6 Chapter 6: A Meeting That Didn't Happen

The messages stopped. That's worrying, after a week of nonstop messages from the demon, they just stopped. He's doing this to mess with me, to put more pressure on me. I know that he is doing it, and it's working. I do feel a lot of pressure.

[MC: I don't want to die.]

I take a look around me. I'm on a hunt for deer, I hope it doesn't turn into a demon. I hear something rustle in the bushes ahead. I take aim. The bushes rustle more, before a rabbit jumps out of it. I put down my bow.

[MC: Maybe I'll have a better chance near the river.]

On my way to the river, I found more small animals. Rabbits, mice, birds, and more, but no deer. It's like they all disappeared. No, they wouldn't have just disappeared like that.

By the time I got to the river, the sun hid behind the trees. Leaving just enough light to see. It reminds me of when I met him, Hedrif.

Every time I think of that name, I get goosebumps.

I decided that it would be best for me to get some rest and try again tomorrow. I take one last look around the river for any deer. Sadly, they were nowhere to be seen.

[MC: That sucks.]

I left the river and headed back home. Maybe that demon has something to do with this. Or, maybe I was just unlucky today and no deer came out of hiding. I keep an eye out on the way home and still no deer.

The house came into view. I ran the remaining distance. I just wanted to wash off and go to sleep. I don't really care for dinner tonight. Simon is probably in his library or in the kitchen eating something.

I walked into the house, no signs of life in the kitchen. No sounds audible, except for the crickets chirping outside. I went up the stairs and into the bathroom. After I took care of myself, I went straight to my room and jumped into bed. I closed my eyes and fell asleep almost immediately.

In the next moment, I woke up. It was as if I didn't go to sleep at all. I got out of bed, wondering how time moved so quickly. I take a peek outside. It's definitely morning, I got ready to go hunting again. I didn't feel hungry, which was weird considering the fact that I completely skipped dinner last night.

[MC: I'll eat later when I actually feel hungry.]

Where should I go this time? I could try the river again. Maybe deer will be there this time.

[MC: I'll set some traps near the river, then I'll go somewhere else.]

I grab the materials I need to make traps and left the house. I'm now on my way to the river. I didn't see anything on my way there. No rabbits, mice, or birds. Just trees and bushes. The sun was rising quite fast too. I got a weird feeling about this.

When I got to the river, I set up the traps and get a fresh drink of water. The fresh, clean water. With no fish around. Wait, no that is weird. This isn't normal. The river is never like this and there are always fish in the river. Something is wrong.

[??: Yes. You are correct.]

I froze in place. That was the last voice I wanted to hear. The voice of the one who I hate the most. That one being, Hedrif.

[Hedrif: But why do you hate me so much. It makes me sad to hear that.]

[MC: Shut up. You know damn well why.]

[Hedrif: But is it really me that you hate.]

What does he mean by that? Of course I hate him.

[Hedrif: Are you sure that the one you hate is me and not yourself?]

[MC: Why would I hate myself? You were the one that interrupted my peaceful life and gave me a choice that results in my death no matter what. Of course it's you that I hate!]

[Hedrif: I don't think so. Deep down you truly hate yourself. You hate yourself for not being able to make a choice. A choice that I think is really easy to make. Either you die, or both of you die. And you hate yourself, because you don't want just yourself to die. You want to at least die with someone. Which I don't see the point in. You hate yourself because of your own greed. The greed of wanting to die with someone, even though you can let them live. You should just die by yourself, you greedy bastard.]

[MC: Shut up.]

[Hedrif: What's that? I couldn't hear you.]

[MC: I said shut up! Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!]

[Hedrif: See, it's true. You didn't even try to fight it. You sad, lonely human trash. You don't even want to save him. The one that gave everything to you. The one that saved you from that accident. The one that gave you a home, a name, food. The one that taught you everything you need to know. You don't want to save him, because of your greed. Of your wants and desires. You don't care about him and you hardly give him a second thought. I never thought that there was a human who was even worse than a demon.]

[MC: Shut up! That's not true! It's not true at all! I have no desire to let Simon be killed with me! I'll sacrifice myself to you! Leave him out of this! And it is you that I hate! You were the one that forced this upon me, so it will be you that I hate!]

[Hedrif: Is that so? Hmm, how about this? If you sacrifice yourself right here, right now, I'll take back everything I said about you. And on top of that, I'll make sure your remains get back to your guardian. What do you say? Not a bad deal I say.]

[MC: Go fuck yourself.]

[Hedrif: I see. Then I guess we're doing this the hard way. Better start running, child.]

Hedrif grew about three times the size he usually was. I didn't think it could get any worse. But it appears that I was wrong. I ran full speed in the opposite direction.

The demon laughed behind and pounced. In one leap, he was on top of me. All six of his beady black eyes staring into my soul.

[Hedrif: Bad luck, kid.]

He opened his mouth full of razor sharp fangs and bit down.

I screamed.

I opened my eyes, to see the ceiling of my room.

[??: You okay?!]

I sat up and saw Simon at the doorway, looking confused. I probably had the same look on my face.

[MC: Yeah I'm fine, just a nightmare.]

[Simon: Good. That's good. You frightened me with that scream of yours.]

[MC: I'm sorry.]

He continued to look at me uneasily. Until finally, he turned to leave.

[Simon: I'll make you some breakfast.]

[MC: Thank you.]

He left.

What was that? Was it really all just a nightmare? Or did it really happen? I got out of bed, there really is no point in thinking to much about it, but what he said is making me anxious. Do I really not want to die alone? Do I not want to save Simon? I got dressed. I'll know soon enough. In just over a month, my birthday will be here.