Dark Embrace was and is originally featured on the Legions of the Night website by Midnight Syndicate, www.legionsofthenight.com. However, with it having been set in Whispery Hollow, I felt it deserved a place here among the shadows of the other stories who call Whispery Hollow home. I am currently working on another tale for the town of Lovelady, so in the meantime, enjoy the feel of this Dark Embrace, and Please visit my friends at Midnight Syndicate's Legions of the Night. The night calls once more so I must be going.
Until next time,
W. R. Frady
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Dark Embrace©
Night had long since settled over the small town of Whispery Hollow, bringing with it a chill that now contaminated the air. The usually busy streets were empty and lifeless, save for a stray dog that ran down the road. It stopped only long enough to bark at something only its eyes could see in an overshadowed alleyway before scampering off into the darkness. A frigid midnight breeze swept through the town, snatching some of the remaining leaves from the trees and rattling the branches like old bones disturbed from their eternal rest.
Shelley drifted down the empty main street as if she were unable to control her own feet. She could feel the pull, the call that compelled her onward, summoning her to the central fountain. The vacant eyelike windows of the various shops and other buildings seemed to stare blankly at her as she passed them by. Their unfeeling gaze offered no comfort to her. The icy breath of the mid-autumn’s night chilled her through her nightgown, inducing a shiver that quickly washed over the rest of her body. Somewhere clock tower bells tolled, announcing the turning of the hour. The cobblestone road beneath her feet was cold and hurt with every step. Though she strode at an even pace, following the main street toward the town square, Shelley, in her mind could see herself back in the warm comforts of her bedroom, where the gentle glow of the fireplace would soothe her as she slept.
She rounded a corner that fully exposed her to the evening breeze, blowing her nightgown behind her as she walked. The linen folds danced in the night like ghostly arms reaching out to grasp at the shadows. In the distance, she could see the town square. By the central fountain stood a dark figure, set apart from the shadows only by the glow of the iridescent of the lamplight. There was an unsettling familiarity about him, a grim recognition, though; she was still to far away to be sure. Her heart pounded against her chest like a fist, forcing the blood to course through her veins at a deafening roar.
The solitary figure watched evenly as Shelley approached. When she had grown close enough, he extended his hand, as would a gentleman who was welcoming the arrival of his lady. His eyes were cold, intense and seemed to pierce her soul with a razor’s edge. A grim smile formed upon his lips, as if to ease the tension that welled up inside of her. A lump formed in her throat that she tried futilely to swallow but to no avail. Unable to resist, she reluctantly offered her own hand to meet his. Her eyes grew wide as they came to recognize the stranger who stood before her.
“Jacob Barclay.” She muttered, remembering the enigmatic businessman that she had met at the town dance just nights before. He was relatively new to Whispery Hollow, having moved here just over a couple of months ago. Although Shelley found him strangely attractive, the dismally somber hues of his clothing, as well as the demure, but not rude manner in which he presented himself, made her wary of him.
“Ah, Lady Shelley,” he said gently grasping her hand, enclosing it within his own. His sepulchral voice lulled her even closer with its warm and inviting tones. “It is too chilly a night to be wondering out by yourself.”
Shelly nodded, unable to find her voice. “Why can’t I speak?” She thought, her mind racing. She drew near to him, the clammy touch of his cold hand made her shudder involuntarily.
“Pardon the chill of my hands, my dear.” He explained. “I’m not quite the fiery youth that I was once, and my circulation isn’t what it used to be, particularly in my extremities. “ His eyes seemed to stare through her, making her feel like a helpless child staring into the dark for the first time. She wanted to run, wanted to flee from the cold streets and the presence of Jacob Barclay, and hide her face in the arms of her loving if overprotective father.
“My child, why are you trembling?” Jacob inquired sensing her fear. “Are you frightened?” His voice changed to a more soothing tone to ease Shelley’s nerves.
“Y…yes…” She stammered, surprised at being able to speak for the first time. “…And cold.” She used her remaining hand to gather her nightgown around her.
“Why are you frightened?” He asked in a low gentle tone.
“I… I don’t know, really.” She said shakily, finding her voice once more. Her eyes were lost in the timeless void behind Jacobs stone gray orbs. “I was in my bedroom sleeping, when I felt the call of someone or something calling me here.” Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, though she couldn’t tear her gaze away from his.
“Do you think that it was I who summoned you here?” He questioned her, raising an eyebrow. “After all, my dear girl, as you can see, I am the only one here, other than yourself. “ He smiled wryly exposing a quartet of long, dagger-like teeth, which slightly overlapped his bottom lip. At the sight of this, an icy chill ran down her spine. “If you think this,” he whispered hoarsely, drawing her closer, “what else could I be possibly capable of?” His gentle embrace became as a steel vice, crushing her fragile form against him. Shelley fought futilely, attempting to pull away from this monster who had the face of a man, but she may as well had been a small child struggling to pull away from a grown man.
Jacob’s warm smile became a grin of sadistic pleasure as he held her against him. He breathed in deeply, his nostrils filled with the burning, sweet scent of the lifeblood, which now thundered through her body like a wild river. The sound of her heart pounding from the immense fear that wracked her body, echoed like a drum in his ears. The sensation was almost intoxicating, and he basked in the heat of the moment, savoring the tantalizing allure it offered. “Yes,” he thought, “he would drink tonight, but he wanted it to last.” Jacob reached up with his left hand, gently nestling her chin between his thumb and forefinger, lifting it as a man would his lover, of whom he is about to deliver a most passionate kiss. He lowered his head allowing his lips to brush Shelley’s, as if to mock that intimate of moments. She shuddered in revulsion of this personal invasion, as well as the horror of what was to come. He deftly tilted her head to the side, exposing the milky white skin of her neck. Her pulse racing through the artery beneath her left ear brought a slight twitch with every heartbeat. Without another moment’s hesitation, he began kissing passionately at the tender skin above her shoulders.
Though she was disgusted with Jacob’s invasion of her personal being, Shelley fought back a moan of desire as his lips roved over her neck and shoulder. Torn between the sickening distaste of her violation, and the passion of the moment, she found herself unable to give into either. She gasped heavily, feeling the sharp points of Jacob’s teeth scrape lightly over her exposed skin. With this grim reminder of what he was, she tried to struggle once more. “No…” she groaned pushing her hands against his chest.
Jacob knew that he didn’t have long before she would snap out of her waking dream. With a final crushing embrace, he pulled her close once more, using the momentum and grace of the motion to penetrate the tender flesh beneath her ear with his razor sharp fangs. A carnal grunt escaped Shelley’s lips that straddled the boundary between pain and ecstasy.
Jacob allowed the rich, hot fluid to fill his mouth before drinking deeply. The sweet coppery taste washed over his tongue, urging him to gorge himself on her life fluids until there was nothing more to take, but to Jacob Barclay, there was an intimacy here, raw and passionate, baring the most chaotic of human emotions in a single moment, and he wanted it for his own. He worried his teeth around in the holes allowing the young woman’s blood to flow more freely. Her body jerked in shallow spasms with each motion of the vampire’s head. Tonight, he would only take what he needed to slake his thirst. The time to drain her would come soon enough, but for now, he wanted to savor the sensation that nearly intoxicated his very being.
Shelley lay all but lifeless, held in Jacob’s dark embrace. She could feel her body pulsate as her life slowly drained away. A heaviness weighed upon her eyelids as though sleep were threatening to overcome her. She felt numb save for the icy burn that coursed through her every time Jacob adjusted his bite. The empty square began to spin as her consciousness started to fade. Even the babbling water of the fountain grew more distant with each leaden second that passed. At some point, she was sure that a tear ran down her cheek, but it was hard to know for certain. Shelley’s hold on the world soon gave away, allowing everything to fade to black.
Once Jacob had satisfied his hunger, he gracefully lifted Shelley into his arms as a groom would his bride and began carrying her home. She still lived, though her breath was shallow and labored. “Do not worry girl,” he whispered softly to her, “for now, I shall take you home to your family.” The bell tolled ringing the dawning of a new hour behind them. “Morning shall soon come, and with it another night. We will be together soon my dear.” The shadows seemed to follow them as they traveled the windswept road. Only they could see the wicked smile that had formed upon his face.
Moments later, Shelley lay, snugly tucked, into the billowing blankets of her bed. Jacob stoked the fire to beat back the chill of the pre- dawn hours. The old pine log the he had placed on top pf the hot coals had begun to crackle and pop, sending a shower of sparks up the chimney as the fire caught on. He rose to his feet and walked solemnly back over to Shelley’s prone form. He sat gently on the bed beside of her, leaning over until his lips were next to her ear.
“Tonight, Lady Shelley, was no more than a waking dream, a fleeting fantasy that you will discuss by the light of day, but know this, my child, I shall come for you again in the waxing hours of the night. When I come for my last visit, you and I shall be together, as one, eternally.” He spoke softly, a haunting melody enriching his voice. “After all, my dear, your father has invited me to come anytime I wish, so sleep now, and dream your dreams in the safety of your home.” He chuckled mockingly as the last words left his mouth.
With that, he rose and walked to her window. Outside, the waning night beckoned to him, its somber hues eager to embrace him again. He spared a glance back to his chosen mistress before opening the window enough for him to slip through unheard. A cold breeze whisked through the room, stirring up another gossamer of sparks and blowing them up the chimney. Shelley stirred from the frigid draft; however, she did not waken. In a swift graceful motion, Jacob slid out of the window, stopping only long enough to close the windowpane. He relished in the cold air, allowing its fingertips to caress his face. After a moment, he let go of the windowsill, his form disappearing into the shadows long before his feet would ever touch the ground. In the distance, a bell tolled, announcing the coming of another hour.
Shelley drifted down the empty main street as if she were unable to control her own feet. She could feel the pull, the call that compelled her onward, summoning her to the central fountain. The vacant eyelike windows of the various shops and other buildings seemed to stare blankly at her as she passed them by. Their unfeeling gaze offered no comfort to her. The icy breath of the mid-autumn’s night chilled her through her nightgown, inducing a shiver that quickly washed over the rest of her body. Somewhere clock tower bells tolled, announcing the turning of the hour. The cobblestone road beneath her feet was cold and hurt with every step. Though she strode at an even pace, following the main street toward the town square, Shelley, in her mind could see herself back in the warm comforts of her bedroom, where the gentle glow of the fireplace would soothe her as she slept.
She rounded a corner that fully exposed her to the evening breeze, blowing her nightgown behind her as she walked. The linen folds danced in the night like ghostly arms reaching out to grasp at the shadows. In the distance, she could see the town square. By the central fountain stood a dark figure, set apart from the shadows only by the glow of the iridescent of the lamplight. There was an unsettling familiarity about him, a grim recognition, though; she was still to far away to be sure. Her heart pounded against her chest like a fist, forcing the blood to course through her veins at a deafening roar.
The solitary figure watched evenly as Shelley approached. When she had grown close enough, he extended his hand, as would a gentleman who was welcoming the arrival of his lady. His eyes were cold, intense and seemed to pierce her soul with a razor’s edge. A grim smile formed upon his lips, as if to ease the tension that welled up inside of her. A lump formed in her throat that she tried futilely to swallow but to no avail. Unable to resist, she reluctantly offered her own hand to meet his. Her eyes grew wide as they came to recognize the stranger who stood before her.
“Jacob Barclay.” She muttered, remembering the enigmatic businessman that she had met at the town dance just nights before. He was relatively new to Whispery Hollow, having moved here just over a couple of months ago. Although Shelley found him strangely attractive, the dismally somber hues of his clothing, as well as the demure, but not rude manner in which he presented himself, made her wary of him.
“Ah, Lady Shelley,” he said gently grasping her hand, enclosing it within his own. His sepulchral voice lulled her even closer with its warm and inviting tones. “It is too chilly a night to be wondering out by yourself.”
Shelly nodded, unable to find her voice. “Why can’t I speak?” She thought, her mind racing. She drew near to him, the clammy touch of his cold hand made her shudder involuntarily.
“Pardon the chill of my hands, my dear.” He explained. “I’m not quite the fiery youth that I was once, and my circulation isn’t what it used to be, particularly in my extremities. “ His eyes seemed to stare through her, making her feel like a helpless child staring into the dark for the first time. She wanted to run, wanted to flee from the cold streets and the presence of Jacob Barclay, and hide her face in the arms of her loving if overprotective father.
“My child, why are you trembling?” Jacob inquired sensing her fear. “Are you frightened?” His voice changed to a more soothing tone to ease Shelley’s nerves.
“Y…yes…” She stammered, surprised at being able to speak for the first time. “…And cold.” She used her remaining hand to gather her nightgown around her.
“Why are you frightened?” He asked in a low gentle tone.
“I… I don’t know, really.” She said shakily, finding her voice once more. Her eyes were lost in the timeless void behind Jacobs stone gray orbs. “I was in my bedroom sleeping, when I felt the call of someone or something calling me here.” Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, though she couldn’t tear her gaze away from his.
“Do you think that it was I who summoned you here?” He questioned her, raising an eyebrow. “After all, my dear girl, as you can see, I am the only one here, other than yourself. “ He smiled wryly exposing a quartet of long, dagger-like teeth, which slightly overlapped his bottom lip. At the sight of this, an icy chill ran down her spine. “If you think this,” he whispered hoarsely, drawing her closer, “what else could I be possibly capable of?” His gentle embrace became as a steel vice, crushing her fragile form against him. Shelley fought futilely, attempting to pull away from this monster who had the face of a man, but she may as well had been a small child struggling to pull away from a grown man.
Jacob’s warm smile became a grin of sadistic pleasure as he held her against him. He breathed in deeply, his nostrils filled with the burning, sweet scent of the lifeblood, which now thundered through her body like a wild river. The sound of her heart pounding from the immense fear that wracked her body, echoed like a drum in his ears. The sensation was almost intoxicating, and he basked in the heat of the moment, savoring the tantalizing allure it offered. “Yes,” he thought, “he would drink tonight, but he wanted it to last.” Jacob reached up with his left hand, gently nestling her chin between his thumb and forefinger, lifting it as a man would his lover, of whom he is about to deliver a most passionate kiss. He lowered his head allowing his lips to brush Shelley’s, as if to mock that intimate of moments. She shuddered in revulsion of this personal invasion, as well as the horror of what was to come. He deftly tilted her head to the side, exposing the milky white skin of her neck. Her pulse racing through the artery beneath her left ear brought a slight twitch with every heartbeat. Without another moment’s hesitation, he began kissing passionately at the tender skin above her shoulders.
Though she was disgusted with Jacob’s invasion of her personal being, Shelley fought back a moan of desire as his lips roved over her neck and shoulder. Torn between the sickening distaste of her violation, and the passion of the moment, she found herself unable to give into either. She gasped heavily, feeling the sharp points of Jacob’s teeth scrape lightly over her exposed skin. With this grim reminder of what he was, she tried to struggle once more. “No…” she groaned pushing her hands against his chest.
Jacob knew that he didn’t have long before she would snap out of her waking dream. With a final crushing embrace, he pulled her close once more, using the momentum and grace of the motion to penetrate the tender flesh beneath her ear with his razor sharp fangs. A carnal grunt escaped Shelley’s lips that straddled the boundary between pain and ecstasy.
Jacob allowed the rich, hot fluid to fill his mouth before drinking deeply. The sweet coppery taste washed over his tongue, urging him to gorge himself on her life fluids until there was nothing more to take, but to Jacob Barclay, there was an intimacy here, raw and passionate, baring the most chaotic of human emotions in a single moment, and he wanted it for his own. He worried his teeth around in the holes allowing the young woman’s blood to flow more freely. Her body jerked in shallow spasms with each motion of the vampire’s head. Tonight, he would only take what he needed to slake his thirst. The time to drain her would come soon enough, but for now, he wanted to savor the sensation that nearly intoxicated his very being.
Shelley lay all but lifeless, held in Jacob’s dark embrace. She could feel her body pulsate as her life slowly drained away. A heaviness weighed upon her eyelids as though sleep were threatening to overcome her. She felt numb save for the icy burn that coursed through her every time Jacob adjusted his bite. The empty square began to spin as her consciousness started to fade. Even the babbling water of the fountain grew more distant with each leaden second that passed. At some point, she was sure that a tear ran down her cheek, but it was hard to know for certain. Shelley’s hold on the world soon gave away, allowing everything to fade to black.
Once Jacob had satisfied his hunger, he gracefully lifted Shelley into his arms as a groom would his bride and began carrying her home. She still lived, though her breath was shallow and labored. “Do not worry girl,” he whispered softly to her, “for now, I shall take you home to your family.” The bell tolled ringing the dawning of a new hour behind them. “Morning shall soon come, and with it another night. We will be together soon my dear.” The shadows seemed to follow them as they traveled the windswept road. Only they could see the wicked smile that had formed upon his face.
Moments later, Shelley lay, snugly tucked, into the billowing blankets of her bed. Jacob stoked the fire to beat back the chill of the pre- dawn hours. The old pine log the he had placed on top pf the hot coals had begun to crackle and pop, sending a shower of sparks up the chimney as the fire caught on. He rose to his feet and walked solemnly back over to Shelley’s prone form. He sat gently on the bed beside of her, leaning over until his lips were next to her ear.
“Tonight, Lady Shelley, was no more than a waking dream, a fleeting fantasy that you will discuss by the light of day, but know this, my child, I shall come for you again in the waxing hours of the night. When I come for my last visit, you and I shall be together, as one, eternally.” He spoke softly, a haunting melody enriching his voice. “After all, my dear, your father has invited me to come anytime I wish, so sleep now, and dream your dreams in the safety of your home.” He chuckled mockingly as the last words left his mouth.
With that, he rose and walked to her window. Outside, the waning night beckoned to him, its somber hues eager to embrace him again. He spared a glance back to his chosen mistress before opening the window enough for him to slip through unheard. A cold breeze whisked through the room, stirring up another gossamer of sparks and blowing them up the chimney. Shelley stirred from the frigid draft; however, she did not waken. In a swift graceful motion, Jacob slid out of the window, stopping only long enough to close the windowpane. He relished in the cold air, allowing its fingertips to caress his face. After a moment, he let go of the windowsill, his form disappearing into the shadows long before his feet would ever touch the ground. In the distance, a bell tolled, announcing the coming of another hour.
Monday, April 20, 2009
The Long Walk Home©
“Rummy!” Sarah cried as she threw her cards down in triumph. Her friend Shelly lowered her cards, and answering by crossing her eyes and sticking out her tongue. The two girls erupted in a fit if laughter.
Sarah and Shelly had spent the largest part of the day together, going to the mall to shop for the latest fashions, catching an afternoon matinee, and then finally settling back in at Shelly’s house where they talked on the phone, shared in the latest gossip, and played board games.
“So what are your plans for tomorrow?” Shelly asked, smiling from the silliness of their game.
Sarah thought for a moment, then answered. “I have to clean the house and help Mom get ready for Thanksgiving, but if you want me to I’ll try to come by.”
“Okay, cool.” Shelly replied shuffling the cards for another game. They were still giggling when they heard footsteps approaching on the landing. There was a soft knock at the door, followed by the sound of Shelly’s mom opening the door. She poked her head around inside to look at the two girls sitting on the bed.
“Hey, girls, it’s almost midnight, and we’re going to bed. If you stay up, you’ll have to quiet down a bit.” She smiled gently as she spoke. Sarah popped her head up from watching the cards.
“What time did you say it was?!” Sarah gasped, hoping that she had only thought she’d heard how late it was getting.
“Why, it’s right now eleven fifty-nine.” Shelly’s mom responded thoughtfully. Sarah grimaced as the clock tolled the midnight hour.
“Oh no, I’m late.‘ She groaned with a look of grim realization. She hopped up from the bed gathering her things as quickly as she could.
“Really?” Shelly asked as she watched Sarah getting ready to leave. “When were you supposed to be home?”
“Hours ago.” Sarah said hurriedly, fumbling to get into her jacket. “My parents are going to kill me for being out this long. I may see you tomorrow, if I’m not grounded.”
Shelly got up to see her friend to the door. “Be careful on your way home, Sarah” She said giving her friend a sisterly hug on her way out the door. Sarah nodded, answering with an uncertain smile as she all but ran outside.
“Goodnight all, and I’ll call you tomorrow to tell you the verdict.” Sarah said rushing by. “Sweet dreams!” She waved to her friend once more.
The neighborhood at midnight seemed by far a ghost town counterpart to its daytime hustle and bustle. Streets usually busy with local traffic were empty and lifeless. The houses that lined the roadside slumped wearily in the dark, their windows watching her pass with vacant, expressionless stares. A cold midnight breeze swept through the neighborhood rustling the leaves around Sarah’s feet, making her pull her jacket more tightly about her to better shield her from the chill. Only the sound of her feet upon the barren sidewalk kept her company, joined by the papers that occasionally tumbled by. Somewhere in the night a siren began its mournful wail, soon accompanied by a chorus of dogs, baying in protest as they tried to soothe their aching ears.
The walk home seemed to be taking forever. To help pass the time, Sarah began playing kick the can, though the idea only appeared better than it really was. Without the light to see where it was going, the can soon disappeared down a storm drain, ending the small distraction. The siren soon faded into the night, as did the canine chorus that all but followed its tone.
With the can now gone, the only thing Sarah could think of was finding a shortcut, however the only one she could come up with was Shadowbirch Road. The thought did little to ease her mind. The legends of the old cemetery road were dated long before the town of Lovelady was even incorporated, yet the more she thought about it, the more Sarah realized that it was the shortest route home as it ended on her home street. She hadn’t pondered the decision long before the sign towered over her menacingly, a feeling echoed by the sight of the great wrought iron gate at the edge of the light. As she gazed at the street sign, the wind picked up to a short gust, sending the chill through her jacket.
Sarah talked herself into taking the shortcut by comparing time and distance, but most of all by finding that her feet had began the journey without her. To help build her courage, she told herself that the legends were only stories and nothing more. That was a tough argument considering that not even the bravest adults would travel that road on foot after dark.
“What are you afraid of, silly?” She asked herself. “You live right up from the old graveyard and yet you’ve never seen anything there.” A convincing thought to be sure, but she still had her reservations about the place. Still a feeling of dreaded anticipation washed over her as she passed under the ancient gates.
Shadowbirch Road was darker than the rest of the town. Maybe it was the oversized oak trees that lined the edges of the road, their limbs joining in a grim canopy overhead that choked out all but the faintest shards of moonlight. Silence fell over her as a blanket would a child. The unrelenting sense of dread grew inside of her reawakening her childhood fears of the dark. Looking around, she took in the grisly scenery about her. Gravestones too old and worn to be read jutted up from the ground like skulls teeth making the place appear as a madman’s rock garden. The massive roots of the ancient oak trees snaked onto the road forcing Sarah to watch her step at times lest she would trip over one of the stray tendrils. The smell of death and decay assaulted her nostrils in the frigid air drawing a moderate grimace to her face.
She began humming to help break the silence. It made her feel better to hear her own voice, if only as a reassurance. Casting quick glances from side to side, she swore that she could see things moving in the shadows too fast for her eyes to get a clear view. Somewhere in the distance a dog barked, its call echoing along the wind. An uneasy feeling came over her joined by the overwhelming feeling that she was no longer alone. As if to confirm that feeling, something rustled in the nearby shrubbery. Sarah stopped in her tracks, hoping that whatever it was, it didn’t see her. The air became heavy with anticipation. Her breath caught in her throat as she waited for the inevitable doom that lay waiting in the bushes to make its appearance. Her mind raced, imagining every kind of specter, ghoul, or bogeyman that could spring out at any second. Just when she thought she couldn’t handle the suspense any longer, a stray cat bounded out of a boxwood, running across the road. It stopped only to look at her with a mouse in its jaws before running back into the shadows with its prey. Sarah sighed with relief, silently scolding herself for being childish.
The trees started to thin out by the time Sarah was approaching the middle of the cemetery, allowing the moon to cast an eerie pale glow over the road. Only the overgrown boxwoods still lined the edge of the road on either side. The wind rasped through the shrubbery with a dreadful hiss inducing an involuntary shudder to course over Sarah’s body. She felt more confident now that she could see better. An owl flew overhead landing in the branches of a towering black oak tree up ahead. Its mournful inquiry calling through the night. The graveyard was soon hushed in an unearthly silence once more, save for the occasional call of the owl. The silence was soon broken by a piercing shriek that sent a icy chill up Sarah’s spine. She stopped short looking around for the source of the sound, not really sure that she wanted to find it. To her relief there was nothing to be seen. Returning her gaze back to the road ahead of her, she thought she saw someone walking in the distance.
Sarah quickened her pace in order to get a closer look, hoping that it would be someone with whom she could walk and keep company. “Anyone,” she muttered to herself, “would be better than walking alone in this place.” As she drew near, she was surprised to see another girl about her age. Immediately, she hastened her step once more nearing a jog to catch up to the girl. “Hey!” Sarah called to the girl. “Wait for me, please.” It was evident that the other girl heard her plea. She slowed her pace, allowing Sarah to catch up.
Once she had reached the other girl, Sarah introduced herself. “Thank you for waiting for me, I‘m Sarah.“ The girl looked at her and smiled.
“Hello, I’m Amber.” The girl spoke with a soft, gentle voice. “What brings you here at this time of night?” Sarah blushed slightly.
“I’m kinda late getting home.” She explained sheepishly. “Shadowbirch Road is the only shortcut between Shelly’s house and mine, though I was beginning to get a little spooked, but then I saw you walking and well, here I am.” She looked up at her new traveling partner curiously. “How about you?”
Amber smiled warmly and replied, “I was just out for a walk, and I find this road to be rather peaceful after dark. I’ve heard some of my friends talk about you. If you like we can walk together.” Sarah answered with a nod.
Once more the sky became blotted out by the grim canopy of interlocking tree limbs, thrusting the road back into nearly total darkness. Sarah again felt uneasy as though dark eyes were watching from the depths of the surrounding shadows. She shuddered under the impression of countless unseen faces with their eyes fixed upon her, following her every movement. She saw something move near a gravestone, and jumped grabbing Amber’s arm. Sarah let go almost as fast as she had taken hold of it.
“Amber!” Sarah exclaimed, “you really need to get inside soon. You’re freezing!” Amber smiled humorously.
“Not to worry, I’m used to it.” Amber replied with a modest shrug. “I go walking like this all of the time, but why… why’d you grab me like that?”
“It looked as though something was standing by that old headstone, and well,” Sarah said flushed with embarrassment, “I guess it kinda spooked me.” Amber smiled amused by Sarah’s edginess.
By the time they had reached the end of Shadowbirch Road, a dismally gray fog had began to move into the area. The ancient iron gate, overrun by dried ivy, and paralyzed by years of rust, soon passed over their heads.
“If it’ll make you feel better,” Amber said with a warm and sweet voice, “I can walk with you to your house.” Sarah nodded with a look of reassurance on her face.
“Thanks, that would be great.” She answered with a smile. To her it seemed that a load of weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
Slowly they passed by the houses that sat like silent sentinels lining the narrow road. To her curiosity, Sarah noticed that the dogs which normally barked at anything, tucked their tails and ran away with their haunches raised in fright. The fog had grown thicker since the two girls had left the cemetery. Sarah, could see a small form at the edge of the road. Upon looking closer she recognized it as her neighbor’s cat.
“Samson!” She called, expecting the feline to come toward her at his usual trot. “Here kitty, kitty, kitty.”
To her utmost surprise Samson arched his back hissing as they approached. By the time Sarah was close enough to reach for him, he swatted at her with a claw, then ran off into the cover of the shadows. Samson’s actions gave Sarah a start, she’d never seen him act like that before, even when her dog was around.
They soon approached Sarah’s front yard. Locke, Sarah’s golden retriever came running out to meet them, however as soon as Locke came within less than ten feet of them, he shied away whimpering. Sarah’s face was one of confusion, to her knowledge Locke had never reacted liked that toward anyone before. She called to Locke hoping to get him to come to her and Amber, though nothing she would seemed to work.
Within moments the girls climbed the steps that led onto Sarah’s porch. Once they had reached the door, she turned to Amber once more, but Amber was preparing to leave. Sarah snagged her sleeve stopping her short. Amber turned her head slowly to regard Sarah with a smile.
“I wanted to say thanks for walking with me tonight.” Sarah explained in good humor. “I know this may sound childish, but when I was walking trough the cemetery, I was really beginning to get scared.” Sarah smiled at her newfound friend.
“Oh it was nothing.” Amber said in a small sweet voice. “I know how you feel, I used to feel the same way too, when I was alive.” With that she turned and walked to the edge of the porch where, to Sarah’s bewilderment, she vanished among the shadows of the night, leaving only the silence to keep her once more.
Sarah and Shelly had spent the largest part of the day together, going to the mall to shop for the latest fashions, catching an afternoon matinee, and then finally settling back in at Shelly’s house where they talked on the phone, shared in the latest gossip, and played board games.
“So what are your plans for tomorrow?” Shelly asked, smiling from the silliness of their game.
Sarah thought for a moment, then answered. “I have to clean the house and help Mom get ready for Thanksgiving, but if you want me to I’ll try to come by.”
“Okay, cool.” Shelly replied shuffling the cards for another game. They were still giggling when they heard footsteps approaching on the landing. There was a soft knock at the door, followed by the sound of Shelly’s mom opening the door. She poked her head around inside to look at the two girls sitting on the bed.
“Hey, girls, it’s almost midnight, and we’re going to bed. If you stay up, you’ll have to quiet down a bit.” She smiled gently as she spoke. Sarah popped her head up from watching the cards.
“What time did you say it was?!” Sarah gasped, hoping that she had only thought she’d heard how late it was getting.
“Why, it’s right now eleven fifty-nine.” Shelly’s mom responded thoughtfully. Sarah grimaced as the clock tolled the midnight hour.
“Oh no, I’m late.‘ She groaned with a look of grim realization. She hopped up from the bed gathering her things as quickly as she could.
“Really?” Shelly asked as she watched Sarah getting ready to leave. “When were you supposed to be home?”
“Hours ago.” Sarah said hurriedly, fumbling to get into her jacket. “My parents are going to kill me for being out this long. I may see you tomorrow, if I’m not grounded.”
Shelly got up to see her friend to the door. “Be careful on your way home, Sarah” She said giving her friend a sisterly hug on her way out the door. Sarah nodded, answering with an uncertain smile as she all but ran outside.
“Goodnight all, and I’ll call you tomorrow to tell you the verdict.” Sarah said rushing by. “Sweet dreams!” She waved to her friend once more.
The neighborhood at midnight seemed by far a ghost town counterpart to its daytime hustle and bustle. Streets usually busy with local traffic were empty and lifeless. The houses that lined the roadside slumped wearily in the dark, their windows watching her pass with vacant, expressionless stares. A cold midnight breeze swept through the neighborhood rustling the leaves around Sarah’s feet, making her pull her jacket more tightly about her to better shield her from the chill. Only the sound of her feet upon the barren sidewalk kept her company, joined by the papers that occasionally tumbled by. Somewhere in the night a siren began its mournful wail, soon accompanied by a chorus of dogs, baying in protest as they tried to soothe their aching ears.
The walk home seemed to be taking forever. To help pass the time, Sarah began playing kick the can, though the idea only appeared better than it really was. Without the light to see where it was going, the can soon disappeared down a storm drain, ending the small distraction. The siren soon faded into the night, as did the canine chorus that all but followed its tone.
With the can now gone, the only thing Sarah could think of was finding a shortcut, however the only one she could come up with was Shadowbirch Road. The thought did little to ease her mind. The legends of the old cemetery road were dated long before the town of Lovelady was even incorporated, yet the more she thought about it, the more Sarah realized that it was the shortest route home as it ended on her home street. She hadn’t pondered the decision long before the sign towered over her menacingly, a feeling echoed by the sight of the great wrought iron gate at the edge of the light. As she gazed at the street sign, the wind picked up to a short gust, sending the chill through her jacket.
Sarah talked herself into taking the shortcut by comparing time and distance, but most of all by finding that her feet had began the journey without her. To help build her courage, she told herself that the legends were only stories and nothing more. That was a tough argument considering that not even the bravest adults would travel that road on foot after dark.
“What are you afraid of, silly?” She asked herself. “You live right up from the old graveyard and yet you’ve never seen anything there.” A convincing thought to be sure, but she still had her reservations about the place. Still a feeling of dreaded anticipation washed over her as she passed under the ancient gates.
Shadowbirch Road was darker than the rest of the town. Maybe it was the oversized oak trees that lined the edges of the road, their limbs joining in a grim canopy overhead that choked out all but the faintest shards of moonlight. Silence fell over her as a blanket would a child. The unrelenting sense of dread grew inside of her reawakening her childhood fears of the dark. Looking around, she took in the grisly scenery about her. Gravestones too old and worn to be read jutted up from the ground like skulls teeth making the place appear as a madman’s rock garden. The massive roots of the ancient oak trees snaked onto the road forcing Sarah to watch her step at times lest she would trip over one of the stray tendrils. The smell of death and decay assaulted her nostrils in the frigid air drawing a moderate grimace to her face.
She began humming to help break the silence. It made her feel better to hear her own voice, if only as a reassurance. Casting quick glances from side to side, she swore that she could see things moving in the shadows too fast for her eyes to get a clear view. Somewhere in the distance a dog barked, its call echoing along the wind. An uneasy feeling came over her joined by the overwhelming feeling that she was no longer alone. As if to confirm that feeling, something rustled in the nearby shrubbery. Sarah stopped in her tracks, hoping that whatever it was, it didn’t see her. The air became heavy with anticipation. Her breath caught in her throat as she waited for the inevitable doom that lay waiting in the bushes to make its appearance. Her mind raced, imagining every kind of specter, ghoul, or bogeyman that could spring out at any second. Just when she thought she couldn’t handle the suspense any longer, a stray cat bounded out of a boxwood, running across the road. It stopped only to look at her with a mouse in its jaws before running back into the shadows with its prey. Sarah sighed with relief, silently scolding herself for being childish.
The trees started to thin out by the time Sarah was approaching the middle of the cemetery, allowing the moon to cast an eerie pale glow over the road. Only the overgrown boxwoods still lined the edge of the road on either side. The wind rasped through the shrubbery with a dreadful hiss inducing an involuntary shudder to course over Sarah’s body. She felt more confident now that she could see better. An owl flew overhead landing in the branches of a towering black oak tree up ahead. Its mournful inquiry calling through the night. The graveyard was soon hushed in an unearthly silence once more, save for the occasional call of the owl. The silence was soon broken by a piercing shriek that sent a icy chill up Sarah’s spine. She stopped short looking around for the source of the sound, not really sure that she wanted to find it. To her relief there was nothing to be seen. Returning her gaze back to the road ahead of her, she thought she saw someone walking in the distance.
Sarah quickened her pace in order to get a closer look, hoping that it would be someone with whom she could walk and keep company. “Anyone,” she muttered to herself, “would be better than walking alone in this place.” As she drew near, she was surprised to see another girl about her age. Immediately, she hastened her step once more nearing a jog to catch up to the girl. “Hey!” Sarah called to the girl. “Wait for me, please.” It was evident that the other girl heard her plea. She slowed her pace, allowing Sarah to catch up.
Once she had reached the other girl, Sarah introduced herself. “Thank you for waiting for me, I‘m Sarah.“ The girl looked at her and smiled.
“Hello, I’m Amber.” The girl spoke with a soft, gentle voice. “What brings you here at this time of night?” Sarah blushed slightly.
“I’m kinda late getting home.” She explained sheepishly. “Shadowbirch Road is the only shortcut between Shelly’s house and mine, though I was beginning to get a little spooked, but then I saw you walking and well, here I am.” She looked up at her new traveling partner curiously. “How about you?”
Amber smiled warmly and replied, “I was just out for a walk, and I find this road to be rather peaceful after dark. I’ve heard some of my friends talk about you. If you like we can walk together.” Sarah answered with a nod.
Once more the sky became blotted out by the grim canopy of interlocking tree limbs, thrusting the road back into nearly total darkness. Sarah again felt uneasy as though dark eyes were watching from the depths of the surrounding shadows. She shuddered under the impression of countless unseen faces with their eyes fixed upon her, following her every movement. She saw something move near a gravestone, and jumped grabbing Amber’s arm. Sarah let go almost as fast as she had taken hold of it.
“Amber!” Sarah exclaimed, “you really need to get inside soon. You’re freezing!” Amber smiled humorously.
“Not to worry, I’m used to it.” Amber replied with a modest shrug. “I go walking like this all of the time, but why… why’d you grab me like that?”
“It looked as though something was standing by that old headstone, and well,” Sarah said flushed with embarrassment, “I guess it kinda spooked me.” Amber smiled amused by Sarah’s edginess.
By the time they had reached the end of Shadowbirch Road, a dismally gray fog had began to move into the area. The ancient iron gate, overrun by dried ivy, and paralyzed by years of rust, soon passed over their heads.
“If it’ll make you feel better,” Amber said with a warm and sweet voice, “I can walk with you to your house.” Sarah nodded with a look of reassurance on her face.
“Thanks, that would be great.” She answered with a smile. To her it seemed that a load of weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
Slowly they passed by the houses that sat like silent sentinels lining the narrow road. To her curiosity, Sarah noticed that the dogs which normally barked at anything, tucked their tails and ran away with their haunches raised in fright. The fog had grown thicker since the two girls had left the cemetery. Sarah, could see a small form at the edge of the road. Upon looking closer she recognized it as her neighbor’s cat.
“Samson!” She called, expecting the feline to come toward her at his usual trot. “Here kitty, kitty, kitty.”
To her utmost surprise Samson arched his back hissing as they approached. By the time Sarah was close enough to reach for him, he swatted at her with a claw, then ran off into the cover of the shadows. Samson’s actions gave Sarah a start, she’d never seen him act like that before, even when her dog was around.
They soon approached Sarah’s front yard. Locke, Sarah’s golden retriever came running out to meet them, however as soon as Locke came within less than ten feet of them, he shied away whimpering. Sarah’s face was one of confusion, to her knowledge Locke had never reacted liked that toward anyone before. She called to Locke hoping to get him to come to her and Amber, though nothing she would seemed to work.
Within moments the girls climbed the steps that led onto Sarah’s porch. Once they had reached the door, she turned to Amber once more, but Amber was preparing to leave. Sarah snagged her sleeve stopping her short. Amber turned her head slowly to regard Sarah with a smile.
“I wanted to say thanks for walking with me tonight.” Sarah explained in good humor. “I know this may sound childish, but when I was walking trough the cemetery, I was really beginning to get scared.” Sarah smiled at her newfound friend.
“Oh it was nothing.” Amber said in a small sweet voice. “I know how you feel, I used to feel the same way too, when I was alive.” With that she turned and walked to the edge of the porch where, to Sarah’s bewilderment, she vanished among the shadows of the night, leaving only the silence to keep her once more.
~FIN~
W. R. Frady
W. R. Frady
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