The Darken

James searched the sky for the source of light but could see neither sun nor moon. The boy reasoned; what do you expect from a painting? He watched a shadow peek out from behind one tree then another. From behind a rock a shadow rose. Like a five o’clock shadow it extended, further and further from each item. The base of the shadow stretched thinner and thinner; until an invisible thread snapped. A dozen or more befogging blobs loomed.

Dash crouched low teeth exposed, ears penned, and tail tucked away. James slipped the parchment back in his shirt and rose.

The shapeless wights travelled to form a group. Legs connected the blobs to the ground with jetting claws. Each one grew a head with a long snout.
Silhouettes of razor-sharp fangs appeared. At the other end, a bushy tail. The dense blackness void of both light or reflection faced him. They were eyeless and soundless. They matched Dash’s stance.

The only sound to be heard a single low rumbling growl from Dash.

“Easy,” the boy breathed.

As drool began to drop from Dash’s quivering lips.
The standoff persisted. Why should he be afraid of shadows, no matter what their shape? But he was afraid. Terrified to be exact.

The lead Darken stood tall and leaned forward. His mouth gapped open exposing more darkness. James thought of his magical boots. It appeared to be the ideal time to test them.

In one motion he turned toward the meadow, yelling, “run!”

Like a tempest with legs James began to run. His hair smoothed back in an aerodynamic style. The dog struggled to keep up. The Darkens did not run exactly. They seemed to shift from one shadow to the next. In a leapfrog fashion they pursued. James sprinted through an invisible curve that landed him in an Autumn Forest. Fallen leaves kicked up in his wake. Before he knew the arc shot him in a setting of snow. Still the chase pushed him. His legs felt weak, but he showed no signs of slowing. As he approached the painting on the door his boots kicked high, and he leaped in front of the Willow.

The Darkens formed a half circle around him. He started to climb the tree. Wolfs cannot climb, but then again, he was not facing a pack of wolves. The predators moved closer together and where one stopped and the other started blurred.

He failed his parents. The thought of that made his eyes water. The Darken half wall inched closer. Hope was lost.

A small breeze curled at his ear. The stirring wind moved the wall back and Willow whispered. “Use the light,” but he had no such light. No match, no torch, nothing. He had nothing. James thrusted his hands in his pockets. The boy had another rock. That he quickly hurled at the Darken. The rock split the mist with no impact. It never punched through on the other side. It was just gone. Like he too would be gone.

“The woven light of morning,” the voice whispered. Willow whispered.

James reached back in his back pocket and pulled out the folded web. He looked at the beastly wall. Then at the small, knitted web. The wall of darkness grew tall arcing toward the boy. Instinctively he bent low avoiding contact.

A wave of inspiration struck him. He unfolded the fabric and tossed it over his head, and as contact was made the Darken yelled in a silent scream and vanished.

Reviews

[Lorry]

If I could be so bold, I would suggest a spooky biscuits warning on such chapters. I'm only glad I left this one until the morning and didn't read it when the darken would get me last night! 😊
Now, once I get my breath back, I shall carry on reading... But only once I've slapped myself down into just a mild panic. 😊

[Cherrie Palmer]

When I was a kid my mom had a wig she sometimes wore. She kept it in her closet on a styrofoam head(that she painted a face on). I was terrified of that head. And would not go in her room without the light on.

[Lorry]

I'm not laughing, honest. 🙄

[Cherrie Palmer]

I hated that thing I was so glad when she got rid of it. Lol

[Lorry]

My mum went gretmy young and once gmher work friend talked her into dying her hair... It freaked me out and she never done it t again 😊

[lightsong]

Finally! James meets the dear wise Willow!

[knighngale]

wow, that was a good one! He barely made it. I love the shadows, the paintings, very morbid. :D Maynard. 😁😋😎😍🥱

[Cherrie Palmer]

Yes, I wanted to fire this chapter up. I'm glad you enjoyed it. 😊

[knighngale]

I did honey, most definatley did, 🤗😋

[KAREN]

Wow! The story gets more interesting!

[Cherrie Palmer]

It has been a lot of fun I hope to finish the next chapter tomorrow. :)

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

Cherrie, this chapter kept me at the end of my chair. I couldn't read fast enough! Enjoyed!

[Cherrie Palmer]

I'm so glad I hoped it would.

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

It was really good!

[Coyote Poetry]

Thank you dear Cherrie for sharing the amazing tale. I did enjoy. You know I love myth and tale.
Coyote

[Cherrie Palmer]

It's been fun I hope to work on it today. Only time will tell ⏲️
Thank you for taking time to read this through 😊

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed the story and you are welcome dear Cherrie.