PROLOGUE

Thick incense filled the dark shadowless room, as no light bothered to peek through since the room was windowless. Empty echoes drummed the air and drops of a dark liquid leaked into a wooden bowl. The cold slab underneath him was uncomfortable and the bile the room threw was enough to make him cry out for help. But he wouldn't be afraid,his Momma would come for him soon. It would only be a matter of time before he was healed of the disease that plagued him. That was what his Momma said,he could still remember the words she said before he was taken away.

      ". Be healed and come home to me my boy. Do not make a sound,no matter what they do to you or you'll make them angry. You hear me boy?". He'd vehemently nodded not wanting to disappoint his Momma. He was still,with frightened chills that poured in and out of his body,emitting sweat from every pore of his body. He had a inch down there but he wouldn't move. He'd been ordered to lie still and not move no matter what.

      He stared at the bottomless ceiling as it seemed to reach the sky's peak and silently hummed to himself the twelve zodiac entities. He was a Cancer,according to his birth month and his mom's words. He still didn't understand what a Cancer was but he hoped to know when he is healed. Maybe when he is healed,Jeremy would like him and not make fun of him anymore. He liked Jeremy a lot,he didn't understand the feelings but he knew he liked the smell of his hair,his laugh and the way he played with his hair. Everything relied on him being healed so he had to obey instructions. He didn't like the way the tall,bent woman with white scruffs had snared at him. He didn't like the look on his Momma's face when they took him away. He'll be brave for her,she'd promised to buy him a new book if he did do what he was told and he'll do just that.

     A click echoed in the room and a crank scratched the floor as the door opened. He held his breath. Several footsteps entered the room as he tried to remember the twelth zodiac sign. Hands stripped him without uplifting him from the cold slab,the hands were as cold as the slab and he shivered more from fear. Candles were lit and placed around him. He could see the shadows but not the faces. This time he wasn't alone but he preferred the loneliness that held him from before. Now,he was afraid of the presence the imageless figures filled.

     After minutes passed of objects hitting objects and murmurs,the old woman's face hovered over him as she whispered meaningless words. The odor from her mouth was surprisingly pleasing and he found himself falling asleep. The woman shook him and turned to nod at another figure. She took the bowl the antendant held and held it above his head as she said the following words.

          "Be healed of your afflictions Devil's child and your monstrous nature do rot"

       White substance splayed over him. Hotness enveloped him as a burning sensation filled him.

      A horrifying scream pierced the night.