Chapter 3 Stranger at the Hollow

The sun was setting over the town of Gracias, casting a warm orange glow over the streets and homes. Kael was busy with his evening routine, unaware of the stranger who had just arrived in town.

The stranger was a tall, imposing figure draped in a long, dark cloak that billowed behind him like a shadow. His face was obscured by a hood, making it impossible to discern his features.

He walked with a purposeful stride, his eyes scanning the streets as if searching for something or someone. The locals watched him warily, sensing that he was not from around here.

The stranger stopped in front of the local bakery, where Jess's family worked. He pushed open the door, and a bell above it rang out, announcing his arrival.

Jess's mom, Mrs. Thompson, looked up from her work, her eyes widening slightly as she took in the stranger's imposing figure.

"Can I help you?" she asked, her voice neutral.

The stranger's voice was low and gravelly, sending a shiver down Mrs. Thompson's spine. "I'm looking for Sarah. Kael's mother."

Mrs. Thompson's eyes narrowed slightly. "What business do you have with Sarah?"

The stranger's gaze seemed to bore into her soul. "I'm an old acquaintance. I need to speak with her about Kael."

Mrs. Thompson's curiosity was piqued. "Let me go get her," she said, disappearing into the back of the bakery.

As she fetched Sarah, the stranger's eyes scanned the bakery, taking in the warm atmosphere and the delicious smells wafting from the oven. But his gaze seemed to linger on something else, something that only he could see.

The stranger's eyes gleamed with an otherworldly intensity as he waited for Sarah to arrive. His presence seemed to draw the light out of the room, leaving only shadows.

When Sarah arrived, her expression was cautious. "Can I help you?" she asked, her voice firm but polite.

The stranger's smile was cold and calculating. "Sarah, it's been a long time. I've been searching for you... and your son, Kael."

Sarah's eyes narrowed. "What do you want with Kael?"

The stranger's gaze seemed to bore into her soul. "I want to know more about his... heritage. The Hollow has taken an interest in him, and I'm here to... facilitate that interest."

Sarah's instincts screamed warning. She knew that the stranger's presence spelled trouble for Kael. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

The stranger chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "Don't play games with me, Sarah. I know all about Kael's past. And I'll find out everything I need to know, one way or another."

Sarah's motherly instincts kicked in, and she felt a surge of protectiveness towards Kael. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said firmly. "But I think you should leave now."

The stranger's smile grew wider, but his eyes seemed to gleam with amusement. "I'm not here to harm Kael," he said. "At least, not yet. I just need to... understand him better."

Sarah's unease grew. She didn't like the sound of this. "If you don't leave now, I'll call the authorities," she said, trying to sound firm.

The stranger chuckled. "I don't think that will be necessary," he said. "I'll leave when I'm ready. And I'll find out everything I need to know about Kael."

Sarah felt a shiver run down her spine. She didn't like the way this stranger was talking about Kael. She decided to play it safe and try to deflect him. "Kael's not home right now," she said. "He's out with friends."

The stranger's eyes narrowed. "I'll wait," he said, his voice low and menacing.

Sarah's eyes locked onto the stranger, her mind racing with ways to get him to leave. She decided to take a bold approach. "I think it's time for you to leave," she said firmly, her voice rising. "You're not welcome here."

The stranger's smile faltered for a moment, but then he chuckled. "Oh, I think I'll stay for a bit longer," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Sarah's instincts screamed warning. She knew she had to act fast. She took a deep breath and started shouting, her voice echoing through the bakery. "Help! Someone, please help! This man is harassing me!"

The stranger's eyes widened in surprise, and he took a step back. The bakery patrons turned to stare, their faces concerned. Jess's mom, Mrs. Thompson, rushed out from behind the counter. "What's going on, Sarah?"

The stranger's face darkened, and he turned to leave. "I'll be back," he said, his voice low and menacing.

As the stranger walked out of the bakery, Sarah felt a wave of relief wash over her. But she knew that this wasn't over. She turned to Mrs. Thompson. "Please keep an eye on Kael when he gets home," she said. "I don't know what that man's problem is, but I don't want him near my son."

Mrs. Thompson nodded, her face serious. "Don't worry, Sarah. We'll keep an eye on him."

As Kael walked towards the bakery, he noticed the stranger standing across the street from the bakery. The man's eyes seemed to bore into Kael's soul, making him feel uneasy.

Kael quickened his pace, but the stranger's gaze followed him. He felt a chill run down his spine as he approached the bakery.

As he pushed open the door, the stranger vanished from sight. Kael breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he'd imagined things. But then he saw his mom, Sarah, looking pale and worried.

"Hey, sweetie," she said, trying to smile. "How was your day?"

Kael sensed something was off. "What's wrong, Mom?" he asked, his eyes scanning the bakery.

Sarah hesitated, unsure how to tell Kael about the stranger. "Just a weird guy," she said finally. "He was asking about you, but don't worry, I took care of it."

Kael's instincts screamed warning. He felt like something was closing in around him.

As they talked, Kael couldn't shake off the feeling that the stranger was still watching him. He glanced out the window, but the street was empty.

Next day

Kael walked home from school, the next day lost in thought. As he approached the bakery, he noticed a figure standing across the street. The figure didn't seem to move, but Kael felt an intense gaze upon him.

As he drew closer, the figure stepped forward, revealing the stranger from earlier. His eyes seemed to bore into Kael's soul, making him feel like an insect under a microscope.

Kael quickened his pace, but the stranger matched his stride for stride. "Kael," the stranger said, his voice low and menacing. "We've been waiting for you."

Kael spun around, his heart racing. "What do you want?" he demanded, trying to keep his voice steady.

The stranger's smile was like a crack in the earth, spreading darkness and fear. "You know exactly what I want, Kael," he said, his eyes glinting with an otherworldly intensity.

Kael tried to step back, but his feet seemed rooted to the spot. The stranger's presence was suffocating, making it hard to breathe.

Suddenly, the sky darkened, and the air grew thick with an eerie energy. Kael felt like he was trapped in a nightmare.

The stranger's eyes seemed to burn with an inner fire, and his voice dropped to a whisper. "You're the one we've been searching for, Kael. And now that we've found you, you belong to us."

Kael's fear turned to terror as the stranger reached out a bony hand and grasped his arm. He felt a surge of dark energy course through his veins, like poison spreading through his body.

As the stranger's grip tightened, Kael felt himself being pulled into a world of darkness and horror. He knew he had to escape, but his body seemed frozen in place.

The stranger's face loomed closer, his breath cold and rank. "You're mine now, Kael," he whispered, his voice like a rusty gate creaking in the wind.

Kael's instincts kicked in, and he struggled to break free from the stranger's grip. Despite feeling overwhelmed, he refused to give in. With a surge of adrenaline, he managed to wrench his arm free.

The stranger's eyes narrowed, and he lunged at Kael. But Kael dodged, his movements swift and instinctive. He backed away, his eyes fixed on the stranger.

"Who are you?" Kael demanded, trying to keep his voice steady. "What do you want from me?"

The stranger's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You'll find out soon enough," he said, his voice dripping with menace.

Kael didn't wait to find out. He turned and ran, his feet pounding the pavement. The stranger gave chase, his footsteps echoing through the streets.

As Kael ran, he felt a strange sensation building inside him. It was like a spark igniting, growing brighter and hotter. He didn't know what it was, but he knew it was connected to the stranger.

The stranger's laughter echoed through the streets, sending shivers down Kael's spine. "You can't outrun me, Kael," he called out. "I'll always find you."

Kael didn't dare look back. He kept running, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn't know where he was going, but he knew he had to get away from the stranger.

Kael sprinted towards the outskirts of town, the stranger hot on his heels. He didn't dare look back, fearing what he might see. Instead, he focused on putting as much distance between himself and the stranger as possible.

As he ran, the buildings and houses grew farther apart, until Kael found himself in a desolate, industrial area. The streets were lined with abandoned factories and warehouses, their windows shattered and their doors hanging off their hinges.

The stranger's laughter echoed through the empty streets, sending shivers down Kael's spine. He knew he had to keep moving, but his legs felt like lead and his breath was coming in ragged gasps.

Suddenly, the stranger's footsteps stopped. Kael risked a glance over his shoulder, and what he saw made his blood run cold.

The stranger's eyes were glowing with an otherworldly energy, and his face was twisted into a snarl.

Just as the stranger was about to pounce, a figure emerged from the fog.

He was tall and imposing, with eyes that seemed to burn with an inner fire. He wore a long, dark coat that billowed behind him like a cloak.

"Leave him alone," the figure growled, his voice like thunder.

The stranger's snarl deepened, and he took a step back. "This doesn't concern you, Watchman," he spat.

The Watchman's eyes flashed with anger. "You're not taking him," he said, his voice firm. "Not while I'm still standing."

The stranger sneered, but he took a step back, his eyes flicking between the Watchman and Kael.

For a moment, it seemed like he might attack, but then his body began to shift and contort, his limbs stretching and twisting in ways that seemed impossible.

Kael's eyes widened in horror as the stranger's body began to dissolve into a cloud of dark smoke. The smoke swirled and eddied, tendrils reaching out like grasping fingers.

The Watchman's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on the smoke. "You can't fool me," he snarled. "I know what you are."

The smoke seemed to laugh, a low, menacing sound that sent shivers down Kael's spine. And then, in an instant, the smoke vanished, leaving behind only a faint scent of decay and corruption.

The Watchman turned to Kael, his eyes still burning with intensity.

The time is near son he said. His voice roaring like thunder.

After saying that he disappeared into his fog leaving kael stunned and troubled.