, the other held ...