LoZ FS: A Living Nightmare - Chapter 1

The Links face a new threat on a chilling October evening.  Will they survive the night?

Warning: there's some blooooood.  MUAHAHAHA

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2011!!

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Chapter 1: It Begins

It was fairly cold out, and the crisp autumn air toyed with those who neglected their coats; this late October evening could easily be mistaken for a noon in January.  Red was sure glad his winter coat was lined with thick, soft layers of fur – faux of course – as he made his way over to Lon Lon Ranch.  The sun had set several minutes ago, but the sky still held onto a few rays of light, enough for Red to go on his walk without his fire rod to help him see.

The four Links had earlier settled in for the evening, making good use of their small home's fireplace to keep them warm.  Red had made the group a batch of cookies after dinner, but he was disappointed to see that they didn't have any milk left to accompany the treats.  The others didn't really mind, but the small hero decided to go to Lon Lon Ranch to get some.

"Red, it's too cold out.  Why would you want to walk all the way there in this weather?" Green had asked.

Red shrugged.  "Well, I figure once I got there, I could ask Malon to join us.  You guys wouldn't mind if she stayed over, right?

After a few minutes of discussion, the four boys had agreed that Malon could spend the night and that they'd all spend the next day hanging out together.  But since the others still didn't want to leave the cozy warmth of their home, Red had left on his own.

Now, he was walking up the steps of the house on Talon's property.  He placed a few soft knocks on the front door and waited patiently.  When there was no answer, he figured he hadn't been loud enough and this time knocked on the door sharply.  To his surprise, the door swung open a bit.

It's unlocked?  Strange… Red thought to himself.  Still no one came, so he let himself in to see if something was wrong.  The only light he could see was coming from several rooms away down a long hallway.  Cautiously, the young Link made his way over to light source and peered inside.  He saw Malon standing near the middle of the room and sighed in relief.

"Hi Malon!  Sorry to barge in, but your door was unlocked and I got worried."  Silence.  "Malon?  Hey, are you alright?" Red became concerned and noticed that his friend hadn't moved a muscle since he first spoke to her.  She was facing him, but he wasn't sure if she was looking at him; her head hung a little, and her long hair fell in front of her face, covering her eyes.  He took a few steps in and approached the young red-head.

He noticed something red on her left arm, something bloody.  Was that…a bite mark?  "Malon!  Did one of the animals bite you?  Here, I'll help you bandage it."  But she still didn't move.

A slight fear slowing rising in him, Red reached a hand out to her.  The rancher's daughter suddenly and swiftly brought her arm up, grasping his outstretched wrist tightly.  Red flinched at the aggressive move.  Malon snapped her head up, and the boy gasped when he saw her eyes – her white, pupil-less eyes.  She let out a strange half-growl, half-moan as she opened her saliva filled mouth.

The girl made a move towards her victim and looked as though she wanted to bite right into his skull.  A now horrified Red desperately tried to pull himself away.  Malon's grip on his wrist was incredibly strong, unwilling to let this fresh bit of meat go, but he pulled and pulled, eventually freeing himself.  His old friend reached for him, but he quickly turned and ran back towards the front door.

Falling over a stray object along the way didn't help calm the heart that was already beating madly inside Red's chest.  He scrambled back to his feet and resumed his escape.  Just as he was nearing the door, a heavy figure slowly positioned itself in front of it, blocking Red off from his only way out.

"Talon!  Oh thank goodness!  I think something's wrong with your daughter!  She looks possessed or something; she may be under a spe-" Red stopped when he noticed the rancher's lack of pupils and the drool dripping from his chin.  His teeth were stained with blood.   He, too, seemed to bare a bite mark, but it was on his right calf and far more gruesome.

Terrified beyond belief, the hero took a few steps back, but when he went to turn around, he saw that Malon was approaching from behind, her right arm reaching for him.  He looked around desperately for a way out and realized that there was only one move he could make.  He ran towards Talon and then rolled under his outstretched arms and around his legs, standing back up on the other side of him.  Without a moment's hesitation, Red sprinted in the direction of his home, not daring to look back.