I was brought up by the idea that death was a sweet thing, the universe's way of saying you’ve done enough, and it was time to go back to the great beyond. But I thought that it would take me by itself. I thought.

I remember my grandfather's funeral, it was a sad day, I had looked up to him. But I remembered it was destined to be his time. So I smiled and said thank you to all the people he loved and trusted before leaving that day. As I took another look at those that cared for him, seeing all these people crying like he needed more time made me feel sick. You’re all adults for crying out loud. I thought to myself. Act like it, and don’t be so soft when this was always the outcome. Everyone dies, and you will too. Don’t expect me to cry then either, it’s a path all of us must follow.

Looking back, that was some messed up thing to think about for a fifth grader. But I didn’t lie, I didn’t cry a single tear at any of their funerals. All their funerals happened so quickly, I wouldn’t have had time to cry about them in time anyway.

Fast forward about four years, at 15. My friends and I were doing the normal stuff, buying candy and drinks, and sitting out by the park in the grassy field, as you do. And all of a sudden the topic of fears came up. 

“I know Riley is terrified of snakes,” Tommie yelled out, pretending to slither at Riley. “Ain’t that, right? You can’t stand those little tongues of theirs huh?”

“Shut up dude!” Riley shouted. “Not like you can say much, being afraid of goddamn moths you little shit!”

“That’s better than Samantha!” Jonson cackled. “She’s afraid of holes!”

“Hey! It’s an actual fear many people have!” Samantha rebelled. “It’s called Trypophobia you whore!” 

“What about you guys?” Riley gestured at me and Matt. “Do you guys have any fears?”

“I think I just got death on my list.” Matt sighed. “What about you Trey?”

“Me? I just freak out when I’m touched, apparently, it’s called Haphephobia.” I replied. “But seriously Matt? Death? Are you actually scared of the inevitable?” I laughed as the group around me lay silent. “Don’t tell me all of you are afraid of the skeleton in black with a farming tool, are you?”

One by one, all my friends raised their hands, staring at me with disgust and confusion. I looked around in awe at how gullible my friends looked to me. It made me laugh harder.

“What the hell dude, are you seriously not scared of losing everything?” Tommie asked, pulling Riley closer. “Aren’t you scared of leaving everyone you love behind?”

“No,” I said without any hesitation at all. “In my family, it is practised that Death is sent by the universe as a way of saying that it’s time to go back to the great beyond.”

“That sounds like a fucking cult dude!” Matt screamed. “That’s so fucking creepy! Shit dude!”

“Don’t yell like that dude!” Jonson shushed him. “We’re right next to a park! Do you know? Small kids and their parents? We’re gonna get arrested or something with your big ass mouth! What were you? Born with a fucking shovel in your mouth?”

“I was just saying what everyone was thinking!” Matt whisper yelled. “Am I wrong?”

“I’m sorry guys, I didn’t mean to freak you out.” I apologized. “I shouldn’t have-”

“You need to run away,” Samantha said suddenly. Her face was as white as a sheet. “Am I right?” Everyone nodded in agreement. “Okay it’s settled then, let’s make a plan.”
“We’ll meet up here at midnight, we may have to pick a time and place. What about here? Great idea!” They were talking so fast that I couldn’t keep up with who was talking.

“Do I get a say in this?” I yelled. “They are my family after all! What’s the matter with you guys!”

They all looked at one another. “Do you remember the cult we learned about that lived on a farm and would kill people with gardening tools?” Tommie asked.

“No,” I replied.

“Shit guys, it’s almost five.” Riley interrupted. Ringing the bell to leave.

As I walked home, the thought of my family being a bunch of murderers kept floating around in my head. Maybe I should run away or something, but what if I’m just being dramatic? But there is still the possibility they are ruthless cultists, but then why haven’t I been initiated or something? Or have I? Maybe they did it when I was younger like that one cult that locked a bunch of kids in an underground vault saying the earth exploded and everyone was dead. They didn’t know, maybe I didn’t either. 

“I guess running away is worth a try, I’ll just grab my stuff and leave tonight,” I said to myself. But, as I turned the corner to my house, I heard a bang at the back of my head, and everything was black.

When I woke up, it was dark, and the sound of dripping water surrounded me. The back of my neck felt warm and wet, I tried to touch it to feel if it was blood or water, but I found my hands were tied from shoulder to wrist in heavy-duty rope, the kind you would find on a boat. I tried to stand, but my legs had the same fashion of rope and bondage as my arms.

Looking around again as my eyes had adapted to the dark, I could vaguely see figures standing at the wall ahead of me. A slight inhale was audible as one of them approached me.

“Trey,” The shadow whispered my name, this voice sounded sinister, bloodthirsty, and in a way familiar. “Trey, do you wanna see the light?” I couldn’t speak. I didn’t know how I knew this figure was standing just above me. “You aren’t afraid of what is to come, right? You remember to be a good little boy and do as you’re told, right?” I nodded.

“Good little boy,” A similar, yet feminine voice rang out from the crowd. “He will be most happy to know that you still hold true to the laws of our way. As any good boy should, right?” She bent down to me and ripped the cloth around my jaw. “You don’t know who he is, but you will see him soon my little one.” Wait, mom? “It won’t be for long, little one, just until you are ready.” What is happening? Who is he?

Each of the figures vanished into darkness one by one, as booms from behind me slowly get closer. I closed my eyes and prayed that I would overcome whatever was coming closer. I suddenly felt pulled down, and my eyes shot open, bringing me face to face with what seemed to be thousands of eyes. A cut formed at the centre of its face, dragging along to each side to show off millions of giant teeth. 

“So this is the young one my people have brought to me,” This voice in no way matched the appearance of this disgusting monster, it sounded distinguished and smart. Like one some young politician wishes he had. I instantly felt calm and like I could trust this beast with my everything. No, no no no. I can’t seriously think of this thing as anything more than disgust. Don’t trust it. No no no! Imagine it as the voice of a Disney villain, don’t be the dumb princess that gives away some shit for love, don’t listen to it! “Now, why would my most devout followers give me a child of their own? This isn’t like them. So I won’t do it.”

The beast lowered me, cutting the rope and tape that forced my body to the chair. I had been clenching my jaw and squeezing my eyes, I thought it was a trap, might as well miss the trap and just be killed. I knew it was gonna either use me as a toy or something till I had been worn out and kill me or use me as bait for unsuspecting souls for it to eat and swallow whole.

“What shall I do with you,” Now it starts! It’s gonna torment me for the rest of my now short life! I thought to myself. Close your eyes and wait for death to guide you to your place of freedom. I began praying to death that he would take me away. Bring me to be, prosperity and guidance may the who smites all that have need punished please take me back to the great unknown to be reborn into a new vessel I beg of yee death. Listen if you can to my cries of-

“Can you cook?” The voice asked.

“What?” I kept my eyes closed, in case it was a trick to mind control me into suffering.

“Would you say you’re moderately okay at cooking or cleaning, etcetera? You know?”

“I mean, I guess so,” I said hesitantly. “My father taught me to cook, and my mother taught me to clean. What else?”

“Can you read?”

“Yes.”

“What about dealing with heights, you good with that?”

“Nope, I’m not afraid of heights.”

“Good, how about fire? Or specific bugs or animals and stuff?”

“If you’re looking for a fear of mine, it’s touch. I’m good with animals, bugs, spiders, and I’m not afraid of fire or anything like that.”

“What are you scared of then? What about,” They sat there a while, thinking about anything. “Maybe, death?”

“No.” A snake-like texture wrapped around my torso. I forced my eyes open to see a single of its eyes wide open, focusing on my right eye.

“Are you being serious?” Its eye seemed to gape further. “Then what the 𝖜𝖍𝖎𝖆𝖑𝖈𝖍𝖎 are you afraid of?”

“Whialchi? Is that what you said? Why did your voice do that?”

“What? Oh, well I can’t exactly speak what’s considered a curse word. It’s just- Wait a minute! You didn’t answer me you little!-”

“Have you tried human curse words? Like-”

“ANSWER ME THEN WE CAN TALK! WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? OR I SWEAR TO 𝖌𝖆𝖉𝖔𝖎𝖈𝖍𝖊𝖓 I WILL MAKE YOU FEAR SOMETHING FAR WORSE YOU LITTLE -”

“Being touched. That’s all.” I said as nonchalantly as possible. “And don’t use Gadoichen’s name in vain you fuck.”

“What kind of fear is that?” It laughed maniacally, tears welling in its eyes still staring at me. “How stupid! At least I’ll be able to use you here. I don’t need any more sacrifices, let alone someone who looks to me as a deity.”

“What? Use?”

“Yeah, you will be a helper around my dwelling.” He replied. "Now come along, you have much to do.