The Minotaur

I’ve recycled one of my older illustrations on this one, since I’m kind of on vacation. The original story, which is very different, can be read here: Knossos

They stood in silence. They had lost the rest of the group in the darkness. They had been walking through the tunnels for a long time.

They could hear the loud brawl from somewhere down the halls, echoing between the walls. It was coming closer, from all sides at once.

We need to get out of here! Derkylos’ voice trembled.

There is no way out, Melegros answered, resigned. We’re lost. He was holding Alcmene’s hand.

The brawl came closer. A scream. One of the girls. Another. Then a boy.

Come on, we have to get out of here! Alcmene pulled Melegros up on his feet. The three of them ran down a staircase, passed a corner. The screams continued.

A light. Somewhere down the hallway they saw a little light in the tunnel.

Run! We can make it!

Melegros stopped. That’s not daylight.

They were eyes… (more)

Skeletons in the Closet Aak fictionspawn

Hidden Secrets

The two children stood paralysed, staring at the hole in the wall. The dark smell of rot filling the room was unbearable. Between the bones a scull stared up at them, as if it was judging them for breaking the rules. Another stared into the darkness behind, into nothingness.

The front door opened downstairs.

Children! I’m home!

Carrie and James looked at each other. At the door. At the hole in the wall…. (more)

Barbarian fighting monsters. Aak fictionspawn

Gardahr the Grave Raider

He took a step down the slippery stairway. The scarce light from the tomb entrance made his trained eyes capable of seeing the steps going down into the darkness. Nothing more. A vast blackness in front was all there was.

Somewhere down there was the tomb of Ack Asamrk, the leader of the once so powerful Ingran Kuthu empire. Where there was power, there was wealth.

At the end of the stairway Gardahr saw the shining wet dirt floor. He took anther step. The floor moved. He pulled his sword. A hiss from behind.

A head came shooting towards him…

King Evolution

He’s older than the mountains, older than the sea. One foot goes deep down in the ocean bed, the other … More

Eye in the Sky

Randy pulled the stolen bottle out of his pocket, took a good sip of the brown liquid and made a frown.

Bobby grabbed the bottle. -Good job, Randy! Let’s go!

They drove into town, and down the main street, which was in fact the only street in their town. Harry the police officer was watching them from a parking lot. The three boys stared back at him.

-Man, how I hate him, Randy said.

-Yeah, man. Bill said from the back seat. -The other day he was asking me all kinds of questions. He wouldn’t let me go. And I hadn’t done shit all day!

When they came to the end of the street, they turned around. Then they drove back.

-Do ever get, like tired of this? Randy said after a while.

-Tired of what?

-Driving up and down the street?

-I dunno…? What else could we do?

Silence.

-Give me the bottle, asshole!

Billy took another sip.

The car stopped. Billy fell forward, spilling whiskey all over his shirt. -What the fuck, man…

The two other said nothing, just stared up in the sky.

An eye was staring down at them…

Restricted Area

Peter crept under the fence, dragging his crutches behind him. Mick was already on his feet, looking down towards the facility further down the hill.

-What do you think is down there? he said.

-I don’t know. I hope we won’t have to run this time, though. I’m not so fast these days.

Peter had broken his leg when he jumped off a container to get out of the old paper factory a month ago. They used to do this, jumping over fences in restricted areas. It had become an obsession.

They walked slowly towards the buildings further down. They could see people moving around, some dressed as scientists, others in guard uniforms. The timing was horrible, with crutches and all, but Mick was always very convincing.

They reached some rows of tube piles giving them shelter, taking them down towards the buildings.

A man came out between the tube rows. (more)