#1. Ghoul Twins of Donadea

(Year is 2005…12 years before the Personal Apocalypse)

'Should we eat them?'

A pause.

'What?'

'I said, should we eat them?'

'And I said “what” because it’s a stupid thing to ask. Of course we should eat them. What else would we do with them?'

A sigh of annoyance. 'I meant should we eat them straight away, or kill them first and then eat them?'

Another pause.

'Well, and feel free to correct me on this, but I’m confident that eating them will also kill them. I’ve yet to digest a human that has survived the experience.'

This caused a snigger of laughter. 'Absolutely true, brother. They do tend to die once gobbled. However, you are missing my point.'

Another sigh, this time of the exasperated variety. 'Well how about you get to said point instead of doing your best to be vague. I’m getting hungry and dawn is approaching.'

'No need to be snarky; I too am famished. My point, which I presumed was obvious, is would you rather eat the humans as we kill them? Or kill them, bring them home, and then eat them later at our leisure? We rarely do the latter, I know, but I thought it was worth mentioning.'

This brought a nod that conveyed both understanding as well as appreciation. 'Wise words, brother, but I say we eat as we kill. Experimenting with spices and such is always fun – the fat one over there would be ideal – however, the fear that is exuded in their final moments is seasoning enough for me. Utterly sumptuous.'

'Agreed. Fear is the best and most natural of all condiments.' There was a slight rustle in the darkness as the speaker readied itself. 'Who do you prefer? The fat one has obviously caught your eye.'

The sound of teeth being licked in anticipation could next be heard. 'Fatty is mine. You can have the children; I know you’re fond of them for some reason.'

'Don't judge me, brother,’ came the defensive reply. ‘The children may have less meat, but they are far purer. The adults tend to be somewhat spoilt in my opinion. No doubt due to the abundance of chemicals they insist on ingesting. Personally, I think it is very inconsiderate to those who are planning to eat them. Such as ourselves.'

A low chuckle followed. 'Very inconsiderate indeed, brother.'

'Ok. You can have fatty and the old one. The two children and the woman are mine. Sounds fair?'

'I couldn't have said it better myself, brother.' These words were followed by the almost gentle sound of massive clawed hands being slowly unclenched and flexed.

'Wait a minute…I’ve had an epiphany.'

The third pause of the night ensued. 'A what, brother?'

'An epiphany. You know, it means...well, it means to have an epiphany. Never mind. An idea, I have had an idea. How about we keep one alive to cook later at home? I am ever so fond of a splash of paprika on a terrified human. Double the seasoning, double the taste.'

Another appreciative nod. 'You really are an innovator.'

'You are too kind, brother.'

'Nonetheless, father would be proud.'

'Now, now. You are going to make me cry.' There was a genuine catch in the voice. 'And the last thing I need is blurry vision when I start tearing off limbs.'

'That wouldn't do at all. Are you ready or would you like a minute?'

A deep breath was taken. 'No, thank you. I will break the leg of the old man to begin with. We can then bring him home after we are done feeding.'

'Perfect, brother.'

This time there was no sound as two massive forms rose from their hiding place in the foliage and stepped out into the camp site.

-----

'I wouldn't do that if I were you, gents,' announced the newcomer. He spoke in a casual manner despite the bizarreness that was laid out in front of him. Dressed entirely in black, including gloves of the same colour, the man’s hair was long on top and slicked back with some sort of hair product. The sides were shorter, perhaps a one with a barber's razor. He sported a trimmed, compact beard, with his neck being clean shaved – a sure sign of a man who was proud of his facial hair. His hair and beard were also black.

Besides the man, there were seven other individuals in the small forest clearing – two men, one woman, two children, and two beings that were not of the human variety. The five humans had been setting up camp in and amongst the trees of the forest; a task that had clearly been abruptly abandoned judging by the tent poles and pegs that were scattered everywhere. One of the two men – a decidedly overweight individual who contrasted against the fresh and natural vibe of the woodlands to a painful extent – held a cheap, plastic flashlight in his right hand. The colour, or lack thereof, of the man’s hand betrayed the force in which he gripped it, giving the impression he couldn’t let go even if it meant saving his life. Funnily enough, at that moment in time, his life was very much in need of saving.

Lurking behind the fat man, with one mammoth claw wrapped around the back of his head, was a thing of nightmares. The creature stood over seven feet in height and was all skin and bone. A hairless head featured two coal black eyes, no nose, and a massive mouth decorated by small, sharpened teeth. The most eye-catching aspect of the creature's appearance were those monstrous claws, one which cradled the fat man's head while the other was raised high in the air, claws splayed wide in preparation of cleaving fatty's head from shoulders.

An identical yet slightly smaller creature stood in front of the middle-aged woman. She had been knocked to the floor and the creature stood over her with a clawed hand also raised in preparation of delivering the killing blow. The old man of the group lay on the ground to one side, hands wrapped around a leg that was badly broken – the white of the bone was peeking out through a rip in the fabric of his pants. The children cowered beside him with their hands over their eyes, believing if they were unable to see then nothing in turn could see them. Sound logic as far as they were concerned.

'Do you mind? We were just about to eat,' replied the creature who stood behind fatty.

'Indeed we were, brother,' agreed the second creature. A long tongue slowly emerged from its mouth to lick cracked lips.

The campers were not budging an inch. It was as if they were all frozen in time, which, while not exactly practical, was an understandable reaction when faced with something directly from a horror movie.

The man in black took a confident step forward. 'These people are sick,' he said with a knowing smile. 'Eat them and you’ll get their sickness.' The man's smile was replaced by a thoughtful look. 'Ghouls can get sick, can't they?'

This caused hesitation.

The Ghoul brothers looked at one another and then back at the man. 'Who are you?' asked the taller of the Ghouls. Its clawed hand was still raised high in the air.

The well-groomed newcomer spread both hands and tilted his head ever so slightly. 'Need you ask?'

'Fionn mac Cumhaill,' hissed the Ghoul standing over the women. He shot an uncertain glance at his brother whose hand instantly tightened around its intended victim’s head. Fatty didn't move a muscle and the flashlight continued to be crushed in his meaty hand.

The newcomer’s smile broadened. 'I do always enjoy being recognised on sight. My wife says it’s bad for my ego. My ego strongly disagrees.’

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“Will Finn save the campers from being eaten? Will he save himself?! Click below to find out!! Thanks for reading.” :)

- Aj Shand