Rain rang out through the
streets, pattering off of rooftops and shop canopies. People hurried to get to
taxis and homes or whatever shelter they could find. The weather was
relentless. People without the foresight to bring umbrellas hurriedly cobbled
together covers for themselves out of satchels, newspapers, pulling their coats
over their heads. It was a prime example of human instinct at its finest.
Through
the crowd of people rushing in search of somewhere dry there stood a figure,
shrouded by a large grey overcoat. The glow of a freshly lit cigarette hung in
front of its lips, growing brighter as the figure inhaled. The glow subsided as
a swathe of smoke ushered forth to encircle the head of the silhouette. Above
the dim glow of the cigarette, two more lights began to flicker and shine with
the same fiery essence as the ash and embers; right where the eyes would be on
a normal person.
The
rain continued to fall, though the figure seemed to either not care or not
notice. It began to walk, forcing its way through the crowd. Its steps were a
contrast to the waves of people around it; it walked with a sense of casual
confidence, of relaxation and comfort, as though it relished the rain.
The
sun had almost fully descended and night was beginning to creep across the
streets. The figure stopped and stared at the sky, unblinking as the rain fell
into its smouldering amber orbs. A sinister shape spread across what passed for
its mouth and it began to click excitedly, still able to taste the meal from
the previous night upon its fangs and lips. It would soon be night again, and
the figure was hungry. Soon it would feed again.
It
turned its attention to the ground, watching as the heavy rain washed the snow
and slush down across the ground and into the drains. Such a beautiful world,
the creature mused, that grants weather to wash away its leftovers. Tonight it
would feed, and it would make as much of a mess as it saw fit.
***
“Devour!”
The
voice rang in Enrique’s head.
“Go forth! Devour!”
Enrique
writhed and clenched his jaw, his eyes tightly closed as he tried to ignore the
voice ringing out through his skull.
“Consume, in my name!”
Enrique’s
whole body convulsed and he felt as though his insides were itching; he wanted
to scratch at his own flesh but could not because of the strait-jacket wrapped
around his torso. He kicked his legs wildly against the walls in the hope that
the noise would drown out the voice, but it just laughed at him. Laughter
filled his mind as he fell to his knees.
The
night rolled through without so much as a second thought from Enrique. He knelt
double, sweat lacing his face as his deep, chocolate brown hair hung limply
over his face, the remnants of red dye still around the tips, faded now through
time. His jaw was rough with a thick, wiry beard. His eyes, as richly brown as
his hair, were bloodshot through lack of sleep. Days and nights meshed into one
another in Enrique’s mind. He ate. Sometimes he woke up, but only on the rare
occasions that he slept.
Silence
only came when the he gave in to the voice, when he fought; and oh how he
fought – Patients and guards alike, Enrique fought them all, kicking and
biting, his heart filled with the manic glee that only the silence brought. He
relished that silence, for he knew that as soon as the fighting stopped, the
voice would start all over again.
Hope you enjoyed that. Please, as always, feedback is greatly welcomed.
Love and peace!
Craiggy.
