The Sadness Will Last Forever

He squatted low, rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet. Eyes shut tight and hands pressed firmly to both ears, he continued to rock back and forth. He was silent for a while before he could no longer take it. He opened his mouth and started to scream.

He had curled himself into a ball who's only movement was to repeat the same motion over and over again. Rocking. Back and forth, back and forth. No matter how tightly he pressed his hands to his ears, it seemed he could still hear the voice. Though, the blockade of his hands did seem to muffle the noise to a mere whisper. But still, the voice called to him. Antony... Antony... Antony...

At first, it had been quite maddening. Then, he'd grown used to it. There were moments of solace, though they were few and far between. Otherwise, the voice would continue calling to him, the sound a haunting whisper. Sometimes, it would become too much and he would relent. That made it better for a while. Sometimes, the voice would even help him along in his plight. But in the end, it would return to haunting him, but worse than before. Eventually, it started to feel like torture.

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My Dear Brother, 

I worry about you, for I know your mind is often troubled, and though I hope you are well, I fear you may be ill again. I haven't heard from you in weeks, Antony. What is happening? Have you been dedicating yourself to your work of late as I know you so often do? 

Antony, you must take care of yourself. I long for comfort in the knowledge you have company to 
watch over you, but in company's absence, I implore you, dear brother, please, take care of yourself, for I fear the price you shall have to pay should you fail. Know that I will come should you need me, 
though I hope it will not come to that.  

Please write, dear Brother, so I may, at least, take comfort in the knowledge that at the present time, you are well. Sincerely, 

Tobias

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Dear Tobias, 

You needn't fear, Brother. I am not at all I'll, though I do understand and appreciate your concern. At the present time, the other voice within is silent. Dormant. Strange though it is, I must admit. Demonic at times, completely angelic at others. Unpredictable, and strange. I only wish I was able to make sense of it. 

I apologise, dear brother, for I have deceived you some. While I am in good health at this time, I haven't been in recent times. I've been I'll, and once again fighting the inner battle with which I am so often consumed. I hope this will explain the lack of work, for which I also apologise. I endeavour to get straight back to it. 

I trust you are well, Dear Brother and am sure I will hear from you soon. Sincerely, 

Antony

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In his house, in a room he affectionately thought of as his sanctuary, Antony rocked back and forth. He had curled himself up so much, so his body, heavily bent, was as small as he could possibly make 

it. Again, he'd shut his eyes tight and sealed his ears off from the sounds of the world by placing his
hands firmly over his ears. But still, the voice persisted. Antony... Antony... Antony...

The voice was so loud and consuming in his mind that Antony failed to notice the knocking at the door, though it was quite loud. A click followed as the door was opened and then there were footsteps, slowly growing in volume as they came closer. 

The moment Tobias heard his brother's cries he began to run. He paused a moment in the doorway when he first laid eyes on his brother before running the last few steps to his aid. Tobias dropped to his knees. Antony continued rocking for a few minutes before falling all the way on to the ground. His body gave a final involuntary jerk before he lay still at last. 

With a groan of effort, Tobias pulled the top half of his brother's body, shoulders up, into his lap. "Antony," he said in a soft whisper. "Antony, come in now, dear brother. Come on, Antony. Come back to me now. Come on." A moment passed. An agonising moment of complete silence. 

Finally, Antony's eyes fluttered open, immediately locking on to that of his brother. "Tobias," he said slowly, his voice faint. 

Blindly, Tobias reached for his brother's hand and squeezed it firmly in his own. "I'm here, Brother, I'm right here." 

A hint of a smile played on Antony's lips. "The sadness," he said, his voice barely audible from lack of volume. "The sadness will last forever." As he finished speaking, Antony's drooping lids settled back into place over his eyes. A sad smile forming on his own lips, Tobias gently rested his brother's motionless body back on the ground.

Tobias gave a start at the sudden appearance of a dark, peculiar, somewhat deranged looking creature balanced on all fours atop Antony. It raised it's head, opened it's mouth and lye out a long, threatening hiss, staring straight ahead. Then, the creature's eyes scanned the otherwise empty room, coming to rest on him, eliciting a gasp. Tobias's eyes widened a little as the creature hissed at him once again before disappearing a moment later.

Tobias shuddered and took a moment to compose himself before leaning in close to his brother and whispering directly into his ear. "It's ok, Antony. It's over. The battle is over. You can rest now, dear brother." Tobias ran a hand down his brother's chest. "Rest in peace." 

Surrounded

We have been running for hours. As fast and far as our bodies will allow. Up until now. Up until we can run no more. So we collapse on the hard, unforgiving ground. It is hard to make out our surroundings, for everything blends in to the dark night. But still, I know that we are surrounded. Trapped. Our captors breath is close. Hot, smelly and loud on our faces.

The sight that greets my eyes as I open them confirms it. At first, I am squinting through the dark in an attempt to see it. Then, my eyes grow wider and wider as they adjust to the darkness and my fears are confirmed. The pack of wolves loom over us, hungrily snarling and baring their teeth. They would blend in with the night completely, were it not for their luminescent beady little yellow eyes. All on us. All on me.

As we fell to the ground, I instinctively threw myself atop her. And so she lay beneath me. I turn my head to look at her. She does not return my gaze. Her eyes are closed and I feel my own breath catch in my throat at the absence of hers. I shift my gaze to the wolves surrounding us.

As I make to stand, they back away, though they remain in their circular formation, surrounding them. I look at each of them in turn before I look at her once again I look up and meet the eyes of a wolf. This one is not like the others. He is not looking at me like I am his next meal. He holds my gaze for a moment. Barely a moment before looking away, as if he were scared himself.

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I can barely look him in the eye. But I can tell he is stronger. The snowy steed continues to look my way, as if our gaze is glued together. But I cannot bring myself to return the gaze any longer. It is too close to home. I remember, once, long ago, when I was standing where he is now. But things will end differently for him, I know.

He peers again at the young, beautiful girl who lays motionless on the ground behind him. I follow his gaze and feel the tears well up behind my eyes. I know I cannot cry. Instead, I rise my head to the stars and let out a long, sorrowful howl.

Finally, I meet the horse's gaze once more. His eyes are wide with fear. I step forward, and he, in turn steps backward. My pack around me do not move. Some look at me, their heads turned to the side on an angle. But they do not move. The horse now stands over the goal. His gaze has turned fierce. Daring me to come closer. I wish I could speak. I wish I could tell him....

I back away, rejoining the others around me. I turn and start to trot the other way. I glance behind me. The others still haven't moved. I pause and stamp a foot on the ground. Finally they understand and begin to follow behind me. I allow most of them to pass me and chance one look at the horse, whose eyes are still on me. His eyes are still saucers. I nod once, and he copies the movement. I turn once more and follow my pack back into the night, letting out a breath. Not this time, I think, for now, he is safe. And I am glad.

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Next in the 'Silent Haunt' series.Read the story that started it all  here.