Chapter 29 The Monster in the Shadows (2/2)

Anger overcame Rassa. How dare the shadows continue to haunt him! Had he not sacrificed enough for their continued survival? they had taken nearly everything he was, and twisted him into some creature that everyone he loved feared. It didn't matter that his mother and father showed support to him now, Rassa had no doubt that is he had released that shadow just now, no one would ever look at him as anything but a monster.

'Do you think the terms of those mortals are so lofty? They are beneath you. You are the apex predator of this world, nothing can stop you.'

'Anthrite can.'

The shadow hissed in outrage.

'Perhaps we made a misjudgement, you are too tame, too caring.'

'Well it's a little late now isn't it?'

The shadow was silent as Rassa collected his thoughts, then thought of the answer to the first question Red Eyes had asked.

'It is not that I do not want it. It is that taking it would mean I gave in. Taking it would mean becoming what they believe I am.'

'You are still so naive.'

Red Eyes was silent after that. There were no more statements nor hissing. Just silence. Even the shadow seemed to recede, though it was still very much present, as if biding its time.

It was night when the door opened again, and very late. Rassa clenched his fists again in preparatioin for holding back the hunger. But what came through the door was wholly unexpected.

Despite it's quiet movement, Rassa could here its soft padded feet as it investigated the room. It's little nose twitched, and its eyes darted from place to place.

A rabbit.

As Rassa thought how it was possible a rabbit had made its way into the room, he subconsciously unclenched his muscles, relaxing. His eyes opened slowly, and he glanced at the little rabbit that sat comfortably just a metre from him. All thoughts of possibilities went out the window. Rassa moved his aching muscles with such precision it was like he had not been bedridden for the past two days. He moved into a crouch as the sheets fell silently back onto the bed. His eyes set on his target, and his fangs slowly extended. He and the shadow relished in the feeling. And without further argument, Rassa moved across the room, snatching up the rabbit and taking it to the shadows in the far corner.

He let his fangs sink in without hesitation, and drank all he could, sucking the helpless creature dry.

For an instant, however short, the pain subsided, the hunger lulled. But it was not enough. Rassa knew it was not enough, and he had no way of leaving to get more.

Rassa closed his eyes in anguish. What had he done? All that work of keeping himself from the woods, and what had he done? Pounced on a bunny no doubt let in for this exact purpose.

Seeing no reason to hide, Rassa simply held the rabbit it one hand as he leaned back against the wall with his knees up and arms resting on them. His head dropped back, letting his fangs show on full display as he closed his eyes and accepted his mistake.

This was how the Doctor and the Knight Captain Jameson found him just a few minutes later. As they looked at Rassa in horror, a drop of blood having escape from the side of his mouth and rolled down his chin and neck, the Knight Captain drew his sword to point it threateningly at the twelve year old boy before them. Rassa simply spoke in a low tone bordering on amusement at their reaction.

”Thanks, I was hungry”.