Alone With a Monster (Manifest Destiny Short Stories Book 1)

by Anthony J Hall

  A sense of dread creped into Jonathan as the veil of cold air enveloped him again. He couldn't let them take his food, his precious food, he was still so hungry. Looking down he starred at the watch.

  Why is it wearing a watch, animals don't wear watches, he wondered silently he then chuckled slightly. It's even wearing the same watch as... The realization of what he was holding struck him like a bolt of lightning. Screaming Jonathan threw the forearm away as he began to vomit.

  "Well guess he finally came to his senses." Markus commented coming to stand next to the Jean ans Jonathan. Screams filled the darkness around them. "And it would seem the others now know we're here."

  "That it would seem," Jean said putting his jacket around Jonathan. "You remember how to stop them right?"

  Markus nodded grimly, "Pierce the heart, dismember the limbs and scatter the ashes to the winds."

  Jonathan then felt himself being lifted up by Jean. Though the man look that strong his arms felt like steel clamps around him. The howls began to get closer causing Jonathan to panic.

  "You can't escape them!" He cried trying to squirm away.

  Jean hushed him, "Don't worry son, we're what you'd call...professionals." Giving Markus a nod Jean ran into the woods carrying Jonathan with him.

  Gun shots and howls filled the night as the two weaved between the trees. Jonathan couldn't believe how fast they were going, it was almost like they were gliding over the ground.

  This can only be a dream, a horrible horrible dream, he thought to himself as he closed his eyes hoping he'd wake up soon.

  It wasn't long before they came to a stop and when Jonathan opened his eyes he realized that it really wasn't a dream. They were standing at an old logging trail that obviously hadn't been used in years. Looking up Jonathan saw that the Jean character was looking about as if he was expecting something to be there.

  "Is something wrong?" The boy asked breaking the silence.

  Jean half chuckled, "Besides the creatures trying to kill us, no nothing is wrong just waiting for someone."

  Before he could ask who the hunger ravaged Jonathan body and mind. Lashing out he caused Jean to drop him to the ground. Once on the ground he backed away from the man hissing at him.

  Food, need food... was all he could think.

  Slowly Jean creped closer to the boy all the while reaching into his jean pocket. Pulling out a strange piece of paper he began chanting before suddenly shoving the tag into Jonathan's face. Pain racked through the boy's body cause him to wail into the night. Soon though it all subsided and he felt as if a weight had been lifted off him.

  "What did you do?" Jonathan wheezed suddenly out of breath.

  "I suppressed the spirit is all, you're still not well."

  "Spirit as in like Casper?"

  Jean turned and looked down the road as a headlights began heading towards them, "Something like that son."

  The headlights turned out to belong to an old Winnebago. Coming to a park a young woman stepped out of the vehicle. Looking at Jean and then Jonathan she began shaking her head.

  "So we're too late for him huh?"

  "No Patricia he can still be saved."

  "Really, it's been more than a month out here and he looks like that." Patricia exclaimed gesturing at Jonathan.

  "He still has his mind we could give him a new life."

  "I don't get what you're talking about." Jonathan said getting up and making his way to the Winnebago's side mirror.

  "I wouldn't if I were you," Patricia warned.

  Ignoring her warning he leaned down and looked into the mirror. Peering back at him was a beast similar to the one that had chased him, the only difference was that the face was his. With a yelp he fell backwards away from the image. Tears began to stream down his face.

  "Great Patricia what did you do now?" Markus asked joining the group. He looked like a bucket of red paint had been dumbed on him and his clothes was tattered and torn.

  "Have some trouble?" Patricia teased light heartedly.

  Markus shrugged, "There was a few more than I thought."

  "Did you get them all?" Jean asked as he walked over to where Jonathan sat.

  "All the ones that came after me, so yes."

  Jean shook his head, "Not what I asked but fine we found out the fate of the boys."

  "I'm sure Mr. Businessman will be thrilled."

  This caught Jonathan's attention, "My father, you mean I get to go home?"

  Jean smiled, "Sure son let's get you inside and get out of here."

  Nodding he allowed the man to lead him into the Winnebago, everyone loaded in and they began to make their way out of the forest. As Jonathan watched the trees drifting by he could swear he could hear his name being called.

  "Am I a monster?" He asked ever so quietly.

  "No son you're not a monster." Jean answered starring out the window.

  Nestling back into the seat Jonathan wanted to believe what the man said but deep down he could still feel the gnawing hunger urging him to bite into the man sitting next to him. Then he remembered what he had been eating all this time. There was no way he wasn't a monster because what kind of human would eat their own brother.