Dawn was upon him, painting the sky in streaks of rose and gold. Fear gnawed at his heart, urging him to move faster. He couldn't afford to be caught by the rising sun. His target had to be silenced before the light exposed his presence.
He considered storming the village, its simple stone wall offering little resistance. A distraction would suffice, he thought, and devised a plan. But his attempts to create a diversion were met with frustration. The guards, vigilant in their duty, remained unfazed by his efforts.
Hours later, his keen eyes spotted a flaw in the village's defenses. The canal that carried lifeblood from the river entered the village through a small bridge, replacing the sturdy wall for a vulnerable stretch. Patrolling guards walked the span, their torches casting flickering shadows in the mist.
Taking a deep breath, he plunged into the icy water, his body sinking to the muddy bottom. There, hidden in the darkness, he waited until the air in his lungs became thin and desperate. With a practiced stroke, he broke the surface, emerging on the other side of the bridge.
He spotted Hewar, the shadow flitting near a house. His target, he knew, was nearby.
**********************
Sera tucked the blanket around Delena, her own exhaustion mirrored in the dark circles under her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice husky.
"I just did what you always do for me," Delena replied, her voice soft with sleepiness.
Sera smiled, her heart overflowing with love for her daughter. "Sleep now," she said, kissing Delena's forehead.
"I will," Delena murmured, "but I'm hungry."
Sera couldn't help but smile. The night had taken its toll on both of them. She walked to the kitchen, only to find the wood pile nearly depleted. Thankfully, she had a stockpiled in the courtyard.
He felt a chill creep through him, a darkness spreading within that had nothing to do with the setting sun. Huddled behind a pile of firewood in the courtyard, he knew he could not delay any longer. The rising sun, harbinger of warmth and light to others, brought only cold and darkness to him.
He waited for Sera to emerge, his patience wearing thin. The world before him was losing its color, not just from the water dripping from his hair, but from something far more sinister. He knew he had to act before the light robbed him of his sight and his chance to strike.
Just as he rose to break into the house, the door creaked open.
**********************
Sera froze, a scream caught in her throat. Terror gripped her as she saw Resi lying on the ground, lifeless in a pool of crimson. The world spun around her, and she clung to the doorframe for support. The nightmare had begun.