part one: Conjoined




Long had they sensed Death's lingering in the desolate woods. It was no shock when they found her.
For years they watched as the infection of old age slowly poisoned their mother's body. Years in isolation made her unrecognizable to any who might have once known her. Her mouse brown pelt was long since replaced with dull and ragged fur. Long ago had her voice gone hoarse and breathing raspy.
When they found the old doe's body, they did not touch her. They did not speak aloud.
They stood over their mother's form, waiting in vigil.
But they did not stay for long.
They departed early in the next morning, dew clinging to strands of grass and sticking to the fur of their pelt.
They wandered deep into the uncharted woods in which they had lived all their life.
And they would run swiftly.
And they would listen alertly.
And they would step softly as to go unnoticed.
For they knew their predators.
And they would give them no opportunity.
Still in the forest is a legend, an old wives tale for curious young fawns. Telling of a doe who years ago, gave birth to a monstrosity.
Some say she fled into the woods, and the offspring died shortly after.
Others say it devoured her, and still lives in the untamed portions of the forest.
Perhaps someone will see her sons one day, if just for a moment.
And story will spread of the demon that walks in the woods.




Walk not in the deep forests alone, child.
The forsaken lurk in those woods.