The end?The family of four walked slowly through the familiar streets of Riverdale, but this time, it all felt different. The trees seemed taller, the air crisper, as if the town itself had transformed while they were gone. Claud glanced at the cobblestone streets, feeling a sense of nostalgia pull at him. It was as if each house they passed, each flower blooming in a neighbor’s yard, held a memory waiting to be rediscovered. Lupa’s hand brushed against his, her eyes flicking around, taking it all in with a quiet smile. They hadn’t been gone for long, not even up to a week but somehow, coming back made it feel like an eternity had passed.Damien, walking just behind them, was unusually silent. Normally full of chatter, he now took in everything with wide eyes, as if seeing their hometown for the first time. Clary had fallen behind to inspect a cluster of daisies on the roadside, twirling one between her fingers before skipping back to the group.When they finally reached the fami
As Seraphiel and Orionis floated into the sky, Orionis glanced at Seraphiel with curiosity. “Why didn’t you take away Damien’s powers? That was the price for Matilda’s life, wasn’t it?”Seraphiel smiled, his gaze fixed on the stars above. “I saw something in him. There’s no one more deserving of the title of the chosen one than Damien.”Orionis chuckled softly, nodding in agreement. “I suppose you’re right.”“Just don’t tell Astrid yet. I hate it when she’s right. She’ll rub it in my face.”With that, the two celestial beings ascended higher, their forms disappearing into the night sky, leaving behind only the faint shimmer of their presence.The wind was harsh against Damien’s face as he walked back home. The air heavy with the scent of rain. The sky was an inky black, clouds hanging low, blotting out the moon and stars. A faint drizzle started to fall, tapping lightly on the ground, and he pulled his coat higher on his shoulder. His boots crunched against the gravel as he strolled
GenesisThe sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows through the dense canopy of the forest. Leaves crunched underfoot as I sprinted through the underbrush, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. The tall pines loomed overhead, their dark silhouettes merging into an almost impenetrable wall. Every few steps, branches clawed at my arms and face, but I pressed on, driven by a sense of urgency that outweighed the pain.A cool evening breeze whispered through the trees, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and pine needles. The rhythmic pounding of my heart echoed in my ears, a steady drumbeat that matched the rhythm of my footsteps. My eyes darted from side to side, scanning for any signs of movement, any indication that I was being followed.The forest was alive with sounds: the distant hoot of an owl, the rustle of small creatures in the underbrush, the creak of tree branches swaying in the wind. But beneath it all was an eerie stillness, a silence that seemed to grow
HeistDescending the narrow, dimly lit staircase. I couldn’t shake the feeling of anticipation coursing through me. The lab, buried deep beneath the facility, always had an aura of mystery, but today it seemed particularly charged with promise. Each step echoed off the cold, concrete walls, amplifying the silence and my excitement.I clutched my note book tighter, my fingers brushing against the cool metal of the rail. The new creature they found was unlike anything we’d ever encountered-a true enigma, defying classification. Though it was dead, the prospect of studying it’s remains sent a thrill through me. What secrets lay waiting in the depths below ?As I reached the bottom, the heavy door loomed ahead, a gateway to revelation. Taking a deep breath, I pushed it open, and the sterile smell of antiseptic and faint hum of machinery greeted me. The lab was a contrast to the eerie staircase- a pristine world of white coats, bright lights, and advanced technology. My company had a bit o
Incognito II The creature was in the figure of a man, but his features were strikingly different. He stood tall, around six feet, with a muscular build that exuded both power and grace. His skin had a subtle, dusky tone, and his eyes were a piercing, ice-blue that seemed to glow with an inner light. His hair, thick and raven-black, framed a face that was both rugged and handsome, with high cheekbones and a strong jawline. His hands, though human in shape, were tipped with sharp, retractable claws, and his movements were fluid and predatory. Despite his fearsome appearance, there was an undeniable allure to him, a magnetism that drew the eye and held it. His clothing, simple and well-fitted, highlighted his physique without concealing his lupine nature. Every inch of him exuded an air of danger and mystery, yet his expression, in that moment, was one of vulnerability. The creature whimpered in fear, his usually confident demeanor replaced by a haunting sense of dread. “Hurt you?
Incognito BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!I hit the alarm angrily and groggily reached for my phone to silence it. Rubbing my eyes, I begrudgingly swung my legs out of bed, annoyed at the early hour. Another day, another battle with the alarm clock.I went to the living room to confirm that everything that happened last night was not just a dream. Speaking of dreams, I didn’t get my reoccurring dream of that forest in Transylvania. Lucky me.I found out that Claud had discovered TV. He was just watching random Channels. Just like actual wolves, he learns fast.“Good morning.”“Good morning too?”“Yeah that’s pretty much right”“Did you know that there are tiny people in this box?” Claud was really excited to share his discovery with me. They keep doing things inside that box to make us happy. How do you feed them?”“Again Claud,” I said “They are not in that box. They were filmed, and are not in that box. They were filmed, so now they are just playing the recording of that film.”“So I can’t feed
ReunitionIn a heartbeat, he dashed towards them. The alleyway, dimly lit by a single flickering streetlamp, seemed to narrow as Claud closed the distance with inhuman speed. The five men, dressed in dark clothing and clutching crude weapons, barely had time to react. Their faces twisted in surprise and fear as Claud-seemingly ordinary just moments before-unleashed a savage fury upon them.His first victim was a burly thug holding a metal pipe. With a swift, almost effortless motion, Claud disarmed him, the pipe clattering loudly on the cobblestones. A powerful punch followed, sending the thug sprawling to the ground, unconscious before he hit the pavement.Two more of the assailants tried to flank him, coming at him from both sides. Claud spun around, his movements a blur. He caught one by the wrist and twisted it with such force that the snap of breaking bone echoed in the night. The man howled in pain, dropping his knife. Before he could react further, Claud’s elbow met his face, k
New TruthsMy whole life flashed before my eyes. This can’t be how I’ll die. I haven’t even kissed a guy yet, I haven’t been to San Francisco, I haven’t sky dived yet. There’s a lot I haven’t done yet. Come on Claud, wake up. Protect me. Please? I’ll buy you all the ice cream you want if I survive. Just as she was about to stab me with her nails, Claud came from nowhere and speared her away from me. You know, the kind of spear wrestlers do when they want to dispatch their opponent quickly.“What’s wrong with you, Claud?” His mom asked. “Has all that time you spent dead make you forget that you don’t stand a chance against me?”“I know you’re stronger, faster and maybe even smell better than me currently.” Claud said. Weird choice of words but if it saves my life, who am I to complain. “But…?” Mrs. Tara asked obviously expecting his speech to end better than that “Nah, that’s it.”“You were never good at motivational speeches.” Mrs. Tara said. “But I would not want to send you back t