Warfang [(Book One)]

Chapter Ten

We spent hours on it, we managed to get a few in place, but not all of them. Hopefully I can figure this thing out by the morning.

I closed my journal again and held the cube above my face toying with it more. I think I got another one. I twisted one of the sides and it clicked into place. Alright, two more and I get my prize!
"I'll finish it tomorrow." I said aloud as I set it down on my nightstand and rolled over looking out the window into the dark skies, and slipping off to sleep.

                              ✝️

I rubbed my eyes and slowly sat up, checking the clock and it flashed 3:42 in red neon. I groaned and layed back down. I glanced over at the cube, it still quietly sitting where I left it before bed.
Crack
I shot up, the sound echoing through the hallway outside my bedroom. I looked around for some kind of weapon, and found my old little league bat. I grabbed it from the wall and slowly crept to my door, the wood floor cold on my bare feet.
Whoever it is will never expect a scrawny teenager in his pajamas and a tiny bat to attack!

I chuckled quietly and I heard another SNAP, down the hall, this one much louder. I presses against the wall and slowly opened the door, leaping out into the hallway with my best battle cry. I was met with silence. I snuck down the hall, wielding my deadly super bat. Lame. Idiot. I shook my head and slowly padded down the stairs, peeking over the handrail and down into the living room. I heard more sounds coming from the kitchen. I stepped off the staircase and looked past the couch into the kitchen. I froze as the figure slowly turned around and stared at me. With what, I don't know because the first thing I thought, where the frick are it's eyes?!
I slowly took a step back, the wood creaking under my foot, and it flinched, as if afraid of the sudden noise. I raised an eyebrow and it mimicked me. As if a shadow of myself. I raised an arm, and it did the same. I scratched my head, it copied. I did a quick spin, it copied. Huh. I should be scared, but this is fascinating. I slowly walked towards it, and it towards me. It stopped just a few feet from me. It blinked it's empty sockets, the silhouette holding out a hand, like it wanted me to shake it.
"Sorry, but I don't shake hands with shadow mimes." I laughed nervously and it dropped its hand slowly, as if disappointed.

We stood across from each other for several minutes before it clenched it's fists and pointed a single finger at me.  It's mouth opened, and I didn't like what came out. It's voice sounding like a fork scraping across a glass plate, rattling my brain, it spoke. "I.. Have.. Found... You.. Child." It forced out as if it just learned these words.

"Uh, what?"

"You.. Must.. Not.. Solve.. The.. Puzzle. Certain.. Death.. Awaits."

"Certain death huh? I'd rather not die thanks."
It let out some sort of cackle and it's eyes started to glow a bright blue, like the light in the cave.
I took several steps back and it's voice rose to a shout. "GIVE ME THE CUBE"

It's voice sent out a Shockwave, sending me flying off into the nearest hutch. Glass shattered against me and I fell to the floor hard, my breath gone. I took in a deep breath and stood shakily.
"No. Not when I'm so close!" I grabbed my bat and threw it like a javelin, the shadow dissipated, then reformed only inches away, wrapping its cold hand around my throat.
"Then..you..will...die." As it's grip tightened, my lungs screamed from lack of air.
This is how I die.. Killed by a shadow. My last thought before all breath escaped me, and I slipped into darkness.