by John Cashin

Created on: October 03, 2009   Last Updated: October 05, 2009

Malachi Crowe could tell something was wrong as he walked along the trail in the dark forest. The moon was bright, making the path easy to see. His brown cloak fluttered in the breeze revealing the silver dagger that his knuckles turned white around. He knew someone, or something was following him. He just didn't know what they wanted. He didn't have anything on him other than a small sac, which had an extra cloak and a piece of bread in it. He was average height with a slender build, but it was obvious that he could hold his own. He had dark shaggy hair a dark scruffy beard and eyes that where almost black. He often got odd looks from people that looked into his eyes. Some made fun of him, while some seemed scared of him and said that there was evil behind his eyes. He tried not to think much of it, both his parents had dark eyes, if not as dark as his. He considered the options in his head. He could run, and see if he could lose whoever was following him, or he could find a good hiding spot along the trail and wait to see who it is. He did not hear any horses so the people where on foot. He could probably outrun them but his curiosity got the best of him. He saw a nice bit of brush ahead of him. He quietly lay down in the ditch next to the road and pulled armfuls of the brush, dirt, and leaves over himself. He waited. Above him he could see the stars as clearly as he could ever remember. Autumn was starting to set in with its chill in the wind. Everything was as dry to the bone. It does not rain here in the summer months. In a few weeks, autumn will bring in her rain clouds and turn everything into a giant mud puddle. He could hear the stranger's footsteps closing the distance between them. It sounded like there were three of them. They were now passing his point of view. Three very tall men with their hoods up dressed all in brown. They did not say a word as they passed by. They just looked straight ahead like they were in some kind of a trance. After they where down the trial a good thirty yards, Malachi got up and brushed himself off. He already knew he would follow them. His curiosity always got the best of him.

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