That Which Rots (Part 2)

I tried not to panic as I watched The Rot lurch up from the ground, hobbling as it began to search for me, its mouth twitching and its bones cracking as it moved, it limped and crawled around, occasionally taking a second or two to sniff the air.

Slowly, it spoke, its voice still loud and deafening. “Where are yooooou?” It called, tauntingly, I could hear it chuckling as it searched.

“Jonaaaaaah…”

I slowly navigated to the exit of the warehouse, reaching for the exit and…

“THERE YOU ARE!”  shouted The Rot, charging at a speed I didn’t know was possible. I was barely able to shut the door as The Rot slammed into it, each time stronger than the last, until suddenly, it stopped. Hesitantly, I moved away from the door, and ran faster than my legs would carry me.

After a couple of minutes, I stopped. Panting, and out of breath, I looked around me. I was still in the theme park, but everything just felt…

off. Dust covered every surface, and the grass was dry and dead, almost grey as the sky was, and the metal rides were more rusted and broken than before, it was almost as if this entire place was being influenced by The Rot. I took a deep breath.

Just four candles, I thought. Four candles and I can forget this ever happened. I started to walk, keeping my guard up and checking every crack and crevice of the set of stalls I had wandered into. From what I remembered, the park had four sections: the main park in the center, and then there was the lake, fairgrounds and circus surrounding it in thirds, which would mean there would be 1 candle in every area.

If I could find a map I thought, this would be so much easier.

Then I heard the breathing, loud and heavy, like a pug.

slowly I turned around, and there it was, The Rot. It was still in the Randy suit, limping and gasping as it hunted. I could tell it knew I was near, but I didn’t think it spotted me yet. I tried in vain not to gag as the thing moved. With every step it took, the ground beneath the Rot died and molded, the smell was horrid, wafting into my nose as I tried not to throw up.

The Rot was trying to smoke me out.

I began to heave as the Rot began to chuckle, slowly turning in my direction.

I collapsed to the ground, and then I saw it, just a few feet away from me, tucked away in the bottom of a rotting, wooden stall: it was one of the candles. Slowly I reached for it, watching as the Rot hobbled forwards.

“How impressive.” it croaked

“most people give in after something like that…

but you, Jonah.

You’re different.

In all honesty, you’ve been lasting much longer than anyone I’ve faced previously.

too bad it all has to end.”

I gasped, finally grabbing the candle, its hot wax burning my skin as I shouted out in pain.

“My oh my…” The Rot chuckled,

“Someone’s getting desperate.”

Slowly, it crouched down, its sadistic grin peering down at me.

“Tell me, Jonah…

What is it that fuels you?

Is it pain?

hope?

or maybe something else?”

suddenly, it chuckled, clapping its hands together as its hands squelched. Its voice taunting as it laughed

“Oh! OH!

I know!

Is it guilt?

Sorrow?

Is it some sort of despair that keeps you moving?

How pathetic.”

I knew what it was doing. The Rot wasn’t going to kill me just yet. It wanted a show, and in my pain, and in my frustration, I was giving it one.

“Shut. Up.” I said, seething as I finally pulled the candle closer, quickly blowing it out as the Rot suddenly sneered.

“That’s one, Jonah…

the next three won’t be so easy.”

and then it started to slink off, but after a few steps, it turned back around.

Slowly it walked towards me, the Rot crouched down again over my face again, bugs and worms fell onto my face as it moved. I closed my eyes. Was this it?

Suddenly, it spoke again.

“You know…

Perhaps I can make this more interesting for the both of us.”

Slowly I opened my eyes, confused.

The Rot chuckled, reaching into its mouth and gagging, slowly pulling something from its guts. I watched, disgusted as it gagged and choked on its own hand, slowly pulling  a piece of colorful paper out of its own throat.

It was a map.

“I think you earned this. After all, you’ve lasted longer than almost anyone else in this little game of ours.

Goodbye for now, Jonas,

the next time we meet, be prepared.”

suddenly, its voice distorted, deepening and rasping.

“Because I don’t plan on making this easy for you.”

Then, the Rot dropped the map, and wandered off, the dark clouds following it and leaving behind a beautiful blue sky, leaving me to recover alone, collapsed on the ground.

I knew what this was. This wasn’t a victory, this wasn’t a gift. The Rot was trying to prove a point;

It was in control here, it knew what I wanted and what I needed.

I only got the first candle because it wanted me to know that the Rot could kill me any time it wanted.