One Shots

The Darkness

Tears slowly stream down my face, burning the backs of my eyes.

I couldn't help her. This isn't my fault. A short whimper escapes my lips.

I stare off into the empty darkness and try not to think of her, of anything, really, just black. Breathe in, breathe out.

Finally, I close my eyes and fall onto my side. After an eternity, sleep envelopes my thoughts.

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I wake up in a cold sweat from what I presume must have been a nightmare. It takes me precisely one second to realize what is off. The warm touch of an arm wrapped around my waist and going up to my chest. The heat on my back and the soft hair brushing my neck.

I turn over but see no one. My heart begins to beat faster and I realize that I must still be dreaming. I turn back over and try to think of other things.

"John?" A soft voice pierces the air and I sit bolt upright.

"Who are you?"

"My-My name is Elaine." She almost sounds as if she's crying.

"Why are you here?" I ask. "And why can't I see you?"

"Why? I suppose because I have to be. As for you're other question, I'm afraid it's rather difficult to explain."

"Try. Please?" I say as I lean back onto my headboard.

"John, have you heard of The Darkness?" She asks.

"What, that old story they use to scare kids? Of course I have." I don't see where she is going with this.

"It's not a story, at least, not the one you heard. There is no factory where they make black blobs that come and eat all your cookies or whatever innocent story they told you." She seems serious.

"Are you trying to tell me that there is a life worse than having no cookies!? Not a one?" I say, slightly mocking her.

"John, I'm serious. Something is going to happen and you don't want to be on the wrong side when it does."

"So if you're serious, what is really going on?" I ask, starting to believe her.

"An uprising from Hell." She says plainly.

"Wow, that's comforting." I say sarcastically.

"The Darkness is based off of the old history books. This has all happened before, and it will keep happening until our boss finds who he is looking for." She says.

"Our? You're one of them?" I ask slightly frightened.

"Yes, and you can hate me all you want later, but I am honestly trying to help you."

"So, what? You're some kind of big black blob?" I ask, my priorities on the whack.

"Not exactly." She steps into the spot of moonlight seeping through my blinds. She has a beautiful figure and long dark hair that falls mid-waist. She's more of a silhouette than an actual girl. I notice her starting to fade away.

"No! Don't leave!" She steps out of the light.

"Don't worry, it's just, um, just that I can't stay in the light very long. You know, The Darkness." I smile.

"Oh, of course. I knew that." I say sarcastically.

We sit in silence for a while. Well, I don't know if she's sitting but I am, so, I'll count it. My phone screams awake. I look at it. 6:00.

"That's my alarm for school... It's going to be light soon."

"That's why I ought to be leaving." I can't hear her moving but somehow, after a second, I know she must be standing at the door.

"You'll be back tomorrow, right?" I ask.

"Promise." She says and walks out of the room.