Massacre of Oom - Lek PT. 1

They came in the night, cloaked in darkness, their guttural cries echoing through the woods. Screams echoed as the creatures attacked, their sharp talon like fingers digging deep into flesh, smoke filling their air as candles and lanterns knocked over. Chaos consumed the little village, the creatures attack was swift and devastating, their goal was clear. No Survivors.

---

“Mialette?” Mama called, her voice far in the distance, letting a giggle escape Mia clapped her hand over her mouth, trying to stifle the sound. Mama called her name again, this time her voice sounded closer, much closer. Mia squirmed, tucking her body more firmly in the small tree hollow, holding her breath. Mama would never find her in here, this was her best hiding place yet!

A twig snapped just beyond the line of brush surrounding the tree, Mia froze, her breathing deep and slow. She had the perfect view from her hiding spot, she could see Mama searching the edge of the forest looking for her and when she looked beyond that she could see their little village, Oom -Lek, bustling with the last bit of life before the day was gone.

The village was colorful as the last rays of light cast a pink glow over the clay cast buildings, their thatch roofs rustling in the evening breeze. Through soft curtains Mia could see the soft glow of candles as families sat down for their evening meals, she could hear laughter and conversation as children waved goodbye and headed home for the night. Oom -Lek, a peaceful village, the people here were kind, they helped one another, no one went hungry and violence was unheard of.

Even at 4 years old Mia had heard many stories of the cities outside the wood, their greed and wars, she was thankful to live here, happy with her parents. Mia giggled again as Mama paced in front of the tree, her naked feet blending into the grass. Mia’s body shook as she attempted to control her laughter, small sqeaks escaping from between her fingers.

“Oh? What is this I hear?” Mama circled the tree, yelling boo! As she separated the bushes, only to find nothing. Mia giggled harder as Mama searched the small clearing behind the brush, her face full of confusion. Mia watched Mama search for several more minutes, gleefully giggling behind her hand.

“Here I am Mama!” She shouted as she sprang from her hiding hole, she could no longer contain herself, “Am I not the best hider! I found the most secretive spot, you would have never found me!”

“Yes my flower, you are so smart to have found such a spot!” Mama cooed as she kissed Mia’s head and stroked her petal like hair, “Now it is time for dinner, then off to bed.” Mama hoisted Mia higher into her arms and carried her towards home.

As they neared their home, a figure appeared in the doorway. He was tall, his skin cast in pale green, with a blue hue. Much lighter than Mia's own skin, which was more blue than green, there was a stone by the river that reminded her of her skin, turquoise, Mama had called it. The figure stepped from the doorway, his broad face widening into a grin.

"Papa!" Mia shouted, jumping from Mama's arms, hitting the ground at a full sprint. Papa had been gone for several days now, on a trip to Ca -Lek, a neighboring village. As Oom -Lek's elected chieftain it was his duty to oversee communications between the forest communities. Mia had missed Papa, as she reached him he held out his arms, gathering her close. He held her for a moment before she squirmed away rubbing her cheek at the prickling sensation left by the thorn like spikes atop his head.

Papa smiled as he looked up at Mama, his blue eyes glowing with love and appreciation. He stood and gathered her in his arms, placing a loud kiss on her cheek. Mama laughed, a musically sound and Mia stared at the pair in wonder. She did not like when Papa left, Mama and her still had fun, but it always felt as though something was missing when Papa was away. She shook away the sad feelings, reminding herself that he was here now, and joined in the fun. Papa was tickling Mama, her musical laughter ringing through the air as she fell to the ground underneath his expert wiggling fingers.

Mama pleaded with Mia to save her. Mia giggled as she tried to pull Papa’s hands away, but he was too strong and before long her had both girls on the ground in a helpless giggling heap. Papa threw himself on the ground beside them watching the last rays of light sink below the tree line as the girls recovered. Each one breathless, they lay there as the stars appeared blinking in the sky, the moon slowly rising. Mama made a picnic while Papa told stories as they watched, stories of the moon and his love the sun, and how the two were cursed to never meet again, stories of the crickets and why they played such a sad song each night, and Mia’s favorite story about the talking fish the wishes he would grant.

Soon, Papa’s deep strong voice lulled Mia to sleep, her belly full and her head resting softly on Mama’s shoulder. They sat there a while longer as the air grew colder, enjoying the quiet sounds of the forest. Finally, Papa lifted Mia’s sleeping form and carried her inside, laying her gently on her small bed, pulling the covers around her. They each kissed Mia’s brow, murmuring their love for her, in her sleep she smiled and softly sighed before snuggling deeper into the covers.

The sun shone over the lake, it’s rays penetrating the murky water, illuminating it’s depth. Creatures of all shapes and sizes, flitted just below the surface, dancing to the music of the songbirds singing from the tops of the Silkwood trees. A breeze settled over the open meadow, leaves rustled, branches ticked a soft percussion following the beat of the songbird’s aria. Purple flowers, their petals larger than life, danced in time, from inside pollen floated, sparkling in the sunlight.

On the side of the lake Mia sat, legs tucked, a fuchsia checkered blanket spread beneath her. She lifted her tiny teacup, pink and white roses decorating it’s side, placing it to her lips before taking a sip of the golden liquid within. The sweet nectar burst across her taste buds, she closed her eyes savoring the flavor.

“You were right Mr. Hurbard!” She smiled at the bear beside her, his brown fur ruffled in the breeze, “This was a much better choice than plain old tea.”

“I aim to please, Miss Mialette.” The bear responded formally.

“Come old chap!” Mr. Griff, a spotted bunny with funny looking horns, inserted, “Let loose a little! Enjoy the bright day, the smell of fresh flowers and most specifically… enjoy the food.” He stared at the small carrot cake in front of him, eyes wide and shining with hunger.

“Mr. Hurbard sniffed placing his nose high in the air, frowning with distain. He was a serious bear, always reminding Mia to keep her wits about her, and ferociously protective. Even with all his seriousness, Mia knew the picnic would have been only half as fun without him!

“Miss Mialette?” Mr. Hurbard sniffed again, his nose still in the air, only this time he stood looking around the clearing.

“Yes Mr. Hurbard?” Mia said absently, not noticing the bear’s alertness.

“Do you smell that?”

“Smell what? The scent of your silly side rotting away?” Mr. Griff chortled at his own joke, rolling on his back, kick – hopping his little legs, Mr. Hurbard growled glaring at the little rabbit.

“Miss. Mialetta…” Mr. Hurbard paused, staring up at the sky. Blue fades away to gray, as angry black clouds swirled, the wind picking up. Mr. Griff stopped laughing, he too stared at the sky.

“Mr. Hurbard, Mr. Griff? What is happening?” Mia was frightened, as the clouds grew violent, lightening shattering across the sky. Smoke burned her nostrils, but she could see nothing on fire. Thunder burst echoing through the meadow.

“Mia!” Mr. Griff shouted over a gust of wailing wind, “I think it is time for you to wake up now!”

Mia woke, startled, her body covered in sweat, her room cloaked in darkness. Outside her home she heard many odd sounds, guttural growls and snarls, frightening her more.

“Ma-“ She started to call out before stopping. Outside her door she heard something, footsteps, only not Mama’s or Papa’s. Each step was followed by several clickity clacks, as if something hard was skittering across the wood floors of the cottages. She could hear a distinct sniffing sound, as if someone or something were sniffing the air, sniffing out a specific scent.

As the steps and sniffing grew closer, Mia jumped from her bed and scrambled under, tears starting to form in her eyes. She watched the door, her vision adjusting to the darkness. From underneath she could see a shadow moving slowly towards her doorway. The lock clicked, knob turning as the creature outside pushed open the solid oak piece.

Mia covered her mouth, tears now streaming. The creature continued to sniff the air as it entered. It turned to her small desk and tore into it, sending a lantern tumbling to the floor, shredding her paper dolls and drawings. A small sob escaped her lips, the creature froze, turning towards her small bed. Mia shrank towards the wall, deeper into the shadows below the bed. The creature sniffed at the air, pawing through the bedclothes, searching for the source of the sound.

In the distance screams erupted, a long shriek pierced the night. The creature moved away from the bed and darted from the room, faster than Mia thought possible. She waited a moment, screams still echoing through the village, before she crept out from beneath her bed and crawled from the room.

“Mama? Papa?” She whispered, her voice catching on a sob. Frightened, she made her way slowly to her parent’s room, shrinking into shadows at every creak. When she reached the room, there was an odd smell lingering in the air, Mama and Papa lay in the bed. She crept closer, placing her hand on Papa’s shoulder, she yanked it back, her hand damp, his skin like ice.

“Papa?” She whispered, placing her hand on his shoulder again, shaking him slightly. He did not respond. She shook him harder confused, “Papa?”

When she couldn’t wake him, she crept around to Mama, and touched her shoulder. Her skin was cold as well, though not as icy as Papa’s. After a moment Mama stirred slightly. Her eyes fluttered, her breathing ragged.

“Mia!” Mama gasped out, her eyes darting around. Mama tried to sit up, but fell back to the bed, crying softly. She jumped as another screamed pierced the air outside, gripping Mia’s small hand tightly.

“Mama, what’s wrong?”

“Mia, you have to run!” Mama was frantic, “Go out the back, and into the woods, like when we play.”

“Why Mama? What is happening?” Confusion lit her face,” Will you come and find me?”

“No, no one must find you. Hide really well so that no one will find you and do not come out until the sun is high in the sky no matter what you hear!”

“Mama...”

“Go my love! Go now before they come back!” She pushed Mia forcing her away from the bed, grunting in pain, “you have to run!”

A gut-wrenching growl sounded outside the cottage door, and Mia ran. Out the backdoor and into the cops of trees behind her home. She ran to her hiding tree and climbed up, dropping into the small hollow about 4 feet up. She shrank down, curling her body tightly, tears streaming from her eyes. In the hollow there was a small knot that allowed her to glimpse outside while still keeping her hidden, she put her eye too it, scanning the distance in front of her spot.

A twig snapped and she jerked back, keeping her body furled tightly, then cautiously pressed her eye to the knot once more. That is when she saw it, the creature emerged from the bushes. It was larger than anything she had ever seen, walking on all fours but still would have towered over Haggir, the tallest man in Oom -Lek. It’s long scaled neck twisted side to side, it’s small, narrow head whipping around sniffing and snapping sharp jagged teeth at the air, as if tasting it. She looked down at it’s feet, the back ones looked like the paws of a wolf, only longer, larger and with large birdlike talons, it’s front looked more like hands but the fingers tapered off into spikes rather than fingers. A long thin tail sliced through the air, it’s tip like a ball, covered in spikes that dripped something that seemed to steam where ever it landed.

Mia held her breath, praying to the Gods, pleading that the monster didn’t find her. She watched as the creature continued to snap and sniff at the air, before several chirps in the distance made it turn its head. With one more loud snap in her direction the creature turned and ran.

Mia waited, not hearing anymore sounds from the village, smoke growing thicker in the air. She watched and waited, counting the stars she could see in the sky. She whispered songs of comfort, and played I spy. She watched the moon make its slow descent across the sky and finally the sun started hedging over the distant mountains.

Once that sun was fully out, Mia crouched, peaking over the edge of the tree, scanning for movement. Seeing none, she climbed out of her hole and stumbled towards home, her body stiff from the hours spent hiding.

“Mama?” She called out, once she reached the back entry of her cottage. No response, so she called again. She walked through the house, leery of any movement. In her parent’s bedroom she found them.

“Mama!” She exclaimed, racing to the bed. Mama’s head lay on the floor, her arms hanging, her legs sprawled at odd angle, one foot caught in the bedsheets. Mia knelt on the floor beside her, placing her hands on her cheeks. Ice cold, just like Papa had been last night. Neither Mama nor Papa moved, and as Mia inspected closer, both were covered in a sticky substance that smelled rich with metal, dark red and brown.

Dead. She knew that now, as she wept silently, clutching Mama’s hand. She sat there crying for a long while, the sun at its peak when she finally stood. Walking to Papa, she kissed his cheek softly, touching her forehead to his, before stepping away and exiting the room. She had no idea where to go, what to do. She went to her room, looking around at the damage done by the creature.

“Mr. Hurbard! Mr. Griff!” she cried, clutching the stuff bear and bunny in her arms. At least she still had them, she though sadly.

Exiting the cottage, Mia explored the smoldering village, bodies scattered everywhere. The creatures had come in the night when no one was prepared and slaughtered everyone, even the children. She looked at all the familiar faces, her sadness growing, memories of each face smiling raced through her mind, though now those faces were smeared in blood, some raked with deep furrowed scratches, some with no eyes or noses.

Mia found no one alive, everyone around her lay still on the ground, only she had survived the night in Oom – Lek. Mia went through each home, scavenging for food, blankets and flasks to carry water, knowing that she could not stay there, what if the creatures came back, looking for survivors. She gathered all she could, packing it into a little backpack. Once she had all she could carry, she filled her flask and tied it around her waist. Grabbing Mr. Hurbard and Mr. Griff, she walked to the edge of the woods, heading towards what she hoped was the right direction to reach Ca -Lek.