The Darkness of IT

The sky became filled with the dark shadows of the moon, covering the happiness that once sat throughout this small town. Everyone tried to warn them, but they wouldn't listen. Now we have to suffer the consequences of their actions. We have to live through this nightmare, while they watch in astonishment.

The blasting sound of everyone's screams filled my ears as I ran along with the crowd. I need to find her. My legs filled with achiness as I ran faster than I ever had. The sky seemed to lean over us, mocking our horror. The scientists did this on purpose, they know it comes out in the dark.

I climbed on top of the marble fountain that once was the glory of this broken town, ignoring my feet getting soaked as I reached the top. I could see almost everyone, but my eyes couldn't seem to reach her. I called her name, over and over. I glanced at my watch, we didn't have much time. I nervously ran my hands through my short brown hair. My stomach filled with worry as I watched almost everyone in the town clear out. They ran over the old, rusty, black fence no one had ever bothered paying attention to before.

A few more seconds, I decided, before I would leave without her. Just then, the auburn color of her curly hair shot into my eyesight. The tiny brown freckles that traced her nose and her bright blue eyes seemed to call out to me, grabbing my attention. Our eyes locked, and suddenly the harsh chill seemed to vanish, replaced with the warmth of her love. She called out my name, just as I did with hers a minute ago. I immediately jumped down from the fountain, blocking out the pain in my ankles. She ran into my arms, and it seemed as if we were never separated. 

“Oh Daniel,” She cried. She looked up into my eyes as I held her.

 “ Alora, we don’t have much time,” I started, “We need to get out of here.” 

She nodded in agreement, and I grabbed ahold of her hand. We took off, sprinting away from the fountain, which seemed to loom in the darkness. 

Everyone had already emptied of the haunted town, but it still lingered, watching, waiting, stalking.

The blackout of the sky ate us alive. The paths ahead of her and I seemed to fade, copying the heavens above. I carefully untucked the pocket of my cargo pants, slowing down our run. My fingers fiddled around until I felt the cold metal of my flashlight. 

I clicked the ‘on’ button, and for a split second light appeared around us. Then, like it never happened, the light flew away into the sky. I threw my flashlight onto the muddy grass and began to run faster. The longer we wait, the more we won’t be able to see. The more vulnerable we are, the easier it is for it to attack us. 

Every night, when the sun goes down, we turn into bait. Prey. At Least then, we could avoid it. But now, as they purposely move the moon to ensure darkness, we are hopeless. We can’t fend it off. 

I stumbled as we entered the dark forest, the sky around us now completely dark. I felt the jagged tree stumps under my feet, pleading for me to fall. I allowed my hands to slightly clasp on the tree trunks around me, feeling the old bark. The smell of musty dew spilled into my nose. The swamp is ahead of us. 

“Alora, the-” 

“-Swamp, I know.” She finished my sentence, leaving a slight smile on my face. I squeezed her soft hand harder, scared one of us might accidentally let go. 

I carefully took off my leather backpack and placed it over my head, steadying it with my free hand. I stepped into the thick muddy water, immediately feeling the sticks, thorns, and many other questionable substances. The cold goo sunk into my skin. I trudged through the thick, brown water as it weighed me down. It’ll take about 10 minutes to get all the way through it, then we’re at our bunker. 

“Daniel, I’m scared,” Alora told me, tightening her grip to my hand. 

“It’s ok, we’re almost out.” I lied, we still have a few more minutes to go. The stank of the fumes was almost insufferable. 

“What if they’re is an alligator in here?” She whimpered. Then, I remembered. Alora isn’t scared of alligators. When she was younger, she would sneak down here just to play with them. 

“What do you mean?” I almost stopped in my tracks, but then I remembered what we were running from. I couldn’t see her face, but I imagined she was confused. 

“I mean, I don’t want to get eaten!” This time she shrieked, as if an actual alligator was approaching us. 

I studied her words, some things not right here. She’s never shown her fear about many things, much less alligators. So I decided to play it off, “Uh, yeah, right.” 

We hiked through the muddy stew and blindly climbed out. I felt the remains of the muck drip down my legs and onto the dirt-covered ground. I shuddered at the cold gust of wind, sending a shiver down my spine. 

I held out my hand and helped Alora out of the oozy gunk. I felt another shiver down my back at the thought of her strange behavior. 

“The bunkers are a few feet away, we’re almost there,” I told her, beginning to walk in the direction, blindly guessing it’s the right way.

“Daniel, wait.” She pulled my hand back, stopping me. I turned around and immediately dropped her hand. 

I wanted to scream, shout, or say anything, but I stood there with my mouth hanging open unable to get a sound out. Goosebumps overfilled my body, making me wish I was already dead. I resisted the urge to rip my eyes out. It can’t be.

I watched as my beautiful wife transformed into a horrible creature. Her body shook, blurred, and horrible loud shrieks escaped from her ratched mouth. It looked as if she was fighting off a monster as it tried to consume her body. Suddenly, her screams got quieter and her body began to become one again. Only it wasn’t her. It was a bloody naked demon in her place.  Its eyes glowed red, with scars and deep cuts all over its body. 

Its long talons were mucked in dirt and dried blood. Its horrific sharp teeth snarled a strange noise in my direction. Pale skin, shaded in black blood and erratic goo.

Then, while it looked me in the eye, the body of disgust pounced on me.