Denial is the first thing that hits me, and it hits me hard. I know I didn't throw that knife, and I definitely know it didn't hit my brother and best friend. I mean, that just couldn't have happened, but deep down I know I'm just lying to myself. I can't physically tear my eyes away from where I threw it. What a wretched thing that knife is; I wish Skylar had never given it to me.
I watch in horror as Skylar and Jason lay there in agony, screaming at the top of their lungs. It sounds like they are saying something but I can't make out what it is; my world has gotten foggy and confusing. I think I can understand one word: Why? The tears fall, and I choke on them in my throat. Why? I have no idea, I just know it's all my fault. And then rage hits, and all I can do is hyperventilate and scream.
“NO! NO, NO, NO!!! THIS ISN'T HAPPENING!!! NO! JUST MAKE IT STOP!”
Then as I am staring at them in pure rage, they fade away. Surely they didn't just die. I instantly feel like I can't breathe, like an elephant is sitting on my chest. I didn't just kill them, I know I didn't just kill them...
“GIVE THEM BACK,” I demand, screaming as loud as I can, “YOU DID THIS, AND YOU'RE GOING TO PAY.” I see the rough outline of the thing rushing towards me, and I run full speed towards it. I let my fury feed the fire, and I let loose the darkest part of me into the world, and onto the shadow man. I claw, kick, punch, growl, tear, gnash, and do everything to make this thing hurt as bad as he has hurt me, but pure aggression isn't enough. For someone to win a fight they must be both physically and emotionally stable, and my emotions are completely out of whack (and there's the whole ordeal with my ankle, but that isn't even on my mind now). The shadow man knocks me to the ground with his fist and puts his foot over my chest to signify my defeat. By now I feel as though I deserve to die. I have let everyone down, and probably killed the ones I care about most. I make one final decision: it doesn't matter what happens to me, but I will do anything to get them back. The shadow man, almost reading my mind, leans in close to whisper—
“Doz youz wantz to endz thiz Nezszie? Doz youz wantz to endz thiz for themss?”
“Yes...” My voice is so weak, and it shakes with sobs.
“Wellssz, then youz willz comez withz meez intoz thoze woodz, and willingzly letz me putz thiz necklaze onz youzz...”
This stops me. Somehow all along I knew this would come, but I didn't realize how it would feel. Giving up my life. However, up until this moment, I haven't had a reason to give it up, but if I could somehow get back the two people I have lost, by simply giving myself away, I'll do it in a heartbeat.
“If I go, Skylar and Jason go free.”
“Ofz courze Nezszie...”
“And Mr. Marsh and everyone else.”
“I getz itz Nezszie...”
“Promise.” I demand. The figure sighs a long, exaggerated sigh, apparently annoyed.
“I promisssze...”
“Okay...then you can take me...”
I look back at my house one last time, before the shadow man drags me away into the woods.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am rudely awakened by a tall figure. I groggily look to my side and see Skylar still passed out beside me. Then I hear the voice of the man, and for a second I think I recognize it.
“Jason, Skylar, come on!”
Who is this? I have to know. I try to sit up, but them am knocked back down by the pain in my shoulder.
YOU ARE READING
The Endless Night
Action"...never walk out alone..." Rumors have haunted the property around the little cottage for years. Vanessa Görtz and her family have just moved in and her parents are taking these rumors seriously. Vanessa decides to take matters into her own hands...
