Twisted Roads – Twisted Horror Stories by Matthew Tonks

For This Is How We Earn Them

“Don’t be so ignorant,” Finnegan says with a broad smile across his face. “There was a time, not so long ago for me, but a couple of generations worth for you, when your people worshipped every step I took. Now you are all so self-involved in your own pitiful machinations that you’ve forgotten where the true nature of power comes from.”

She smiles. “You talk as if you are worthy of my time, yet you are far from anything that I would call worthy.”

Finnegan slowly gets to his feet and looks down at her, his face flushed with blood. “I have been insulted many times over my long and storied life. The rejection of those I cherished most was a hard pill to swallow, even at the best of times. But for someone as pathetic as you, hurling such empty accusations at me breaks what little spirit I had left,” he says, venom coursing through each word.

She laughs mockingly. “How grand, I’ve been wanting to update my résumé for ages but haven’t had a thing to add to it. Now, I can add the breaking of a false god’s spirit.”

“Take no glory in what you are doing, woman, for the damnation you are thrusting upon mankind is unfathomable,” he says as his eyes begin to burn brightly and he floats into the air. “Being worshipped soothed my anger, and quelling it in turn gave you pathetic creatures the chance to become more than a mere stain on the existence of this world. But the decades have been cruel to us both, and the time to correct that mistake is at hand,” he bellows as flames erupt from his hands.

“Someone as old as you, acting like a child, is heartbreaking to see, Finnegan. Stay your anger and see them for what they are,” a voice calls from behind him. He does not turn, as he knows the owner of the voice and does not fear them in his current state.

“Insolent whelp, you would do well to steer clear of me whilst I bear these brandishings.”

“I feel that right here, and right now, is the perfect place for me to be. So stay your insults and talk words, not violence.”

He crunches his teeth together and snarls. “I need not listen to your commands, for you are not my ruler. I am a god made to rule, while you were made to be a wet maid to these things. SO GO! BE GONE FROM MY SIGHT WHILE I CLEANSE THESE CHILDREN OF THEIR DISEASE!”

“I will not leave, and I will not allow you to ‘cleanse these children of their disease,’ for they have no disease, only free will. See past your vanity and see them for what they truly are.”

“I see them for what they are, and soon they will see me for what I am.”

“A myth cannot be seen, Finnegan, for it is only a story.”

“I AM NOT A STORY!” he screams as his hands explode with power, and he turns to the emptiness behind him. “SHOW YOURSELF AND FACE ME, COWARD!”

“I am not a coward,” he whispers in his ear, as he grips him tightly. “I am your tomorrow. I am your lesson. So go, learn me!” he hisses as the world around them implodes.

Finnegan’s senses scream at him as he crashes to the ground, clutching his ears and holding his eyes closed tightly. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME!” he screams but finds no answer. Slowly, Finnegan opens his eyes and sees the smoking husk of his attacker, desperately clutching at what is left of his life. Without a second glance at his surroundings, Finnegan grabs him and shakes him violently. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME? WHY DO I NO LONGER FEEL THE POWER FLOW THROUGH MY VEINS? WHY DO I FEEL EMPTY?”

He smiles and lets out a laboured cough. “Look,” he whispers, pointing with his eyes towards the small lake that sits some feet away as an unusual-looking creature leaps out of the water and flops itself onto the land.

“W-W-WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? W-W-WHERE ARE WE?”

“Nowhere, b-b-but when. I’ve taken you back to the start, Finnegan, for now you must truly earn my wings….”