Hidden In The Shadows

A Dead Love Story

I left college that day and fell straight onto my bed without word to anyone, jumping into a peaceful slumber where I would find everyone alive and well.

Early next morning, my mind woke to the sound of my familiar alarm indicating that today was yet another mundane day. Pushing past the trauma of the previous day, a recollection flickered through my mind. The thought of Sam and his wife who must be heart-broken at the disappearance of her husband and it was now up to me to deliver the news of his death.

I sighed. No time like the present I suppose I needed a distraction anyway. I had a free period just before lunch which gave me approximately 2 hours to go to his house and back before my next lesson. Searching for the paper, I looked up the address and found it to be a 15 minute walk from college. I needed to be quick. Just deliver the news and out. But wait.. Didn't Grim say she was important somehow? I guess I'll find out when I get there.

Entering the school gates, my heart fell in my stomach. I couldn't get the sight of Cindy out of my mind. There was an aura about the building I couldn't put my finger on. It was like the ghosts of the murdered people still roam around seeking revenge. There seemed to be an imaginary grey bubble around the school which cut it off from society, almost like there was no place for it. All the trees around it were barren and dead, contrasting to the vivid green hedges which stood proudly in the sky further down the street. It was as though the ground around had been poisoned. That or mother nature disagreed with the actions of the school and decided that they were no longer worthy of her compassion. An ambience of gloom choked the air around. Evil happenings were proven with multiple deaths. Does that have anything to do with my kidnapping? Of course not. They happened in separate places.

The day drifted by without a care in the world, but with every minute counting down, the sweat building up on my forehead and palms became heavier and heavier until *RRIIINNGG* the bell for the end of second period dragged me back, like church bells at an execution.

I grabbed my crutches and headed straight out knowing the time limit that stood above my head and the secrets that were about to be uncovered needed as much time as they could get to unfold. I speed-limped down the street, my breathing becoming erratic and unnatural.

"Slow down or you'll ruin your leg even more."
Surprised (and a little shook), I turned quickly to see the nature of the voice, but to my dismay there was no one there. I turned back around and in front of me was empty as well. I was going mad. I knew it.

"You see, people look around, but never up." The voice called out from above my head. Surprised again, I looked up to find floating in mid-air riding his scythe like Aladdin's magic carpet; his jet-black hair dancing to the rhythm of the wind,  uncovering his skull-like facial features. It was the Grim Reaper yet again. I sighed exasperrated.
"Don't you have souls to take or something?"
"Maybe."
"Doesn't a person die every 4 seconds?"
"That's true."
"So why are you not taking their souls?"
"I have apprentices to take care that while I'm busy."
"Busy doing what? Annoying me?"
"I'm not annoying I'm helping."
"Helping what?"

"You're going to Samuel Rogers' house aren't you?"
"What if I am?"
"Beware of one thing. She gets quite emotional."
"Oh great! I only have an hour and a half to tell her without her blubbering you know."
"And for her to tell you some clues about the person you're finding."
"Clues? So that's the secret?"
"Yup." He replied popping the 'p'

"Why do I have to find this person?"
"Rather you find them than them kill you. Also, one more clue: you are right, don't doubt yourself you have good instincts."
"About what?"
"About the fact that the girls who were killed and the person who attempted to murder you are the same."
"What?"
"You heard me."
"But I was thinking that."
"And I can read minds of people I choose."
"So tell me who kidnapped me then!"
"Afraid I can't." He half-sighed "I can't mess with fate. It's your fate to find out who did this; I can just help along the way."