Somewhere....
The rain came down in relentless sheets, turning the forest floor into a treacherous slurry of mud and fallen leaves.
Thunder growled overhead like some ancient beast stirring from slumber, and lightning cracked the sky open in jagged white veins.
A man by the name of Elias stumbled through the underbrush, his breath ragged, blood trailing from a deep gash across his ribs.
The wound burned, not just from the claws that had raked him, but from something deeper, something poisoned.
Branches whipped his face as he ran, but he didn't feel the sting. Adrenaline was the only thing keeping him upright for now.
"Oh shit. Oh shit!!, Shit!! Shit!!! Shit!!!. He exclaimed, bumping into a tree.
Behind him, the howls echoed closer, a chorus of primal fury slicing through the storm and the forest.
They where getting closer, he had to keep going, keep searching, keep fighting.
He burst into a small clearing, landing face first in the cold muddy ground, he spotted the silhouette of an old building ahead,.... abandoned mill or chapel, half-swallowed by vines and decay.
The roof sagged like a broken spine, windows shattered like empty eyes.
Elias lunged for the rusted door, shoulder slamming into it until it gave way with a tortured creak.
Inside, the air was thick with dust, his labored breathing the only sound that can be heard.
He turned his he from side to side as the dim touch lights flickered to life along the walls.
Who lit them?, that he didnt know nor have time to find out.
They cast weak, yellow pools on cracked concrete floors littered with debris.
Elias slammed the door shut behind him, back pressing against it as he gasped for air.
Blood dripped steadily from his side, pattering onto the floor. He dragged himself across the wall, blood staining the surface.
For a moment, silence, sweet silence from the world. But he didnt have time to enjoy it cause THEY were coming.
He tapped the walls frantically, looking for something, a switch maybe.
Then the lights began to die, one by one. Pop!. Pop!. Pop!. Like something was triggering them in reverse.
A low growl rumbled from the far end of the building, deep and guttural, vibrating through the floorboards.
"Damb it!! Not now!" He said to himself, looking frantically for whatever he is after.
The door to the building opened with a loud Thud, blowing out all the touches at once.
Elias's heart hammered. Red eyes glowed in the darkness, multiple pairs, emerging from the shadows.
"Well, isnt this just romantic, reminds me of senior year " he exclaimed, trying to smile.
He reached for the knife at his belt, fingers trembling. "Lets do this." he whispered, voice breaking.
The growling intensified. Something massive stepped into the fading light, fangs bared, claws scraping stone.
The last light winked out.
Somewhere on a mountain side...
The windshield wipers on the old sedan fought a losing battle against the downpour as Claire Gordons navigated the winding road toward Evernight Hollow.
The Pacific Northwest sky hung low and bruised, perpetual twilight even though it was barely afternoon.
Pines loomed on either side like silent sentinels, their needles dripping endlessly.
In the passenger seat, 17 year old Andy Gordons slouched against the window, dark hair falling over his eyes.
He hadn't slept properly in days, the move was one thing, but the constant itch under his skin that he could never quite scratch was another.
Since Dad vanished three years ago, everything felt... off. Like part of him had gone missing too.
Claire hummed softly under her breath, some old rock ballad from her band days.
Her voice was warm, a little raspy, cutting through the monotony of the drive.
"You okay over there, kiddo?" she asked, glancing at him with that worried-mom smile.
Andy shrugged, eyes half-lidded.
"Yeah. Just tired. This place is Dad's hometown, right? Why now?"
Claire's grip tightened on the steering wheel. "Fresh start, Andy. Your grandma left us the house in her will. Figured it was time. Smaller town, quieter life."
He didn't push further, a quieter life, code for hiding. From what, he wasn't entirely sure anymore. He just knew something was wrong.
Andy knew he wasnt a normal human, from the little things like floating at random times, sucking his own blood when he hurt himself.
The fact that the sun makes him liggt headed now, his Mom said it was just teenage angst, but he knew she was lying.
She just never liked bringing up that side of the family.
Puberty or Whatever. Bullshit, he knew he was strange when he asked his dad, who told him he was a vampire.
That was the only explanation really. As the drive continued in silence, lightning struck across the sky, illuminating the road for a split second.
Thunder boomed immediately after, way too close.
A massive pine, struck dead center, groaned and toppled directly into their path.
"Andy yelled, "Mom!"
She swerved hard, tires hydroplaning on the wet asphalt.
The tree crashed down inches from the hood, branches scraping the roof like claws.
The car fishtailed to a stop, engine stalling in the sudden silence.
Claire breathed heavily, hand over her heart. "Holy shit. That was too close."
Andy stared at the fallen giant blocking the road ahead, steam rising from where lightning had seared .
"Yeah, no kiddding." He muttered.
It took another hour to detour around back roads, the town finally emerging from the fog like a half-forgotten dream.
Evernight Hollow wasn't much. a cluster of Victorian houses sagging under mossy roofs, a main street with faded shop signs, everything shrouded in mist.
No people out in this weather. The place felt lifeless, like it was holding its breath.
They pulled up to a two-story house on the edge of town, paint peeling, porch creaking under the weight of years. Movers' trucks idled outside, guys in rain coats unloading boxes.
"Home sweet home," Claire muttered, forcing cheer.
She ruffled Andy's hair as they stepped out.
"Help unload?" She told him, grabbing a box of valuables.
Andy sighed and stepped out into the rain, grabbing boxes from the truck. The house was old inside.
The floor boards creeking on their weight, the whole house needed dusting, sweeping and more.
But Andy wasnt ready for all of that.
Andy eyed the gray streets stretching into fog-shrouded woods through the window.
"Actually... think I'll check out the town. Stretch my legs."
Claire paused, wiping sweat from her face.
"Andy we just started, and you want too...fine just be careful. Small towns talk, news travels fast here.Don't cause trouble, okay? And be back before dark. This weather is great for flus". She told him.
"I know, No trouble." He flashed a half-smile, the kind that didn't reach his eyes before leaving the house
She watched him go, worry etching deeper lines on her face. "(Sighs) jesus, what am i gonna do with him.
Andy wandered the empty streets, hands shoved in his hoodie pockets.
The rain had eased to a drizzle, but everything dripped, rooftops, awnings, the neon sign of a diner that flickered weakly.
No cars passed. A few curtain twitches from windows, like the town was peeking but not welcoming.
"Damn this place is lifeless." He said.
He found himself on the main street, past a closed pharmacy, a thrift store with mannequins staring blankly.
Then, an old record shop caught his eye: "Hollow Tunes," painted in chipped gothic letters. Bell jingled as he pushed inside.
"Okay maybe i was wrong before.," he said.
The air smelled of dust, vinyl, and faint incense. Perfect really for a place like this.
Shelves crammed with albums, posters of classic rock bands peeling from walls.....Kiss, Black Sabbath, The Cure.
Dim lamps cast warm glows over cluttered counters.
An old man behind the register nodded absently, buried in a newspaper.
Andy browsed, fingers trailing spines, "lets see what they have ." He muttered to himself.
Music was his escape from his worries, his Mom told old band stories from her youth.
The way rock drowned out the weirdness inside him and his Mom when time got stuff.
He rounded a corner, lazily looking until he spotted it. Tucked in a shelf labeled 'Mt Selection' was a limited edition Kiss album, "Destroyer," sealed, pristine.
Andy's eyes lit up, a smile of pure joy spread across his face before he comtrolled it
"Jackpot!!" He thought to himself.
He reached for it, but another hand snatched it at the same time.
"Hey!" A girl's voice, sharp and annoyed.
Andy looked up into fierce green eyes framed by wet black hair.
She was about his age, pale skin, leather jacket over a band tee, combat boots.
Pretty in that dangerous, don't-mess-with-me way. Attractive really.
"It's mine," she said, tugging.
"I grabbed it first," Andy shot back, holding firm.
She yanked harder, surprisingly strong for her size. "I need this. Like, actually need it. Back off, new kid."
"New kid? How'd you even....whatever. Finders keepers." He said, grounding himself.
"God, you're annoying. Let go, or I'll make you." She warned him as she started to growl at him.
Andy was shocked by this but didnt let go.
Insults flew from both sides:
"Entitled brat." Andy said.
"Creepy outsider." The girl muttered.
"Poseur." Andy added.
"Thief." She spat back.
They tussled, album between them like a lifeline.
She was winning, "damn, how is she this strong?, Andy asked as he twisted just right and pulled it free.
"Ha. Mine." He said, heading for the counter.
Her eyes flashed with real anger. "You have no idea what—" she said, before being cut off.
The bell jingled softly as three guys sauntered in, big and athletic, dripping rain.
The tallest one,blond, smug and looking stupid, flung an arm around the girl's shoulders. "You git a Problem, Eve?"
"Eve. Of course her name was Eve." Andy thought, as he looked back to the guys, slowly moving back.
"This idiot stole my album Jake!!," she huffed at her boyfriend who's name was Jake.
This actually made Andy chuckle because he looked like a Jake.
But he stopped as Jake looked down at him .
"Whats so funny Jackass?" He asked Andy as he movwd closer.
"Nothing man. Just buying some Vinyl." Ge said, moving backwards but he hit the other guys that came with Jake.
Jake put his hand forward and spoke.
"Hand it over, freak."
Andy clutched it tighter. "No."
Wrong answer. Jake's friends closed in, fists already made and ready. The punched him hard across the face.
Andy manged to block one, but took a gut punch that doubled him over.
Another to the face split his lip and cheek. He hit the floor hard, album skittering away, they punched his nose,(crack), he bleed more.
Blood in his mouth and nose, metallic and... familiar. Too familiar and he hated it.
They kicked a few times for good measure, laughing." Freak." They muttered.
Eve watched, arms crossed, going through more albums, telling Andy to "Fight Back" jokingly.
The owner finally shuffled over, yelling. "Out! All of you! Before I call the sheriff!"
The group left, Eve grabbing the album on her way out with a last glare at Andy.
"Better know your place, newbie." She said leaving .
The old man helped Andy up, grumbling. "Kids these days. Here, son." He handed over an old portable CD player and a burned disc.
"Copy of Destroyer. Best tracks. On the house. Heal up."
Andy wiped blood from his nose, bruises already throbbing.
But as he stepped outside into the drizzle, limping home, he collapsed in the alley way. He started healing slowly, but thatw wasn't enough.
With whatever power he had left, he drgged himself on.
His ribs hurt and his eye swelled, great forst day.
The town watched from foggy windows as he disappeared into the gray.
Back at the house, his mom freaked out completely. But Andy's mind was somewhere else. He felt that itch again. Deeper this time.
Something in Evernight Hollow smelled... off.
And it smelled like him.