Nate took a deep breath and then slowly peered around the corner. The hair on his neck stood up as he looked at the tall, well-dressed man sifting through the computer at the front desk. "The Duck," Nate said. "What. About. The Duck?" Jerry whispered. "He is here." "The Duck?" Emily said, "We're never going to make it." Their backs to the brick wall, the three orphans held their breath. They had been planning this escape for seven months, and now it might all be for not if they couldn't get past the front desk. "What is he doing here?" Jerry said. "I don't know, but it can't be good," Nate said. "Alright, look," Nat huddled his siblings into a small circle. "We have three options. We can wait for him to leave, go out the back, or go back to bed and try this again at another time." "Wait!" Emily said, "I can't be here anymore. Everyone is so mean to me." The terror in the young girl's eyes was more than her big brothers could take. Looking at each other, they nodded. "We go out the back," Nate said. Closing in on the rear entrance, heavy footsteps echoed through the hallway. Taking cover, Nate guided his siblings into the boy's bathroom just as The Duck turned the corner. "Shhhh," Nate said, putting his index finger to his lips. "Mr. Ryan, what are you doing here at this hour?" caregiver Ms. Patty addressed the man from reception as she entered the other end of the hall. "Just checking on a few things," The Duck said, his voice a low growl that sent shivers up each of the children's spines. "How are the children this evening?" "Little rascals if you ask me," Ms. Patty huffed. "Children will be children." "They need to be taught obedience. Young kids today have no respect for authority." "That is where I come in. I'm interested in the Keller children," the Duck said. "The Keller children? Of course, you would be. Your skill is to tame little misfits like them. Those children are the most obnoxious little lot I have seen in this place in a long time. Always making trouble." Emily gasped in horror as Jerry took his little sister in his arms, covering her mouth to help keep her quiet. The three had lived in the orphanage for over a year since their parents died in a car crash. Several families had tried to take little Emily into their homes, only to change their minds when she refused to leave without her brothers. "Yes, so I have heard. I would like to see their files if that is not a problem." "Of course not; Mr. Ryan, come with me to the office, and I will get those for you." "What does he want with us?" Jerry said as they listened to the footsteps fade away. "I don't know, and we are not going to find out," Nate said. Cracking the bathroom door, Nate looked out into the hall. "It's clear; let's go." Reaching the rear door to the building, Nate turned to his brother and sister. "Now," he breathed so he could stay calm and not upset his sister more. "Once we open this door, the alarm will go off, and we will have to run faster than ever." "Why don't we just go back and out the front?" Emily said, her voice shaky and almost non-exitance. "Because we would have to pass the office where they just went," Nate said. "I'm scared," the little blonde girl said with tears in her eyes. "We're your big brothers," Jerry said, "we will not let anything happen to you." "Okay," Nate said, "on three, we run like our lives depend on it. One. Two. three." Throwing the door open, the three children ran as fast as their legs could go as the alarm sounded and red lights began to twirl. Holding hands, they sped away into the surrounding gothic woods. The moon peeked through the branches giving them bits and pieces of light as they made their getaway. They could hear the sound of the orphanage workers trailing behind them. Knowing they could not outrun them, Nate looked for a place they could hide. "Here," Nate said, approaching a large tree with a teepee size opening. "Look, I want you two to stay here while I lead them away." "No, no," Emily cried, grabbing onto her brother, "don't leave us." "I'll be right back, I promise. I need to get them off our trail so we can get away." "Nate," Jerry's voice trembled, "What if they catch you?" "They won't." Taking the hand of his brother and sister, Nate reassured the pair, then wedged them into the tree truck and took off running, making sure to make just enough noise to lead the search party in the opposite direction of his siblings. Jerry held Emily in his arms as she cried. Taking a deep breath, the frightened boy held back his tears to be strong for his little sister. Voices murmured around them. Small flashes from the staff's flashlights darted and dashed in all directions as the two small children leaned back into the shadows so as not to be seen. "Jerry. Emily," Nate whispered, reaching into the tree trunk, "come out, let's go." Stepping back into the night, the three children clasped hands, continuing their getaway. Breaking through the tree line, they came to a clearing. "Okay," Nate said, "we go forward. Ready run." Surprised by the sudden and mystical appearance of Mr. Ryan, the children stumble back onto the hard ground. "How did he get there?" Jerry said, scrambling to his feet. "Now, just where do you children think you are going?" The Duck said. "Stay away from us," Nate yelled, helping his sister to her feet. The light from the moon dimmed and disappeared till only shadows remained. The well-dressed man straightened his jacket and stepped toward the three. Emily's eyes locked on the mysterious man as his image began to change. A strange and mysterious glow surrounded their pursuer. His face started to morph, and his skin melted away. The horrific sight froze the three children in their tracks. Once a man, now a large animal that resembled a duck, stood in their path. Instructing his younger siblings to run, Nate charged at the creature, and his tiny body bounced off the beast throwing him back. The monster turned his attention to the younger two walking toward them. Nate scrambled to his feet and darted in their direction. The gap between them was wide. Unable to reach them in time, Nate watched in horror as the demon reached out for his little sister. Jerry shoved Emily, putting himself in harm's way. He screamed out as talons emerged from the monster's wing piercing his skin. Blood ran down Jerry's tiny body, pouring onto the ground beneath him. "Emily, run," Nate screamed, leaping onto the monster's back. The small girl sped away as her brother instructed. Looking over her shoulder, she watched, terrified, as Jerry's body was tossed about and discarded. Nate punched and kicked the creature, only to have the talons that took his brother's life take his as well. Tears streamed down the young girl's face; her legs trembled as she ran. Crying out for her parents, Emily tripped, rolling on the ground. Turning herself over, she froze as the dark shadow of The Duck surrounded her. "You're the one I've been looking for," The Duck growled. "No," Emily cried, "someone, please help me." "There is no one left to help you, child," The Duck said. "It is time to fulfill your destiny." Grabbing her arm, Emily struggled, unable to escape as the two disappeared into the night, never to be seen again.
Prompt: What. About. The Duck?
365 Creative Fantasy Writing Prompts C.H. Knyght
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