Agony

Sadly your pain had only begun your dark reflection tormented you for who knows how long. It felt like an eternity your bones ached, you think you had collapsed lung, your right arm was broken and your right shoulder dislocated but you are Nathan Blackthorn you had suffered worse on the street merciless streets of New Wellington. As far as you were concerned it was another Sunday just like when you still lived on the streets. Thankfully your reflection had removed the chains and shackles however you didn’t feel good regardless.

As your reflection stopped to catch his breathe you chuckled in pain as his knuckles were red with your blood. By now your body had acclimated to the pain yes sadly you were no stranger to suffering but this was amateur hour. “Come on you bastard I thought you said it was only a matter of time but I think you may tire yourself out before we reach that point.” Your reflection didn’t take to kindly to your words his face forming into a scowl as he punched you in the chest. “I am not finished Nathan no sir the only way your leaving is with me in control because I sure as hell am not going inside that seal again. So why don’t you just give up huh?” In response you only spat some blood in his face before he continued his onslaught.

Unnoticed to you however the single crow perched on the withered grey tree now were three entire withered trees with entire flocks of crows watching in quiet fascination as your beating continued. As your reflection readied another punch however the crows began cawing loudly. He turned to see three trees full of crows before they went silent as the sound of hooves could be heard.

The slow rhythmic footsteps echoed in the wither forest as a large shadow began to appear in the grey fog. Your reflection seemed nervous freezing up completely like prey cornered by a predator. Before you could react however he dropped you before running into the grey fog as the sound hooves drew closer.

You slowed your breathing as the hooves sounded closer and closer in the distance before stopping altogether. As you watched a man like figure appeared in the grey fog before it stepped out revealing a man’s body but a jack o lantern for a head however the jack o lantern was on fire. Steeling yourself you watched as it drew closer to you with a regular horse black as night horse walking right behind it.

It was clear you had been seen and that what ever it was walking towards you. Taking a deep breath you tried to stay calm as it walked closer and closer to you before stopping a few feet from you and staring at you through its fiery eyes. “What are you doing here in my forest?” The jack o lantern said in a stern voice. As it looked down at you.

You looked up gathering what every courage you could muster willing both of your eyes to open before looking the jack o lantern in its fiery eyes. “Getting shit beaten out of me by some vengeful spirit trapped in my body what’s your excuse?” you said with little remorse. You figured if you were gonna die here at least you went out like a badass ha! The Jack O Lantern looked you over seemingly ignoring your remarks before speaking again. “What is your name?”

“Nathan Blackthorn” you replied to which the Jack O Lantern’s eyes narrowed before he spoke again. “What was your mother’s name?” The Jack O Lantern asked. You looked up suspicious of its intentions before speaking. “Stephanie Blackthorn” with those words the Jack O Lantern seemed to look you over before standing up and speaking once again.

“Yup your her son alright only Stephanie was brave enough to tell watchers to fuck off.” The Jack O Lantern said as he took a lantern from his horse’s saddle. “Now follow me Nathan Blackthorn because there is someone who needs to meet you.” The Jack O Lantern said as he lit the lantern in a ghostly blue flame. As he did this the fog began to disappear before all that remained were grey withered trees and a depressing grey sky. As you trudged behind the mysterious being you wondered where you were going as you held your side moving slowly lest you hurt yourself even more. But you trudged slowly behind the being and his horse as he lead you further and further into the dead forest.