A little boy sat at the corner of his bed, every inch of his small frame trembling in fear. His mother knelt before him, trying to convince him that everything would be alright.
"Don't worry, I won't let him hurt you. I'll calm him down". (The mother told her son, but deep down, she knew there was nothing she could do to stop him)
"You promise?" (The child asked, his voice shaking)
"I... " (The mother tried to make this promise, but the sudden, violent bang of the front door slamming against the wall rips her attention away from him)
A chill ran down the boy's spine. That sound could only mean one thing, his father had come back home.
"What the hell happened here?!" (A thunderous roar shook the walls, making the boy flinch in fear)... Who broke my TV?! (The man bellowed, his massive fists clenched in rage, a menacing glare fixed on the smashed tv screen)
"He'll beat me... Please, Mom, don't let him!" (The boy pleaded, his voice trembling as he begged for his mother's protection, even though, deep down, he knew it wouldn't make a difference)
"I won't let him hurt you... I promise?" (The woman whispered through trembling lips, tears streaming down her cheeks as she summoned what little courage she had, then with a final glance at her son, she turned and stepped out, leaving him alone to face the man they both feared)
Almost immediately after the door closed, the argument erupted, two parents screaming at the top of their lungs.
"He made a mistake! Why don't you get that?!" (The woman yelled, her voice cracking under the weight of frustration)
"Mistake?! (He snarled)... You're calling what that idiot did a mistake?! He just cost me a thousand dollars, and now he's about to learn that there are consequences to his actions! (He took a threatening step forward, now face to face with his wife)... Get out of my sight, Karen! Or should I teach you a lesson too? (The man gritted his teeth, his large frame shifting into the shadows, partially merging with the darkness around him, making him less and less human)
"Phil... I won't let you do this. I won't let you hurt our son anymore. I won't let you!" (Karen stood her ground, a terrified yet fierce gaze locked on the twisted monster Phil had become, or perhaps, the monster he had always been)
"Get out of my way, you pathetic waste of space! What the hell can you do to stop me?! You're just as useless as the sniveling twerp you gave me!" (Phil shouted, his voice laced with venom, and then came the unmistakable sound of a violent struggle, the grunts, crashes and shouts in the hallway heard by the little boy cowering inside the room)
The young boy covered his ears and shut his eyes, wishing he could be anywhere but here. But this was his reality, he had nowhere else to go. He was stuck. And now... he was stuck in here, with him.
The boy's father towered before him, large and imposing, his expression twisted with rage.
"What did you do?!" (Phil demanded, though he already knew the answer)
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Dad!" (The boy pleaded, tears streaming down his face)
"Oh, you're gonna be sorry. After I'm through with you, you little brat!" (Phil growled as he reached out and grabbed his son with a firm, aggressive grasp)
A grown man jolts awake, his breathing ragged, his face pale with fear. He sits up, drenched in sweat, haunted by the remnants of the terrible dream. Silently, he stumbles out of bed and into the bathroom, splashing cold water onto his face, gripping the sink as he tries to steady himself. His reflection stares back at him, hollow, shaken, and barely recognizable.
That's when he notices them, red marks streaking across his skin. He turns quickly, twisting to get a better look in the bathroom mirror, and what he sees stops him cold. More marks, deeper now, a darker shade of red, almost like bruises, and they're everywhere.
"What's happening to me?! Why do I keep having this nightmare?! Why does it hurt me?! (The man shouted at his reflection, but the image staring back offered no reply)... "Get yourself together, Fred Clover. Whatever this is... you'll figure it out. No matter what it takes." (Fred's voice was steadier now, each word laced with conviction)
But what Fred doesn't see is the shadowy figure looming behind him, its clawed hands gently, almost possessively, resting on his shoulders.
Elsewhere, loud music pulses through the air while stunning women sway and spin before a flashily dressed man, his expression drenched in sheer bliss.
"You're all smiles tonight. Something go your way, or what?!" (His companion shouted over the music, eyes narrowed with genuine curiosity)
Seth Wild: It's only a matter of time before I get my hands on something really cool. Just imagining all the possibilities, my friend." (Seth's smile widened, the flashing club lights masking the faint glow of his red eyes)
"Let me guess... a slick new ride?" (His friend smirked, giving Seth a playful nudge on the shoulder)
Seth Wild: Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong, man. Just shut up, grab a drink, and enjoy the babes. (Seth flashes a menacing grin, snatches a glass from a passing tray, and strides deeper into the neon chaos of the nightclub)... I can feel my Wraith getting stronger... Knew I picked the right guy for the job... Can't wait to see what this thing becomes. (Seth's grin widens, his plans for the future making him chuckle)
Next: Upgrade.