‘Man oh man!’ Exclaimed Michael, as he drove his car quickly up an old country road. ‘I thought for sure they were going to catch me.’ He Stated. ‘But I got away with that crazy old woman’s jewels, and left her there for the birds.’ He continued to rant. Now he had slowed down, and let the dust from the old road settle down a bit. For two minutes Michael sat there as quite as possible, making sure that he did not hear sirens or such, that would indicate someone’s pursuit of him. After assuring himself that no one was on his trail, Michael cracked a sly grin and headed back up the dirt road. About ten minutes later Michael arrived at a desolate looking small log cabin, tucked away deep in the woods. Off in the distance he could make out part of the lake shore that this private hide away sat close too. It was October and being in the New England area meant it was starting to get cold. As Michael turned off the car and opened his driver door, he scanned the entire area with hawk like eyes. The only signs of life, other than him, were a pair of squirrels whom were gathering nuts for the coming winter’s storage. Again Michael grinned as he was for sure he had gotten away with the heist of his life. Now that Michael was for sure no one had followed him, he allowed himself to relax, pull a cigar from out of the car while at the same time pulling the bag that contained Ms. Eddeson’ family jewels in it. As he grabbed the bag Michael could not help to think ‘what was that crazy old bat going to do with all of this?’ He went on ‘She had no family, I should know, because I staked her house out for months.’ Now with cigar in mouth and bag in hand, Michael started to stroll up to the old run down cabin. As he stepped onto the old oak steps, they creaked with each progression, showing their years of use. This cabin was the only thing that Michaels father left to him. Michael constantly blamed his father for all the failures in his life, but today such thoughts did not even cross his mind. Entering into the cabin, a dull, dusty smell filled his nose. Today, because of his big score, Michael took a deep breathe of contentment and exclaimed “Home, sweet home!”

The inside of this cabin was really in no better shape than the outside. It had an old stone fire place that was easily noted as the focal point of the main living area. From there the cabin had a single small bedroom, small kitchenette, and a nearly sunk in bathroom. Usually when entering back into the sham that Michael called home would have brought a very real reflection to the life Michael had lived in all of this twenty eight years of existence on this earth. Today though, Michael was very content with himself and his reality, as soon he would tare down this dump and replace it with the home of his dreams. He could now do this after the sale of his recently acquired jewels.

Now that he was in his cabin, Michael started to unzip the old black gym bag that was the current home to his loot. Gazing with eye’s of that of children looking upon a candy shop’s selection, Michael ranted ‘Diamonds, pearls, gold, and silver all mine!’ Stated this in such a tone, that showed the near madness nor lust for his jewels. ‘These little pretties, just sitting there collecting dust. Now they will have real use, as they help me live the life I deserve.’ He shouted with sheer effortless joy. As Michael continued to enjoy the sparkle and luster of the valuable and rare contents of his bag, lightening crashed outside and it brought him back to reality. After the thunders clash faded into the hills around him, a cold air rushed in from under the old cabin door. This sent a shiver down Michaels spine, and prompted him to stand. Without thinking, and still in a semi-shock from the days events, Michael zipped the bag back up, sat it on a corner table, and stepped outside.

Quickly his eyes were meant with the storm that was forming from the east. While starring at the coming storm Michael stated to himself ‘It’s going to get cold tonight.’ With that he went around to the side of the cabin and started to split some of the fire wood that was stacked up outside. Fifteen or twenty minutes had passed before Michael snapped from his day dreaming and he realized that he had split enough wood to keep a fire going for two days straight. Michael let out a slight grin and started to gather enough wood for the night. As he entered back into the cabin lightening struck again, this time much closer than before, and with that Michael jerked and all the wood he had gathered in his arms went flying all over the floor. Slightly startled Michael laughed out loud at himself and quickly picked the pieces back up. From there he moved over to the fireplace and started to place the newly split wood into the old stone pit. After getting the stack just right, he placed some kindling at the bottom and started the fire up.

As the flames started to crackled and cast shadows upon the floor he drew up his lighter from his pocket and lit the tasty cigar. As he inhaled the first puff and then exhaled it out, he let out a pleasing ‘ahhhh…’ and feel back into his old green chair. At this point tiredness set in, and Michael glanced at the crooked clock barely hanging on the wall. Five after Eight it said, meaning that it was really five after seven. Michael was not a man of conform and never took the time to fall back or spring forward. After noting the time he sat up and peered out the front window to give the area one last look. After satisfying himself that all was well, he took the cigar, put it out, and the feel backwards into a nice deep sleep.

Lightening struck outside the cabin and jolted Michael to his feet. Just then a howling wind came and the front door flew wide open. Bang! Lightening struck again and lit up the whole front yard where his old car was parked. With this Michael crouched behind his chair in reflex, but quickly came too. Michael jumped for the door, thinking for sure he had shut and bolt it before he went to sleep. Quickly Michael latched and bolted the door in a smooth fluid motion, as another cold burst blast against him. With unclear eyes, still burdened by his deep sleep, Michael tried to focus on the outside area of the cabin from his front window. Just then lightening cracked off in the air and lit up the entire area again. Michaels eye caught a glimpse of what looked like a figure standing off in the woods. Quickly in disbelief, Michael rubbed his eyes and peered again. ‘Ahh, must be my crazy mind playing tricks on me.’ Now wide awake, Michael pulled the curtains shut and turn to face the fire. Doing so he realized it was dying out, so he shuffled over to add more wood. While in the process of bringing the fire back to life, Michael looked upon the clock. Twelve thirty eight it read. ‘Wow!’ Michael exclaimed. ‘I must’a been really tired.’ Now that he had all his wits about him, Michael looked to the corner table, where his placed his gym bag, to find it was not sitting there. He rushed over and scanned frantically for it. As soon as he looked around the floor of the table he saw the old gym bag, the bag that contained his ticket to the good life. Relieved Michael took the bag and sat back in his old green chair. He unzipped it and smiled as he lifted each piece of the loot. The light from the fire made them all dance, and filled Michaels mind with dreams of all the wonderful things he could get from the sale of them.

While lost in the luster of his prize, a sudden banging came from the door. Startled Michael froze trying his best not to make a sound. In sheer horror Michael ran through his mind about who could possibly know he was here. While still in mid thought Michael again was shocked with a pounding on the cabin door that seemed to shake each log in it’s place. This prompted Michael to respond with a high pitched, cracking tone ‘He-He-Hello!?!?’ Quickly trying to clear his throat, so his next statement could muffle the fear that had now over taken him. Michael waited a few moments to see if the person at the door would reply. As nothing more came from the door Michael began to speak, but just as he did Michael was interrupted with a deep, near growling ‘I have came for that which is mine.’ The last word seemed to echo throughout the entire cabin, and it made goose bumps appear all over Michaels arms and legs. While the sheer force that the statement from the person behind the door scared Michael to his soul, his greed stepped into play as he assumed the monstrous man was referring to Michaels loot. With near reflex reaction, in defiance Michael shrieked ‘There’s nothing here that can possibly belong to you!’ he went on ‘Now leave… I… I…’ wanting to warn the person that he had a gun, Michael realized that he had left it in the car outside. Thinking to himself, the statement, though not true, might be enough to scare the person away, Michael went on ‘I have a gun and I am not afraid to use it!’ As Michael finished the statement he frantically searched his surroundings to see what he could use as a weapon. The only thing that resembled a weapon was a silver poker that was part of Michael’s mothers fireplace set. Michael grabbed the fire poker and gripped it so tight that his cold knuckles turn pale white from the constriction placed on his veins during the process.

Now Michael waited, and listed for the bellowing of the intruder at the door. He waited, and waited, and then heard nothing. A fleeting thought of hope entered into his mind as he took a step forward towards to the door. In doing so, his step creaked so loudly that he was sure the entire lake area heard it. With that he waited some more, to hear nothing. Not a thing, but the wind and the rain. Courage slowly came into his stature as he took the needed steps to reach the door. Now standing at the door, the shield, that stood between himself and whomever was on the other side he slowly peered out of a small hole in the wood. Scanning his eyes saw no one. An uneasy relief entered his bones, and he blinked and then looked again. His second glance was meet with a hidous, sickly, yellow eye, starring right back into his. This eye, was not like any human eye, but an eye like those found in looking at a cat’s or alligators eye. As what Michael saw registered in his brain his only reaction was to jump back two feet and scream like alittle child. In response, the thing on the other side of the door let out a bellowing, near hissing laugh. Michael stood in disbelief, and as he did rank, revolting smell entered into the cabin. A smell so vile that is made Michael sick to the lower ends of his gut. While bending slightly over, Michael thought to himself what in the world could this be? While still in shock the beast again spoke ‘I have come for that which belongs to me!’ Again Michael thought of the jewels, but as he did the thing exclaimed ‘I care not for the jewels in which you now posses. I am only here for what is mine.’ As the beast finished this statement Michael became over ran with fear, so much so that the rank vile smell that had filled the room no longer crossed his mind. In a state of confusion, and sheer terror Michael was able to utter ‘What of mine, or what do I have here, belongs to you?’ In a tone of empowerment the beat proclaimed ‘Your whole life has been filled with ill content, malice, and disregard for your fellow man. Because of this, your heart is as black as the soul that is contained within. Today’s actions where the last that were needed to seal your black heart, and now it belongs to me!’ Michael, now shaking, pale, and lost in the echoing words, could only focus on the ever faster beating rhythm of his own heart. Stood there, could not blink, move, or bring forth any forward thought. The only thing he could do, was barely hold back the sensation to scream in terror as what the beast said echoed through his head. Michael was broken from his trance of terror by the beast pounding, and pounding on the door. ‘Your heart belongs to me’ the beast exclaimed still pounding on the door ‘and now I am coming to claim it.’ With that the door cracked from it hinges and came flying down. As the door came down, the hideous beast stepped forward. It’s single yellow eye crowning it’s ugly forehead. The beast was a gangly, green scaled, ghoulish thing. Michael shrieked at the site of it, stepped backwards in disbelief. In doing so, Michael brought the fire poker in front of him in a reflex defensive motion. The beast let out an evil laugh and lunged forward towards Michael. Then Michael stepped backwards screaming ‘Leave me alone, leave me alone!’ while in motion, Michael tripped over a raised spot in the old wooden floor and fell backwards. The beast, following him to the floor, feel directly onto the silver poker. The weapon impaled the thing, right center into its single ugly eye. The brute let out a bellowing cry, and feel to its side. In pain, the beast flopped to its back, and gargled ‘So lucky… you are so lucky…’ Michael quickly scooted away from the thing. As he starred at the beast, it let out ‘You may have escaped my wrath, but you will not be so lucky with the one that comes after I.’ He went on ‘The only way to avoid the one that howls, is by the covering of the blood of the lamb.’ Still in shock Michael cringed at the thought of something else coming after him. As the beast laying gasping for air on the cabin floor, Michael could make out a big metal chain around its waste. Bejeweled on the chain was black as night human hearts. The site turned Michael face even more pale, as he grabbed his chest at the thought of his heart finding it’s place among those before him. Just then the beast lunged upwards, and settled back in a gargling state of final movement. It’s hideous mouth lay half open, all life now gone from it’s ghoulish existence. Still Michael sat there, holding himself in fear. At first Michael was not for sure the thing was dead, deep down he hoped so much that it was. As it’s death was confirmed by Michael’s hopes, thoughts of wondering what this thing on the floor was entered into his mind. He had never seen such a thing, nor even read of such things. It was like that of a nightmare, a nightmare that had come to life right out of Michael’s mind. Michael could not compare this nightmare to anything, as it looked similar in form to a man, in that it adorned two legs and two arms. The similarities stop at this point though, as it’s skin was scaled green, rough spots of what one could possibly call hair, and a head in the shape of a giant butter squash, with a single eye, that was now destroyed by the weapon of Michael’s salvation. As Michael continued to look upon this thing he did notice something else. A medallion of some type dangling from it’s neck. Curiosity sparked in Michael’s troubled mind, and he took a closer look. Indeed it was a medallion, or amulet of some type. The center was a gem, ruby red, and two golden snakes wrapped it from either side. With a shaking hand Michael picked the amulet up to take a closer look. As he did his fingers felt indentions upon the back of the medallion. Slowly Michael turned the thing over, as the indentions revealed to be initials engraved into the back which read: S. I. N.

‘S-I-N?’ ‘Sin! Sin!’ Michael said aloud, and quickly stumbled to his feet. Michael quickly grabbed his head, and look around in a disoriented fashion and feel back to the floor. While sitting there, trying to recover from the fall, he looked and saw that the silver poker also had an engraving on it’s handle. It read: T. Ruth
‘T-Ruth, TRUTH!!!’
The engraving stood for Michael’s mothers name Theresa Ruth. For the time being though, it read to Michael as T-R-U-T-H. At this point his brain started running widely in all directions. He even questioned if he was still in a sane state of mind. Suddenly breaking his steady march to insanity, a deep howling came from the woods outside his cabin. This howling made Michael turn cold all over and the very blood curled in his veins. With that, the last thing that the monster on the floor said echoed through his mind ‘Blood of the lamb…. Blood of the lamb….’ Michael could not get this out of his head, and ran into the pouring rain. Crying now, thoughts of his mother entered his head, and he realized what the statement meant. ‘Christ! Jesus!’ Michael exclaimed. Quickly he hit his knees, arms reached far into the air, pleading with God and Christ to save him, admitted his sin’s and asked for forgiveness. With that he became silent as the rain fell upon his face. As he waiting there a rustling of something passing right by him prompted Michael to open his tear filled eyes. As he did he made direct contact, eye to eye, with the biggest wolf that he had ever seen in his life. It looked deep into Michael’s eyes and let out a vicious growl. With this Michael closed his eye’s and prepared for the worst. Waiting, waiting, and then finally opening one eye to find that nothing was around him. Quickly Michael stood to his feet and looked around and did not see the wolf anywhere. Now numb from the cold and rain, Michael realized that God must have spared him. The Creator had given him a second chance. Recognizing this Michael had tears of joy fill his eyes, and there in the cold rain he lifted his hands once again in the air, in a motion of thanks to the one that spared him.

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