The Shadow

Autumn is my favorite season. The weather is just right, not that blazing heat of summer. It’s been a struggle trying to adjust, moving from our old home. Everything is new, and soon I’ll have to make new friends, if even. The drive to our new home was so long; a two-hour drive up the mountain can make the strongest legs cramp. At least I can enjoy the many pine trees that cover everything in sight. The home slowly came into view through the windshield of the car. “Wow, that looks amazing!” My little sister said gleefully. The two-story house stood tall and mighty amongst the ocean of pine trees. The beige color contrasted perfectly with the greenery, and the windows of the second story let light into the soul of the home. The white pillars at the base of the house spoke antique giving the oldness of the home.

We parked right outside of the home and the home looked even more taller standing near it. My little sister hopped out of the car and ran inside the house “I call dibs on the room!” She exclaimed as she ran up the stairs and disappeared. My mom got out of the car with patience and looked at my bleak expression. “James, I’m sorry that we had to move away from our friends… maybe in time you can get used to all this.” She gently hugged me and began unloading the car trunk. I guess so, I guess I’ll get used to all this eventually. I grabbed my bags, climbed up the two cement steps, and headed through the wooden doors of the home. The house smelled of age and wood, the antique kind of smell that just lingers in the air. The home seemed very big, and I liked the idea that I’d have my own space to think. The living room was to my left, with this big window right in front where the sofa would eventually go. I started up the stairs and see what room I’d pick. The oak wood steps creaked with every step I took and the wooden rails creaked as I held on as I made my way up. 

I eventually found my room at the end of the hall. It was a spacious room, it was big enough for me. I set my things on the ground and looked around the room. The closet looked old and forgotten like someone might have left a skeleton there from ages ago. My room’s window overlooked the front of the house. I could see my mom busy taking things down and setting them on the ground. I continued to examine the room and I made my way back to the closet. I don’t know why but I was drawn to the closet for some reason. I stepped inside and examined the wooden shelves when I noticed a small crack in the wall at the back of the closet. My curiosity got the best of me because I was trying to slightly pry the wood apart. when I did that, a chunk broke off and fell to the floor. Oh no, mom is gonna kill me. We barely moved in and I’ve already destroyed something. I grabbed my phone from my pocket and turned on the light and flashed it inside the crack. I continued to illuminate the dark hole when something caught my eye. There was this book lying on the floor. It looked very old and dusty. The dark faded brown binding of the book was slowly peeling off. I put my arm inside to reach it but I was struggling to get a grasp of it. At this point, my arm was hard pressed against the wall and I stretched with all my might but I could barely feel it with my fingertips. I slowly inched the book more towards me and I eventually was able to grab it and pull the book out. My arm was covered in dust and webs. The book’s binding was practically destroyed by my efforts.

I turned the book around to see its cover. It had no name on it. It was only a black hardcover. I slowly opened the book so I wouldn’t destroy it any further. The pages were old and stained yellow. As I turned the book, there were strange markings on the pages like some kind of dead language. There were odd symbols throughout the book that depicted some kind of ancient monsters. One image in particular caught my eye that sent chills down my spine. The image was of a creepy monster that had this elongated mouth like a dog hound would have and it had very sharp teeth. On its head were these horns and its eyes were evil--black soulless eyes. The image of this monster was in a kneeling position with its hands stretched out towards the sky. There were flames behind it. A word faded spelled out: Vulmul. I was pronouncing the words when suddenly I was startled by my mother, “James! can you come help me, please!” Yelled my mom from the bottom of the stairs. I was startled back to reality. “Okay, I’m coming!” I yelled back. I dropped the book on the ground in the closet and ran down the stairs.

Sunset came and darkness took over the day. My mom, sister, and I were sitting and eating in the kitchen. I wanted to tell my mom what I discovered in my room but I didn’t want to create any friction or undue stress that she was already experiencing. My sister finished her food faster than anyone “Thanks, Mom. The food was good! I'm going upstairs to sleep!” My mom smiled warmly “Thank you, honey. Good night!” She yelled as my sister ran up the stairs never to be seen again. I ate my food quietly, pondering if I should tell her. After a while of fidgeting with my food, I relented and told her. “Mom… there’s something I found in my closet.” My mom looked at me while she put more food into her mouth. “Oh, yeah, and what was that?” She asked curiously. I sighed and went on. “Okay. Don’t get mad, okay?" 

“James, what did you do?” She asked with a stern tone. Every time I started with “don’t get mad” she’d know I did something mischievous. “There was this crack in my closet wall, and I got curious so I reached into the wall, and I might have made the crack bigger but I found this strange book inside.” My mom shook her head. “James it's the first day and you have already broken the wall?” she gave out a sigh. “Maybe the book is nothing and it was long forgotten here.” She finished her food and placed her plate in the sink. “It’s getting late, James. make sure to place your plate in the sink, okay?”

“Okay, mom. I will.” She was walking halfway through the door and turned around, “I’m sorry, honey. I don’t mean to be like this. It’s been a lot for me too. Good night, love you.” She said and smiled. “Good night, Mom. I love you too.” And I was left alone in the kitchen. Maybe my mom was right. Maybe it was some long-lost forgotten children’s book. That’s what I wanted to believe. I stood in the kitchen for another hour playing on my handheld game. I was almost done with the hardest level of the game when suddenly, the kitchen light switched off. I sat there in the dark and the only light source was the handheld console illuminating my face blue. My heart was starting to race and my palms started to lightly sweat. Calm down, James. This house is old, maybe the light wire needs replacing. I felt my heart in my throat and I was starting to breathe heavily. I stood up slowly from the chair when the light of the kitchen erupted and came back on. What the heck… I slowly walked out of the kitchen and braced myself to run when I turned the switch off. I pressed the switch down. click, I turned the light switch off, ran up the stairs to my room, and closed the door. 

I stood at my door looking at it and waiting for something to come and get me. From under the door, I could see the hallway light mysteriously turn on. My heart started to race again. Then suddenly, I started to hear that the wood floor started to creak as if someone was gently stepping. The steps started to get louder and louder. Thump! Thump! …. Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! I ran to the farthest corner of my room shaking uncontrollably. My eyes were fixed on my door waiting for whatever creature might come through it. I thought about the book and went to the closet to pick it up. I skimmed the book. More creepy symbols were found on every page. When I finally turned to the back, I found an old inscription scribbled: 

May 1806,

Don’t say its name, don’t spell it. Don’t think of it. It will come for you.

My heart was racing like it had never been before. My hands were shaking uncontrollably now. The thump finally got to the entrance of my room. I turned my lights off in my room, hopefully, it won’t see me. From under the door, its shadow started to grow trying to reach for me. Its shadowy arms were reaching for my soul. Its head had these evil-looking horns. Its shadow was almost smiling at me. It started to make this raspy gurgling sound. “No, no!” I screamed. I managed to turn the light back on in my room. The shadow was gone. The room was as silent as can be.

Was it gone? My hands were trembling and my heart felt like it wanted to give out. I opened the door and found nothing. The creature was gone, vanished into thin air. I closed the door relieved that it was finally gone. Then to my horror, the light gave out. There was something behind me, standing as tall as an oak tree. I was unable to move from my fear. It was slowly getting closer. The raspy gurgling sound started loudly near my right ear. I tried screaming but nothing came out. I closed my eyes and accepted my fate… Don’t say its name, don’t spell it, and don’t think of it. It will come for you.