The Hatch

In this sunless, dismal, forgotten crypt, countless days came to pass. It was here that mold ate through my skin; vermin devoured the tips of my limbs while eventually, darkness took my eyesight. Rotting away all by my lonesome, with the black concrete walls becoming one with my flesh, my joints stiff and cracked can barely move these days. Long have I waited for someone to release me from the prison of my existence. None appeared. Not until today. Because if my mind refrains from playing tricks with me, I'm sure I heard voices coming from the ground above me. Pure, innocent voices in cheerful tones. Children's voices.

The sound of them makes my mouth wet. I smile in anticipation of the little beings making the beautiful music that echoed through my ramshackle cell. A rainbow of colors, with grim, bloody shades, filled my mind as I faintly recalled how it was back then when I lived on the surface. My sight was taken from me a long time ago, but I still remember images. I still remember people. Their juicy faces, their sweaty scent. The sound of their pounding hearts and the color of their insides when torn apart. So full of life and joy. I used to love them. I particularly adored their high-pitched screams when I devoured their intestines as their bodies were convulsing in my grasp. The human flavor being so unique, I eventually formed my entire taste palate based on their taste.

The last time I saw a human, I approached him out of curiosity. He was by the shore, accompanied by another human, a female one. A fire was lit next to them, so I got scared of going closer. I was hesitant until the moment I saw the male attacking his companion. He put his tongue in her mouth and moved it as if he was about to eat her. I couldn't have that. Not while my stomach was craving meaty snacks. I abandoned my hiding spot and hurried to them, forgetting all about my primal fear for anything that glows brightly. They didn't seem happy to lay eyes on me. The male put himself in front of the female, reaching for one of the sticks on the bonfire. The female was anxiously yelling at him. He swung the firewood at me as if he intended to harm, infuriating me. In any other case, I would play with him, but instead, I bit his head off for the sole reason of his assurance. Almost forgetting to chew it properly, I gulped it down with loathsome satisfaction. The female lost her mind with the sight and tried to make a scene. She started running towards the main road. They always do that, trying to flee, I mean. Their reasons were still beneath me, apart from their instinct of survival kicking in, of course. That I can understand. However, some would consider it an honor to become an offering at such a marvelous creature as myself. Alas, the world has changed. Very few still remember my ancient bloodline these days. Even fewer would be willing to help me satisfy my delicate appetite. In any case, I decided that I was too hungry to prolong her suffering, so being naturally faster than her, I slashed her legs and broke her neck before she brought unwanted attention to us. I carried both bodies to my lair and cured their meat. This way, I had food for some time. Little did I know back then; that this would be the last time I would lay eyes upon a human for such a long time.

I now stretch my neck as much as I can, trying to catch a smell of the people above. It is very unusual for anyone other than deer and rabbits to be in this part of the forest. If memory serves, no paths are leading here, except only for small animal trails. Still, no fauna around here could create a pathway wide enough for humans to follow. I hear footsteps closing in, then going around and coming back on top of my cell. If only I could take a look outside. Unfortunately, this is not going to happen. I can barely move, and I'm blind as a bat. While being longer than the average human's, my arms can stretch up to a certain point. I am sure that catching one of the newcomers will be hard, even if I had the strength to break the lid above my head. I need to find a way to make them approach the hatch and then pray that the old mechanism that keeps it shut is still intact. If only someone would turn the handle from the outside. I need this to catch the lever inside and open the hatch that will release me.

I must find a way, but I must do it carefully. I’m not as strong as I used to be, humans may be able to hurt me now. Oh, by Nyx’s name, even the thought of such a preposterous thing makes me sick. Still, I can take no chances at my current state. I must choose my prey wisely and lure it to my embrace. Think, Dolos, you are the master of deceit after all, or have you forgotten? He had not. The son of Nyx and Erebus cleared his mind and then let it stretch far and wide, invading the minds of those above the ground. It didn’t take him long to spot a weakness in one of them. A plan formed in his mind in an instant and Dolos projected images of grandeur in his target’s mind. Golden, shinny things, rubies, emeralds, all things that he knew humans valued. Playful things, worthless things that were intended to bring him closer to what he knew truly mattered. Warm, tasty, delicious human blood. He could feel the molecules bursting on his tongue, revitalizing his rotten flesh, filling his veins with the life elixir he so much needed all the passed years. He was ready to remind everyone who was at the top of the food chain once again.

The little girl ran towards a large oak tree; her yellow ribbon flapped among her copper-colored locks. She was wearing a sleeveless, vivid-colored dress with a pink butterfly embroidered on its chest. She hid behind the tree and placed her face at its edge, trying to catch her breath. From this angle, she would see her brother coming before he discovered her hiding spot. She wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, smiling. Her dad had told her he would bring them to a pretty point in the forest, but he never prepared them for the true beauty of the place. Here, Bobby and Laura were free to play as much as their hearts desired; no speeding cars or upset neighbors were yelling at them because the ball passed their side of the fence. Laura sneak-picked again, and this time she saw Bobby closing in. He had a stick and was shuffling the thick layer of decaying leaves surrounding the area. Bobby raised his head and looked around. Seeing his sister's ribbon standing out from the tree trunk a few meters ahead of him, he acted as if he didn't notice but instead moved towards his left. Laura held her breath; she didn't want to betray her position. Bobby had already won the first two rounds, but she knew she could beat him.

"Where is she hiding? Laura? Where are you, you little fart?" Bobby said, raising his voice. He was sure his sister wasn't aware that he saw her. He was about to approach her slowly from this side and then sprint to her so he could win their game.

"You are the fart, lowlife!!" the girl screamed at him, appearing from behind the tree and mockingly showing him her tongue.

"You don't even know what that means! Come here; I'll teach you!!" Bobby threw his stick and ran to catch her.

"Guys, don't stray too far away!" the voice of their mom came from their picnic spot nearby.

"Oookay!" Laura screamed, laughing.

The girl rushed to the nearest cluster of trees, laughing and adorning her brother with additional adjectives, for which she didn't know the true meaning. Before she managed to disappear from Bobby's sight, she tripped on something hard, losing her balance and gracefully falling to the ground. Clang! The sound of hollow metal echoed underneath her. Laura stood up, putting her hands on her knees. They were grazed and hurt a bit. Rust stains were covering her forearms. The girl teared up.

"Bobby, I fell," She said to her brother, who had caught up with her and was now panting. She showed him her arms. Bobby looked at them and scolded her for being careless, then tapped her on the head.

"It's alright, only a scratch, you'll be alright, Laura. What is this thing anyway?" Bobby asked, pointing at the large lid underneath them.

"Oh Bobby, it must have a treasure inside, don't you think?" Laura's eyes were shining with anticipation.

"Hmm. Maybe you are right." Bobby gave it a thought.

"Alright, stay back for a bit." He rolled up his sleeves and held tightly to the handle on top of the lid. It seemed to him that he could unscrew it, but no matter how much force he put in, Bobby didn't manage to make it move.

"It's no use, Laura; it looks old and rusty. I don't think I can do it. Maybe dad will be able to if we ask him."

"But who put it here? I thought we were the only ones that knew about this place. Mom said nobody ever comes in this part of the forest," Laura said curiously.

"No idea sis. Come on, let's go. We can ask mom and dad; they might know something about it. Oh, and don't think I forgot about our game! I'll take you on after we solve this great mystery," Bobby winked at her as he took Laura's hand and stepped off the lid. The two children took their way back to their parents.

They were only a few steps away when a thud faintly echoed from the lid behind them. The both of them paused and turned their heads.

"Bobby?" a voice said from inside the lid. It was faint, like it was coming from far within.

"Bobby are you there?" the voice continued. Bobby was confused, the voice seemed familiar, but he couldn't be sure. He took a step back towards the lid.

"What is it, Bobby?" Laura asked him, puzzled. She didn't seem to have heard the voice.

"Did you hear that?" Bobby said.

"Hear what?" The girl held her breath, trying to listen to anything apart from the local birds' chirping. But even they have cut down their ongoing blabbering. Laura noticed that it was strangely quiet now; it seemed like only the rustle of the tree leaves kept going. The sunlight was dim as if clouds were blocking it, despite the sky being clear. Bobby let go of her and carefully approached the lid. He was sure that he heard someone calling his name, and while it didn't make any sense, he was curious enough to at least check on it.

"Bobby? Help me, Bobby, please." The boy was now positive that the voice was coming from under the lid. Maybe someone had fallen in, and they couldn't find their way out.

"Bobby let's go back; it feels strange here," Laura said, watching her surroundings nervously.

"Just a second, I want to check on something," Bobby answered, reaching the lid and kneeling, putting his head close to it.

"Hello! Is anybody there?" Bobby said, feeling a bit silly and kind of brave as if he was the knight coming to the captive princess' rescue.

"Please, I need help. Can you open the lid, Bobby?"

"I can't; it's stuck," Bobby shouted. He wasn't sure whoever was down there could hear him clearly.

"Who are you talking to, Bobby?" Laura said. She was nervous now; her brother was acting strange. Her first thought was to run to tell their parents, but she didn't want to leave him alone. Bobby ignored her question and grabbed the metallic handle again, bracing his feet to the ground and putting all his strength in turning it counter-clockwise. The boy pushed again and again until his face became red and sweat drops appeared on his forehead. With one final push, the handle finally moved.

"Stop it, Bobby! Come back; you will hurt yourself!" Laura grabbed his arm and pulled him down the lid.

"What are you doing? Leave me alone! I need to help them; can't you hear their cries?" Bobby yelled at her, pointing in the hatch's direction.

"No, sorry, I don't hear anything. But I don't like this; something is not right. Please let's go back," Laura begged him with tears in her eyes. Bobby took a look at the handle and then at his sister.

"Alright. But we're coming back, ok? At least me and dad, you can stay with mom if you want."

"Ok big brother. Can we hurry now, please?"

The girl was shaking, without even knowing why. She grabbed her brother's hand, and he nodded at her. The two kids turned their backs to the hatch. Before making a step, they heard a loud thud. The lid that Bobby had unlocked opened wide, creating a cloud of dust as it broke the fallen, dried leaves on the ground. Bobby turned his head, startled, while Laura shaking more than ever, grabbed him tightly. A low growl came echoing from the hatch. The last, faint sunlight disappeared along with the boy's braveness.

From inside the dusty cloud that filled the opening, a rotten, hairy thing appeared so quickly that Bobby didn't have time even to move a muscle. The thing looked like a hand. It stretched till it grabbed tight to Laura's face while she had her back turned and pulled her violently. The girl's neck snapped, and her head dislocated from its shoulders. Thick blood poured out, covering her dress. The pink butterfly ripped apart as the girl's backbone uprooted, and her ribs opened wide, protruding from her body. The hand drove her lifeless body into the hatch, leaving Bobby screaming with agonizing terror.

Mr. Brown was sitting on the grass next to Mrs. Brown, reading his morning newspaper, pushing his glasses back now and then. His wife was drinking her coffee while reading the last crime novel of her favorite author. They were both calm and happy, and they remained as such even when Bobby came running, crying and screaming, explaining what happened to his sister. Mrs. Brown gave Mr. Brown a condescending look. Mr. Brown sighed and put his hands on Bobby's shoulders.

"Remember our last discussion about Laura? What we talked about back then? "

Bobby had no idea what his father meant by that. He continued sobbing and yelling about his sister, and whatever was the thing they encountered.

"Bobby, please. Calm down, try to remember. What have I told you about Laura?" Mr. Brown was now looking him right in the eye. Mrs. Brown continued reading her book.

"You-you told me that…That Laura is…" Bobby tried hard to remember, but the incident he had just witnessed could not let him focus. His father sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Bobby, your sister will be fine. Don't worry. Sit right next to me; have something to eat." He pushed him down gently, and Bobby sat on the grass. He felt disoriented.

His father gave him a piece of chocolate cake from which Bobby took a bite off, staring blankly on the ground. His mother put her book down and placed her arm at Bobby's back. She started humming a lullaby, the same one Bobby was sleeping to when he was a baby. Mrs. Brown began rocking him slowly, back and forth, as if she was putting him to sleep. Bobby closed his eyes and felt the world disappearing.

-

I pull the girl's body down with wicked joy. Her dismembered body parts drip body fluids on my mouth, and I drink them with gluttony. Her life essence feels like I'm entering a stage of katharsis. My mind gains awareness, my muscles strengthen, and my hunger grows wild. I drop the dead body on my lap and blink my eyes slowly. An image starts forming. I am surprised at first, but then I remember. I go back to the days I was hunting and the benefits I was reaping from it. The girl's flesh rejuvenates my own. My vision gradually returns; I can recognize the shapes around me now. And like that, I feel ready to escape my prison. I steady my feet and pull my whole body forward. Gently first, then putting more force into it. The walls start crumbling; the part of me that is trapped in them is in excruciating pain. I put my focus on hardening my skin and then pull again, harder this time. I scream while pieces of me rip apart as the walls claim them. But even like that, I manage to break free. My vision has been almost restored by now. I take a bite from Laura's abdomen and get up, holding the rest of her remains in my arms. I want to feast on her after I reach the ground. She is my prize, my ticket out. I take a grip of the handle above my head and use it to climb to the surface. I take a moment to enjoy a deep breath of the forest's clean, fresh air. At last, I am free.

My first thought is directly connected to my years of suffering. I take a look at the hatch behind me and remember the face of the person that put me there. I don't quite remember her characteristics, only her soft voice and how she outsmarted and beat me on my own game. I do recall her name, though. Rita Ann Brown. I wonder if she is still alive. If this is the case, I have to find her. I need her to see that I am indeed alive and well before I carve her heart out and feed it to her. I take a look at Laura's body, which I drag around with me all this time. I grasp it tightly and open my mouth wide, revealing my three sets of teeth. I feel greedy; I want to take a large chunk out of her and fill my mouth with untapped innocence. I pause for a moment. I thought I saw something, but I instantly chalk it up to my recent vision restoration. It can't be that little Laura here opened her eyes for a moment, can it? I'm still baffled by what I thought I saw when something weird starts happening. As I am holding the girl's deformed body, large pieces of a liquid, smoky, black matter start appearing on her. They first fill her missing body parts and then gradually cover her whole. I pull my hands back, and Laura falls to the ground. But she doesn't stay there. The black matter-covered girl stands up slowly before my surprised eyes. It seems like she stretches her muscles for a moment, and then the steam explodes and covers my vision. I take a step back and look at her. She now stands there, entirely whole, with no missing parts, crimson stains, or bite marks. I don't know what to think of this spectacle. It doesn't look like anything I have seen before. For a moment, I wonder if all humans are able of something like that, but I quickly reject the thought. Taking a good look at the girl in front of me, I only have one crucial question. Is she a threat to me?

"I most certainly am," Laura says as if she read my thoughts. Then she makes a move. I am barely able to glance at her before she drops me on my back, pushing her hand in my chest right to her shoulder's height, managing to open a large hole on my carcass. I can feel her reaching for my heart. My arms instinctively move to attack her, but she quickly locks both of them with her tiny palm, while her other hand being deep in my chest, squeezes my life source. I don't understand what is happening, and I don't seem to have time to contemplate how it is even possible for a human to self-regenerate and be physically superior to me. Infuriated, I try to bite any part of her my mouth can reach. She brings her head close; her eyes are black as the pit I spent my last years inside. Laura opens her mouth. I can see a spark igniting, then a wave of hellish flames purring through her eating hole right on my face. I start burning, my eye sockets melt, the flames devour my face and reform it into charcoal, while bursts into Laura's hand. My screams briefly resound throughout the forest, scaring animals back to their nests as my blood waters the very soil I swore to escape.

-

Mr. and Mrs. Brown look at each other meaningfully as they heard a not-so-distant scream filling the air. Mrs. Brown caresses Bobby's head lovingly. She closes in and whispers to his ear.

"Wake up, Robert. Your sister is coming back."