Lucent Shadows

Chapter Three: Figment of Your Imagination

I looked down at the two fat pancakes laying seductfully upon one another on top of a white plate and my stomach growled with excitement. Maybe chocolate chip pancakes aren't so bad afterall.

After eating our breakfast, I was sure Zandra and I would both have diabetes. Zandra laughed at how convinced of this I was and we both walked out of the cafe happily to come across the sun setting in the distance. I stared up and watched the sky turn from a light blue to a mixture of reds, oranges, and yellows. This town was nothing exciting but it sure as hell had the best view when it came to sunsets.

"This is probably the prettiest sunset I've ever seen." Zandra stated as if she heard my thoughts.

'Yeah.. but the sunrise is ten times more beautiful. The sunset welcomes the darkness but the sunrise brings the light.' I thought to myself.

I slowly stood up from the grassy hill we were laying on and stretched out my sore muscles. I really shouldn't have agreed on laying down and watching the sun set. We were here for a while and it's gotten cold. I offered Zandra my hand and helped her up. She shivered and I immediately regretted staying out so late.

I began climbing back up the hill and towards the forest.

"Do we have to go this way?" Zandra asked, rubbing her arms and slowly walking with me. 

"Where do you live? I assume it's in town.. Which is on the other side of this forest..." I grinned.

"Yeah, but isn't there a road we can take that goes around it?" She scowled.

"Like I said earlier, it'll take at least two times longer that way and it'll be pitch black by then." A frown claimed Zandra's face. I sighed and took off my thick coat to drape around her.

"Wh-What're you.." She stuttered and an adorable blush stained her cheeks as I suddenly came close and placed my coat around her. 

"You were shivering. You should've brought a coat." I explained and walked into the woods. Zandra slowly followed after pulling my oversized coat onto her tiny frame as best as she could.

As we walked, I could feel the atmosphere of the woods change. During the day, it was my sanctuary but at night, it was the complete opposite. The moonlight cast shadows everywhere. And those shadows would turn into stalkers, hunting you as if you were easy prey, the kind they enjoyed toying with before the kill. I shook my head. A person would go mad if they didn't know the way out of these woods. 

I kept calm as the ominous shadows followed us with each step. Fear is a weakness, predators would prounce you with the slightest smell of it. I have no tolerance for such an emotion. Even if I did, this is no place to be scared. Shadows dance around you everyday and the monsters behind it are simply a figment of your imagination.

I heard a twig snap nearby and Zandra yelped with terror. I immediately began scanning the darkness for what caused the noise but was nearly tackled by the petite girl traveling with me. 

"Did you hear that?!" She half whispered, half squeaked.

I scanned the area again and focused all of my attention near an old twisted tree. In that spot stood a dark figure but within a blink, it was gone. I squeezed my eyes shut and blinked several more times, expecting it to be there again. It couldn't have been my imagination. Zandra's grip on me loosened and I pulled her close, dragging her quickly along the trail.

That man, who is he? A creature of darkness, a real one. Not my imagination like I used to think. I know better than that now. He needs to stay the hell away from me and the same goes for that henchman/minion/side-kick or whatever of his I just saw.