I was born in Raven Ville back in ’66, taught that stories were not only stories, but a path I would soon have to follow, just like my parents were forced to.
My mother, Linda, had always tried to shelter me from this life. Telling me that maybe I wouldn’t have to face the same fate as her. That I wouldn’t be forced to sleep with one eye open, fearing
that any shadow casted by the night could be the end of me.
She was a fearful lady, with dark hair and beautiful blue eyes. She was the one who taught me how to load a Colt Detective Special, full of silver bullets – the same one that I killed a werewolf 10
years later with.
Jacob, my father, tried his best. I know he did. The terrors he saw every day made him more present in his drunken state than in his sober one. He wasn’t a violent drunk like his poor brother used
to be, but his state always made us afraid that he was gonna end his life himself, rather than wait for a demon to take it.
I never knew much about him though. He was always either out drinking or hunting. Probably that was the main reason why I never felt sad when Kent walked in, his face unreadable, and simply
said, ‘Your old man’s dead.’
---
As soon as I stepped off that bus, an eerie feeling engulfed me. Raven Ville was sure able to make everyone feel as a sense of dread was filling their soul. The streets were empty as I remembered,
even though it was the middle of the day. I took out a cigarette, my lungs practically begging for one after the long ride.
As I took a drag out of it, I reached for the crumpled paper in my pocket. I had to see Maurice as the old prick kept all the details to himself. I should’ve expected it. He always preferred making me come all the way to the scene, only to drop details he knew damn well would’ve made me not take the job. But this time, I wasn’t sure if knowing the details would’ve made a difference in my
decision.
This place always pulled me back, as if wanting to finish what it started. As if wanting to see me as nothing but a pile of meat, lying on the cold concrete. Who knows? Either way, I was here now,
so no need to question anything anymore.
I unfolded the crumpled paper and read the words: ‘Meet me at the Old Horse’s Inn.’
The inn was an old bar, probably cursed as it went through two fires, none of them able to burn the dirty shack to the ground.
I started walking on the empty streets, looking at the crumbling buildings. Most of them had probably been empty for a good while now, the residents of the city either leaving or meeting some
unfortunate fates, as most of us folks did.
But despite the lack of people, I couldn’t shake the sensation of being watched, making my grip on the big suitcase I have brought with me even tighter. I felt as if I was one breath away from dying, the amount of air my lungs were filled with seemingly getting less and less with every moment. It was suffocating—every breath felt like it was being ripped from my chest.
“Good evening, young man!” an old lady made me stop in my tracks, making me snap back to reality. She gave me a kind smile, her hands arranging a bouquet of roses. “Don’t you want to buy some
flowers for your wife? A handsome man like you surely has one waiting for him at home.”
I returned her smile. “Unfortunately, no one’s made me settle down yet.” I joked, taking a rose in my hand and sniffing it for a bit. “How much for a bouquet of roses?”
“Only five dollars. But for you, I’ll leave it down to four.”
I handed her the money, and her eyes widened in surprise as I offered the roses back. “Thank you! But as I said, I have no lady at home to give these to. It would be a shame for them to wither in
my motel room.”
The woman chuckled as she hesitated to take the bouquet. “My, thank you… I rarely get to see such gentlemen around here.”
I tipped my hat before leaving, making my way towards the inn. It was strange to be met with such joyous faces, but I’m glad they were still there. Too bad they had to be stuck in such cold places.
I looked at the old building in front of me, the name written on an old sign, worn out as to show the many years that passed through it. I put my hands on the doors, pushing them open, my steps echoing
in the building. The stale smell of sweat and cheap liquor hit me as I entered, mixing with the mustiness of the old wood. The patrons didn’t look up, their glazed eyes reflecting nothing but the dim, flickering light from the hanging bulbs
“Dick! Come here!” Maurice called me with a smile. I sighed, walking towards him, eyeing the glass of gin in his hand. He put it down, pulling me into a strong hug. I couldn’t help but smile, not able
to hide the fact that I was feeling relieved that he was here.
“I thought you’re dead, old man!” I said, winning a deep chuckle from him.
“Dead? Me? Get lost, kid! Not in a million years.” We sat at the bar as he called the waiter.
“Another glass for my friend here!”
“It’s too early for alcohol, Maurice.” I smiled, making the bartender stop for a moment, not sure what drink to prepare me.
“Ignore him.” The old man spoke. “Give us two pints of beer. We have to celebrate such day!” the bartender looked at me for a moment, as if waiting for confirmation, before starting to pour our drinks.
“Dick…” Maurice started.
“You know I don’t like being called that.”
“Fine… Is Richie better?” I smiled, another deep chuckle echoing in my ears. “Truth is, I didn’t call you here to tell you the… actual reason why I need your help.”
I nodded at the bartender as he handed me the beer, taking a sip out of it. “Then?”
“I just wanted us to feel good for a moment.” His voice was laced with something more serious. “I know what this city means to you, and I hope you know I would’ve never made you step foot in this shithole if it wasn’t serious. But we’ve got problems.” Maurice eyed me as he took a big gulp out of his beer, searching for my reaction.
“Problems? As far as I know, there’s nothing too big that holy bullets can’t solve.”
I could tell Maurice hesitated, his gaze avoiding mine. For a moment, an unsettling feeling washed over me. What could be so bad that he had to call me? Maurice was old, almost as old as my father was supposed to be if he would still be alive. But he never asked for help unless it was a Reaper holding its blade against his neck. But this time, he was hesitating. He seemed… weak.
“What’s going on, Maurice? You’re not acting like yourself.” I said, eventually.
“Look, kid… I sometimes remember that I… I am not your age anymore.” There was a hint of sadness in his eyes. Grief. “Maria…”
“Your wife? What happened to her?” I cut him off, feeling a cold shiver down my spine.
Maurice hesitated, his gaze dropping to his glass, then back to me. For a moment, the weight of something unspoken hung between us, thickening the air. I could feel my stomach tighten, the familiar dread creeping back in. He didn’t answer, just gave me a bitter smile before his hand rested heavily on my shoulder.
“You know what? You just arrived here. I don’t want to burden you with my problems just yet.”
“Maurice, tell me what’s going on!”
“She’s fine… She’s fine, kid.” He cut me off, patting my shoulder reassuringly. “How about you relax today, hm? Let’s have a drink or two and then I’ll give you the money for the motel so you
can get some sleep.”
His words did not reassure me. I could still feel something was left behind, hidden in the back of his mind. But I knew better than to argue with him. So, instead, I raised the pit of beer.
“I’m glad I got to see you again.” I said with a smile, his pit hitting mine.
My old friend, Maurice, called me after a long time. To be honest, I was sure that man was gone, but I was relieved to finally hear his voice again. He offered me a job - one that, according to him, many other hunters declined. He knew what Raven Ville meant to me. The horrors I went through in that dark, forgotten city - what it's done to my poor mother…. But I was his only hope. I accepted the offer.
I don't believe in God. I am certain that if there was one, I wouldn't have the job that I have.
But there is certainly something that wants me back into that city. That wants me to put an end to the long hatred I felt towards it.
I'm not sure if I'll ever make it back. I'm not sure if I did the right choice accepting the job. But I am sure that, however this will end, it will be for the best.
Jack, when you find this letter, it would've been already one month since my departure. It means I died. Don't come looking for me. Don't even try getting any close to that city. My war has finally came
to an end. Throw away everything you don't need or think it might be useful. Burn it.
I know we didn't get along well before, but just know that I always appreciated the way you tried to make me feel part of your family. But the dread I felt stopped me from being the brother your
deserved. Please forgive me.
I left money for your mother's birthday. Buy some beautiful lilies to put on her grave for me.
I sure hope you'll never get to read this letter.
Your brother,
Richard
PS. You can keep my books. I have a few I know you'd like, but I never had the chance to give them to you.
He tried to scream, feeling his lungs combust as his body crumbled to ash.
But how can you scream, when there's no mouth to let the cries escape?
How can you scream, when you're reduced to nothing but silent agony?
So he closed his eyes, and let the fire consume him—
until all that remained was the memory of what once was.
As darkness engulfed the small, strange city, known by everyone as Raven Ville, people quickly rushed back to the safety of their houses. Their minds were filled with the legends everyone knew about this place - ghouls, demons and vampires... They had a special place in everyone's soul, making them feel a strange presence following them whenever they would roam on the empty streets. But they were just legends, right?
On one of the not-so-populated alleys, there was a small pub, not known by many locals since it had just recently opened. As always, Lucas's voice filled the empty place, scaring his friends with his "very true" ghost stories.
"That's bullshit!" Tom said an amused smile on his face.
"Um, no, it's not!" Lucas protested as the other boys looked at each other. He looked through his bag, pulling out a very old-looking book and shuffling through its pages. "See? It says right here!" The boys curiously eyed the text, reading it themselves.
"And where did you find this book exactly?" Johnny asked.
"I found it."
"You stole it..." Billy, Lucas's younger brother corrected him as the others giggled.
"I didn't... steal it... I borrowed it from that weird old lady across the street... Anyway, if you don't believe me, you can try it." The boys looked at the page again. It was a simple deal with a demon called Zorah - immortality in exchange for a pure human soul. It had to be said at exactly 21 o'clock during a full moon.
"So, like... it takes your soul? Wouldn't that kill you?" Tom asked.
"It turns you into a supernatural crap? I don't know!" Lucas explained, already tired of their endless questions.
"Alright, then," Johhny said with a smirk. "Do it then!"
"Me?! Why me?" Lucas barked, his heart skipping a beat at the demand.
"Well, it's your story... It's almost 21 o'clock and it's a full moon night. Of course, if you're not too scared..."
Lucas's face heated up at the teasing, the 15-year-old not wanting to be seen as a coward by his friends. "Fine..." he mumbled and took a deep breath, analyzing the pages for a moment. He said the incantation the moment the clock struck 21 o'clock, his heart racing as a few drops of cold sweat fell on his back. And...
Nothing.
"Oh, wow... it's not true. Who would've guessed?" Johnny said sarcastically.
"I don't remember mentioning the effect is immediate!"
"Or maybe the demon realised Lucas's soul is not worth it..."
The four started laughing again, as a waitress approached them, a kind smile on her face. "You should go home, kids. It's getting late and I need to close." They sighed and left, laughing and pushing each other, but Billy remained silent. He stood behind the group and almost jumped when the waitress patted his back gently. "Don't listen to your brother's stories, Billy... They're not real, ok?"
The younger boy sighed, fiddling a bit with his fingers. "I guess..." He slowly followed behind the group, his eyes scanning every direction as his heart raced.
But something made him freeze at the entrance of the dark alley, as though the shadows themselves pressed against him. A heavy, suffocating presence clung to the air, sending an icy shiver down his spine. He couldn't see anything in the darkness, almost getting lost in his thoughts.
"Billy! Move yo ass!" Lucas shouted, making him jump a bit. Before he could step away, a groan echoing in the alley made him freeze.
"Did... Did you guys hear that?" he asked, as the boys looked at each other confused.
"Hear what?" Tom asked.
"I... There's someone in the alley..." Billy said, his voice as low as a whisper. "I think they're hurt..."
"Ok, Billy... I know Lucas scared you, but I think you should calm down." Johnny comforted him as they approached.
"No! I swear I've heard something!"
Lucas let out of an annoyed sigh as he turned on the flashlight of his phone, the light flooding in the alley. "See? There's nothing here." He said as he lit up the surroundings - a rusty trashcan, some trash bags... They all entered the alley, showing Billy there was nothing to be scared of, but the feeling of uneasiness was slowly creeping in.
"Um, maybe we should go now..." Tom suggested, his voice trembling a bit.
"Why? You scared" Lucas teased. Suddenly, the light stopped, the faint light of a streetlamp remaining the only way they could see anything in the darkness.
"Lucas!" Johnny shouted a bit. "Why did you turn it off?!"
"I didn't!" Lucas protested, frantically tapping his phone, but it stayed stubbornly dark. His palms started to sweat, and the eerie silence felt like it was closing in around them. "Shit..."
The boys slowly turned to see a dark shadow, that seemed to resemble a tall man, his wide grin and yellow eyes piercing through the darkness. Their screams filled the alley as they tried to keep their distance, the creature bursting into laughter at their reaction.
"Who are you?!" Lucas shouted, trying to hold back his tears.
"Well, excuse me? Aren't you the one who wanted to make the deal with me? What is it? Are you scared?" the creature said in a mocking voice, his deep voice echoing in their ears.
A loud bang made the kids's ears ring as the monster screamed in agony. A bullet pierced through its shoulder, blood pouring onto the concrete. The alley felt strangely too quiet, once the demon's screams faded, the streetlamp flickering above them as if sensing something. Then, from behind the boys, a soft metallic clink cut through the silence, followed by slow, deliberate footsteps. A chill shot down their spines as a woman stepped forward, her glowing red eyes the only clear thing in the dim light.
"I'd run if I were you, kids," she said, walking past them, creating a shield between the young boys and the beast. She watched them as they disappeared, her attention returning to the demon. "Ah, kids? Really, Zorah?"
"Val..." Zorah whispered, straightening up, trying to ignore the pain in his shoulder. "I... I was desperate, Val... I swear... Please, let me go..." he pleaded.
She pointed the gun at him. "Sorry, pal... You became far too pathetic... even for this world..." A second shot and the demon fell to the ground with a morbid scream, his body slowly turning to ashes.
Silence slowly filled the alley again, the red blood that stained the ground becoming nothing but dirt.
"You killed him quickly..." a voice echoed from behind her, but she knew who it was. She knew he followed her.
"You followed me..." she said, mostly a remark rather than a question.
"What was I supposed to do? You just left..." he walked closer to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. Their eyes met, the red glow reflecting into his blue orbs. "Are you alright?" his voice was soft, worried.
"Why wouldn't I be, Clyde?"
"I feel like there's something happening. With... you..."
She looked away for a bit. He was right. She did feel something in the past days but... She couldn't quite put her finger on it... "I’m going hunting tonight… Those kids need to get home safely. You’re good at watching over others—do that." she dismissed him, walking away, the darkness engulfing her body.
Clyde was left alone. Val was something he couldn't quite get - a human... A human who died and returned as a demon. A demon who was also still a human. Weird... Not many have seen this before. He couldn't trust her but still...
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