The Enchantments: Book 3 - The Key of Sorcen

Chapter 23: Soul Searching

The interior of Ned Procras's house was as plain and drab as the outside. A light mist of dirt hung from the air and when one passed over them small particles floated into the air. He led them through a small room cramped on every wall with large stacks of musty newspapers. The windows seemed to be covered with years of grime turning the light from outside a pale dull gray. Ned ushered them into a large den covered thoroughly in newspapers as well. The stench of old paper filled the air.

"Mr. Procras how did you know we were coming?" Marlanda asked trying but failing to get the reek out of the nose.

"Ned, please call me Ned."

"Alright Ned, how did you know?"

"Over the last few years, I've been trying to keep up with everything the Soul Shadow's been doing. A little while ago I came upon an article that told of a small girl and the search she was on. Looking for several artifacts that till this day were never fully explained, I've tried my best to keep up with her travels on the small amount of information available. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew somehow everything the Soul Shadow stood for was related to what that girl was searching for and I guess I was right." He walked over to a large armchair and sat down.

Marlanda stepped forward and took a seat on a loveseat just opposite where Ned had seated. Shawn and Crazy stood back at first then moved behind her.

"You are correct we are also part of that search, this creature has information we need to unlock a certain artifact, but he's been very elusive and very cunning. Whenever we get close he tricks us in one way or another." Marlanda said.

"Yes, he does have that way about him." Ned chuckled.

"Mister I really don't think it's funny," Shawn said in disdain.

"I'm sorry I never meant it that way. You see I've been following this creature for years and he always seems to be one step ahead of everyone that pursues him."

Marlanda shuffled in her seat, "Please Mr. Procras you have to tell us what you know. If we're to find this creature we have to stand at least a step ahead."

Ned stared directly at them his breathing slow and deliberate. "I'll tell you the story of the Soul Shadow, from there you're on your own do I make myself clear?"

Marlanda, Shawn, and Crazy stared at each other a silent agreement forming between them. Finally, she looked back at Ned and nodded.

Ned Procras smiled then shifted in his own chair to get comfortable. "You might want to get out your pad and paper Mr. Crazy you'll want to get all of this. Everybody ready, fine, then lets start at the beginning."

You've read the story I wrote about the Soul Shadow and my initial meeting with him. Well, what I'm about to tell you is the obsession I felt after that initial encounter. It almost tore me apart and created in me a will to find the truth.

After the death of my mother I was torn up inside, not just about losing her but about what I had seen in that hospital room. The funeral was a small affair, just my mother's friends and a few of her relatives that were still around. The day we buried her was bright and sunny, but not for me. Images of that creature ran through my head and it almost overtook me, I found it really hard to concentrate on the funeral. It was then I decided to spend my remaining time to come up with the truth.

A few days after my grieving period I set to work. My first step was to try and find other references of the creature and I went back to my newspaper to get those. In the archives, I found several references to the creature all hidden behind different events.