The child sat on a rock by the side of the road, cuddling his stuffed animal and looking at the ruins of the town. He was perhaps seven, more likely six. His knees were pulled up under his chin and he rocked back and forth, all the time holding the toy and watching the town.1
Josef shifted his pack on his back, wiping a sleeve across his forehead to get rid of the sweat. The child caught his eye, and he stopped a moment to look at him. He seemed to be singing under his breath as he rocked. He was wearing a loose tunic than hung in almost rags around him. His hair was a deep glossy black, falling in untidy tangles around his face and the toy. The toy itself was a stuffed cat, its fur worn thin and missing an eye.2
It was a poignant picture, and for a brief second Josef stood on the road, watching him. Then he took a few steps forward and said, "Hey."3
The boy ignored him, still rocking back and forth and singing to his cat. He tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey," he repeated. He still didn't look at him, but this time he spoke.4
"All the people are dead," he whispered, almost too low for him to hear. 5
"What was that, sweet?" Josef asked, sitting down beside him. The child looked so helpless, so hopeless.6
"All the people are dead," he repeated, still whispering. "They were alive and happy and loving and laughing and then the lightening came and hit and hit and now they're all dead."7
"Yeah," he said, looking at the wreckage. He could see a few bodies in the mess, and if there'd been any survivors they'd've been huddled around here somewhere, moaning and keening for their dead. Or more like for their lost possessions, Josef thought cynically. He didn't have much patience for town-folk, preferring the open road. "Yeah, all the people are dead. Did you live here?"8
"They were alive and now they're dead," the child said, as if to himself. "Alive. . .dead. I killed them."9
"Huh?" Josef exclaimed. "No, child, you didn't kill them. No way you could have."10
"I killed them," he insisted. "They hated me, so I hated them back and I killed them."11
"Ah, sweety, how could you have killed them? You're just a little boy. Why would anyone hate a sweet little boy like you?" Josef said, ruffling his hair a little. The child was starting to unnerve him.12
"They hated me because of what I am," the boy whispered, clutching his toy cat closer. "They hated me and threw things and called me names and tried to catch me. So I called the lightening and killed them all."13
"How could anyone hate a sweety like you?" Josef asked again. But the boy turned to face him and Josef was caught in his eyes. A choked cry of horror fought its way out of his throat as he saw what the child had been hiding before-the wings, like a bat's, the eyes that were slitted like a cat's, the tail that was wrapped around his waist.14
"Because I'm a demons creation," the little boy said, sounding like he wanted to cry. Josef scrambled backwards, staring at him in terror. The child's eyes widened. "And now you hate me too," he whispered, even lower than before. "Everyone hates me! My mommy hated me when my wings came, daddy hated me, the village hated me, so I ran away. I came here, but they hated me too. They were going to burn me, because they hated me. I hated them back and I was so scared, so I called the lightening. It was so easy! So easy to hurt them like they were going to hurt me, so easy to kill them, so easy. . ." he trailed off, dry heaving sobs wracking his body. "I killed them! I killed them all! They were happy and laughing and loving and I killed them! I'm what they called me, I'm a demon, I killed them!" He kept sobbing and sobbing, repeating 'I killed them' over and over again. Josef stared.15
'Demons can't be children,' his mind said. 'Demons can't care when they kill someone or steal their souls. Demons can't be innocent, or scared. They can't love stuffed animals.'16
But evidence to the contrary sat in front of him, sobbing and clutching at a toy cat, rocking back and forth. 17
Author notes
Beggining of one of my older stories, originally written for a rpg character of mine.
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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This was good--i like the whole demon thing. It's kind of sad that the kid feels so guilty, but i'm sure it gets better. Please tell me he gets better! I don't want him to be sad! *sob* anyways, it was very well written (though i usually care more about the story itself than mechanics lol) i would really like to know more of the story behind the little kid, and i'm probably rambling by now. anyways, i really hope you continue, and maybe make more of the future parts a little longer? anyways, good job, good write, and i'll shut up now
~Kitty
Edited on Aug 31, 10:02 because ''. -
Next one please.
A fallen one that lost it's temper and laments having to give up its innocence again. All falls from grace begin with innocence lost and progress from there, please accept my appreciation. Rich. -
Wow I loved this. This was a very well written and explained story. The thought of a innocent child actually being a demond was just awesome to me. Killing everyone who hated him because they were going to hurt him...wonderful. Really it is. I could have never worded any of this like you did. It was brilliant. If you want you can come and check out some of my writes. I would greatly appreciate it if you would. Thank you. Keep on writting and again it was a very good write.
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This was very good. I was totally caught up in it. You painted an image of a very sweet, scared, loving child, and then twisted it so that there was a darker side. It kind of leaves you to wonder which side of him is stronger: the innocent child or the demon? Very good piece!
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terrible
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whoa...you really had me going there. great, amazing write.whoa...tis...whoa....XDD
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i liked this piece. i was so into it. i love the little boy, he seemed like an innocent child. omg r u going to write more about this story because i dont want it to end. i want to know wat happened to josef and the little demon boy. anyways this was awsomeness
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captivating
i liked this piece a lot. the demon sounds so cute!! i know, that was a little odd......ANYWAY, is there more ot the story? please tell me there is! i enjoyed this alot, and would very much like to read a continuation, cuz it left me wondering about the two boys. it also shows how flippen unfair sociaty is.
here r some roses for your story
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I disagree with Booty I enjoyed your story. It had great imagery and a lot a depth! I enjoyed reading this! Nice job!
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First kills? I think the name says it all. Before you get upset I did read your story on the poetry website and I wasn't satisfied. I Felt like I could've spent my time elsewhere. Thank you.
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You have created a character of interest and horror to the reader. It would be very interesting to see a sequel to this tale. Good job!
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An amazing story ... compelling and well-written, really spooky at first when all you have is the image of a little boy sitting outside of a ruined town ... and then the image of this beautiful little boy as a demon. Very creepy story!
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What a contradictery character... I loved the little boy. This was a good write. Great job you really had me.
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