The Shadow Manipulator

Chapter 1: Myth or Legend?

It's getting dark! Not good! Not good at all! I quickly got off our school bus and looked at the seemingly endless road that lay in front of me. A few houses stood on both sides of the road, as if beckoning me to walk in the middle of it. As it got darker and darker, a few houses turned their lights on. The streetlights automatically switched on as well, lighting the road and giving it an eerie atmosphere. I shouldn't be here at this time of night! Oh no, not again.

Darkness has been my greatest phobia ever since my classmates locked me in my locker when I was in middle school. To me, it seemed like I've been there forever. All I could ever do at that time was pound on my locker with my fist. A teacher happened to pass by right before the school's closing time. She managed to open my locker and free me from that torment. Ever since that time, I've changed my opinion on dark places and enclosed ones. It always gives me the creeps every time I think about it.

I looked around as I tried to walk faster. A few streetlights blinked a few times, adding a scare to my imaginations.

Clank

I jumped from where I was, expecting a scary-looking creature to appear in front of me. To my great relief, it was just a cat, trying to find food in the heap of rubbish inside a garbage can. The cat snarled at me when it saw me looking at him. Sorry, I know you don't want to be disturbed. Enjoy your dinner. I thought.

I sighed in relief. I need to get home fast! My imagination is already creeping up to me.

I tried to ease myself as I took deep breaths. It's just a regular night. There's no need to be so frightened about it. Just a normal night. I reassured myself.

I continued walking briskly with my gaze focused on my feet. I could not bring myself to put my head up, thinking that something might appear right in front of me.

Every time I walk at these parts of the neighborhood, I could always sense someone staring into my soul. A mysterious presence seems to be following my every move and I could feel someone treading on every footstep of mine.

Something moved from a distance. Even though I know I'm scared out of my wits right now, I was pretty sure it wasn't my imagination. I mustered all my courage to look around...

But there was no one.

Not a single person passes by here at this time of day, after all.

The streetlights began to blink a few times once again. With bated breaths, I began to walk faster than ever. My imagination is now getting into me, I should stop imagining stuff. But I can't help it! This road just creeps me out.

Well, we're going to have beefsteak tonight. Maybe I should look forward to it.

The road still stretched a few yards away. By the time I reached the end of it, I'll be halfway there. I'd be getting home in no time. I thought optimistically, although it was obvious that I hardly made any progress.

I continued walking, forcing my mind to think of nothing else but dinner.

Suddenly, I saw it again. Out of the corner of my eye, something definitely moved. After seeing it a second time, my heart started racing. It was clearly not my imagination! I'm sure I saw a figure moved somewhere. I'm sure! I said to myself.

I started to panic like a sheep getting surrounded by wolves.

"Who are you?" I shouted.

There was no answer as my voice disappeared into the cold dark night.

That's when I started running.

I reached the intersection in no time. I glanced around. Fortunately, there was no one following me. Still, I quickened up my pace since I'm only halfway from home.