Afterlife

IMAGELINK

If nothing matters, we're all to blame.

At an early age, I began to suspect my parents didn’t want me around. Not long after that, I accepted it. After all, I didn’t want anything to do with them either. I had friends, and I had Yana.

In my youth I betrayed my brothers for power. As a reward, I was...humbled. I had power, but it would be made to serve my new masters. But I served dutifully, for the Kheldians would never take me back…

It was time for a party, but not like the “ragers” all the troglodytes go to. No, my friend knew people in the Skulls. I knew they were a gang, but...how cool right? To say that you partied with the Skulls? I had to convince Yana to come...

Two of my dark peers, slain, and many humans...but I broke free of my bondage. No longer would I serve The Council's vicious ends. But neither could I return to the Kheldians, for how could they believe I wished to atone for my crimes? No, I would have to make my own way. But without a host, I was sure to perish…

We all surrender to those we serve.

IMAGE

The party was in full force when we arrived. It was dark and moody, just what we were looking for. Drugs were swapping hands, Skulls were lurking in the corners. Yana was nervous - and so was I - but after some drinks, she dragged me out to the dancefloor. For a time we forgot where we were. But it didn’t last...

There it was: a gathering of human youths. Surely I would find a willing host among them? For I could not bear another forced merger. Yet...the young humans began to disperse. I witnessed their law enforcement firing upon one of their criminal factions. Time was my enemy, and now fate, it seemed…

First sirens came, and most of us scattered. But before we could all clear out, there were gunshots. Yana and I were caught between the Skulls and the police. The cops hesitated. The Skulls didn’t.

We get the world we all deserve

He would have perished, had I not intervened.

I would have died if it hadn’t come to me. But Yana...she was gone...

I would not force it. I could not. So I offered him the same thing the Nictus offered me when I became one of them: life and power.

I could not bear to live without Yana, but neither could I bear to let her killers go free.

He accepted. His only condition: once joined, we would -

Hunt.

Them.

Down.

When you turn the lights off, in the night I'm the shivering feeling...

Down.