In the Shadow by The Storyteller (the kiss of deception read online .txt) 📕

His words, God will never leave your side.
We also want to thank you for all the information you gave us.
May His light be with you, son, and keep you from harm."

"Thank you, Father."

"Jason, it's me again, Kevin. I'm back.
We decided to give it a go."

"Man, this is crazy! Why don't you understand that light won't harm the shadows?"

"It's not only me, dude. We had a vote; almost everybody think we should fight.
God is with us, and Father David. I've never been religious before, but today I have faith."

"Kevin, don't do it. Don't fight them!
God left us long ago, bro...He left us prey to those demons..."

"I must go now, Jason; other people want to use the internet before we go.
Be strong there.
I'll talk with you after that...to let you know."

"Damn you, Kevin!
Sorry, dude.
Okay, then remember this: if you are not afraid, they cannot harm you.
Whatever you see or hear, don't lose your grip. Only your fear can let them into your mind.
If you find yourself alone against one of them, stay still. Do not look them into the eyes, do not interact with them. Don't make any sudden moves. If you are quiet enough they will eventually let you go.
Promise me at least you will remember this."

"I promise.
Talk with you soon, brother.
Take care."

"You too, Kevin.
I'll wait for you.
I'll be right here..."

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The silence was heavier than death. Alone among the swarming shadows, the young man layed on the bedroom's floor, with nothing to hold in his arms but a dead laptop, and the memory of light held behind its stubbornly shut eyes.

***

The hooded shadow stood still in the door frame, watching the young man intently. His motionless posture was more threatening than all the other shadows together, and his cruel intentions were permeating the air like a miasma. That one was more than a simple shadow; the way all the other creatures kept distance spoke of authority and hostility even toward its own kind.
Jason's determination didn't waver, his hands didn't shake. It was the time to move on; no other hope was left there for him. With a smooth movement he heaved his backpack and turned toward the door. Tens of flying shadows were circling him, madly hovering over his lowered head, sticking their featureless faces in his face. Their dark, open mouths were distorted in soundless screams; so were the red slits that resembled the eyes.
Steady, with even steps and a blank stare on his face, Jason walked straight toward the door and the frightening form waiting there, the flock of frenzied shadows following him.

Before exiting the room, the young man and the hooded shadow stood for a tiniest moment shoulder to shoulder.
And two worlds found themselves exchanging places, crossing the same invisible borderline between the shadow and light, replacing each other at the crossroad of eternity. The shadows were moving into the light; the humans were to live like shadows.

Then as swiftly as one of them, Jason passed through the shadow creature and kept going without looking back, while the flying entities returned to the room.

A deserted world of darkness was laying outside. The blind sun that could not pierce the fog was only encasing the empty city in a rotten glow. Slowly, always looking down, Jason made his way among the scattered population of shadows, silent and unaccounted, on the streets of a dead town. Cutting through the ghostly mist like a ship through a motionless sea, Jason wondered if there was any form of consciousness left in the fog that was once living people. Maybe his neighbors, friends or even his family's souls were watching him right now. Maybe they were escorting him, desperately crying for his help. At this thought his heart recoiled in pain, and for a moment his legs trembled.
But only for a moment. The next steps were as confident as ever, taking him deeper into the heart of the nightmare. And his lips were whispering the only prayer worth to remember: "Do not look them in the eyes, do not interact with them. Don't make any sudden moves. If you are quiet enough you may pass by unnoticed and invisible like a shadow...."

Back in Jason's dark bedroom, the bodiless creatures were fighting now over a hardily powered laptop left on the floor. On the flickering screen was one last message:

"My name is Jason D. Miller, I am a human being, and I'm still alive.
I know there are other people left too.
Whoever is reading this message, know that there is still hope.
Come to the mountains.
We don't have to die in the dark.
I will never give in. They are only shadows."

Imprint

Publication Date: 04-23-2011

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
Maybe this world is another planet’s Hell.