A SHORT STORY FROM THE SERIES 'A DAY IN THE LIFE OF'

Aurel ran with unearthly speed through the thick, black forest, twisted branches tore at his pulsating flesh and grabbed at his blood-shot eyes. The sound of the hateful, shrill voices growing closer and the torches warmer as he tired.

It was supposed to be a tranquil night.

The fire toting mob of freaks hollered, charging steadily after Aurel. Teeth a'gnashing, spittle a'flying, eyes alit with a mad, mad rage... Perhaps an epidemic of Rabies, Aurel would speculate on previous, calmer eve's.

"Why is it every 28 days the freaks come out a'looking for blood?" He growled angrily, glancing up at the well-lit night sky.

The psychotic screaming echoed through the trees, reverberating off the hollow, old giants and back into his ever sensitive ears.

"Maybe I ought 'let them hallions catch me a'this time, have their bloodthirsty fill." He glanced behind as he weaved his way through bush and bramble.

He knew this a'cursed forest all too well, and if truth be acknowledged the end of the chase would be upon them very soon. For not a mere 400 yards away the towering Silver Firs would disperse like a frightened battlement upon hearing the doom'ed words "retreat", and a craggy cliff, that the darkness had engulfed, awaited like a baited open claw.

Even he would not survive such a treacherous fall.

For the length of the past 2 years this nitemare had played out for Aurel. For as long as his memory served him, his life before was a bless'ed, peaceful one. His cabin always warm with the heat of a steady fire, fueled by the wood he axed down hi'self.
Hot, cooked venison and feral boar dressed his plate each eve, and creamy rabbit porridge filled his empty morning belly.

Aurel had worked many years on his plotted land, sprouting the most hearty and succulent of vegetables and fruits.
A companion named Dragos kept him a'plentiful company, and a healthy fount of amusement as the furry, whiskery little fellow clawed a ball of string around the wooden floor.

The longing for a return to such serenity swirled through Aurels heaving chest as he reached the edge of the forest. Long grass brushed his ankles and the sharp wind, now boundless and forceful, howled through his hair.

Aurels desperate eyes looked expectantly towards the cliffs edge.

"This is it, I want no MORE!" He roared aloud, bounding powerfully across the last few meters of solid frozen ground. He came to a sudden halt at the cliff's edge, teetering over, toes clasping at the tumbling dirt and rock. Dark and sorrowful thoughts engulfed his mind "does it all end here..." he whispered, looking hopelessly into the void.
Turning to glance at the enemy, now so close he could smell the putrid smoke of their blazing torches. A solemn tear traced down his wind-swept face.

"No." Aurel breathed his words into the growling wind. "Not tonight."

With a stoic heart, his brow unfurrowed leaving no trace of emotion upon his weathered face. He clenched his fists, inhaled, and with every ounce of strength he had within him, hurtled powerfully towards the seething crowd.

With immense strength and speed, one by one Aurel slay his tormentors, one by one they screamed and gurgled on their own blood.

Flesh was torn, bones were a'broke. Life, was taken.

Aurel roared as he lunged toward a young man, standing alone now, his frail body shaking, fear and dread pouring from his innocent, blood-splattered face and watering eyes. In that moment, pity filled Aurel, his chest heaved and his brow furrowed up once again. Dawn was now soon upon them, the warmth of the rising sun gradually fell over the bitter land, exiling all darkness.

Aurel howled, painfully twisting and contorting, back into human form.

He exhaled heavily, and looked up, "Why..." the word carried gently on the wind as he arose from bended knee and turned from the boy.

The young lad released a few violent sobs as he solemnly watched the naked man disappear into the black, tainted forest.