Crimson Red

A small boy sits alone, his eyes gone cold, his hands shaking as he falls, blood dripping from his mouth as his head hits the ground. Tears stream from his eyes, and he knows that this is to be his death.

Above him once loomed a shadow, his eyes glowing red. He had laughed as he pushed the boy to the floor, not resting until blood poured from his mouth and he screamed in pain.

The darkness closed in, devouring the boy slowly, savoring the kill. No. He could not escape this time.

Blood pooled around him as he closed his eyes for the final time, not wanting to see the crimson death by which he faced.

But the darkness was conquered and the shadows fled as a bright light filled the room. A gentle voice spoke softly as the boy was pulled from the darkness, which cowered in the corner, hiding its twisted face.

The boy looked up to see the face of a stranger, one unknown, yet vaguely familiar… as if once seen in a dream.

"Who… who are you?" the boy whispered.

But the stranger only smiled, the pain now gone forever more.

I will protect you.