The Other Earth by Derek Schumacher (reading like a writer .TXT) 📕

He cursed in his head, and began to try and move closer to the shore. The freezing cold river water seemed to practically sap the energy from his body. It was difficult to move, difficult to swim. If he got too tired, it was all over, and he would drown at the bottom of the river. But, then Neil realized something. There was still one thing he had with him, something that was too heavy to drift away. His axe.

Quickly reaching for it, and gripping the handle tightly, he used it to anchor himself into the ground of the river's edges. Almost like a mountain climber, Neil would use the axe to make his way up the side of the river. His supply of oxygen was running low, and he could feel his lungs slowly begin to kick into overdrive. It was becoming more and more painful to stay under, but he was so close now to be able to escape the depths.

With one last axe into the side, Neil was able to pull his head to the surface. He gasped and coughed, quickly grabbing onto the shore, using the axe once again to anchor to the ground. This would allow him to pull his entire body out of the water, and give him a chance to rest.

He glanced up slightly, and noticed the shade was still standing at the bridge, staring off into the distance. This would prevent him making it back towards his home, which meant he would have to go off into the unknown southern region. At least he was able to make it over here, sadly not in the fashion he had hoped.

The man rested a bit longer, and after catching his breath, pulled himself up from the ground. He slid the axe in his belt, and took a long, deep sigh. It was incredibly unfortunate to lose both his pouch, and his knife at the same time. But, he still had the axe, which was still a tool that could be used for multiple things, and would still be useful in the long run.

Beginning to make his way to the edge of the riverbed, and attempting to climb up the side, Neil coughed up more river water. But, then he heard something behind. He glanced backwards, and saw the shade, pursuing him. It must have heard or seen him, and had given chase once again. At least this time they were both on even ground, but Neil didn't feel much for fighting. The water had drained him greatly, and  he was still sore from the rough current.

But it didn't matter to the shade, as it closed in on him. He knew that the thing wouldn't let him get away, and there wasn't much he could do to get away in the first place, being as winded that he was. Neil slid his axe from his belt, and watched the shade. It was a bit different from the first one, it's figure was smaller, but it's arms were paired with long claws. Maybe in it's previous life, it was a female. It was only a guess, from the body shape.

It didn't really matter either way, as no matter what, it was still very dangerous. But, with this new axe, maybe Neil could inflict more damage than he could before, which could be very helpful.

As the creature stepped forward, and brandished it's claws, Neil would evade to the side, and swing his axe downwards with force. The thing was significantly heavier than the knife, but it wasn't anything unbearable. The weapon would come down on one of the thing's arms, and actually cave into it, causing the thing to growl lowly and reel.

The black substance leaking from the creature's arm as Neil tore the axe from the wound. If he were to hit the thing again, maybe he could sever the arm? That would sure make things much easier.

After it backed away a bit, the shade closed back in, this time it moved it's claws back and fourth, and Neil began to back away himself. Whatever it was doing, it wasn't looking good for him. As he tried to back away a second time, the shade lunged forward, slashing with both sets of claws. Neil attempted to put the axe up and deflect the attack, but one claw still flew past, and caught his left arm, gashing into it. He yelped as the shade tore it from his arm, multiple deep red gashes showing up on the surface of his arm and shoulder. It burned like crazy, but this would help him be able to break free from any future visions in the fight.

Neil watched the thing begin to walk towards him, this time putting up it's hand up near it's head, the same arm he had hacked into earlier. This could be his chance to cripple the enemy, if he was given an oppurtunity to do so. Just as he was thinking that, the arm came down with a crack, nearly taking out his eye, but he was just far enough to the side that it only sliced his cheek.

Retaliating from that attack, Neil swung his axe into that same same, trying his best to hit the same spot as last time. And he succeeded, slaming the head of the axe into the wound on the arm, and because of the force, it sliced clean through the arm, dismembering the shade.

The thing screeched and wailed, swinging it's other arm wildly. Neil quickly moved back wards, waiting for the thing to calm down, before he would move in to attack the second arm. If he was able to, getting rid of both arms would prove incredibly useful, as it would lose it's most prominent weapons, and ways to engage.

But, it seems the shade wasn't going to calm down, instead it rushed forward at the man. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to deflect the attack, especially at that ferocity, he decided to step into the attack, and go for the attack. He slammed into the arm with all his might, and cleaved with his axe, clearing the arm right from the body in one swift strike. The shade stared at him, screaming once again. The sound was unbelievably loud, almost enough to make a man deaf.

Taking this oppurtunity, Neil picked up his axe, and stared down the creature. It just stood there, emitting that blood chilling screech. But, after this, it would no longer make any noise. The man rose the axe above his head, and brought it downwards with as much force as he could give it.

The axe hit the creature square in the mouth, and split the lower half of the face in two. It tried to make noise, but it just came out as a scratching noise, black blood pouring from it's throat. Neil decided to finish the job in style. He grabbed the axe with both hands, and wound up an attack.

And with that, he brought forward a horizontal strike aimed right at the shade's neck, clearing the head right from the body. It sailed, and turned to dust. Neil chuckled a bit, and kicked the rest of the body over, watching it turn to dust as well.

Sitting down, he took this chance to catch his breath, setting his axe beside him. He panted, and looked over to the bridge. It was still in tact, which was perfect. Now he had a chance to head back to his home, and gear up for his next expedition. Which, he wanted to head up towards the mountain, and of course, the possible mountain lake.

Waiting a few more minutes, Neil glanced over to where the body of the shade once stood, and watched the small bit of black appear on the axe, just like it did when he killed the first one with the knife. He still wasn't exactly sure what it symolized, but he figured he shouldn't dwell on it too much, because it would just give him even more to question, and to worry about.

All he knew, is that when he defeats a shade, memories began to flood back to him once he closed his eyes. This was his best way to remember. Althought not the most normal of memory recovery options, it was the best one Neil had, and it was better to remember now than to forget, and then never remember.

The man reached over to his axe and looked closely at it, the head covered by black still. It shined gently, and didn't dry or blow off because of the wind. It just sat there, motionless. Neil layed down on the river side, and looked up at the clouded sky. The wind continued to howl around him, the trees moaning as they moved around in the tempest.

Maybe that's what these storms signify, a shade's appearance. Both of the shades he had to fight, had been under the effects of unnatural weather. Or maybe it's just a coicidence, he had no idea. No reason to over think any of this stuff, because he knew he wouldn't be getting any straight answers any time soon, or ever.

Reaching down towards his belt, he went to grab some berries from his pouch, but then remembered he lost his pouch to the river current. The man sighed, and put the axe back in his belt. The wound from the shade was still bleeding, and Neil decided to tear some cloth from his pant leg, and wrap it around the affected area. He would also do the same for his face, which had only been gashed slightly.

After his wounds were tended to with the best of his ability, he decided it was time. Time to see what this shade had to offer in the area of past insights. He closed his eyes, and layed his head back. He waited to the effects to take over, and before long, he was deep in sleep.

He cannot be allowed to live with us, under any circumstances. Do you understand me?

Yes, mother. But, why can't he?

He's not the same as us, he's different. He keeps to himself, distant from everyone, even you. Isn't that strange to you?

Maybe he just isn't a fan of crowds, or talking to others.

He's been like that all his life, and there won't be any changes, I can feel it. He'll be alone for the rest of his life, and that's probably what he wants anyways. So let's give it to him.

But what if he really does want someone there for him?

Too bad then, if he doesn't want anything to do with us now, then it's his own fault.

It shouldn't have to be this way, even if he is keeping away from us. Don't abandon him.

If you want to try and to stay with him, go ahead. But we'll leave you behind too. Remember that.

I understand ma'am, and I'm not sure if he wants me either.

See?

Yes, I see, I guess.

Your father is right, as always. You're just like him, you know? But your brother is nothing like either of you, not even me. He's something else.

Isn't it okay to