Seventeen Shadows

C1: The Prophecy

Zander sat in the dimly lit room, the faint light from the single bulb casting eerie shadows on the walls. He had just finished reading the letter that had mysteriously appeared on his doorstep that morning. His hands trembled as he tried to comprehend the gravity of the words. It was a prophecy, one that foretold his death unless he took drastic measures. Seventeen lives in exchange for his own.

The letter was written in an ancient script, but Zander could somehow understand it perfectly. It spoke of a curse placed upon his family generations ago, a curse that demanded blood to sustain the life of the chosen. Zander was the chosen one, and his time had come. He had always thought the stories his grandmother told him were just that—stories. But now, with the letter in his hands, he knew they were real.

He felt a cold sweat break out across his forehead. The idea of killing even one person was abhorrent to him, let alone seventeen. But the letter made it clear: if he did not comply, his life would end on the seventeenth day from now. The clock was ticking, and he had no choice but to act. His survival instincts kicked in, and he knew he had to find a way to carry out this grim task.

Zander's mind raced as he considered his options. Who would he kill? How would he do it? He couldn't go to the police; they would never believe him, and even if they did, they would lock him up. He was on his own. He thought about the people in his life, wondering who would be the easiest to target. But every face that came to mind made his stomach churn with guilt.

He knew he couldn't delay. If he was going to survive, he needed to start now. He decided to begin with strangers, people who wouldn't be missed. It would be easier that way, he told himself. Less emotional. He grabbed his coat and headed out into the night, the letter clutched tightly in his hand. The cool night air hit his face as he stepped outside, and he took a deep breath to steady his nerves.

As he walked through the dark streets, he spotted his first potential victim. A man sitting alone on a bench, looking lost and vulnerable. Zander's heart pounded in his chest as he approached the man. He knew what he had to do, but his body resisted. He felt paralyzed by fear and moral conflict. But then he remembered the letter and the prophecy. If he didn't do this, he would die.

With a surge of determination, Zander made his move. He struck quickly, his hands trembling as he delivered the fatal blow. The man's eyes widened in shock, then went blank. Zander stood over the body, breathing heavily. He had done it. The first of seventeen. As he walked away from the scene, he felt a mix of relief and horror. There was no turning back now. The countdown had begun