Prologue

The same hallway. The same pictures hanging off the walls. Their frames and portraits hanging like curtains in the breeze. The busted window down the hall was a portal to another world. "If I can get to it, I'll be safe."  Taking steps to scared to run, going past the family portrait. Out the corner of my eye light catches. Gapping chest leaving everything exposed, face contorted in fear. "Why is it like that? This can't all be be blood." A soft growl sounded behind him. "It's ok. Everything will be ok." Running back to the passage, not caring if glass got in his foot. Opening the panel he quickly got in, set the lock and closed his eyes. "It didn't find me. It doesn't know I'm here."  Covering his mouth he strained his ears, listening for the sound to distance itself. Heavy footsteps sounded. Peeking to see if the coast was clear, he saw the creature standing in the doorway. Long arms ending in sharp claws, goat like legs with hooves of soild black. Elk skull head with antlers covered with moss hanging off. The last of the suns' light coming through the window made the tips of the creatures antlers glow. It was going through everything, taking sniffs here and there. "Search the perimeter. They have to be here somewhere."  A voice echoed down the hallway. The beast chuffed hearing it, standing tall it took off without making a sound. Shouting of spells casting filled the silence. Rushing footsteps entered the masters' study, a light blonde man dressed head to toe in black with a trench coat down to his ankles. He began rifling through the Masters desk. Putting what he found in his pocket he saw me. Ducking out of sight, his footsteps came close. Unlocking the panel a unfamiliar face greeted him. A finely dressed man with amethyst colors eyes smiled when he saw him. "Hey kid, let's get out of here." The man picked him up, closing the panel again. Completely hidden away. "Alright kid keep your head down, eyes closed. You don't need to see what happen."

"But I already saw." he thought.

Tucking his head with his hand the man laid the boys head on his shoulder. "Did you see what was taken from the desk?" The boy shook his head no. "Alright."  he said, sounding disappointed. A sob escaped the boys lips. "It's alright. Your safe now. The beast isn't going to hurt you now."  Wiping away a tear, they got closer to the sounds of battle. "Get out of here, Goldstein." An unfamiliar voice shouted. A roar followed by a loud crash made the man curse. Going down steps, the man lifted the boy up on his horse then himself. Spurring the horse to a full gallop they put distance between them and the fighting. A carriage came into veiw, the horses are gone. Claw marks on the trees, and carriage. The horse ran through a puddle, splashing the carriage red. The boy saw a woman in the same position as the man, face contorted in fear. "Don't look." Covering the kids eyes so he didn't see the scene. Pine trees flew by in a blur, the heavy breathing and pounding of horse hooves on dirt where the only sounds. "What's your name kid?" asked Goldstein. "Areto."  he said.