A Strike of Change

The Start of Something New

A/N: This is the very first fan fiction I've ever written, please leave any criticism in the comments. It would be greatly appreciated if you left me some tips of what to improve and what to change. I won't be insulted or anything so just mention anything that needs to be changed. Thanks!

“Ugh…”

Lucius groans softy as he stretches out and bends his back to the side. It’s about 8 o’clock in the morning right now and he’d been at his computer for a good few hours, the habit isn't really a good thing. He even missed work once because he had lost track of the time while on his laptop. He’s used to his daily routine of surfing the web whenever he had time, he hadn't taken a long walk or a stroll around his neighborhood for a quite a while now.

Lucius turns his head to glance outside his gloomy window, there is a soft pitter-patter of rain hitting the glass but it didn't surprise him, as the weather was always rainy nowadays. Although, the weather did change quite drastically in the past few months, it was a large enough difference for it to catch Lucius’ attention but he drowned out the thought since he knew he was usually just paranoid, it was probably nothing to worry about.

The clear glass panes of the window were much cleaner compared to the rest of his house, he liked to look through it every now and then to take in the view of the small town.  His house sat on top of a small hill at the edge of town, the view from the window looks down on the many small buildings scattered throughout the town.

Lucius always cleaned the window more often than the house. He didn't know what it was about the small buildings and the bright lights, but he always liked it better than the country side. This house was at least over 15 years old and it was left to him after his parents passed away a few years ago in a plane crash, that day was a nightmare to him, he was only 9 years old and didn't want to believe it but the thought of his parents leaving him was too much. His grandparents later took care of him for a few years but were no longer with him now, so he was basically alone.

3 months after he graduated from high school his grandma died of old age, his closest relative that was still alive was his grandfather, but he lived far away from this town. He left his family behind to travel around the world and he never really took care of Lucius, but even after going through the pain of losing his closest family members, he is still determined to live his life. His mother always told him to look at the brighter side and never give up hope. Lucius actually got a sustainable job after a while. His daily income was just enough to survive.

The one thing he needs right now is to relax, stress was always an obstacle but he has a strong will. With another look around the room, he slowly sits down again trying to think if he had forgotten anything to do today, rubbing his face with his hands attempting to get rid of his frustration.

“Dammit! I’m late for work again!”

His eyes dart around the room again and a sense of worry starts to sink in. He didn't want to lose his job, not now at least. Lucius quickly swipes his jacket and heads outside. The rain quickly turned into a downpour within in a few minutes, the rain was so heavy he could only see a few feet in front of him. Lucius used his old leather jacket gifted to him by his father as a temporary cover from the rain while he made his way to a worn out car that was parked in in front of his house. He started the engine and rashly made his way out of his driveway. Luckily the place he worked at was quite close, maybe one or two miles from his house. Lucius steps on the accelerator and drives as fast as he can down the grey, cracked road of his neighborhood.

The rubber wheels of his car screech on the asphalt as it speeds up. He attempts to come up with a valid excuse for being late again and tries to relax a bit while studying the interior of his car, a lot of things were passed down to him from his family. Even though they weren't very wealthy, there were a lot of things that proved to be useful to him. But it’s the little things that contain the happy memories of his parents, especially this jacket. His father used to wear it all the time, the memory that he was most fond of was when he visited an amusement park for the first time. His dad took him everywhere; Lucius always looked up to him and wished he was always there with him.

*CRACK*

The loud sound of lightning ripping through the air snaps him out of his memory, the small shower from this morning has formed into a large storm. Lightning continues to strike near him, coming dangerously close to the car. So close in fact, he has to swerve slightly to avoid the strikes hitting him. He knew lighting is usually directed away from the driver and through the car, but the thought of lightning being so close is just frightening. The road is now slippery from the constant downfall of rain, the small houses around him are almost unable to be seen. He concentrates on the glossy road and has become cautious of his driving, Lucius was never really a great driver but he got his licence nonetheless.

“Since when was lightning apparent? It was only raining a moment ago…”

He mumbles under his breath, now really worried due to the sudden alteration of the weather and the darkness of the day. There should be daylight, even if the rain was so heavy, the daylight would still be there.

*CRACK*

“CRAP!” Lucius’ scream was drowned out by the screeching of his tires and the bolt of lightning that struck directly in front of his car. The car came to a sudden stop, Lucius is sweating from the struggle to stop the car. All he could hear right now is the repeated tapping of rain on the roof of his car and his panting. The lightning seemed to have stopped for the time being. Lucius breathes out slowly and starts to accelerate down the road again, his work place wasn't too far now, it would only take a few minutes more to get there. The rain died down a bit but was still heavier than usual, he could see the familiar buildings around him and the dark grey clouds looming over the small town.

“What’s that?”

A slither of light travels through the thick blanket of clouds above, it wasn't like lightning, it was much too slow and it seemed to dart around from time to time as it approached Lucius.

It seemed like it was travelling faster and the light got much brighter as it weaved its way through the sky. As soon as it got close, Lucius could hear the loud rumble emanating from it, the sound was the same as thunder but more constant and sharper. When Lucius finally drove his attention away from the light, it was too late. With another extremely loud crack, he was blinded momentarily and felt a dull pain move through the back of his neck to the bottom of his back.He starts to feel nauseous and sick. He was no longer in his car, the brightness of the light still lingers as Lucius falls unconscious.

*CRACK*

The lightning continues to strike, one after the other, but this time it was different. The sounds are different, and the bolts of lightning are much faster to strike then before.

“W-What the hell happened…? Where am I?”

Lucius is lying down on his side, in a puddle of muddy water. The coldness of the water is creeping into his skin making Lucius shiver. The rain flows down his face in small streams. He finally comes up with enough energy to open his eyes, but only slightly. Lucius’ vision is blurred and his eyes sting from the flash of light from before, he can make out a few outlines of large trees and a few woodland animals scurrying to their homes.

“Where am I?” He repeats, trying to comprehend what just happened.

“HELP! ANYONE THERE!?”

It wasn't the best idea to scream that loud, for one, his chest now has strong pains shooting down to his stomach, but that isn't his main concern. Lucius is petrified, he sees a few red eyes in the darkness of the trees, more start appearing and multiple pairs of red eyes stare straight at the motionless body of Lucius.

The pairs of eyes growl and advance, slowly moving towards him. The creatures are now in plain view, WHAT? Lucius screamed in his head. They seem to consist of rough timber, and they resemble small wolves. They show their razor sharp teeth and growl at Lucius again, those teeth looks like they can rip through any flesh just mere seconds. He is too frightened to move, but he doesn't want to accept death, not at this age and especially with so many things to do. “STOOOOP!!” A high pitched scream came from behind Lucius, the wolves dart their eyes up and snarl. The pack of ‘wolves’ leave obediently and disappear into the dense forest.

Lucius attempts to get up by wedging his arm under his chest to push his limb body up. He has no energy to move his legs and the horrible pain is still coursing through his body, now with the addition of a pulsing sting on the back of his head.

“Argh…”

He winces in pain as he gradually sits upright. There is a light galloping noise coming from behind him, moving closer.

“Please… D-Don’t hurt me… I’m not… “

His last words were slurred and almost inaudible. The galloping ceases for a few seconds but then proceeds but much faster. Lucius feels something warm and wet touch his shoulder, and a strange feeling of relief falls over his mind…