Prologue: Haven in the Night

His head throbbed with every heartbeat. Wearily, he lay back against a tree. His pursuers could not be far behind, but the pain was unbearable. He took breath in great gulps, sending plumes of mist out into the cold night air. Shakily, he put his hand near the wound. Holding it up, the moonlight revealed what he’d already guessed. Steam rose from the fresh blood that dripped down his open hand.

He closed his eyes groggily, hoping that he had already eluded his pursuers. Of course he knew this to be only a delirious fancy. They would never let him go. He could never escape. The grim reality was almost unbearable.

Suddenly, a tree creaked behind him. He needed no more coaxing than that. Bolting upright, he broke into a mad dash into the darkness. The little moonlight cascading through the canopy overhead made his footing treacherous at best, but he knew slowing down would mean death. And so, despite the pain and torment, he ran headlong into the night.

It wasn’t long before he heard it. Like a wolverine snapping at his heels, the inhuman growls confirmed his worst fears. His lungs burned. His heart pounded furiously. His feet were like lead. He glanced back only for a moment, wondering deliriously if the sounds were only a figment of his imagination. An outstretched root took the opportunity to send him hurtling to the earth.

He fell on his side and grimaced, but dared not make a sound. Instinctively, he reached down to his belt and drew the dagger from its sheath. It was a meager defense at best, he knew, but no beast would have him without a fight. He looked around frantically. His breathing seemed to be the only sound in an otherwise silent forest.

It seemed like many long moments that he lay there, pain and fear his only company. The cold air stood still amidst the darkness. He lay prone, thrusting his dagger out into the night, as if to stay the shadows themselves. Suddenly, a shadow fell across the blade. Fearfully, he looked up.

The beast came lunging out of the tree above, snarling and growling as it bore down on him. He could see little more than a man-sized shadow, but he knew his foe well enough. The beast landed squarely on top of him, raking savagely with its claws. He cried out as the vicious instruments tore into him.

Blinded by pain and darkness, he thrust the dagger upward. He felt the blade connect, piercing deep within the creature’s breast. The clawing suddenly ceased. Warm blood oozed down his arm as the beast slumped off of him in a heap. He struggled to his feet and looked down. The ghastly creature was dead, struck cleanly through the heart. His dagger dripped with steaming gore. Wordlessly, he praised his luck.

Taking quick survey of himself, he noted several grievous wounds. He replaced his dagger and clutched at his left arm in a vain attempt to stop the bleeding. Wearily, he left the creature and hobbled down the trail.

His condition quickly worsened. His head felt light. His knees quaked. He knew, though, that he couldn’t stop. They would come for him. They would never let him go. He could never escape. And, just as he thought this, the growling he had grown to dread echoed from behind.

He refused to look back. As long as he drew breath, he would not submit. Gritting his teeth against the pain, he quickened his hobbling gait. The sounds of the fearsome beasts drew ever closer, and still he fled. It was almost as if a force beyond himself drove him forward against the darkness.

Without warning, the forest gave way to a clearing. The moon shone down in full radiance, and he actually managed to take some cheer. He looked up to see a tall, lighted building standing in the center. It was almost too good to be true. For a moment, he doubted his eyes.

The creatures were very close now. He hobbled wearily toward the building. Illusion or no illusion, he thought, this is my only chance. Frantically, he made his way for the door, afraid that at any moment he might collapse. Suddenly, the creatures were in the clearing with him, growling furiously.

He reached the door and pounded with all his remaining strength. “Open up!� he implored weakly. “Please! Open up!�

He could hear the monsters closing in on him, but he refused to look back. The frightful visage of his pursuers would be more than he could bear. Feebly, his strength failing him, he fell to his knees and lay his head on the door. “Please,â€? he begged one last time, knocking, “Let me in…â€? The beasts closed in slowly, sure that their prey was at last within their grasp.

The door creaked open. He fell in, at last unconscious. The creatures recoiled from the light pouring out. They hesitated for a moment, unwilling to give up their prey, then retreated. Silently, they withdrew like shadows into the darkness from whence they came.