Selfish has a minion!

Imp the Little Collector

No mortal ear could have heard the kelpie passing through the night,
for the great black hooves of it were as soundless in their stride as feathers falling.
-mollie hunter

There was an unsettled silence that surrounded the lake. No birds, no crickets, nothing to show any sign of life. Save for the occasional air bubbles from the dark depths, it would be a miracle if any wildlife could survive in it.

The local town warns those who travel to steer clear of the lake and surrounding forest. Too many have fallen victim to the lake but most don't listen. They want to see what was so scary about a lake in the forest, they wanted to debunk the village rumor, that it was just crazy talk to keep people away.

A group of teens from a neighboring town decided to debunk the rumor. They were in the silent forest.

Suddenly there was the sound of a horse in the distance. It must be a scare tactic, they vaguely see someone sitting on top. As it started to approach with a trot, they teens started to become uneasy. The closer it got they clearer it became known that the person had no head. Instead there was a steady stream of black smoke spouting up.

They ran.

Ran until they reached what could only be the lake they were warned about but they didn't care. They only wanted to get away from the monster. No one had said there was a headless horseman in these woods!

A few of the teens jumped into the water, the only real way to get away from the horseman. The others ran as fast as they could.

The water felt weird against them, like watery muck.

One of the teens felt something brush against his leg. He yelled, trying to move away from whatever it was. It was like tendrils, moving and snaking up his leg and there was nothing he could do as he was yanked under the surface. He could just vaguely see the silhouette of a horse. A horse under the water? There was no way.

The horse's mouth began to open unnaturally, like an alligator, sharp teeth lining it's mouth.

No one could even hear the screams as each teen was yanked under to be devoured.

The horseman was there to gather to souls as they flitted up from the water.

Once the surface of the water was still, the horse emerged. The horseman had climbed off its own horse and approached the murky creature. A hand lifted to give a lovingly pat the horse's jaw.

"I hope that was filling enough, my dear." A feminine voice echoed in the air. "They were a bit scrawny."

The horse whinnied and bobbed its head in agreement.

profile by Princess
profile art by User not found: christ
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story by hell