Heart of Darkness

Prologue

Rain hit the ground as cold and wet needles.  Lightning crackled through the sky, and thunder boomed ominously.  The wind howled, tearing leaves from their branches, branches from their trees.

And through this storm, a lone figure ran.  His small feet, encased in sandals, padded the ground as he sped through the forest.  Black wings extended from his back; one was bent at an odd angle, and tattered feathers fell from both of them occasionally.  They were both soaking wet, and weighed down by the amount of water on them.

I can’t…let them find me…

Lightning illuminated the dark clouds once more.  The figure cringed, droplets of water falling from his messy hair.  

I have to…keep running…

Despite this thought, he stopped atop a large hill, which overlooked a mansion.  It seemed big, even from where the figure stood.

It hurts… I won’t be able to keep going if I stop…

Then, he sensed something familiar.  It was… Yes, no doubt about it.  

…It’s him.

Lightning flashed again, illuminating the figure once more.  He was a small boy, garbed in black.  Blackish locks, soaked by the rain, clung to his face.  He sported many bruises and small cuts, some small, some large and still bleeding, and one of his wings was broken.  He was in bad shape.

But you could not tell that by looking into his piercing, blood-red eyes, renewed strength emanating from his glare.

The boy raised his right hand over his chest.

…I’ve found him.  At last…

Lightning streaked across the sky once more.  The boy smirked.  He wouldn’t have to run for long now.