IT

A sharp, high-pitched scream, ripped across the silky night air.   A scream so terrifying, that John was momentarily stunned.   The scream was immediately followed by several short shrieks ending in a long rattling gasp. John sprang into action.   The noise echoed around his brain as he sprinted across the dew-dampened grass.   His keen eyes noticed a dark mound near a cluster of low bushes on the edge of the park.   As he approached, John dreaded what he would find.

His small dog Corky got there first.   John could hear soft snuffling sounds as the rough-haired terrier investigated.

His heart pounding in his chest, as much from anticipation, as from unaccustomed running, he reached the bushes and stopped dead.

“Oh my God”.   John felt the bile rise in the back of his throat.   Before he could find his handkerchief, the vomit gushed from his mouth, splattering his jacket and shoes.

In front of him lay the most repulsive mess he had ever seen in all his 40 years on earth.   On the ground was a naked body, nude of clothes and more disgustingly naked of flesh.

Every single inch of skin had been stripped off, leaving a bloody wet mass of gore.   There were no features, no eyes, nothing left to show whether this was human or animal, only the size, which was too big to be animal.

John backed away still muttering ”God, oh my God”

Mentally shaking himself, he called, “come away Corky, come away at once”.   His rose sharply as he realised what the dog was licking.

Not far away from the park, was the burnt out shell of an old cottage.   The ruins were dark and smelled damp and unpleasant.   There were local rumours that many years ago, an old woman and her large black cat had lived alone in the cottage and had been responsible for the disappearance of many young girls living in the area.   A great deal of relief had been felt, when the old woman had finally died.   The story was, that when she had been found by a distant relative, her body had been torn apart and her starving black cat had started to eat the decomposing flesh.

An aura of evil now hung over the cottage, an aura so thick it was almost a presence.   The fact that few people would venture anywhere the ruins, made it a very desirable residence for old Harry.   He was a near derelict himself anyway and blended well with his less than salubrious surroundings.   Many years ago, he had probably been a reasonable looking man, but now with his lank, greasy, tangled grey hair and shambling walk, it would be very hard to imagine him as anything but a down and out.

Harry also heard the scream.   The sound hardly penetrated his meths filled brain, which was hardly able to grasp the complexities of anything other than the whereabouts of the filthy brown bag containing the bottle, which gave him such total and complete peace.

Mumbling to himself, Harry dragged his ruined body to a dark corner.   His rheumy eyes detected something moving.

“Who’s there, who’s there,” he mumbled, protectively clutching his precious bottle to his chest.

“Get your own booze” Harry cried trying to slap away the thing that was emerging from the shadows.

“Go away” Harry protested, still only concerned about the possibility of having to share his precious drink

The thing came closer and closer until it just seemed to envelope Harry’s whole body.   Harry felt a red veil cover his eyes as an indescribable pain racked his body.   It felt like his whole body was being turned inside out.   He screamed and moaned until total blackness engulfed him.

The young girl stood in the shadows of a shop doorway.   Very new to the streets, she was still timid about offering her wares.   She tended to stand back while the older, more experienced women, rushed to the prowling cars, calling out, “ give you a good time dear- only 20 quid, come on love”.

She heard the scream in the distance but took little notice.   Screams were commonplace around these streets, especially at night.

The girl heard a noise.   It did not sound like footsteps, more a slithering, shuffling sound.   It seemed very close-too close.   She could see a shape, but was unable to make out what it was.   There seemed to be an overpoweringly fetid smell as a misty vapour crept all over and around her.   She only had time for one sharp, pain filled scream, before her senses were blotted out in a red haze.

The thing moved slowly.   It was no longer just a haze.   It had gained substance and body.   Throughout the night it had fed and grown.   It now had a brain and the formation of a body, but it still lacked the actual shape of a human being.

Under cover of darkness, the thing drifted along, constantly on the look out for new victims to feed it’s voracious appetite.  It was not particular about the bodies it destroyed.   As long as they contained blood, skin, bone and brain, it was content.

It now had a purpose that had been lacking before.   Motivated by the many brain waves pulsing within it’s mass, it moved on further into the city, engulfing more food on the journey.   A definite human shape began to form.  As the majority of its victims had been young, defenceless women, the shape of the thing was predominantly female.   With all the natural resources available, it was perfecting a body that had grace, beauty and refinement.   It was now a she, with the inherent knowledge and power, to regenerate any or all parts of her body or brain at will.   She could now begin to live.   She no longer needed to seek out the dark, hidden, secret places.

A bright pool of golden light shimmered in the morning sky.   Warm rays spread spread out through the busy city.   It was a new day- a new beginning for the new woman.   She lifted her head towards the bright sun; this was to be the start of her new life.   She was free to go where she wanted.   A whole world awaited her and she was impatient to discover it.

She smiled to herself.   My reign has begun; all the dead will be mine.   All the souls I crave will belong to me.   I will no longer be alone.

She walked slowly at first.   Each movement cautious and accurate, as if she was taking her very first steps.

She was drawn back to the old cottage by the park.   She had to go there one more time.   She had to see the place of her rebirth.

As she came near to the cottage, John saw her.   He always came this way to give his dog Corky a walk.

John stared at her.   She was truly the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

Corky ran up to her, she smelt familiar.   She reached down to touch the dog’s head as it licked her hand.

The man and dog would make good disciples.   She could train them well

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