The nightmarish creature that emerged from the black, inky pool occupied all of Joseph’s attention; neither the continuing struggle by the door, the shouting of the other men in the room nor the thrashing of the beast outside could pull him away from those white eyes. As far as he was concerned it was only him and the foul creature in the room alone.

It almost resembled a rotting corpse, aside from the fact that Joseph doubted this thing had ever been human to begin with. It was too tall, too scraggly and thin, like a scarecrow brought to life and filled with vehement rage; rage that it now unleashed in a high pitched howl that sent shivered down his spine. Joseph gripped his spear harder, knuckles turning white with the intensity of it, as he contemplated driving the weapon through the things chest. With its mutilated body however, covered in the scars of previous injuries and battles, there was no guarantee that his modest spear would even be able to kill the thing.

The shout from the person next to him made Joseph jump, the sudden and authoritative roar breaking through his haze of fear and bringing him back to reality. Yes, they had to kill this thing; there was no other choice if they wanted to survive this night. Mustering his courage Joseph lunged forward, dashing past Arcturus to close the meagre distance between himself and the creature before thrusting his short spear towards its chest. If the thing had a heart then the attack might kill it and if it didn’t then hopefully he would at least push the monstrosity back and off balance.