The Unknown Darkness

Tremlarium

"We have a hideout not far from here. I was sent to go check out the 'UFO' everyone said they saw. But most people now a days are in fact insane. They can't hold a serious conversation without breaking down in laughter. The radiation sure did do a number to everyone's head.

"You sure don't talk a lot. That's okay for however long you were in space it was probably enough to miss out on today's new society. To fill you in, the government was working on a nuclear weapon to threaten people into peace. They 'said' they were never going to use it, but hey who knows.

"When we get to Tremlarium, don't stare. Their charming looks went straight down the drain. Some have blue even green-pigmented skin. Some have outrageous growth issues for example with their height or hands. So definitely no staring. The only reason I look semi-normal is cause my family was always suspicious about the government. We lived in a bunker under our house most of my life. The only thing is when we came to the surface our brown hair turned yellow." Skylar sifted his hand through his hair. He sure did talk a lot, he didn't even hesitate to breath.

He led the group through alleyways and passages. Every now and then he would turn back and glance if everyone was keeping up. He comments how they were like mice since no one made a peep on the way there. Rowan couldn't take his eyes off of him. How amazed she was when he talked Roger out of staying alone at the bar. She thought after that sight of the Night Walker, is what Skylar called it, he was crazy for still wanting to be by himself.

"The next town isn't that far. Murray is where Tremlarium is located. During the spring we stay underground. The Night Walkers usually come out during cold seasons. Tomorrow should be the first day of warm sunshine. Y'all will get to experience life in our little civilization. Not something we expect you to call home, but it's the closest thing we have."

Arriving in Tremlarium was nerve wreaking. Even for Skylar. He was sure jealousy might strike from the untouched bodies of the radiation. The crew still had rosy cheeks and normal height for the average human.

The radiation swept through the streets causing everything to crumble on which it stood on. Even the people look abnormal. The crew presently doesn't see the earth how they left it. It was now unknown and foreign to them making them fell like aliens. A pale light illuminates the near hallway intensely. Florissant it almost seems like. Skylar confidently leads the new arrivals into that very hallway. It's narrow especially to someone claustrophobic. Candles burn dimly on each side of the walls. The light isn't enough though, for Sophia stumbles over pieces of trash littering the corridor. Rowan reaches out steadying her carefully.

"Thanks," she breaths.

At the end of the hall is a faded red door. Wilted flowers lay strung on wire around it. Carvings etch all over the wood. Some names, some initials, and one in a thick black marker Tremlarium.

"Before we enter, be warned that he doesn't take kindly to ignorance so act like you know what you're talking about."

Inside, there is empty but a single desk. At eh desk, sitting a firm figure scribbling away on crumbled paper. He works by a candlestick dripping white ooze onto the dingy cement floor. The walls had every inch filled with spray paint stained forever of notes, maybe reminders. Little pictures too of people and plants.

"What?" The person at the desk doesn't hesitate his writing for a second once he speaks. The hinges squeak sharply by the slightest movement giving away someone or something had entered. The stranger doesn't even turn his head for a glance.

Skylar answers obediently, "The crash, sir, there were survivors. Four to be exact." He bows politely eyeing the man.

"Great, more mouths to feed. Inject them and send them on their marry way." The man's voice is raspy yet deep. His hair is strung back into a braid across his back that starts a rich brown at his scalp but fades to a withery grey.