No context at all.
A Zaplons wish.
Darkness in a nowhere tower. It smells faintly of dust and old stone. An exit sits hidden with blindness.
Two points glow gradually.
A bright flash of light erupts from a creature's antennas, revealing a large, lizard-bird like being. A Zaplon. The light quickly dims within the same second.
CLAK!
"You're tired Edward."
He speaks.
Ward's brow furrows. That name..He doesn't listen. He refuses to. He can't see, yet he quickly pushes forward to escape before stopping shortly. He nearly trips over his own foot trying to find a wall and he holds his breath waiting for the next flash to see a way out.
The Zaplon's long finned tail sweeps the dirt behind him quietly, his talons scrape the floor.
"I've watched you suffer far too many years to bear." The sound of static is heard faintly as energy settles into the antennas again. "Your own existence is painful."
CLAK!
Darkness swallows the light again. The sound of Ward's shuffling echoes in the pitch black as the Zaplon scans the area.
"You don't belong here. Never once did."
Ward thinks for just a moment. '...He's right.' he thought.
..No
He shakes his head trying to erase away his thoughts. He's being gaslit.. He must be. This thing doesn't know anything about him.. don't listen to him.
Ward exhales through his nose. He knows speaking is a death wish, and yet, he proceeds. "I never asked to be here." He snaps.
The Zaplons beak clicks rapidly. It almost sounds like the popping of a short circuit.
"You don't deserve this life." He says, almost too calmly.
His breath stutters for just a moment knowing he gave his position away.
The Zaplon faces the direction of the echoed voice and he tilts his head. "Then maybe.." His eyes soften just a fraction. "Consider this mercy.."
His antennae slowly lean in each other with a buzz.
The hair on Ward's arms stand with static and he freezes.
..Shit.
He's close..too close.
A warped shadow is plastered on the wall. The predator eyes widen. "I'll make it painless."
C L A K!!!
The flash nearly blinds him.
The Zaplon slowly picks himself off the wall shaking his head. His antennas twitch and dim as he clicks his beak if it were a cuss. He stays still for just a moment.
The creature lunges forward. Talons clawing the floor as he sprints mistaking the shadow for a solid figure and slams into the wall. Everything in proximity rattles as dust clouds the surrounding area.
The air is now thick with left over vibration and rubble.
Ward doesn't wait. He holds his breath once more, darting off using the remaining dimming light for his sight.
A faint glow peeks through from around the corner.
Alas an exit.
He makes his way out with a wave of thrill and looks back. The being from the distance slowly turns his head towards the sound. Towards him.
Ward snaps his head back forward in panic and he resumes running his way out.
It's not over.