The Beast Within

She stood there, facing the darkness, fear gripping her chest. Another scream ripped through the air. Another life had been lost. More fear. More pain. The secrets had worn her to the core; to her last nerve. They almost broke her.

She knew, deep down, somewhere, that what they told her were lies. That nothing had been true. But doubt had begun to creep into the depths of her mind. They had shown her proof. Proof that could crumble and sling her into oblivion. Another part of her, the sensible, reasonable part, argued. Any proof can be faked. But what if it wasn’t? What if they weren’t lying?

No.

She couldn’t let them break her. Couldn’t let the sacrifices she’s made be for nothing. Because if she believed them, then all her remaining hope and love, would fall into oblivion with her. She hadn’t prayed since she was little, but at that moment, it didn’t matter. So she squeezed her eyes shut.

“God, I don’t know if you’re even there anymore but please, help me. Help me make it. ”

A sickening stench filled her nose. A scent of nightmares, rotting flesh mixed with vomit. Her head swam as a growl sounded nearby, her eyes snapping open. The beast itself stood there, looming over her, tensed for an attack.

She stopped breathing. Air lodged inside her throat as she tried to remember how to scream.

So she ran.

She ran as fast as her legs could carry her, tripping and stumbling over her own feet.

Her heart pounded, and she forced herself to move faster.

To safety.

To home.

But she knew that no matter how fast she moved, that the beast would always outrun her.

Every. Single. Time.

Every possible plan and thought raced through her mind as she ran down the darkened hallway that she had faced moments before. Heading straight into danger.

To death.

To evil.

It enveloped her while the beast crushed the ground behind her. Tempting her with its sickening feeling of slipping away into oblivion.