The Broken Crane Letters [Part #1] by Robby Richardson - HTML preview

The Broken Crane Letters

[Part #1]

By

Caitlin & Robby

Richardson

DEDICATION

In memory of Caitlin Richardson

02/23/1991 - 05/21/2022

Godspeed In The Hope You Found Your Peace

Forever Apart But Never Apart From My Heart Forever

Always Honey In Our Hearts

PREFACE

This collaborative book was written with letters and journal entries from my younger sister Caitlin’s private notebooks. This book was written in the hope that her memory, wishes, final words and thoughts will not be forgotten to time but painted on the winds of tomorrow.

Verismo Della Gru

[Intro]

By

Caitlin Richardson

“Will I ever really feel normal self-worth…deserving of good things…self-sabotage

Growing with God…my feelings are valid

So naturally...So perfectly…your feelings...my feelings are valid

Normal is the anger…fault is not your cross to bear

Keep my cup full and cup runneth over

What does it mean to love yourself...to be able to first take care of yourself

Trust yourself...trust your instincts...trust want...trust your actions

One day embrace who you are...it won’t change unless you will it

It be like that...the release not important...won’t make a difference...it be like that

Feeling SO tired TOO tired to exist

I will continue to destroy my path instead of growth and to adapt

Change and understand my place in this world

What I contribute to the world…what I contribute to my world

My heart knows her heart...my heart knows your heart”

Verismo Della Gru

Always Honey In Our Heart

[To Be Continued]

Godspeed

(REDUX)

By

Robby Richardson

“When the rabbit calls it’s a siren song where the word temptation belongs

Believe me when I say the rabbit hole goes deep, believe me I’ve peeped

To become another John Doe in a black hole we call the rabbit hole

It’s a place that even I won’t go

But Godspeed to the souls of those who tried though

But Godspeed to the souls of those who tried though”

Godspeed

Godspeed and farewell to the one that had fell to the one that has fallen

Broken is the soul on a broken road made on broken lies on broken backs with broken sacks

The gold and the greed and the lies that they told with that burden you hold

The lies that dreams foretold that everything that glitters is gold

Godspeed in the chase of false dreams hope has sold

Godspeed and farewell woven tales we tell the goodbyes we spell and what our dreams foretell

Stuck on a road only god knows where it goes…the price of our choice and the cost of the owe

When the last petal of the rose dips into that black hole that we slip…a Salvador Dali Trip

Alone in the dark…alone do you walk...alone do I crumble

Alone does my soul see trouble...alone through fire or alone through the light

Godspeed to the lantern of afterlife’s guide through dark passageways beyond a passing place

Patron Saint Cait of those alone...lost... traveling down the rabbit hole

The route through to the other side she paves with light like fire flies

The parachute to those that wish to free fall testing change in a passing phase...a passing flame

How can the grief of your presence I miss be expressed in more than a good bye wave

Godspeed and farewell the seeds that you’ve sown are now the ones that we toll

Am I the mustard seed that grows or the fool whose soul bedrocked on water Charon rows

Slan Go Foil and let the road always unfurl and rise to meet you

As-Salamu Alaykum...farewell and godspeed to the peace that awaits them

Godspeed and farewell to the lone traveler of great beyonds and spectaculars

Not reading the signs that are passing her...hand and hand with her

A traveler of stars into dimensions too far...no flash light this star shines bright from the afar

From scions to portals through black holes she strolls through

Doorways thin as glass or lifetimes lived in breath’s last gasp

A choice we forsake to find escape from the price the world’s greed hands you

Through the needle hole you wish to fall through find peace under skies’ blue

Farewell and godspeed to a safe return face the fate of the roads we have burned

Godspeed and farewell a mere prayer or spell...an incantation to achieve salvation from my hell

A chant...a hymn...an invocation...a hex...how brave to face the grave in fear of what’s next

How brave is the grave when the edge calls out our name

When the test is calling and putting your all in

Courage in darkness that you wish to fall in

Trust in yourself before you dove right in...godspeed and farewell

Grateful for the time we spend please put that escape down paint better times ahead

Oh, Patron Saint Cait helping the fallen cross the finish line

Farewell and godspeed...Patron Saint Cait when needed is needing the need of a friend

Godspeed and farewell now only time tells but will letting time tell time to hearts unite again

Delusional over losing you...delusional about how close to that line that could rescue you

A line you meant to read to...a line made for you...the reason I wrote this for you

Intended to help and bring comfort to the hurt you can’t get through

If nothing got through I believe that would who better to understand the pain that grew

Words to keep the wind under this crane’s wings...make sure it flies to greater things

Farewell and godspeed for the freedom you seek from the shackles of will’s weak

Patron Saint Caitlin

Watch over me and my fate

Guide me swiftly through the Pearly Gate

Help God see to forgiving my mistakes

Guide me through this journey down the rabbit hole

Guide my soul home or find peace becoming whole

Accompany this broken traveler upon this broken road into the great unknown

Take my hand gently so and guide me so I am not alone

Patron Saint Caitlin

“When the rabbit calls it’s a siren song where the word temptation belongs

Believe me when I say the rabbit hole goes deep, believe me I’ve peeped

To become another John Doe in a black hole we call the rabbit hole

It’s a place that even I won’t go

But Godspeed to the souls of those who tried though

But Godspeed to the souls of those who tried though”

Godspeed Caitlin

THE END

Broken Crane

- Ode to Caitlin -

By

Robby Richardson

Small little crane with a song too beautiful for its cage with a soul too lively to be contained

Free from the cage that binds you and bars that hinder wings too large for the struggle within her

Free from the stone on your back or the world’s weight on your shoulder

Chasing dreams we told her...on hopes the world sold her...with only clouds able to hold her

Free from the chains that bound her let diamond strewn skies surround her

Free from foolish tales or fables told of Pyrite dreams of all that glitters is gold

Temptation called her but Heaven is what found her

Honey...sweet as the name is so forever Cait-I-Did lives

Life changes in a wink…the same time I don’t sleep on the end of a blink and the edge of a brink

Alone and broken did you last lie…a simple crane still growing wings to seek open skies to fly

Here’s to a broken crane burdened with such pain hoping to find the light through the rain

I wish you knew how much you were loved...I just wish you know how much you were missed

I just wish you knew how much pain was left that these tears have not kissed

I’ll write these line so you can keep me in your memory…remember what you meant to me

Answers to questions meant for me as now I know you have to wait for me

I’ll write these words to keep your laughter in my memory

A melody of what calling you family has meant to me

A dedication of a classical requiem design is nothing to the monument I can’t give to your life

Here’s to a broken crane burdened with such pain

Please don’t let that light fade crumbled under boulders that Atlas couldn’t change

Here’s to a broken crane weighted with guilt from a horizon light washing away holes unfilled

Please don’t let her light fade don’t let the brightness die under the shade

Don’t let the candle smoke go…hold on for one moment...one moment more

And poof you are gone…broken crane…broken crane

It’s been one month since you flew away

I woke up today and can’t remember the man I became

How does the world expect me to gone on with my day

Nothings’ the same and you won’t go away

Dedicate my dedication to the dedication I have to dedicate

Even though this is goodbye…it’s only for a short time...know I am never not by your side

When you walk alone in the dark on the other side or you feel lost and can’t cross over

Let our memories be your closure and I’ll believe your peace be what drove her

Thankful for what God has sent to me…feeling whole is what I’ll pretend to be

Let the sun shine bright on the back of your broken dreams

I hear your song broken crane…I hear your laugh…I see your smile in my head

Young and scared I snuck to your bed to help fight off the monsters in my head

Now I’m scared of all the things left unsaid scared to start to face the end

What is foretold in the shadow of the past brings to light the destiny of the future

A past denied will always lead to a future we decide

That of the light unknowing of the time we kiss...when we kiss our last goodbye

Broken crane please get up and fly again

Wings too beautiful for the floor through open skies they need soar

Broken crane tell me what hand I can lend...a hand to fix those broken wings needing to mend

Fly or carry I’ll help you reach your forever end

Through the thunder and storms...broken crane...broken crane

Have you lost your way

Broken crane with a broken song...unfinished composer that Heaven couldn’t hold in or hold on

Bound for the stars where her requiem replays played for the age in hopes notes don’t fade

A candle’s wish with breath’s breeze...a shooting star on a hope that you fill that missing piece

A peace to bring peace to the pieces needed for you to feel complete

Peace to the wind that gives those wings a chance to heal and fly

Soar in the rays of the sunlight high in the sunshine

A midsummer’s wish on an eve of a night’s dream...a wish believed to be a wish most achieved

broken crane...broken crane...

But this broken crane will fly again…will rise again...rise so high my friend

She takes flight again through the wind and storms she just flies on ahead

At the end the burden is what truly dies at death

Boundless she flies to the Heavens that lie into stars up high...Amen

In diamonds’ twinkle and glittering light spun of gold

That’s the only place this broken crane will rest again...a place where the flowers never grow old

There you are, there you go, there you fly high up above

broken crane...broken crane

THE END

This Strange Addiction

By

Robby & Caitlin

Richardson

“Drug addiction stigma...you feed off my weakness and I invite you in”

Drug addiction stigma...a tempting kiss destined for tragedy and ruins

“Drug addiction stigma...the temporary lift no matter the cost”

Drug addiction stigma...a temporary escape to lose the lost

Too weak to resist the seduction of your kiss

Too strong to bend to the goodbyes’ we miss

This strange addiction

[Caitlin]

“The fuck bro…no matter the cost…I invite you in…you feed off my weakness

Reward quite fleeting…a different mindset completely

Whether your toxic self or my toxic self

I don’t want you...I don’t want to want you...I REALLY don’t

How did I become so greedy...accept the negative consequences being with you

In the end I’m the one that will suffer...I lack the vision to see how it hurts others

Not giving my full self not giving my best self to others

Is it hurting them or doing them a favor”

[Robby]

This strange addiction...my strange addiction

The strange hold that you have on my soul...you know how to call...you know how to tease

Fork tongued twisted lies that promise nothing but to please

God please don’t ignore my pleas...broken on these broken knees

Helpless under a destructive force much bigger than me

Insanity can be based in reality...reality can not be based in insanity

As the insanity clears and the veil is lifted will I belong in this gift I was gifted

Hand and hand you stand with me committed to the addicted

The blanket when I was cold...the bottle when life was too hard to go on

Since I could stand since I could crawl I feel like you were there all along

That hand on my shoulder...how could this smile feel so wrong

Forever cursed by the mask I once wore from the shame I held from the bottom of the well

My past does not define my present but has shaped my journey my path never lessened

“Drug addiction stigma...you feed off my weakness and I invite you in”

Drug addiction stigma...a tempting kiss destined for tragedy and ruins

“Drug addiction stigma...the temporary lift no matter the cost”

Drug addiction stigma...a temporary escape to lose the lost

Too weak to resist the seduction of your kiss

Too strong to bend to the goodbyes’ we miss

This strange addiction

“I can have it all or be available...just there”

I feel no worth in my self unless I’m impaired

“I feel like its the opposite of fair”

You see a strange addiction...I see bravery in the constant recovery

“Open your mind from the stigma recovering conveys”

I love you and hate everything about you...destructive struggle truly ends with a star to wish on

The drug addiction stigma of my strange addiction

THE END

“Be open about your past darkness in order to move forward”

Dear Caitlin…Hey Caitlin

By

Robby Richardson

DEAR CAITLIN

I wish these words find you okay instead I find you this way leaving me nothing but heart ache

A missing space that forever will stay in the place where your presence lay

I got some bad news to inform you but this world couldn’t hold you

Your peace has came to create a bold new you...free from a prison that tried to control you

Let my words guide you as the world you knew falls around you

The world struggling to embrace you closer eternal peace paradise shows her

Now I have to try to find closure or acceptance to conform to

We struggled with demons and gorgons…we chased fool’s fortune...a hostage to fortune

Blind to our fortune that’s a ten-four...you were the one I could always count on

We were one turf...same side...traveled the same road...experienced similar journeys

You still couldn’t see the need for a helping hand even from me

A wish you should have reached but came short...how easy can help be to offer but not asked for

Does self worth cost a worth of self...my self worth is nothing... only feel worthy in nothing

Although I came from nothing...feel like nothing......now without you I am nothing

One last smile for a while...just a little while...only a little while

And if there’s a man at the end drop those stairs so she can ascend...take them...move on ahead

Incomplete until we meet again my dear Caitlin

HEY CAITLIN

Hey Cait what you say it’s Roberto...yea you know me always on the straight and narrow

Okay I did lie but you were always the one from nothing I would hide

I’m so tired of the fakes and the snakes and the stories and fake glory

I’m hanging in ghettos when I’d rather be in meadows listening to the wind echo

Hanging with sketchy dudes...paid dues...rolling with some bad crews

Abusing taboos...drinking booze...refuse excuses to use...and I’ll always lose...it’s a sad truth

I just had a stretch of bad days…no nothing that a bag can’t change

In my head...just the same...afraid of the dark clouds on my grave or can my soul even be saved

Punished for the choices that I made along this path I paved

So, I just wrote to say HEY because only you will understand the struggle away

Only you could help me accept things will never again be okay or that they’ll ever be the same

How can I walk along the way when your memory begs me to stay

I know I’m going to make a mistake and you were the call that I would make

I hope you fill that missing piece with peace bring peace to the piece you need to feel complete

I was just a phone call away who better to understand the pain

Better than the guy who had to play their game...test a Charon price more than twice

Just to have a way out is a way to go on and before you go on is accepting a way out

Before we part and before you depart

Know you are never far from home as long as I hold you whole in my heart

How do you rebuild what was once great...how do you replace the irreplaceable

Break the unbreakable and now forced to conquer demons that I didn’t think was capable

Now I am just alone and lay waiting...waiting to just say hey Caitlin

THE END

Hell on Earth

[Interlude]

By

Caitlin & Robby

Richardson

[Regression Hypnotherapy Session: 1A#O8J34 - April 28 2022 – 2:45PM]

Presiding Doctor – Dr. David Jonel

Patient – Caitlin Richardson

(PLAY BUTTON CLICKED...Tape Recorder Starting)

Dr. Jonel: “Caitlin I would like you to focus on the blinking light...the ticking of the metronome. Let it fill your entire being...let it wash over you. Comfort you like a blanket as you fall deeper and deeper into sleep. Your eyelids are growing heavy and drowsy. The couch seems to sink underneath you helping you to fall further and further into sleep. Can you still hear me Caitlin?”

Caitlin: “Yes...I can hear you Dr. J-Jonel...”

Dr. Jonel: “Can you please tell me about your dream? The reoccurring one that you keep having.”

Caitlin: “I have already told you that many times before.”

Dr. Jonel: “Do you remember why you came in to see me today?”

Caitlin: “Mhm...to recover any details that I might not be able to recall or remember.”

Dr. Jonel: “That’s right Caitlin...so now start from the beginning. How does the vision...I mean your dream begin?”

Caitlin: “I’m inside a food court...however, I have a feeling about it. A feeling like it’s not just a food court.”

Dr. Jonel: “What kind of feeling do you have with this food court?”

Caitlin: “A feeling like...like...like home. A feeling that seems out of place especially in a world ending-ish...an apocalypse of some kind?”

Dr. Jonel: “Tell me about this...apocalypse that you are dreaming about.”

Caitlin: “Giants...giants are coming.”

Dr. Jonel: “Giants...what do you mean giants are coming?”

Caitlin: “They aren’t...normal giants...they are...t-they...half man and half...half...angel? Born to this world but blood from beyond...blood that belongs on the other side...not of our world. They are five times taller than us...seemingly as tall as the very trees themselves. They seem to swim through the branches...the cracking sounds like gunfire. They are a cursed creature not meant for this world...a monstrous demon.”

Dr. Jonel: “Do you see yourself Caitlin? What do you appear to be doing?”

Caitlin: “Trying to find my cats to save them even though I wouldn’t be allowed to bring them.”

Dr. Jonel: “Bring them where...”

Caitlin: “A sanctuary...a camp...a group that I will be with for a majority of the war. A group that will fight against not only the giants...but the impeding apocalypse that will follow...Hell upon Earth. I also am looking for a bag...a giant bag that I desperately want.”

Dr. Jonel: “What is in the bag?”

Caitlin: “Salvation…”

[Present Day]

Silence...that’s what I remember. It’s all I seemed to remember. I had no idea how long I had been lying there. My head was pounding and seemed ready to explode. The world seemed as mysterious as the darkness trying desperately to flee from the oncoming sunlight. The entire world seemed upside down as a soft rustling first entered my ear drums. The soft swaying of the trees as the leaves rippled in an auditory almost poetic little musical flutter. My eyes flickered more as I started to regain consciousness. A world seemed to slowly build around me as my senses began to kick in. The trees that were once blurry began to come clearer. They seemed to grow directly out of the sky. My body being held by my seat belt as the world continued to grow more intricate and detailed. I could taste dried blood in my mouth. My tongue traced along the backs of my teeth I could feel several deep chips and missing pieces. I leaned back realizing that I was in a vehicle. An overturned vehicle as leaves of a nearby bush rustled against the broken grass.

My eyes narrowed as I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the broken glass to my right. My black hair tangled with large shards of glass and various debris. I had sustained deep cuts and bruising in my face. I could see a gold nose ring swelling in my nostril. However, I didn’t have time to really take in the finer details of my appearance. The orange light from the nearby rising sun began to penetrate through the thick trees surrounding my overturned vehicle. What had happened I began to wonder. My head gave a painful little throb trying to slow the racing questions that seemed to drown my reality. Where was I? What was I doing here? How did I get here? I felt mobility return to the rest of my body as I attempted to remove myself from the seat.

I struggled for several seconds before realizing that my seat belt was still embracing me like a clinging boyfriend. I felt the strap digging tight into my body as my shaking head fumbled into the side of the seat. I tried desperately to find a way to release me letting my fingers feel blindly between the seat. I bit my lip concentrating as the sun continued to poke out from behind the trees surrounding us. My eyes growing slightly dizzy as I felt the blood pooling into my head. I felt my fingers find the button as a soft sigh of relief left me. I was not sure how much longer I would be able to hang upside down. The pounding in my head had groan to the point that my eyes watered to almost blinding level. The headache throbbed against the very strain of my skull as my finger found the release and pushed the button. There came a little CLICK...and I fell to floor. The floor that also happened to be the roof of the car. I hit the roof almost face first with a loud metallic...THUD!

My small body seemed to crinkle slightly. The fall seemed to temporarily take everything out of me. I laid there trying to recover as my trembling fingers clung to my jacket. A faded green military jacket too big on me but somehow fit comfortably. The impact seemed hard despite the short distance. The world wobbled as my eyes tried to steady themselves. They fluttered like butterfly wings opening to a scene that would make them bulge. I stared in fright as two limp bodies hung from the back seat suspended only by their seat belts. In the middle of the seat hung the frail limp body of a small child. The middle seat belt grasping at his stomach making his tiny arms drape above me.

My eyes flickered trying to remember something but nothing seemed to come to my head. The initial fright began to fade as I tried to find pieces in my head. I was trying to put together a puzzle with no picture. The child couldn’t have been older than six. His skin was already pale and lifeless. The scene began to grow even more in front of me. Another body was sitting next to him. Slumped forward and face first into the head rest her lifeless body seemed rigid. Her once blond hair now covered in red patterned splotches of what appeared to be dried blood. I assumed that she was the mother of the child next to her. Her skeletal now pale hands crumpled next to her. I didn’t even need to call out for any life. I began to shake again trying to regain my composure. The adrenaline seemed to be pumping full steam throughout my body.

I shifted my weight making the vehicle give a loud...CREAK! I paused as pain throbbed through me. It stung as if the wind had been taken out of me. My hand scrambled to try and steady my body. I felt my fingers scrap against something and felt them immediately recoil. My pained eyes landed on a snub nosed 6 shooter pistol. I felt a soft gasp leave me as no recollection came from the gun either. I wasn’t sure if the pistol was really mine to begin with. My eyes darted towards the mother in the rear seat. Could it have possibly fallen from out of her pocket?

My fingers wrapped around the grip feeling the small sandpaper like bumps trace over my skin. I shifted my weight again immediately feeling that pain shoot through my body again. I ignored it realizing that I had to get out of the car. I felt my body try desperately to crawl towards the near shattered window. Glass shifted beneath me scraping against my hands as I clawed my way towards the opening. I gave one last gasping winch as I dragged my body out the window. I gave one last pull of my legs feeling the shards of glass scraping against my legs shredding up my jeans even more. I groaned running my hand over the numerous and deep gashes that were left over my skin. My companions in the back seat did not stir nor make any sound. The only sound came from a woodpecker somewhere in the distance. My breath was heavy as the stinging from the cuts began to numb. I shifted and felt embedded pieces cut into me again as blood puddled down my left hand.

The dirt began to grow moist as my other hand trembled with the small pistol that I had found. My mouth opened as I gazed around taking in more of my surroundings. I tired to recall unsuccessfully anything that would help my memory. I saw the car had seemingly careened off the road above us. How long had I been down here? I shook slightly as my bloody hand scrapped lightly across my face. My mind began to race as my eyes darted over myself new questions began to fill me. Gazing down at my hands a frantic whisper left me, “W-who am I?”

The sentence was shaky and seemed to amplify my growing fear in the moment. The fear that seemed to start piling like layers of clothing I subconsciously kept putting on. I couldn’t even remember my name. I couldn’t remember who or where I was. I couldn’t even remember what I was doing all the way out here in the middle of this forest. I wracked my brain desperate to find some answers that I knew wouldn’t come. The harder I seemed to focus the more that vice like grip squeezed my brain. My bloody fingertips ran through my tangled black hair trying desperately to ease the throbbing pain running across my skull and temples.

The only thing real besides the pain seemed to be whatever my eyes could see. Whatever my fingertips could touch. I subconsciously ran my hand over the grip again. The tiny bumps seemed to desperately ease a feeling of vulnerability that continued to creep over me. The silence of the forest and the meaningless of time emphasized the reality of my current situation. I continued to gaze at the overturned vehicle. The silver paint reflecting the golden light from the rising sun. Large splashes of mud and dirt covered the exterior of the car. The once fine exterior now damaged nearly beyond recognition.

Slowly, I began to regain my composure struggling to find out what my next move would be. Did I want to climb back up towards the road? I turned slightly around letting my eyes scan over the large trees and bushes presenting avoidable obstacles. Sighing slightly as I began to make my way up the hill. Heading back up to the road seemed like the only thing that made sense. After all, I had no idea what lie beyond the seemingly ocean of nature surrounding me. I made my way around the overturned car preparing to start my ascent up the steep hill. My foot froze in the dirt as my hand gripped a low hanging branch for support. My eyes immediately returned back to the car. I had expected the other side of the vehicle to have excessive damage too. The entire driver and rear door were smashed in as if something had collided with the car. I bit my lip not realizing that I was still holding the branch in my hand.

I could feel the branch start to shake. My mouth began to gape open in utter terror as my eyes removed from impacted doors to the large blood stains around the shattered rear window. I couldn’t take my eyes off the dark red stains. Bloody finger prints and finger length drag marks outlined the very edge of the window. I raised my gun to try and steady my shaking. What could have torn someone from the car like that? Had their really been three passengers?

SNAP… my eyes immediately darted towards the bushes. The ocean of trees could hold a thousand mysteries. Every twisted branch and every knot in a tree seemed to be another eye watching me. The hairs on my neck began to stand on end. I hadn’t even realized that my small six shooter was raised threateningly. Raised and pointed as if I had used it a hundred times previously. My trembling hand seemed to steady it. Without any prior knowledge, I was sure that this was my gun. It was not from the mother in the backseat. I bite my lip beginning to doubt my initial response of protection. Could it have possibly been a passing deer and then I spun at a loud...SNAP!

I shook my head slightly realizing now that I had been right. Something was moving just beyond those trees. The soft pattern of footsteps as the leaves lightly rustled around me. It seemed that even the wind had started to die down. Every sound seemed emphasized by ten. I thought about retreating and heading back up the steep hill. I heard another loud SNAP and this time it was to the left of me. Whatever was making the sound seemed to be circling me like a lion. Patiently waiting for it’s moment to strike waiting for me to drop my guard. However, my aim remained steadfast as I was desperate to find out what was lurking out there.

My foot seemed to slip on the steep hill impeding any hope of a quick escape. I steadied my balance and it was at that moment I saw what was making the noise. Something out of a nightmare appeared in the break between two large trees. Silhouetted in the shadows cast by a large Oak tree stood a four legged beast. A beast that seemingly stood like a gorilla would. However, this was not something that seemed of this Earth let only of this world. It was large like the size of a small truck. It’s arms were long, thin, pale, and possibly brittle. It’s hands curled into fists as it seemingly walked on its knuckles like a primate would. It grunted with a violent shake of its body like a dog shaking off water from it’s fur. The creature’s skin was a leathery grayish white with deep wrinkles.

I watched it’s head turned towards me as it’s short back legs shifted. It’s muscles bulged menacingly as it turned towards me. Gasping softly as my gun lowered a fraction in absolute fright at the sight of the creature’s eyeless face. The creature’s attention immediately snapped towards me. It focused directly on me as if it knew exactly where I was standing. It seemed fixated on me like a hawk on an unsuspecting mouse. The creature’s large face tilted as it opened its mouth revealing the sharpest teeth I had ever seen on any animal. The razor sharp teeth seemed to stretch all the way to the back of the creature’s mouth. It’s lips stretched as if it was smiling at me. Smiling as if it didn’t need eyes to see me. It could simply taste my presence in the air as it tilted it’s heads upwards. I could tell it was sniffing trying to confirm that I was still there. I knew this was true by the way it’s head turned slowly back towards me.

Teeth barred as the creature leaned back and kicked up dirt charging for me. It’s brittle arms were deceptive as the creature raised them in it’s charge. It smashed down a couple small trees and burst through the bushes. It shrieked with a rage that seemed to unleash Hell’s fury with it. Spit rained from its thin teeth as it reared it head back. It seemed to tower over my small frame the pistol in my hand dropped seemingly useless against such a massive being. I was sure that it would hurt it, but it would be more of an irritation than an actual deterrent. I did the only thing that I could do realizing how trapped I was.

My motionless feet now steadied as my focus was now getting back into the car. I ducked under a massive swing from the creature and dove through the driver’s side window. I heard a tree snap like a cannon had gone off. The creature had missed as I crawled through the broken glass. I heard the creatures shrill cry as it turned wildly in it’s place. I watched it’s arms flaying about as it seemed to be searching for me colliding with the side of the vehicle. It spun in place sending a shriek of rage that shook the car. I could hear my terrified little whimpers trying to keep my body as silent as possible.

I was sure that the creature could only hear me at that moment. Desperate to stay silent as my hand clasped over my mouth. The pistol resting against my face as the creature’s thrashing on the vehicle ceased. A soft carnivorous chirping like sound came from just above me. The vehicle crushed slightly into the dirt below me. My eyes darted to the floor above me. I could hear the creature’s digits scraping against the underside of the car. I could only imagine long claws tracing along the metal menacingly. It seemed anxious almost ready to pounce at the slightest noise. Possibly at the slightest indication of my whereabouts, I held my whimpering breath. A cold sweat formed over my body as I seemed to be waiting out the creature above me. I could hear it’s mouth opening and the slobbery writing of it’s tongue. It seemed to be tasting the air reminding me of a serpent which made my skin crawl even more.

The creature gave one final shriek of clear disappointment and climbed off the vehicle. The car rocked again sending the passengers in the back seat to wobble stiffly in their seats. Held by their seat belts still their bodies banged together with the jostling. The woman’s body slammed against the side of the door. I gulped trying to hold a muffled little squeak of fright as the creature had once again stopped in it’s tracks. I paused holding my breath as the silent seconds past like time was trying to cease. The creature’s teeth clicked in menacing anticipation that made my body tremble in fear. I waited with abated breath and with one final frustrated snap of it’s teeth. The creature grunted and began to shuffle away from the vehicle. I heard bushes part as the beast’s footsteps shuffled further and grew more distant. I listened as the shuffling disappeared and the forest grew silent again.

I gave a soft sigh of a relief as I felt my tense body slacken. My hand with the pistol fell from the front of my face as I gave small relieved smile. I could hear myself thankfully chuckling softly that I was still alive. I was sure that a creature like that would have no trouble easily finishing me off. I gazed out the broken passenger window hearing nothing else from the creature. Did I dare take my chance outside the vehicle? I turned back towards the steep hill leading back up to the road. I bite my lip knowing that I was torn between my choices. I turned back towards the expansive forest. I couldn’t help but think about the creature that I had watched retreat in that same direction.

I concluded that I would rather put as much distance between me and that creature as possible. CRASH...my body lurched forward sending the pistol to fall from hands and fly out of the broken window. I watch it clatter several times in the grass feet from me. My only defense now was out of reach and if attempted recovery was taken it would cost the ultimate price. I watched it’s skeletal fingers with long claws rake through the window at me. It’s hand kicking up dust and glass as I retreated as far as I could.

The beast lowered it’s head and began ramming it’s shoulder into door frame. The vehicle rocked as if it was weightless to the creature. It’s eyeless face lowered and tried desperately to fit through the broken window. I knew that it could not see me as my body clung to the other side of the vehicle. The creature reached blindly towards me as it snapped its thin razor sharp teeth. It seemed desperate and determined to find me. My eyes wide with terror as long thin fingers reached for me and thin arms ran wildly over the ground. The creature desperately tried to fit more of it’s body inside. I knew one more thrust and those thin like claws would tear me apart like confetti.

I felt it’s claws cut across my thigh when my attention had faltered. Pain shot across my body as the cut seemed precise and deep like a surgical scalpel. The creature realized that it had gotten me and began to shriek wildly in excitement. It renewed it’s frantic attempts at forcing itself into the car. Forcing it’s way to somehow reach it’s prize that was just out of it’s reach. It’s wildly swinging hand reached the backseat and found the small child wrapping its skeletal fingers around him. Thinking that it had it’s original intended victim the creature pulled the child. Their was a loud SNAP as something metal had broken. Pieces littered from the back seat and fell on the ground pattering like rainfall. I watched the unfamiliar child get pulled morbidly from it’s seat. I heard bones break and watched limbs contort in disturbing ways.

The creature pulled the child out of the driver’s window with one final morbid breaking of bones. It shrieked with obvious disappointment followed by a loud snapping of branches. The creature had tossed the body as if it was disregarding an empty bottle. I heard the body THUD on the ground like a rag doll. I watched the creature return to the driver’s side door window. It eyeless face stared at me as if knowing I was there still. It reached directly for me. It’s claws pawed at the ground desperate to get me. I kicked it’s fingers hard not aiming for any area in particular. I heard a loud SNAP and heard the creature recoil in pain. Withdrawing it’s thin arm I saw that I had kicked the creature’s hand with enough force to break off a large dark claw.

I couldn’t stay in this car any longer. I realized that I would have to make a break for it. I slid out the passenger window just as the creature leapt on top of the car. I turned back scrambling on my bloody hands and knees towards the gun. The beast hadn’t heard me tearing into the inner underbelly of the overturned vehicle. Car parts rained in every angle as the creature violently thrashed throwing the tailpipe mere centimeters over my head. I had to hit the ground feeling the grass crush underneath my weight. I watched the tailpipe spin almost weightless as it bounced off the ground in front of me.

My hands gripped the grass as I continued my frantic crawl to the small handgun. I felt droplets of rain lightly splatter over me as my fingers wrapped around the grip. I spun on the spot and pulled back the hammer of the gun. It gave a loud CLICK which immediately made the creature stop. My finger was on the trigger preparing to pull but again I had frozen. The grayish white creature turned to face me with an ominous slow turn. The sound of the hammer clicking was a familiar sound that resonated comprehension with anything. The creature’s slow tilt of its head with an almost puzzled way it opened it’s mouth slightly. The creature seemed almost bewildered by my new actions. The actions of readying a pistol that would seem more of an irritation than an actual deterrent.

Time seemed to pause and my body was frozen in a terrified paralysis. The creature hopped off the car as if still trying to grasp the situation. It seemed puzzled by my actions as if it knew the truth behind my ironic little threat. I watched as it took a small step and a soft squish of mud following. Liquid began running down the side of the car as I scrambled backwards. The gun shaking in my hand as the monstrous figure would soon be towering over my helpless figure.

My worn out shoes scrapped against the grass desperate for traction desperate for a flight for safety. The creature heard every breath from my racing body, every frantic beat of my erratic heart. My hand shook as I saw the creature’s skin stretch. I could see it preparing to pounce. I pulled the trigger and fired hitting the creature’s shoulder. Blood popped like a small pimple and hardly seemed acknowledge by the creature. It was taunting me seemingly knowing the helplessness I was in. “No...” BAM… I had fired again this time and missed completely. “Stay back...STAY BACK...oh god...” I shouted in a horrified little scream as the creature prepared to launch again. It was hard to think about God when staring at something meant for the bowels of hell. “FUCK YOU...” BAM… the handgun went off wildly one final time at the now leaping creature.

A fire seemed to erupt behind it as if the fury of hell had come with. The shock wave sent my body flying backwards. I was tossed like the unknown little boy had been minutes prior in fiery black smoke, ash, and debris. I felt as if my whole body had been ripped from this Earth. I was sure that I was dead and being blown straight to the afterlife. Peace filled my body as blackness clouded over everything. The world had died around me and the nightmarish encounter was now behind me too. “Rest my little crane...rest...” A familiar voice sweetly helped me slip into the dark and into the great unknown. I heard the most distant CRACK and saw a dark figure emerge from the bushes. The voice was not sweet, “damnedest thing I’ve ever seen! Going up against a Nephilim with only a six shooter...” Hands wrapped around me as I felt my body float and with one last gasp of consciousness I heard a new voice whisper gruffly, “welcome to the Territory young lady!”

[TO BE CONTINUED IN PART #2]