Forlot - Books 1-3 {Completed}

Chapter Eight

My eyes fluttered open.

"Huh?"

I was lying on my stomach. I tried getting up off the ground, but it was no use. My muscles ached severely.

"W-what happened?"

I looked at my surroundings.

No trees. No sky.

No actual ground.

Just darkness. Blackness.

Where was I?

"Damian! Maxine!" I called.

No response from either of them.

"Paul!" I called to the bus driver, hoping to get a reply.

Still no response.

My body shook in fear. I wanted to run. Run away from this place as far as I could. But I could not. I could not even stand up.

Then I heard footsteps. Steady footsteps.

I whimpered - yes, I whimpered - as the sound of the footsteps came closer and closer.

Close to me.

The noise soon stopped, and I spotted two black boots in front of me.

Those boots look familiar. Where have I seen them?

I carefully raised my head...

...and saw Shade.

He was staring directly at me, smiling with glee.

"S-Shade?" I choked out.

"Hello, Nigel Sanders," he spoke in a low voice. He got down on his knees and brushed his black hair. I could now see both of his eyes. "It is a pleasure to meet you personally."

"Meet me? You saw me on the bus. We already met."

"Yes, but we have not yet chatted, have we?" Shade gripped the sides of my face. His hand was cold.

Like the shadow's. From my dream.

"Where is it?" he demanded.

"Where is what?" I questioned.

"The stone."

"What stone?"

"Do not lie to me, Nigel. Just tell me the truth, and I will leave you alone."

"I am serious! I have no idea what you are talking about!"

Shade let go of my face, and I coughed. "I apologize in advance, Nigel. You left me no other choice." I cried out as he grabbed my neck and hoisted me off the dark ground.

"Shade!" I exclaimed. "Do not do this!"

He chuckled darkly. "Why should I when I am the shadow from your latest dream?" All of a sudden, he started to change. His skin changed from light-colored to dark-colored.

Black.

His clothes disappeared, and in place of his human eyes were red eyes.

Glowing. Staring at me.

It was him. The shadow from my dream. The one who was going to choke me to death.

"If you will not bring me the stone, then I will kill you," the shadow stated.

"No!" I pleaded. "No, no, noooo!"