Rune Warner

At last, Rune Warner was able to catch his breath through the suffocating sea of panic and fear that had washed over him. He made a feeble attempt to sit himself up entirely, but only managed to lift his torso just enough to read the clock across from where he lay. It was 3:32am. Despite, his sweat covered body the air had a deathly chill to it, which worsened an already unpleasant morning.

He took a long breath of air through his nostrils, then, calmly exhaled out his mouth. The nightmare seemed so real. He very much enjoyed being alive and celebrated the occasion with a few more deep breaths.

Magnus leapt from the bedroom floor onto the bed beside Rune's leg. Magnus could read most people better than they could read themselves. His glowing eyes were fixed on those of Rune, as though he was reading every thought that brutally awakened his friend.

What would I do without you?

Magnus didn't vocally respond, but instead quizzically tilted his head.

I know, dumb question. You found and saved me, so I suppose I'd be lost in the middle of nowhere without you. Does that sound about right, your highness?

To this, Magnus honored the remark with a satisfied meow, then let his gaze finally wonder. He always knew how to lighten the worst of moods. Fumbling down the stairs and into the kitchen, Rune grabbed a single can of cat food for Magnus and some cereal for himself. Together, they ate their comfort food in front of the television set.

Suddenly, the chill in the air grew colder and steam could be seen coming from their nostrils. Any comfort that Magnus had so carefully restored seemed to be vanishing by the moment. Rune quickly began making preparations for the two of them to finish their meals in front of the fireplace, when the television went on a rampage. It soared through various stations, on its own terms, before it completely shut off. Desperately trying to salvage tranquility into his home, Rune happily sat in front of the fire where his cat cautiously joined him. It wasn't long before the two were once again disrupted.

Magnus bolted for a nearby couch and hissed at the fire. As his moaning and hissing grew, so did the fire. The hell before them roared back and the once chilly house became an unbearable sauna that brought the familiar waves of sweat, panic and fear. Rune was now as far from the fire as he could be without leaving the room. He could see shadows in the flames, but could not distinguish them clearly. Then, he heard a woman's voice. Without thought, he called into the fire "Where are you?" The television set popped itself back onto the local news station and the fire slowly died down.

Officials are baffled as to the disappearance of a young boy, Jasper Finch. The nine-year old was last seen with his father who has also gone missing. Neighbors and friends who knew the Finch family were told that Mr. Finch had taken his son for a routine doctor's exam. However, the Finch's family doctor revealed that no appointments or arrangements to meet had been made. The father and son are believed to be missing for nearly two weeks...

Rune's heart was racing. What had just happened? Was he still dreaming? He could have sworn he heard a woman's voice from the fire, but he couldn't distinguish what she said and there was no response when he spoke to her. What had caused the sudden chill and the television to become temporarily possessed?

As, Rune pondered these things and several others, he looked around for Magnus. Magnus let out a baffled meow and refused to leave Rune's side.