Despair

*clank*

"Fuck!"

The tin can flew down the sidewalk, and trailing behind it was me, Joseph. Walking up to the can again, my feelings of frustration overcame me and I swung my foot with a grunt again, meeting the can in a satisfying *clank* sound and watching as it flew down the sidewalk. I slightly shook my head at my own antics, and tried to stuff my hands deeper into my coat pockets.

"God, why is it so cold tonight?" I involuntarily shivered as I raised my arm to take a look at my watch. 12:24 it read. Shaking my head, I mumbled "just past midnight" before continuing on my nightly stroll. Just moments ago, I was getting an earful from my boss when I got impulsive and quit my job on the spot. Shaking my head, I lamented at how stupid I was.

"Maybe, if I go back tomorrow and apologize enough he'll give me the job back" I hoped.

As I continued walking down the empty road, I shivered again before checking my watch.

"Why's it so damn cold tonight? That's not right, my watch says its supposed to be 20 degrees right now but it feels more like 0" I shivered once more, deciding to pick up the pace. Home was just another 10 minutes away. As I walked, I slowed down my pace gradually until I came to a complete halt. I stared straight ahead, at the lamppost in the distance as its lights flickered in and out of existence. I squinted, attempting to get a better look at it when what seemed like a black shadow darted past it.

"The fuck was that?" I rubbed my eyes to try and clear them before focusing again on the lamp. Nothing was there. Feeling something wasn't right, I pulled out my phone before activating the flashlight on it. Feeling comforted by the source of light, I mustered up my courage to walk forward and direct my phone's bright beam at the pole. Sweeping my phone around the area, I didn't see anything of note so I gradually calmed down. Placing my phone in my pocket, I began to walk away. At that moment, something hidden in the shadow decided to lunge at my shoulder.

"Aggghhh!" I screamed as its sharp fangs pierced into my shoulder, spraying out blood. Using my remaining right hand, I attempted to grab at the beast, trying to rip it off. In response it dug in deeper to my shoulder, causing me to cry out in pain. I ran back to the lamppost and jumped at it, angling my body to cause the beast to hit the pole head on. The force from the pole was enough to get the beast to let go and it cried out in pain, lying stunned on ground beneath the pole.

I panted as I tried to recollect my thoughts and sanity. I took a glance at the thing before a sense of dread filled me. The beast was pitch black, with a body structure similar to a cat yet as large as some of the biggest dogs. Its mangled face couldn't hide its humongous teeth jutting out of its mouth. Fear filled me as my instincts screamed at me to run away. Applying pressure to my shoulder, I turned and ran, trying to get as far away from the beast as I could.

"Is anyone there?! Please help me! I'm being attacked!" I tried to scream for help as I ran but it was to no avail as not a single sound could be heard coming from the surrounding houses. I frantically ran up to the nearest house and started banging on the door, only to be met with silence. I ran up to the window and attempted to peer inside and my vision was met with pitch blackness. I realized something was wrong and began to look all around me. This wasn't real. I was in some sort of closed off space.

In the distance I heard the beast howl, and I started to run again. I desperately looked around me for something I could use a weapon but spotted nothing. Running a bit further, I finally spotted something I could use, a rusted old pipe next to a garage. Calming myself down, I knew I only had one chance to make this work, and if it failed I would be dead. I huddled into a narrow corner near the house and hid the rusted pipe behind my back. Then I waited.

I could hear the growls of the beast as it prowled closer, sniffing out my scent. I instinctively started to shake in fear hearing the beast grow closer and closer. I tried to psych myself up, but my rising fear and dread made my hands feel clammy and my body unresponsive.

As the beast walked past the corner where I was hiding, it suddenly stopped and turned its head to face me. It stared at me as it let out a low growl, and I thought there were even traces of a smile on its face. It gave a large snarl before leaping high and attempting to come crashing down on me. This is it! It's now or never I told myself.

I pulled the rusty pipe out from behind me and positioned it upright, attempting to make my body as small as possible. The beast let out a surprised yelp in midair, but it was too late to change its course. With a resounding *crunch*, the pipe pierced straight through the beast's midsection. It let out snarls and growls in pain as it tried to claw at my face.

"Just die you fucker!" I twisted and pushed the pipe in further into the beast while attempting to kick it off of me with my feet. It clawed at my legs, dyeing my pants read with my blood and sending searing hot pain through my legs. With one final hurrah, I managed to kick the beast away from me.

Panting, I sat there nervously, staring at the whimpering body of the beast. Soon, the beast's whimpers quieted, before stopping altogether. A pool of black blood began to seep out of the beast painting the driveway an eerie black.

I staggered to my feet before cautiously walking over to the beast, giving it a good kick for good measure.

"Who the fuck do you think I am huh?" I began to laugh uncontrollably. This entire experience was so baffling, so insane, that I had hoped I was dreaming.

When all of a sudden, something popped up in front of my face.

"Congratulations for completing the tutorial! Teleportation will begin in 5... 4... 3... 2..."

My face scrunched up in disbelief as I muttered "Are you fucking kidding me".

Then, in a flash of blue light, I was gone.