Dododex

ARK: Survival Evolved & Ascended Companion

Night-Mare

Chapter 11

Steven broke free of Leo's hold. "Leo," he stammered. He hesitated as he looked at the monster-of-man in front of him. Part of Steven didn't want to believe it, believe that those megaladon teeth and those ink black pools he called eyes weren't Leo's. That baryonyx smile that held such charm before was nothing more than a eerie warning to beware the man that wore it. This man, a man who had been a father to Steven, used to have kindness and sincerity in his eyes. Now they held no emotion, just cold darkness like the kind brought about by a titanoboa's venom.

"Leo," the name was nothing more than a whisper escaping Steven's lips. The baryonyx smile still plastered on his face, Leo tipped his head to the side.

"It's me, Leo. It's Steven."

Leo raised his eyebrows slightly, "I know who you are," he said before shrugging and raising his eyes up to the small spears of light stabbing through the thick forest canopy. "I just don't care." He gripped Steven by his thick, black hair, pulling the distressed survivor to his feet. "Come on," Leo shouted with a giddy laugh, "Let's not keep her waiting."

Steven tried to free himself from Leo's monsterish grip in vain, but he continued to struggle as the horseman dragged him deeper into the forest. "Leo stop, we're like family," he pleaded. "You told me that. You told me I reminded you of your son."

If those words had any effect on Leo, he didn't show it. It was as if every word went in one ear and out the other. Steven continued to plead, but it wasn't long before the pain of his hair being ripped out of his head stopped. He dropped to the ground and lifted his head slowly. They were in a part of the forest where no light reached the ground. The only sign of day was the faint glint of light in the distance behind them. "Where am I?" Steven asked, trembling.

~CL1