Before my mind can process what’s going on, I feel a heavy weight push into me. Not expecting the extra weight, my legs buckle and bend. Before I fall on my face, I quickly turn around to see what pushed me over. It’s “Ben”. As I fall to the ground, I see him ready his axe. I hit the ground with a hard thud. I try to get away, but feel the weight of one of his boots push into my chest. With it now being slightly more hard to breathe, I look at him, panic beginning to fill every muscle in my body. He smiles that same insane-looking smile. He lowers the blade of his bloodstained axe down to my throat.

“Any last words?” He asks, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

“Wh-what do you want from me?” It’s becoming increasingly hard to breathe now.

He smiles and takes his axe away from my throat.

“My my...this song and dance again? Oh Dylan, you know why...” I stay silent.

He straightens up, his boot still pinning me down.

“Actually...” That same insane-looking smile begins to spread across his face as a new idea comes to mind.

“You’re a very determined one, aren’t you?” I stay silent and he continues. “Either that, or very stupid...”

“Either way, you might be a better vessel for my work.” Now that I’ve regained enough air, I shakily try to speak.

“L-look, I don’t know what you want with me or Ben, but j-just let us go...please.” He smiles again, this time his smile has an edge of malice to it. He lowers himself down and speaks softly, in an almost mocking tone.

“Oh, you want me to “let you go”?” He chuckles to himself and continues. “Well, Alright. I’ll let you two go. But at a cost.”

“What...”cost”?” He smiles.

“I’m so glad you asked. I’ll free your friend, if I can find someone to take his place.”

“But there’s no one else out here...” His black, soulless eyes twinkle with malice.

“Oh dear child, of course there isn’t. The only other person here is...”

“Me...but...that means...” My heart drops into my stomach and his smile grows wider.

“Yes, you will have to take his place. Otherwise, he will stay with me.”

My heart is pounding, I don’t know what to do. After a few moments of silence, I finally come to a decision. I take as deep a breath as I’m able.

“No...I’m not gonna let you take me, just please give me back Ben.” He smiles and a few seconds of silence pass before I hear the most bone-chilling thing imaginable, his laugh. He gets real close to my face and smiles the widest grin I have seen on him yet.

“Bold of you to think that you had a choice.” He chuckles and straightens up. “Very bold indeed...”

“You see, Dylan...the fact of the matter is, this body...his body is growing weak and I require a new one. A vessel for my work. Sure, at first his body was an ideal one for my work, but, like all human forms, it is growing weak.”

“So then why exactly do you need me? I’m human too, so won’t I just grow weak like Ben?”

“Well, yes. Eventually you will. But the thing about your body is that you can run fast and fit in places this bigger body can’t. Plus, you seem very...determined. Perfect for this kind of “work”.”

“What kind of “work” exactly?”

“That...is not for you to know. Now, I think we’ve had enough conversation. I’ll let your friend go, but you’ll be taking his place. So, close your eyes and think “happy” thoughts.”

“Wait! N-“ Suddenly everything goes dark and I am left in complete silence.