Jen stood at the edge of a precipice, uncertain how she’d gotten there. An arid gale tossed her bobbed, brunette hair, and she folded her arms close to her chest. Her hazel eyes rotated to the soupy gray-brown firmament that churned rhythmically.
She stole a glance behind her but saw only sand and jagged rocks. Jen mentally retraced her steps; she had walked down a hallway between the bedroom and kitchen before a world of darkness swallowed her.
Looking leftward, Jen spotted a vaguely oval lagoon that remained unnaturally pristine despite the tumultuous winds. Swallowing a lump lodged in her throat, she ambled over to get a better view of the peculiar body of water.
Across the ravine, a pair of shadows bounded toward the lake. They were nebulously human shaped but taller and bulkier. Beyond that, she couldn’t discern any distinguishing characteristics.
The water rippled, and from its depths a giant surfaced. He had long, black hair braided down his back, and his skin was pallid gray with deep lines, but most hauntingly, his amethyst eyes burned like twin suns. A chill ran down Jen’s spine when the being examined her, and she ducked inside a rocky crevice.
A faint melody of chants arose from the opposite side of the canyon, diverting the giant’s attention. “That mantra … I’ve heard it before,” she breathed. Once the gargantuan creature passed, she scooted to a boulder and peered over it. The recitation rose to a crescendo, laced with baritone notes that caused the skin on the back of her neck to pucker. More voices joined the chorus, both human and otherworldly. Dozens more flocked to the ravine. Some bowed, a handful raised their hands to the heavens, but most froze once gathered, still as statues.
Two pairs of wings unfurled from the giant’s back, and it loosed a guttural howl before snatching four of his adorers and devouring them whole. Jen stifled a shriek, but the worshippers’ chant turned to song, and one by one they dropped to their knees. Soon after, another group fell prey to the monstrosity’s appetite. The winged one pivoted back toward the lake then rested his gaze upon Jen’s pitiful hiding spot.
“Child of Vencrick, you’ve returned,” a voice thudded within Jen’s skull. Her temples throbbed, and she collapsed to the ground, pulling her knees tightly to her chest. “Long have you resisted the call of your homeland, your people, your master.”
Memories unexpectedly flooded her of a childhood alone in a world of darkness, watching a man and woman offer themselves to the one standing before her. Jen recalled crying, feeling like her heart was ripped out, not understanding why. Visions of running from zealots and hiding from their lord inundated her.
“I’m from a realm of death,” she uttered. With that realization, her engineering job, her husband, and their two daughters all felt remote and irreal.
A smile creased Vencrick’s asymmetrical mouth. “I’m one with all of my children, in life and in death, along with all those they beget.”
“No. I may have been born here, but this place was never my home.”
“Because you deny the inevitable.”
“If it is fated, then I wouldn’t be able to leave this world and forget you,” Jen shot back, feeling a seed of strength slowly sprout within. She unsteadily rose to her feet, locking eyes with the one who towered over her.
Vencrick’s worshippers sauntered closer, but the being said nothing. He stiffened, tilting his head slightly to the right as if bemused.
On the horizon, mauve lightning danced behind the towering beast, unveiling an endless expanse of barren onyx stone. Jen faced his followers, and her heart welled with pity for them. Whether bound by happenstance, manipulation, or haplessness, they were all slaves to a lie.
“Mommy?” a voice echoed behind her.
“Anna?” She spun around and saw her eldest daughter sitting up in bed on the other side of a whirling vortex. “Stay where you are, honey!”
“What’s happening? How’d you get there?” the girl wailed.
“Ah, another has heard the call,” Vencrick gloated.
Jen trembled. “No, you won’t have them or me. I escaped once I saw the truth: terror is what traps your worshippers.”
“None are free from fear,” Vencrick said coolly.
“Perhaps, but not all are enslaved to it.”
As her courage grew, so too did the portal. The realm’s lord gritted his teeth and swiped at Jen as she dove for the vortex. Vencrick snagged her left foot, but after being lifted into the air momentarily, she wormed free. Jen landed on her stomach with a thud, knocking the wind out of her. Wheezing, she army crawled to the portal and coiled her fingers around Anna’s footboard before the giant grabbed her once more.
The monster bellowed, and he yanked Jen by the ankles. Somehow, she maintained her grip on the bed, but her knees popped loudly. She whimpered in agony, and with her last sliver of strength, Jen hoisted herself the rest of the way through the portal.
“Mom, what was that? Where did you go?”
Jen slowly clambered onto Anna’s bed, breathing heavily.
“Mommy?” Anna gently shook her arm.
“Yes, honey? I’m sorry, I’m really tired. Was I reading you a story? Ugh, I must be coming down with something. I feel terrible.”
The girl’s face twisted in bewilderment. “No, you were in a different place, a scary place.”
Jen kissed Anna’s forehead and wrapped her in a warm hug, uncertain what to say, then limped away and closed the door, muttering to herself, “I was headed to the kitchen for some water. How did I end up in there? And what happened to my knees?”
Anna swallowed hard and pulled the covers over her head, praying the vortex wouldn’t reappear.
—
R. Michael lives in rural Minnesota with his family. His works have appeared in “365 Tomorrows,” “Theme of Absence,” “Trembling with Fear,” and other publications. He enjoys reading, gaming, and walking with his border collie.
