Chapter 2: Confusions in the Daylight

The eye-shaped mark was there, in its hauntingly dark and glowing shade of black.

Kernos stopped his voice from producing a disturbing scream, for he was the only one awake in the house at that moment. He made his way to the bathroom sink. But no matter how hard he tried to use soap and water to remove the dreadful emblem from his face, it would not disappear. He gave up later, and searched through the cabinets for a band-aid. Upon finding one, he took it with him and rushed to his bedroom mirror. He peeled off the band-aid's protective covering, and stuck the band-aid to his cheek, thus covering the ebony-hued eye. Satisfied, he lay on his bed and let sleep's spell conquer him.

"There will be no escape for you, dearest. Darkness will seek the Marked One, and punish him for his abominable deed," went a familiar voice.

However, this time, the dream ended there. Young Kernos' subconscious mind did not consider it a nightmare anymore, unlike the first one.

"Hey, Kernos, wake up! Hurry, or you'll be late for school!"

Kernos kicked the blankets, stretched his limbs a bit, and opened his eyes. His mother stood next to his bed, with one of her eyebrows raised. Groggily, he sat up.

"What's for breakfast?" asked Kernos.

"Pancakes in maple syrup, your favorite," answered his mother, with a hint of a smile.

"Thanks," said Kernos as his feet touched the floor.

He started to fold the blanket when his mother inquired, "What happened to your cheek? I reckon I had not seen anything wrong with you last night before you slept."

Kernos gulped, and replied, "I, um, got up at 2:00 a.m. to pee, and I, uh, my cheek, it, uh, collided with the corner of the cabinet, um, because I tripped and, um, I was still, um, dizzy that time. Um, yeah, that was it, Ma. Don't worry, it's just a scratch."

His mother nodded, and said, "Okay, just be careful next time."

Kernos simpered at the effectiveness of his lie, and trudged to the dining table.

School had been light and easy, so Kernos decided to enjoy the scenic route by walking in order to get home.

Kernos cherished the sound of the fallen leaves under his feet, the song of the birds perched on branches above his head, and the cool breath of the wind against his body. It was very peaceful and comfortable, enough to cause him to forget the band-aid on his cheek, moreover, the thing that it hid underneath. It was the complete opposite of his nightmare.

Just then, a man in a dark hood blocked his path.

"Going somewhere, Kernos Duriel?"

Kernos trembled as he recognized that in front of him was the stranger in his nightmare. Instinctively, he turned around, planning to run as fast as he could to escape the stranger. Yet, he soon realized that high walls of stone surrounded him. The walls contained markings which resembled the one on his right cheek. Kernos heard the stranger's soft footsteps approaching him. He intended to prepare himself for a fistfight, but as soon as the man rested a hand on Kernos' shoulder, Kernos felt that his strength was drained. Kernos helplessly passed out.

I know that this story is stupid and full of clichéd events, but this particular thing serves as a tool for me to experiment with writing techniques and ideas. It will never be a masterpiece. I shall still appreciate reviews, though. Or more preferably flames and criticism. :D