Read Known Afterlife (The Provider Trilogy: Volume I) Page 32

Chapter 15

  Steffor shivered as clammy sweat rolled down his back and smeared into the cold, jagged rock. Exhausted, laboring to catch his breath, he could back up no further. Rock walls elevated high above and surrounded him on each side. In front of him, the gruesome mob blocked his only escape.

  Why do they hate me? What did I do to deserve such malice?

  Despite his questions, the evil intentions displayed on the haggard faces did not change. The leader, a vile creature barely resembling his human heritage, seeing Steffor trapped, turned to the rest of them with arms raised like an ape and let loose a grisly roar. The blood lust rose to new heights and Steffor sensed his end was near. How it came at this place, under these conditions, was unclear but the outcome seemed unavoidable just the same.

  Out of primal reflex, Steffor crouched low and put clenched fists in front of his face, prepared to fight to the end. For the first time he noticed the blood. Some of it was his own oozing from multiple gashes along his knuckles, the bone exposed and jutting out on several. To his horror, looking down the length of his arms and torso, he realized most of the blood came from others.

  Gory images of his recent past emerged in rapid succession. He recalled, standing in the middle of a dark, damp cave, grotesque bodies hurled at him from all angles as he fought to survive. His fists smashed one face in after the other, the nauseating sound of precise bone crushing kicks, powerful arms snapping the neck of any creature foolish enough to get too close. The destructive images, the pure hatred emanating from the horde, the stench of blood and guts dripping down his face, it was too much. Steffor lost control, doubled over and vomited.

  What have I become? How could I commit such horrors? I am here to help create life, not destroy it!

  The will to fight gone, Steffor slid down the rock wall and wept.

  Confused by their adversary's abrupt change, his enemy paused for a brief moment. Then, as of one mind, they lurched and consumed him.