When the Moon Rises Prologue- Attack of Darkness

The Arable Force was out late, hunting for its latest victims. One of them was twelve-year-old Kyle Harden, a small boy full of fear. Hiding in the trees, he feared they could hear his heart at it raced in his chest, hammering at it. Struggling to calm himself, he sought refuge in the darkness of the trees as the moon slid behind some dark clouds. Sniffing, he knew something was wrong. The scent in the air was different now; it was changed. Someone was nearby, and though he tried to rid himself of his worries, he feared that it might be a member of the Arable Force, come to get him and burn him at dawn. Tears suddenly started filling his eyes, and he shook his head. No, he wouldn't think about that. His brother had told him to run; it hadn't been his fault. He wouldn't think about it. No, he had to stop. Shaking slightly, he raced onward, listening to the sounds of the Arable Force as they quickly followed behind him. How had they found him so fast? He couldn't dwell on the question, as up ahead he heard the sound of a rushing river, though he didn't see one. The land was foggy and dark, gloomy and ancient, it seemed. The land was old, older than anything. "Get him!" he heard voices shout. "Don't let him get away!" he heard dogs barking, and his eyes widened as he realized that they had sent the hounds on him. Shaking his head, he ran faster. 'No,' he thought to himself. 'Please no...' He pushed himself onward, though he longed for a rest. Today had been such a long day, and he just wanted it to come to an end. Closing his eyes, he let his senses guide him over roots and through trees. He needed time to think. 'Think,' he thought to himself. 'Damn it Kyle, think!' When nothing came to mind, he was sure it was the end. There was no way out of this. They were going to kill him. He was only twelve; not yet trained to turn into his Majestic. He wasn't to start in on that until he turned thirteen; such was the way of the Howlers. He hadn't chosen this; had he been given the chance, he would have left it alone. He had been born with it though, he alone and no one else in his family. His brother had strived to give him a somewhat normal life, and now his brother Archie probably lie dead somewhere, just because he had been protecting him from the world. Archie had only entrusted a rare few with his brother. The members of the Howlers had only been able to see him a few times, save for a few certain members. His eyes darkened in sorrow as he thought back past the last few hours. The Howlers were to have been having a meeting. Before he and Archie had made it to the meeting, they had been attacked. The Arable Force had been heading for the meeting.

"They're gone..." he murmured to himself, his eyes clenched tightly closed, grief grasping his heart and holding it tightly. "All of them...dead...oh no..." Swallowing, he could only shake his head in denial. "No..." his face scrunched up in pain as he remembered their faces, their personalities. His second brother...dead. He called the person his second brother because he loved them like a brother, but they weren't really related by blood. Thinking of his closest friend...his second brother...being dead... "No...I'm sorry..." he hadn't warned them. He could have; but he didn't. It was his fault. "It's...all my fault...I'm so sorry..." his battle to keep the tears in was starting to fail. He was beginning to lose that battle. "I'm so sorry..." In the distance, the dogs were still barking, still yapping and he knew they were coming for him. They would be upon him soon. "Please, you can't all be dead..." he whispered into the night. "Please...don't let me be alone..."

"Kyle!" a lone voice broke through his thoughts. "Kyle, you're alive!" the voice was so familiar. Kyle felt tears stream down his cheeks as he came to a stop, turning in the direction of the voice. An elder boy emerged, looking tired and dirty. "You're alive, kid..." the elder whispered, eyes softening.

"Max..." Kyle whispered, and then ran forward. "You're alive!" he cried, and dove into the elder boy's arms. Max gave a soft chuckle and wrapped his arms around the smaller boy, pulling him close. "I thought you were dead...I thought all of you were dead..." he sniffled as he said this, his eyes tightly closed.

"I know," Max whispered, holding him close, rubbing his back soothingly. "I know. I'm okay. Are you okay, Kyle?" his voice, though kind, was worried.

"I'm fine," he whispered. "They...Archie..." he shook his head, his body trembling. "They got him, Max...my brother..." the tears leaked out of his eyes as he buried his head in the elder boy's left shoulder. "They got him..."

"Shh, it's okay," came Max's soothing voice. "It wasn't your fault. It wasn't. Shh, calm down," he whispered, as Kyle was shaking with sobs as he tried to control them. "It's okay, Kyle..."

Kyle shook his head. "I could have been the cause for your death..." he whispered to his second brother. "I didn't...I didn't warn you. I ran. I ran...I should have warned you..."

Max shook his head. "No, never," he whispered soothingly. "Don't you ever think it's your fault, okay? It wasn't, I swear."

The sounds of the approaching dogs grew nearer, and Kyle froze instantly, his grip on Max's shirt tightening. "They're coming..." he squeezed his eyes tightly closed. "They're coming..."

"I know," murmured Max. "Come on," he said, and grabbed Kyle's arm, pulling him along through the trees. "They won't get us; not today." Kyle didn't have the strength nor the will to resist.

"Not today," he agreed, quickly following his second brother.