The digital clock read 11:31 PM as Ash Frye entered the confines of his home. A six-pack of cheap beer was firmly held in his hand, and Ash shut the door behind him, locking it swiftly. Today was a bad day: October 7th, the 3rd anniversary of his sister's tragic death. Ash hated everything and even more particularly so on this day.

  The truth was, Ash was already quite past sober and yet not nearly enough to drown his sorrows. Not bothering to remove his shoes, he pushed forward into the house. Passing the myriad of trophies and medals hanging on the wall, he sneered. Amateur Kickboxing, Boxing, Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Ash felt sick to his stomach as he gazed upon the awards all carrying his name.

  What does it matter? All these damn awards. All there, just mocking me. Reminders of my failure.

  The thoughts invaded his mind like vines slowly overtaking a rotting building. He clenched his fist as he moved onward, his eyes finally meeting the framed picture. The fragmented memories of times past, frozen in moments when Ash was still happy, clouded his vision. Tears tried to well up, but not a single one fell—that well had run dry a long time ago. He approached the wall gingerly, picking up a single framed picture. Taken 5 years ago, it was him and his sister Anna, just after he had won a boxing tournament. She had been so happy for him, happier than him even, ecstatic every time he got his hand raised.

  I am sorry. Your brother failed you.

  Ash placed the picture back into place and dragged himself to the couch. Not bothering to change or shower, he sat down. Removing one of the cans of beer and popping it open, Ash greedily poured it down his throat. There was no enjoyment in this act, it was merely methodical - a rehearsed way to try and drown out his sober thoughts.

  Ash was on his third can when the light above his head flickered and died out. Plunging the man into sudden darkness. He rose from the couch as he heard a soft tapping on his window, it was raining. The man sighed, the forecast had not predicted any storms in the area, but it seemed one had still found its way to him.

  Fuck, now I have to get the power fixed. I hope it's just a blown fuse and not a toppled tree.

  As Ash stood up, he heard a knock coming from his front door. The man noted that it sounded frantic, panicked even. He groaned but moved to open the door for the stranger - it could be an emergency.

  Maybe it's a neighbor, who lost power as well. I certainly hope the power lines didn't get damaged.

  Ash peeked through the peephole and was immediately taken aback - on the lit-up porch, stood a small girl. She seemed alarmed, her head darting around as if expecting someone to jump out. Ash carefully opened the door, regarding the girl. The stranger jumped up, clearly startled, her eyes meeting Ash's. At that moment Ash could tell something was wrong, he saw panicked fear in the young girl's eyes, she was pale and her lips were quivering.

  "What's wrong kid?" Ash pierced the silence.

  It took a second before the girl seemingly processed what was happening before she burst into tears.

  "Sir, please! Please, you have to help me! Someone has to help me, I don't know what to do!"

  "Woah, calm down. A-Alright. Tell me what's happening." he felt his heart drop, the man couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

  Ash scanned the street - it was all dark - not a single light was on in any of the homes or on the street itself. That meant something must have happened to the power lines. He cursed under his breath. What's more, it was dead silent - the only sound was that of the sniffling kid in front of him and the soft rain.

  "I-It's after me! I am so sorry, I am sorry! Please, I just want help!" the kid was hysterical.

  At that moment, a chill shot up Ash's spine. There was a sudden and unshakable feeling of being watched. The girl's words struck him too. Whatever was going on, it was bad news.

  "Alright, kid. Get inside, I will help you. We will call the cops and figure this out." Ash offered, ushering the girl inside and locking the door.

  He led her to the couch, before pulling out his phone. Ash saw that the kid was trembling, eyes wide with horror.

  "Kid, you are safe now. Tell me, what's your name? Do you live around here?" Ash spoke in a calming manner, trying to calm the girl down.

  She shook her head, "I-I am far from home. I am so sorry! I was staying with Miss Newman, I didn't know it would follow me! Oh god, Miss Newman she-" The girl covered her face with her hands and started bawling. He could see a strange symbol on the girl's hand. A tattoo perhaps?

  Miss Newman? She's one of my neighbors, an older lady. Is this girl her granddaughter? I thought Newman didn't have any family left. Also, what's this 'it' she keeps mentioning?

  "It's okay, kid. It's okay. I will get the cops here." Ash responded.

  He punched 911 into his smartphone, lifting it to his ear, only to be met with silence. Ash furrowed his brows and checked his screen. It simply read 'Call Failed'. The man blinked a few times in confusion, there was no signal.

  "What." was all he could muster.

  Ash turned to the girl and opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by a sudden loud sound that pierced the silence. It was coming from the door, a deafening rattling. The entire door shook as something was clattering the doorknob.

  "Who's there?!" Ash demanded, his hand moving to the Glock 19 holstered in his pants. "Stop at this instant!"

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  The man pulled out the pistol in a swift motion, aiming it at the front door. He spared a glance at the girl, she looked terrified - rocking back and forth and crying, murmuring something.

  "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It's here!" was all that Ash could make out from the whispers.

  Ash had no time to process this, as the rattling intensified. The door shook in its henges. Followed by bangs, but below that there was a different sound - an inhuman growling.

  Fuck this.

  That was the only thought in Ash's mind as he clicked off the safety of his Glock 19.

  Bang! Bang! Bang!

  The sound of the pistol firing overwhelmed all other sounds. Riddling the front door with bullet holes. However, Ash did not stop, not until he heard a click as he pressed the trigger - the magazine was empty. He carefully lowered the gun.

  Everything fell silent, as the man took in his surroundings. The girl was cowering, her hands over her ears. There was no sound coming from the other side of the door, that was now reminiscent of swiss cheese. Ash slid the gun back into its holster.

  Thud!

  The door shook again, this time even more violently. He cursed under his breath as fear gripped his heart, but there was no time to think. Ash grabbed the girl, throwing her over his shoulder as he dashed up the stairs. Making it up in seconds, he headed for his room.

  Ash heard the door give away and fly off its hinges. An ear-piercing shriek accompanied as whatever that thing was gave chase. The man did not look back, sprinting into his room. Shutting the door and pushing a nearby cabinet in front of the door.

  What the fuck am I up against? Whatever that thing is. It's not human.

  Ash placed the girl down, who seemed catatonic. She looked up at him, her eyes betrayed a great sorrow and anguish.

  "I am sorry. I don't want you to get hurt, just like Miss Newman did, just like the others. Let it take me." she spoke, her voiced punctured with pain.

  "No," Ash answered curtly.

  He had no idea what was going on, but there was no way he was giving up on the girl. Ash closed his eyes, he remembered holding Anna's dead body in his arms as the fire raged around them. He would not fail again, he would die to make sure of that.

  "But-" the girl protested.

  "I don't know what that thing is out there. But if it wants to get you, it will have to go through me first." Ash cut her off, through gritted teeth, "And it will not find me to be easy prey."

  Ash ducked below his bed, pulling out his father's double-barrel shotgun and loading it with 12ga slugs. His father used to be a hunter and had taken him on quite a few hunts before he passed. Ash felt comfortable, even slightly nostalgic as he held the shotgun in his hands.

  The feeling was short lasting though. Something slammed into the door with force, sending the cabinet sliding away. Then, the door slowly creaked open.

  Ash froze as a long, clawed hand shot from the darkness, slamming against the wall. The claws scraped deep into the plaster. A hunched shape followed, ducking low to squeeze through the doorway. When it stood, it was tall, unnaturally so, its form humanoid but wrong, wrapped in oily black skin that shimmered like spilled gasoline. It was thin, its frame looked half-starved, almost skeletal. Two sunken white orbs stared out-eyes, but empty, like they’d forgotten how to see. Its mouth was slack open, revealing a row of sharp - needle-like teeth.

  Ash stared up at the creature, instinctively positioning himself to shield the kid. He aimed the barrel at the thing, his hands trembling. This was far beyond anything Ash had seen, a nightmare come true.

  "Don't move! Leave the kid alone!" he barked orders, his finger on the trigger.

  The monstrosity seemed unamused as it took a step forward. Ash reacted before he could consider, pressing down on the trigger the moment it moved.

  Bang!

  The creature recoiled as the gun fired, tumbling backward. Clashing into the wall with a howl. Ash did not wait to see if the creature would recover, instead seizing the girl again and sprinting straight out of the window. The window shattered as Ash took flight momentarily before slamming into the ground. His legs buckled from the force, bringing him to his knees, pain spreading like fire. The man gritted his teeth, getting back up on his feet and running forward, the girl still firmly in his grasp.

  He heard the thing land behind him with a heavy impact. He heard it as it rushed after them, kicking up the ground with its long limbs. He heard it gain ground. He knew there was no escape.

  Ash stopped, setting the girl down on her feet, and looked her in the eye.

  "Can you run kid?" he asked curtly.

  "N-no, don't do this. Y-You will die." the girl shook her head, tears welling up once again.

  "You gotta get out of here, kid. Don't worry about me. Someone will save you I am sure of it. For now, run and don't look back." he offered her a smile, as genuine as he could muster.

  The girl tried to protest but Ash pushed her, egging her to run. She cried as she turned tail and ran. He sighed with relief and shifted his attention to the monster. Taking a step toward the monstrosity, he saw the thing stop in its tracks, regarding Ash.

  I need to buy as much time as I can. I can't let it get to her.

  Ash twirled the shotgun around, clasping it by the barrel. If he couldn't shoot it, he would improvise. Without a second of hesitation, he dashed toward the creature. The thing's eyes betrayed something akin to surprise as it took a step forward.

  Ash slid to a stop just as he entered melee range, jumping ever so slightly back. The beast swung wildly with its clawed hand, Ash just inches out of the way. The man countered by pivoting forward and swinging the shotgun overhand.

  Thud!

  The butt of the weapon crashed into the skull of the creature, snapping its head to the side. The thing grunted and shrieked, but did not take a step backward. Instead, it lashed out with another wild attack, Ash shrank back dodging the swing, however, he could not react as the creature barreled forward. They crashed into each other, sending Ash to the ground, losing grip on the shotgun.

  "Fuck!" he exclaimed, as he scrambled to get up.

  The thing did not wait, as it leaped onto Ash, pinning him down with its body. Ash screamed as searing hot pain shot through his body - the creature's needle-like teeth sunk into his shoulder. The man felt the monster slowly tearing into muscle and bone. He had to act, and fast.

  Ash swung, clobbering the beast with his fist. He felt his knuckles shatter as they made impact on the thing's skull - it felt like hitting cement. However, the man did not stop, unleashing an assault on the creature until he felt it release his shoulder. At that moment Ash kicked up with all of the strength he could muster - sending the monster off of him.

  Ash leaped to his feet, putting his hands up, and readying himself. He felt the blood from his shoulder pour on out - he didn't have much time. The creature was already up and approaching.

  There's no point in playing safe anymore. Not with half of my shoulder missing. I wonder how much time I have until I drop dead? Fuck it.

  Ash bounced rhythmically as the monster came into range. It lashed out first with a wide horizontal strike, this time Ash shifted forward. Ducking just past certain death and hitting the beast with a right uppercut aimed at its midsection, quickly followed a left straight into the chest. The thing did not take a step backward, but let out a shriek and struck once again. Trying to claw at Ash with its left arm. The man slipped to the right, avoiding the attempted grab, he countered with a right hook to the jaw. Not giving the beast a chance to recover, he followed up with a left high kick. His shin connected with the cranium of the monster, bone clattering against bone.

  This time the creature took a step back, but Ash wasn't done. He threw a quick jab and straight and took a step forward, before twisting around and hitting the beast with a spinning wheel kick. The momentum was enough to send the creature to the ground.

  Ash quickly dashed to grab the shotgun lying on the ground. Grasping it like a home-made cudgel. He turned in time to see the creature on all fours bounding towards him. Reacting on instinct, Ash intercepted his assailant with a knee as they clashed together like a car crash. The blow sent both of them barreling onto the ground, but this time the man was the first up.

  "I got you motherfucker." Ash spat.

  He jumped on top of the monster, lifting the shotgun and smacking the monster's jaw. The creature shrieked and tried to buck Ash off, but it was futile - he had the creature in full mount. Ash swung again and again, splattering dark black blood all over, as the butt of the shotgun crushed the thing's face.

  Ash suddenly stopped as he felt claws dig into his sides, he felt them puncture his ribs and drill past. His blood ran cold, death was certain now. With the last of his strength Ash lifted the shotgun above his head and with a bellow, he brought it down one last time. The creature stopped moving, claws stopping their invasion. Ash dropped the weapon, rolling over to his side to stare at the sky.

  I hope she got away. I hope it's over.

  He stared at the moon as gentle rain kissed his cheeks, washing blood away. His eyelids felt heavier by the second and it was so cold he would have shivered if he could move. His eyes closed and opened, and he saw a new light in the sky and then he heard a new sound. A deafening roar of motors pierced the night as the light washed over him.

  He saw a ladder and multiple figures descending into his backyard. He didn't recognize their uniforms or their emblems, all of the men were well-armed and quickly dispersed.

  "Find the girl - she couldn't have gone far. Also, medical attention is required here." a man ordered calmly.

  Ash could no longer keep his eyes open, and as they shut he could only think one thing.

  I don't want to wake up.