Providence

The Shadow Keeper

Short story based on the picture above. I do not own the picture, nor know who does.

The Shadow Keeper

I leaned against the alley wall, my breathe heavy. How long had I been running? I had no idea. I had lost track a long time ago. Hopefully they had too. My pursuers might have better equipment and reinforcements, but none of them could compete with one of Us. The cursed. Those special few who had... abilities. The social outcasts, the ones hated by everyone.

I sighed, glancing down at my wrist, where I knew the deactivated tracking chip was, implanted in me at a young age. Without it on, I had managed to escape the hellhole I had been forced to live in, being used as a guinea pig. I shook my head to get rid of the memories as best I could. No time to go to memory lane now. I needed to find a safe house. And as I recalled, there was one hidden in this block. I just needed a distraction.

There was no other way. I'd have to use my power. I took a deep breath and pushed off from the wall.

I'll spare you the details of the actual process, as it's quite gruesome and altogether painful, but after a few minutes I finally had it. An identical copy of me stood firm, ready for my command.. But that was perfect for now.

"Distract." I said clearly, taking the copy by the shoulders and pushing it out of the alley. That would keep the seekers busy long enough for me to get away.

As I ran through the winding roads, I heard the sound of fireworks, followed by gunshots, and I knew my plan had worked. I was to the safe house before the caught my copy I had to duck into a few allies and go down into the subway, but I was there. My neck tingled uncomfortably, a familiar feeling that came whenever a clone of mine was killed. I rubbed it as I walked along the train tunnel. Finally, I found what I was looking for. A small, rusted door was hidden along the wall, a small sign pinned on it that said;

Danger.

Licensed Personnel only.

I had found the safe house. Now to get in. Let's see if I remembered what to do. Was it five, or six? I decided to go with the latter.

I knocked six times, softly. On the final knock a key pad popped up. A dog barked in the distance, scaring me. My palms were sweaty, so I quickly wiped them on my worn pants and typed in the passcode I had found earlier hidden in an abandoned Cursed housing facility.

61628.

After a terrifying few seconds, the door popped open and I slipped inside. It was dark inside, but that was to be expected. The door closed behind me, bringing with it a sense of security that had been lacking for months. I was finally safe. At least until I was kicked out of this place too. I ran a hand through my hair and sighed. It was no use thinking about that now.

In front of me, a light turned on, illuminating a door at the end of the hallway I was in. I took a steadying breath, and walked toward it. The light flickered as I knocked on the door. There was no answer.

"Hello?" I called out, leaning against the door. My back itched and I glanced behind me. Nothing.

"What's the password?" A muted voice asked through the door. I sighed in relief.

"The cursed demon hopes for a healing angel." Hopefully, that was still the code for sanctuary. There was a click of a lock as the door swung open. I tumbled in through the small opening.

After righting myself I looked for my savior.

"Thanks. For a second there I thought nobody was-" nobody was behind the door.

"Here," I finished. "Where did he go?" I scanned the room. It was full of half-filled boxes and other old junk. I picked up an old doll. The paint on its face had partly worn off and it was missing an arm. Creepy. I shoved that thing deep inside one of the boxes, glancing back at it every so often as I travelled forward.