The War Within

Chapter 4

Chapter Four

            “What do you plan to do now?” Adam asked me as I lay on my back on a makeshift bed he arranged with several blankets and a pillow for me to sleep on. He was lying in his own bed staring up at the ceiling just like I was.

            “I don’t really know. I don’t want to go back there though. I need some space and some time to clear my head.” I sighed. I had told him everything that had transpired not too long ago and he readily invited me to stay the night or as many nights as I would need. “Maybe I overreacted. I mean, he really does care, I think… I’m not sure. Doesn’t matter now does it? What’s done is done.”

            “Dude, you did nothing wrong.” Adam consoled me. “You did what you had to do and it’s over with. There’s no going back and changing things so stop dwelling on it and get some shut eye. You could use it after today. A lot happened and you’ve practically got yourself kicked out. You need some time to relax and recharge.”

            “You’re right. I should shut up and go to sleep. Besides, we have school tomorrow… unfortunately.” I turned over onto my side and pulled the covers up to my chin to keep warm. Not long after, exhaustion overtook me and I was sleeping like a rock.

            A dark chill ran up and down my spine in a rhythmic motion. I shuddered at the bitter cold that bit at my body and soul. I felt as if my whole body was freezing over and I was drowning in an icy lake. Just as I was about to reach the edge of unconsciousness, a blazing hot hand coiled around mine.

It yanked me out of the icy waters and into a scorching inferno of pain and agony. I screamed, but no one heard. I fought, but there was no resistance and no oppressor. I withered on the floor in excruciating anguish that rippled throughout my body like flames. I could not figure out what was going on or where I was, that is, until I finally managed to open my eyes.

My eyes slowly cracked open to reveal a blood red shadow that swam over me in the dark nothingness that encompassed me. I could see absolutely nothing aside from the shadow. There was nothing aside from the shadow.

The pain sluggishly began to recede to nothingness as well, until I reached the point where I could once again summon the strength to stand. I stood as tall as I possibly could and looked around the darkness as the blood red shadow made itself my only companion. It grew into a figure much like a human shadow painted in blood. I stared at it in fearful fascination that enraptured my every thought.

A dreadfully thunderous cackle echoed all around me without warning or prompting. I trembled at the sound even as it began to die down and reside within the shadow man. Lazily, he transformed into a man dressed in all black from head to foot in a dress suit, dress shoes, top hat, and holding a black brief case in his left hand. His face was obscure and his form reeked of arrogant confidence. I took a step back at the sight of him, but just as I did this the dark nothingness instantaneously altered into blinding white light. The contrast between his darkness and the light surrounding us was stark. So stark, in fact, that I had to shield my eyes until they were able to adapt to their new environment.

He stepped forward and I took another away from him. A smirk seemed to darken his face further but still he remained an ambiguous creature. Once again, he came towards me and I once more backed away. This continued a few more times in what was like a distant dance of dread. Abruptly, he stopped and let out another cackle like the sounding of a gunshot combined with the resonance of a low explosion. He froze in place and then suddenly I came to find him standing directly in front of me.