The Chronicles of Sandman

By Featherpin

Thaddeus Sands endures various confrontations with Sandman, heartless betrayals, the murder of a close colleague, broken romantic relationships, deals with the queen of hell Lilith, and battling the Bogeyman to the death while saving the world!
An orphan who rose out of Transylvania when he was just a baby, Thaddeus Sands is an antique business collector in New York, New York. He’s very ambitious, intelligent, adventurous, and extremely a lady’s man as well. Blessed with these skills along with millions in his bank accounts, Thaddeus gives back to his community, mainly visiting ill kids in the hospital. But no matter how much good Thaddeus does, his nemesis, the sandman or something dark, alas seems to linger from his past.
When Thaddeus ventures off to Moscow, Russia, in search of the murderer of a close colleague of his, he encounters mythical lore creatures such as the Bogeyman, Lilith, along with others who are on a crusade on killing all humans and taking over the world! Meanwhile, with the world literally in Thaddeus’ hands, he also must confront a nemesis who’s the only one who can aid him on this gigantic task: Sandman!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664156364

Book preview

Chapter 1

PAGING MR. SANDMAN

The time, 10:30 p.m., at Brookdale Hospital located in Brooklyn, New York, where a muscled, lean-built man with a 6’3" frame dressed in a dark navy blue suit complained by a black cotton trench coat is seen walking throughout the halls. As the lean-built man proceeds down the hospital halls, he is accompanied by a curvy, luscious nurse named Kimberly Bear. During their journey throughout the hospital halls, the muscular man lustfully undresses the luscious, curvy nurse’s body in her tight white nurse’s uniform with his crystal clear blue eyes. Unable to tame his lustful desires, the well-dressed, suited man gradually makes his way behind Kimberly’s curvy, luscious body and whispers exotic sexual pleasure acts into her ear. Kimberly tries her best not to submit to the firm masculine man’s sexual words, but with every single kiss planted on her neck and ear, quickly seduced by the lean, muscled man, Kimberly finds herself at the man’s disposal. Or so the man thought.

Like a linebacker attacking a quarterback, Kimberly savagely tackles and pins the masculine man to a nearby wall. Kimberly’s heart races as she grabs hold of the man’s groin. With a firm grip on the man’s crotch, Kimberly tugs the 6’3" man inside a vacant patient room.

No, Kim, wait! Not until I see her, the masculine man says.

Hearing the disappointed words from his mouth, Kimberly seductively begins to zip down her nurse’s uniform, revealing partially her D-sized breasts. The muscular man finds himself on the receiving end, trying not to submit to Kimberly’s sexual temptations. But Kimberly’s thick, luscious, curvy body would render the firm man to her will as he did her.

Well, my doctor did suggest I need more milk in my diet, the muscled man says with a laugh Kimberly smiles as she slowly loosens the masculine man’s dress shirt while rubbing on his lean muscular chest.

*       *       *

On a rainy night in Manhattan, a condo located on the east upper side is belonging to the resident of a renowned doctor by the name of Tara York, is finishing up her last touches on her fourth book. The doorbell’s sound shortly interrupts Dr. York, and due to the lateness of the hour, Dr. York becomes furious. The doctor quickly leaves her study and proceeds to the front door.

Who the bloody hell is it?! Dr. York asks.

There’s neither answer nor a person in sight when Dr. York looks into the peephole. Shaking her head in frustration, Dr. York walks back to her study, where she barely sits down in her office chair before hearing the doorbell ringing once more. Normally a middle-aged woman would not bother answering the door for a second time, let alone becoming curious, but Dr. York wasn’t your ordinary middle-aged woman.

Dammit, Sandy, if that’s you, I’ll turn you into a bloody frog! Dr. York says.

Approaching her front door for the second time, Dr. York asks, Who’s at the door? She receives the similar silent response. However, when Dr. York decides to look into the peephole, she notices a small brown square package with the letter F printed in bold on it lying on the floor. Without a second thought Dr. York unlocks and swings open her front door and abruptly retrieves the package. Dr. York nearly trips over her own loveseat while observing the mysterious package. Once reaching her study, Dr. York immediately sits down and carefully opens the package. Dr. York’s eyes barely blinks once as they locked onto the contents of the package. A mere miniature glass sphere alone with blank white paper causes Dr. York’s body temperature to raise. Dr. York whispers to herself, This can’t be meant for me . . . it must be some sort of mistake. Denial escapes Dr. York’s mind and fear soon sinks in as she excepts the reality. It takes Dr. York minutes before the name Sandy comes to mind once more. Seconds later, Dr. York picks up her iPhone and proceeds to dial.

Twenty minutes have passed at Brookdale Hospital where Kimberly and the unknown man exit the vacant room and proceed farther down the hall. Like a repeated cycle, the two halt in front of another hospital room, but this time a female patient is inside.

Here you are, Thaddeus, my dear, same time tomorrow? Kimberly asks.

Gazing into Kimberly’s green eyes, Thaddeus hesitates to respond to her question. Even Superman said no to Lois Lane, Kimmy, Thaddeus replies.

The 5’9" curvy nurse smiles at Thaddeus and gently hugs him as she presses her beasts against his lean, muscled body. She then moves back from Thaddeus while purposely fixing the top of her uniform, revealing a portion of her breast once more.

Yes, but Lois Lane never had double Ds, Mr. Sands, Kimberly says.

Suddenly a faint female’s voice comes from within the hospital room. Thaddeus quickly kisses Kimberly goodbye and rushes inside

Creeping as a cat though a dark alley, Thaddeus quietly makes his way over to the left side of the female patient’s bed. Stretching out his arm, Thaddeus strokes the very pale young female’s face. His touch awakens the ill young girl. Diagnosed with leukemia, the ill girl, no older than ten years old, briefly places a relieved smile on her face once she notices Thaddeus.

How’s my young empress doing? Thaddeus asks.

The young girl struggles, pointing toward Thaddeus’ open zipper. Y-you h-h-had s-s-s-s-sex, the ill girl struggles to say.

Quickly turning his back toward the ill girl and zipping up his fly, Thaddeus continues gently stroking the ill girl’s face. It’s the admission price I have to pay in order to see you every night, but don’t tell that to Nurse Kimberly, okay, Amy? Thaddeus says.

Even though in pain, the ill young girl gazes into Thaddeus’ crystal-clear blue eyes and musters up another smile. Thaddeus is happy but recognizes the pain in Amy’s eyes. Feeling sympathy for Amy, Thaddeus bends over and places a kiss on her forehead.

I won-won’t, but the guy will, Amy says.

Thaddeus says nothing at first, he just assumes the treatment from leukemia has taken a toll on Amy. However, Amy repeats her statement toward Thaddeus, which produce some curiosity inside his head. Thaddeus soon neglects Amy’s words and presents her with a gift. I bought you a gift like I promised, Amy, Thaddeus says.

With what little strength Amy had left, she halfway raises up her head to see what Thaddeus bought her. He pulls out a sliver mini music box from underneath his black leather jacket. Thaddeus gently places the music box on Amy’s lap. There’s a small metal handle on the left side of the music box. As Amy winds up the handle, the silver metal cover slowly opens as the song Mr. Sandman is heard playing while a female winged figure gradually spins around. Amy’s joy makes Thaddeus forget any existing issues he may have in his life and even forgets about Amy mentioning this secret guy until minutes go by, noticing Amy falling asleep. Once she had fully gone to sleep, Thaddeus carefully tucks her in and places the music box on a nearby table. As Thaddeus slowly walks away he hears Amy’s voice quickly asks for it back and for him to stay. Thaddeus couldn’t deny Amy’s wishes, so he places the sliver music box on her lap and sits beside her.

Relax, my empress, your dreams will make the pain go away forever, Thaddeus says.

Amy becomes confused for a second at Thaddeus’ statement but assumes he’s referring to her music box.

Before Amy can muster another sentence, her eyelids start to shut, causing her sight to blur. But before Amy falls completely asleep, she begs Thaddeus not to leave the room while she is sleeping or the guy will come and get her. Immediately Thaddeus thinks Amy is referring to one of the male nurses probably molesting her while she is sleeping. Thaddeus doesn’t bother to question who Amy was talking about. Instead, he sits beside Amy. Amy’s final sight is Thaddeus giving her a going-away smile.

Queens, 11:45 p.m. There’s a petite European woman dressed in 1800s apparel walking along the strip of Jamaica Avenue. Due to the late hour, let alone her unique outfit, she is clearly not from around from Queens, New York, which several thugs across the street notice as well. For now the thugs maintain their distance from the woman and continue following her. Oddly enough the woman stops her aimless walk at a nearby abandoned park where not a soul is around, unaware of the neighborhood’s bad surroundings. The several thugs move on her position.

Hey there, white sister, one thug says.

Ignorant or scared, the woman fails to recognize the potential danger she’s in. But after threatening shouts and surrounding the woman like a pack of hungry wolves, the thugs finally get the petite woman’s attention.

Are thou his clan? the woman asks.

Each of the several thugs looks at one another, clueless of the woman’s question. Whether or not their low-level criminal minds could compute, the thugs quit contemplating her question.

The only clan you are going to do is us, bitch! one thug says.

Clearly the thugs intention was to rape and maybe even kill the petite European woman. Nevertheless, the woman remains calm and even introduces herself. My name is Vesta, I’m from—

Who cares where you from, bitch! We want everything you got, another thug says.

Is thou traitor to his clan? Vesta asks.

For a brief moment each thug looks at each other, puzzled by Vesta’s question, until one thug, street name Lawrence T, walks straight toward her. His obese size in weight alone should surely be enough to intimidate Vesta.

What’s all dis fucking clan talk about, bitch? Lawrence asks.

Don’t thou take commends from Sandman? Vesta asks.

Collectively the thugs all laugh at Vesta’s response. They then start to ponder if Vesta is high on some sort of drug, thus making her easier to victimize. Meanwhile, the petite woman simply stands with a perplexed expression on her face. Vesta soon grows wary of the thugs’ laughter.

But thou art his lackey, are you not? Vesta asks.

The thugs’ laughter suddenly cease, and soon they start to stare unpleasantly at Vesta. Vesta is somewhat curious why or what caused the thugs to gaze at her with an unpleasant stare, somewhat at least.

Bitch, what you mean? Black? Lawrence T asks.

Vesta pays Lawrence’s question no mind; in fact, she persists on asking a similar question once more. If thou is not with Sandman then what dost thou desire? Vesta asks.

To bend your little ass over and fuck you like the bitch you are, Lawrence T replies.

Instantly and strangely, Vesta’s gray eyes slightly grow a few inches bigger and begin to turn orange in color. Witnessing her bizarre transformation, it instantly strikes fear in the thugs other than Lawrence T. He slaps the closest thug and orders the rest of them to advance on Vesta.

Thou shall all surely be killed, Vesta says.

Back in Manhattan, Dr. York remains inside her study, pacing back and forth while speaking on her iPhone. She becomes very frustrated when reaching a voice mail.

Dammit, Sandy, where the bloody hell are you! Dr. York says.

In an attempt to relax her mind, Dr. York ventures off into her lavish kitchen, where she retrieves a bottle of 1855 English wine. Equipped with a glass in one hand and a remote in the other, Dr. York heads into her living room, where she sits down on a cream leather sofa and listens to Al Marie on her luxury stereo system. Only ten minutes have passed when Dr. York is disturbed by her own pondering thought. Remotely shutting off the music and placing her glass down, Dr. York makes her way to a nearby computer. Typing as if her life depended on it, Dr. York pulls up numerous data files all referencing the name Noah. Suddenly the doctor’s iPhone rings but she’s reluctant to answer it. Nevertheless, the continuous ringing interrupts her thought process, thus causing her to answer the call.

Marsha Heart, to what do I owe this displeasure? Dr. York asks.

Marsha replies that she’s been trying to reach a person by the name of Sandy as well and hopes she would know his whereabouts.

Do I look like a bloody babysitter? Go find him yourself, Dr. York says.

Without a goodbye, Dr. York rudely ends the call with the words, Bloody bitch.

*       *       *

Thaddeus reaches Brookdale Hospital’s main lobby and rapidly exits without anyone noticing him. Thaddeus enters the main parking lot where for no reason he begins relentlessly looks over his shoulder as if someone is following him. Eventually Thaddeus stops in front of a jet-black future-realistic curvy bullet-shaped car. With a simple grip around the door handle, the door unlocks and Thaddeus enters. Once inside, Thaddeus stares at his rearview mirror for a moment, then quickly turns around in a paranoid state. He starts to place the car in drive but stops once he slightly notices a shadowy figure in his rearview mirror.

No! Thaddeus says.

In panic, Thaddeus quickly turns around. He is soon relieved and takes a deep breath to see no one or nothing is there. Thaddeus is preparing to get on his way when he hears someone knocking on his driver’s side window. The knock startles him but it only lasts for a second once he discovers it’s Kimberly wearing a green dress that complements her curvy body.

Well, I do believe you are stalking me. Thaddeus says.

I was just in the neighborhood, Kimberly says.

Okay, Spiderwoman, you want a ride? Thaddeus asks.

Kimberly laughs out loud, then helplessly smiles as she stares at Thaddeus. Kimberly shortly goes over to the opposite side and enters the vehicle.

So who were you praying for? Kimberly asks.

Thaddeus pauses for a second before giving Kimberly an answer. He wonders what would cause Kimberly to ask such a question. As a passel of questions run though Thaddeus’ mind, he tries not to take long replying back to Kimberly’s question.

So many people, you’re actually one of them. Why you asked? Thaddeus asks.

Oh nothing, I just saw those sexy lips of yours moving inside your car, Kimberly replies.

Thaddeus doesn’t bother telling Kimberly how impressed he is at her attention to detail. Instead he simply gives Kimberly a pleasing smile while gripping his fingers around the leather steering wheel. Thus turning, in seconds the engine starts up. Kimberly is astounded by the vehicle’s advanced technology, so much that she instantly falls over Thaddeus’ upper chest area.

During the entire drive to Kimberly’s house, she remains lying on Thaddeus’ chest, causing him to smell the lovely scent of roses from Kimberly’s hair. Because of his deep, continuous breathing, Kimberly doesn’t think too much of it. In fact, she believes his heavy breathing is due to her lying on his chest, or at least she would like to believe that. They arrive shortly in front of Kimberly’s apartment, where Thaddeus escorts Kimberly all the way to her front door.

You have such beautiful blue eyes. I’ve never seen . . . Kimberly catches herself before finishing her sentence, but Thaddeus is pretty sure what she was going to say. She didn’t know how to say it without offending him.

Seen a black man with crystal-clear blue eyes before, Thaddeus says.

Well yes, but I didn’t mean nothing by it, Kimberly says.

It’s okay, Kimmy, I get that all the time. Hell, I’ve never seen a thick-ass white woman with a phat ass like yours before, Thaddeus says.

Laughing her head off, Kimberly is relieved and offers Thaddeus to come in, even spend the night. But Thaddeus respectfully declines Kimberly’s offer. At first Kimberly acts as if Thaddeus’ refusal has no negative effect on her but he knows better, and it’s just a matter of time before Kimberly displays her discontentment at Thaddeus’ choice.

You always refuse to spend time with me unless you want a fuck! Kimberly cries out.

Kim, my dear, you got it all wrong. I’m just so busy, Thaddeus says.

Then make time for me, Thaddeus! Kimberly shouts.

Just then Thaddeus checks his diamond-studded Rolex watch and is suddenly in an impatient mood. Look, Kim, I’m sorry but I have to go, Thaddeus says.

What? Off to see another bitch? Kimberly asks, shouting.

Kimberly notices the hurt expression on Thaddeus’ face. She feels guilty and immediately apologizes. But deep down, Thaddeus does feel like he’s using her. Most of the time they spent together was at the hospital or the Hilton Inn. Thaddeus can and wants to explain how important she is to him and his true intentions, but for whatever the reason he chooses not to.

All I want is to spend time with you, Thaddeus, Kimberly says.

I know, Kimmy. Look, I was once a professional chef. I promise to cook you a marvelous five-star dinner the next we go out, Thaddeus says.

Thaddeus takes both his hands to pull back Kimberly’s blonde hair, fully exposing her pale, smooth face. Thaddeus gives Kimberly a long, passionate kiss before he drives off into the night

As the night rain pours down, Dr. York stares at her window as the rain beats against it. Dr. York soon breaks her dream state and examines the mini glass sphere. Dr. York later retrieves her laptop and gets on Skype. A woman with long black silky hair, thin lips, clear fair skin and defined cheekbones around Dr. York’s age appears on the doctor’s computer screen. With a slight smile, it’s safe to say the doctor is glad to see her.

Hello, Eileen, how’s my favorite sister doing? Dr. York asks.

Wow, is that . . .

Yes, it’s little old me, Dr. York says.

It’s been too long, sister.

The two sisters reminisce about the old times they had together but are interrupted when Dr. York displays the miniature glass sphere in front of her laptop screen. Surprisingly Eileen has a similar reaction toward the glass sphere as Dr. York had.

Is that for me, sister? Eileen asks, frightened.

No, dear sister, I believe it’s for me, Dr. York replies.

But how can that be? Eileen asks, clueless.

Dr. York is silent for a moment, contemplating whether Eileen is being sincere or not. With very few options, the doctor confines in her gut instincts and trusts her sister.

I have no idea, sister, Dr. York replies.

Have you spoken to her? Eileen asks.

After what happened centuries ago, Eileen, I dare not mention her name nor keep in contact with her kind, Dr. York replies.

For reasons unknown, Dr. York’s last statement produces a vengeful stare from Eileen. Eileen’s stare has no effect on her. Instead, Dr. York simply leans back into her chair, feeling more relaxed.

What the hell is that supposed to mean? Eileen asks.

You bloody hell know what it means, sister! Dr. York shouts out.

What once was a friendly conversation between two sisters abruptly turns into a vindictive one. Dr. York and Eileen are now exchanging insulting comments.

I didn’t know universities were handing out doctor’s degrees even to the likes of you, Eileen says.

That’s cold, Eileen, but I guess not having a heart is one of the prime essentials for your kind, Dr. York says.

You’ll soon discover how cold my kind can be, sister, Eileen says.

Dr. York quits exchanging insults with Eileen. She then focuses her attention back on the miniature glass sphere. Noticing Dr. York’s concerned staring at the glass sphere causes Eileen to feel guilty and soon apologize to her dear sister. She also tells Dr. York she’ll look more into the matter.

Thank you, sister. I’m also sorry for all those rude comments. And please be careful. If she ever . . .

Worry not, sister. Remember, creeping around is what I do, that’s why I was drafted, Eileen says.

A huge smile of remembrance is displayed on Dr. York’s face. The two sisters say their goodbyes for now and disconnect. Minutes later, the doctor grabs her iPhone and scrolls down her call log and dials up Marsha’s number.

Thaddeus parks his luxury car in an odd particular space where an unearthly mist surrounds the entire arena. With one hand covered over his mouth and the other trying to wave away the mist in front of him, Thaddeus attempts to make his way through it. He suddenly halts when he steps in some kind of mush.

Dammit, man! I just bought these Stacy Adams! Thaddeus shouts.

Suddenly the mist appears to recede and reveals more unearthly things. Thaddeus just stands there and sees a large platform with three grand thrones. Once the mist fully clears out, Thaddeus raises his leg to examine what he had stepped in. Thaddeus notice chunks of bloody flesh sliding down his shoe. This doesn’t alarm or worry him. Thaddeus actually makes a joke of it but immediately turns around when he hears a voice saying, You’re late.

Well, if it isn’t Vesta . . . should I even ask what happened here? Thaddeus says.

Vesta, who is now dressed in all-black robes with purple trimming on it, sports a hood where only her face is displayed and not her hair. Harm was bestowed upon me and thou art tardy, Sandman, Vesta replies.

I doubt someone can harm a goddess like you, and traffic was a bitch, Thaddeus says.

With an emotionless face, Vesta informs Thaddeus of the thugs who followed her into the abandoned park, which was now transformed into some sort of medieval arena, and tried to rape her.

I tore them apart, Vesta says.

Thaddeus laughs at the story while cleaning his bloody shoe with a napkin. Meanwhile, Vesta has a baffled expression on her face.

Thou thinks my tale is amusing? Vesta asks.

Sort of, I mean you chose South Side Queens to converge, especially at this time of night, and expect nothing to happen to you? That’s a joke all by itself, Thaddeus replies.

SILENCE! A deep voice from up above commands. Thaddeus, along with Vesta, looks up to the floating Gothic platform where three figures are sitting in the three grand thrones. Thaddeus takes out his camera phone while Vesta curiously looks on.

Is thou senseless? Vesta asks.

Relax, Vesta, I’m just going to Facebook this, Thaddeus replies.

Vesta calls Thaddeus foolish and will soon teach him a lesson, but Thaddeus simply laughs at Vesta’s empty threats and proceeds to capture the picture. When Thaddeus clicks the button, the entire camera phone shudders, placing a deep cut in his hand.

Son of a bitch! That was an iPhone 7, Thaddeus shouts.

Meanwhile, Vesta gets the three dark figures’ attention and asks them permission to appoint Thaddeus’ opponent. Without hesitation, one of the three dark figures grants Vesta permission.

Hold up, babe . . . you can’t . . .

SILENCE, SANDMAN! YOU ARE ONE OF MANY BEHOLDERS, A COVENANT OF HONOR, AND YET YOU TREAT IT WITH DISGRACE. YOU MUST BE REMINDED WHY YOU ARE A BEHOLDER, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE SIGNIFICANT ROLE OF A BEHOLDER, one of the dark figures says.

During the conclusion of the speech, a small cloud of mist appears near the three figures and reveals a twelve-year-old girl, who is naturally terrified out her mind when she notices her surroundings. She views her surroundings and then looks down and notices Thaddeus. She screams a name out repeatedly but her voice can’t carry down thirty feet from the dark sky. Thaddeus attempts to assure the girl that everything will be fine and then pleads with the dark figures to take the girl out of there. But his pleas fall on deaf ears. Meanwhile, Vesta is amazed by Thaddeus’ integrity considering how grim it looks for him. Thaddeus turns back around to Vesta and awaits her instructions.

Is thou ready for your opponent? Vesta asks.

Yes, but I have a question, Thaddeus replies.

Speak, Vesta says.

When this is over, you think I can take you out tomorrow? Thaddeus asks.

Vesta forces herself not to smile, but eventually a small smirk appears on her emotionless face. Thou are surely foolish, your survival hangs in the balance, Sandman, Vesta says.

You let me worry about that, just make sure you wear something a bit better than that outdated robe of yours, Thaddeus says.

Vesta raises her arms to the heavens while speaking a mixture of Latin languages. The ground underneath Thaddeus starts to shake. Thaddeus is not intimidated by this but does go into a martial-arts defensive stance. Suddenly Thaddeus feels a watery like substance hitting the back of his neck but pays no attention to it. Seconds later, small pieces begin to hit his nape and head as if bugs were attacking him from behind. Still focusing his attention on Vesta, Thaddeus swipes his right hand across the back of his neck and discovers what the watery substance is.

Blood and flesh? Thaddeus says.

It takes a minute before Thaddeus can figure out what’s going on or he just didn’t want to believe Vesta was absorbing all the thugs’ torn limbs together into one big bloody pile. Thaddeus watches as the bloody flesh pile transforms into a four-headed giant monster with multiple arms and legs.

Why is it always giants? Thaddeus asks.

Without a second to spare, Thaddeus dashes off in the opposite direction, hoping to get some space between the gruesome giant and him. However, equipped with multiple legs, the giant can match and pass Thaddeus’ speed. Eventually the four-headed giant catches Thaddeus and tosses him around the abandoned park like a rag doll. Vesta looks up at the three dark figures for their approval. The dark figures nod to Vesta, pleased at her work thus far. Meanwhile, a bloody Thaddeus is taking a beating and barely has any strength left. He takes a brief minute to look up toward the girl above, reminding him what’s at stake. He wishes the girl could be asleep instead of witnessing this horrible act he’s about to commit.

That’s it! Thaddeus shouts.

A curious Vesta turns her attention back to Thaddeus, laughing at any idea he has any chance of stopping her giant monster. With blood trickling down his fair-skinned face and soiling his clothes, Thaddeus gets up and runs once more. Vesta shakes her head in shame, fully knowing running away is pointless. In saving what remaining honor Thaddeus has, Vesta orders the giant beast to kill Thaddeus quickly. The beast chases Thaddeus, trapping him in a corner. Frightened to see what horrible death Thaddeus may have, the young girl above turns away while pinning her head down into her chest. Meanwhile Vesta, along with the three dark figures, patiently awaits the sounds of Thaddeus’ body being broken and torn into several parts. Thaddeus doesn’t bother to move, he just stands there accepting his death. The four-headed beast takes his time reaching out its massive hand to grab Thaddeus’ body. Suddenly, inches away from Thaddeus’ body, the monster stops.

Well, it’s about fucking time, Thaddeus says.

Vesta is confused. She calls out to her gruesome creation but it fails to respond. She notices Thaddeus’ blue eyes lit up like a predictor looking at its prey. Vesta doesn’t have a clue what Thaddeus is up to, but whatever it is she will be furious. Then a question pops into her head.

What’s thou mean by it’s about time? Vesta asks.

Thaddeus wipes away dripping blood from his mouth and gives Vesta a devilish smile. It means your giant is dead, Thaddeus says.

Thaddeus moves swift though the air, landing right on top, mercilessly pounding the beast’s face in continuously. Sounds of a bear screaming mixed with thundering hits fill the park. Vesta is frozen and at the same time captivated witnessing Thaddeus senselessly beating her helpless four-headed giant.

Looking down at the mangled monster’s face as he beat on it, Thaddeus suddenly jumped off, landing in front of Vesta. Vesta looked at Thaddeus nearly covered in blood and taking rapid deep breaths. Thaddeus waits until he regains his strength before speaking a single word. Nice shot, Vesta, but you lose, Thaddeus says.

Breath still runs through it, Vesta says.

Yes, but it’s mind is asleep, Thaddeus says.

Thy tongue lies, Vesta says.

Trusting Thaddeus or not, Vesta witnesses with her own orange eyes the lifeless vegetable state her creation is in. What kind of magic is this, if any? How was this possible? And where did Thaddeus get his super strength from? These questions are just a few that were registering inside Vesta’s mind.

CONGRATULATIONS, SANDMAN, YOU HAVE SUCESSFULLY DEFENDED YOUR BEHOLDER STATUS, one of the dark figures says.

Thanks, now give me the girl, Thaddeus says.

AS YOU WISH, another of the dark figures says.

As mysterious as they appeared, the three dark figures, along with the floating platform, vanishes in the night. Vesta remained, with the girl standing beside her. Thaddeus calls out the name, Rain, which is clearly the young girl’s name but