Shield of Darkness Part 2 (555 hits)
Category: Quotes & StoriesRating: 2 on 5 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Arcane <Arcane884.at.yahoo.com> (View user info) at 2004-12-04 00:58:22 EST
You can find the first one here http://www.ubersite.com/m/53001
When I first forced myself into this captivity I used to turn on my flashlight or lantern every few hours so my eyes could handle light if need be. Regrettably I had been grossly unprepared, forced to grab what I could and flee. My supply of batteries dwindled every week until a combination of complacency and self rationing convinced me to end this practice.
It hit me hard. The blur coalesced only in time for unconsciousness. It was a sure sign of my weakness; months ago a hit like that may have knocked the wind out of me but not knock me out completely. My physical strength is the reason I survived so long but now my only strengths were patience, time and brooding resentment. I traveled far to reach this abandoned mine and the protection of my family and other survivors is what kept me on the journey. However, by the time I arrived our numbers had dwindled to one. They never chased after us because they were always there waiting in the light. While we hid in basements and sewers they roamed what we once ruled. The darkness was maddening to some and lonely to others no matter how many people they traveled with. Those monsters always welcomed a desperate move into radiance with open arms and sinister smiles. Others fell due to accidents, when one relies on sight their whole life fleeing to a world of darkness is a dangerous endeavor. A few turned out to be their own worst enemies, choosing death on their own terms rather than be at the mercy of their assailants. Many fell for the false visions of hope or threatening apparitions of doom our attackers wielded as bait bringing them to a place they could do harm, to a place we all once felt safe, the light of day. Many more suffered from the same problem I suffered from now, weakness. Days of running and fear make you tired; months of waiting and hiding make you feeble. Given enough time they will find you and when they do you must be strong enough to fight or all is lost.
When I came to I expected to see heaven only to find the familiar walls of an abandoned mine. My clothes were wet and I could see my water bucket next to me over turned along with that phosphorescent slime those freaks shed when they got hit with water. The fact that I could see meant it was still near by so I lifted my head, eyes closed, waiting to see another wonderful apparition of my past. Who would it be this time my wife, my children, that guy I demanded not open the door? My eyes opened to see my best friend in the second grade missing a leg, deformed and suspiciously alive once again with a torch by its side. He had drowned while we were fishing.
"Look what I caught Cecil! It must be the biggest fish in the lake" He said this as he pulled it over the side of the canoe, "Remember when you caught all the big ones? I can catch them too now and this is bigger than anything you've ever showed off. How's it feel Cecil...? How's it feel to be second place?" While he stood up to show me what he had I shot back, "How's it feel to be wet" and shook the canoe.
I had no idea he couldn't swim but that didn't matter because I could. When I jumped into the water I quickly grabbed his hand and I knew it would be a matter of seconds before I got him to the surface. This was great because then I could wipe that smug smile off his face and I could throw in his face the fact that I saved his life. Only I wasn't strong enough to pull him from the sea weed. I blame my self but I was ready to see him again. Those monsters had already played on every fear and failure I had and it was only a matter of time before they would try to remind me of my friend, my victim. Funny thing was that bastard could barely hold the form of my friend. The water had completely taken off one of its limbs and I could tell it was using all the strength left in its corrupted body to keep this form just to spite me because it knew it was over.
I stood up and walked over to the creature, "Waters not the only thing you hate is it? Lights out old friend." I stepped on the torch and stamped out the flame. While it screamed in agony from the venomous darkness I could faintly hear my self mutter, "I'm sorry buddy"
This mine was no longer safe and it was only a matter of time before more of its kind came for me. I turned on my flash light in short burst to get to my things so I could move on.
User Reviews
Submitted by Snark (user info) at 2004-12-04 11:10:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Better than the first.
Good effort.
Submitted by bargled (user info) at 2004-12-04 05:02:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by arcane (user info) at 2004-12-04 04:13:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Ha thanks for the reply. I try to run it through word before I post but I guess that just promotes lazyness when it comes to proof reading. Glad you liked it.
Submitted by Circe (user info) at 2004-12-04 04:06:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
That "It was better in my head thing"? We all have that, some more than others and me more than most. You can sense the shape of it; the trick is getting as much of it as you can to solidify with words. This is something I usually don't do as well as I'd like.
That said, I really like this story. Work on your grammar, though, because it's distracting.
Nice job.
Submitted by arcane (user info) at 2004-12-04 01:36:32 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Im starting to think this story was a whole lot cooler when it was still in my head. I try to post better stuff in the future.