The Legend

I woke up. I don’t know why, but I did. It was dark inside the house as I walked down the steep, wooden stairs. I could hear my brother breathing deeply in a room nearby, and also a owl outside.

The wooden planks where cold as I walked, and I suddenly regretted not wearing socks. I walked toward the kitchen, and grabbed a small mug. I poured myself some milk, and sat down on the frail sofa in our crowded living room.

There were boxes everywhere from the move, and also scattered books and blankets. I never wanted to move to this cold city anyway, but my parents said it was a wonderful chance to meet new people.

I looked down at a book sprawled out on the floor that was labeled; The Dangerous Outdoors.

Hmm. I never thought about the outdoors as dangerous, I mean crazy, but they’ve always been my home. Whenever I felt sad, I went outside. Whenever I felt mad, I went outside. Whenever I felt bored, I went outside. Whenever I felt hungry, I- you get the point.

I was just about to drift off, when suddenly, someone knocked on the door. I sat up quickly, and ran to see who it was. Through the frosted windows, I could make out the shape of a tall pale man.

Who would visit at this hour?

A shiver ran through my back, and I ran upstairs.

I quietly made my way to my fathers room, and slowly opened the door.

“Dad?” I called out. No one answered. I tip-toed my way in, and looked at the empty beds.

Empty beds.

My heart skipped a beat, and I ran toward my brothers room.

“Wake up!” I cried out.

My brother shouted out and fell of the bed, “What do you want?!”

I frowned at him and he quickly closed his mouth.

“I'm oldest, so don't shout at me. Also, Dads not here.”

He gave me a puzzled look and opened his mouth to talk, but he was to slow.

“Uhh… also a weird man outside. Sorta tall. Pale. You know, the usual.”

He widened his eyes in worry, and quickly sat up.

“What? Then what do we do? What if he-"

“Just calm down and look.” I groaned.

We made our way down and looked through the window.

“Huh. I swear he was just here,”

A sound came from the kitchen and we both looked at each other. Atlas had his eyes open in fear, and I pivoted on my heel and called out,

"Hello?"

No one answered. I shrugged and ran to the light switch.

The room was empty.

"Ah see, nothin' to worry bout'.

Suddenly, a raspy sound came from upstairs.

"Ahhh!" Atlas shrieked, and I turned to him as soon as a odd shape appeared in front of the door.

"DUCK!" I shrieked, as soon as the shape struck a blow with an odd bat-like structure.

Wood pieces collapsed all over us and I heard Atlas shout out in pain. I grabbed his hand and slammed into the door.

My shoulder pounded, and I flinched as the door blew open.

We ran through the streets and collapsed in front of the library.

"Quick, behind the dumpsters," I panted

“Come!” He shouted at me, and I ran as fast as I could. I felt something cold touch my back, and I screamed out.

I turned around just in time to see a flicker of smoke.

Atlas and I ran panting as fast as we could, and stopped behind the dumpsters. I gasped trying to catch my breath,

“Help!” We yelled out.

It felt like like an eternity before someone opened the library door. I laughed with gratitude, but as soon as looked up it felt like I've been hit.

"Oh no."