• Shade
    By Ellie Orrell
    (Some characters used with permission from a friend)


    It was that awkward time of day-Just before the sun sets; right on the cusp of twilight. The light filtered to the streets below, hovering on fading into an orange glow, yet no longer the brilliant white-yellow of day.

    Naturally, it was also the busiest time of day for the small village. The men were returning from working all day in the fields as the wives and womenfolk were hurrying to buy those last few things they needed before the vendors closed their shops for the night. Children, too, took advantage of this time, enjoying their last few minutes of play as they ran underfoot and weaved in and out of the throng of people on the streets.

    And yet, despite of this, despite the crowd and the bustle and the children and the marketplace, and even despite the fact that it was in the very center of the town square, one man stood still. His arms were thrown out wide, his head thrown back, and his legs, swathed in black, stood immobile despite the shoves and nudges of the irritated people around him.

    His eyes were closed, and his lips parted in an expression of the purest exhilaration his youthful face pointed towards the sun. The loose, open black robe he wore was slipping down his bare shoulders, and he wore no shirt. The pale flesh of his naked torso seemed almost translucent in the in the light. He inhaled, causing his thin, emaciated chest to rise shakily, and he exhaled with a happy sigh. He seemed to be trying to absorb as much sunlight as he could. He took pleasure in the warmth of the sun and the light offered.

    Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh…

    Ebony eyes opened in an instant, and his head shot upright at the sound of that dark chuckle. His expression melted from highest elation to primal fear, though the crowd around acted completely normal.

    Heh, heh, heh…

    His arms dropped and he moved forward, stumbling a little. His hair was wild and his eyes wilder. He looked over his shoulder nervously.

    “What do you want?” His voice bespoke of youth, and he could not have been older than nineteen winters.

    Same as I always have. You know me; I never change. Really, you are such a pathetic creature, to be trying to hide from me. Another ghostly chuckled haunted the young man’s ears. His skin grew cold at the sound of that voice, so cold and shadowy.

    “Stop it!” He cried out in a panic, clawing at his ears as he tried to block the sound. The calm villagers who passed began to look at him oddly.

    Why? What will you do? Look up, my boy, the sun is setting. What will you do then when the light is gone? How will you hide from the shadows as they slowly consume the earth?

    “LEAVE ME ALONE!” It was a raw scream of such complete and utter terror that it seemed the whole market square stopped and stared for a moment. Numbly, the youth looked up at the sky, and smiled slightly, though the smile only highlighted the insane look of fear in his eyes. He laughed; a mad sound that shook his shoulders and had him doubled over for a few moments. He threw his arms back once more and yelled to the sky,

    “You can’t do anything to me yet! I am still safe from your grasp…Still safe…” His voice dropped to a whisper and he looked around him, face almost completely mad now. “Still safe…still safe…”

    Your safety weakens with every passing moment.

    A sentence spoken softly; yet could have knocked a thousand buildings over with the power behind the voice. It had an immediate effect on the youth, who began to stumble forward, destination fixed in his mind. He continued to whisper, even as he staggered into the local tavern, laughter ringing in his ears.

    “Still safe…Still safe…Still safe…”

    “May I help you sir?” One of the barmaids approached him nervously, a cute young busty blond who seemed more than disappointed that the latest patron was not a strong solider seeking a relaxing evening, but some scrawny youth who seemed completely mad. But so long as he drank much and paid well, she wouldn’t be too picky.

    Sommer didn’t even answer, but continued right on to the table closest to the fire. He threw himself down with a triumphant laugh.

    “What can you do now, shade? I am safe for the night.” He giggled a little.

    We shall see.

    Why did he sound so pleased with himself? He had no power now. No matter. Sommer sat up and smoothed his shoulder-length black locks and pulled his robe up around him, trying to regain a more normal and sane appearance. He even smiled when the barmaid approached him again, an expression that lit up his rather handsome features.

    “What can I get for you sir?” She smiled in return, rethinking her impression of this boy. Still a little young, but that was hardly a deterrent for her.

    “Just water, please.” That one sentence sent the maid walking back to the bar with a slightly disappointed expression. No ale, no fun was her motto.

    Sommer, however, sighed and relaxed. He would stay before the fire for a while and then rent one of the rooms from the inn located upstairs and keep torches lit. One less night he need fear.

    Outside, the light began to fade, and the streets began to empty. A soft buzz was in the air as the town discussed the curious event that had just transpired. The buzz wound around the streets, up the walls and through the windows before finally resting in the ears of ones who were actually interested in what it had to say.

    A disdainful smirk twisted the lips of the man who heard, sympathy welled in the eyes of the woman. They rode together into town, and that alone drew the pair glances. A man and a woman traveling together would only mean one thing in the minds of the simple townfolk, those who would not bother to look again, those who would not see the similar features in the eyes and the delicate slope of their jaws, the matching blond hair and equally matching pair of brilliant blue optics.

    While a couple may bring small scandal to wherever they visited, siblings were harmless. Unless, of course, it was these two. Trouble was written across the cold, flawless face of the brother, while his sister seemed as an angel cloaked in sadness. No good would come from their visit.

    Asking a few soft spoken questions, the two were directed to an inn. It was no coincidence that this inn had a very special guest that night. He dismounted first, helping down his sister and hovering over her protectively and glaring at the groom who looked at her. Hovering at her elbow, he escorted his sister inside the musky common room.

    He glanced at the crowd with disdain plain on his features, though his eyes lit up and his lip curled into a smirk when he saw the pathetic figure by the fire.

    “Why, Locke, I believe I see a dear friend of yours. Or, at least, a friend of a friend.” His voice was a cold as his eyes, and he purposefully made his way towards Sommer, his sister trailing behind, eyes downcast.

    Sommer’s ears pricked at the sound of that voice, and his head rose while his heart sank. He heard a very sharp intake of breath from somewhere behind his head, and his hands started to shake. If he had been terrified before, it was nothing compared to this feeling. Quickly, he looked for an easy way out, but he knew there was none. Drinking his as-yet untouched water to steady himself, he and his unseen companion tried to pull themselves together as the blond man slid into the chair across from him. The girl remained standing.

    “Hello you,” he said with another smirk. “Both of you.”

    “H-hello Nicolai.” Sommer ducked his head, voice soft and timid. He looked at Nicolai’s sister, though unable and unwilling to meet her eyes. “And hello Milady Locke.”

    The girl smiled, lighting the room. For a moment, Sommer and hers eyes met, and they both blushed and looked away. Sommer could hear him shaking.

    “Good evening Sommer, and…” Her clear yet timorous voice trailed as she glanced back at the young man shyly. Annoyance flickered across Nicolai’s face. He did not approve of being left out of this conversation. Motioning for Locke to sit, he turned his attention on Sommer, resting his chin in his palm as he leaned forward on the table.

    “So, what brings you so far from home little Sommer? Surely you still aren’t vainly seeking a cure?” Nicolai asked mockingly, not unlike how he had addressed Sommer earlier.

    He is. The stupid boy still seems to want to be rid of me. It’s more than a little ridiculous. He can’t dispose of me, and I think he knows it.

    Nicolai smiled and sat back, his icy eyes penetrating. He had clearly heard what had been spoken. “Of course not, but you cannot fault the boy for trying. He has real commitment.”

    Oh, I do not deny his devotion to idiocy my friend, only his stubbornness to at least admit the truth.

    “What truth?”

    Sommer was beginning to get annoyed. How dare they act as if he was not there!

    That he would just die without my charming presence.

    The younger man snorted, his first bold act. Then, seeming surprised by his bravado, he shrank back, covering his mouth. Nicolai turned his stare to him, tilting his head ever so slightly.

    “Something funny Sommer?” His voice dropped a few volumes, reaching a dangerous tone.

    Sommer ducked his head, shaking with fear again. “N-no Nicolai, nothing’s funny at all.” Seemingly inadvertently, he glanced up at Nicolai’s sister again. He caught his breath.

    Locke...

    In an instant, Nicolai’s glare hardened to ice and his eyes widened in anger. He gasped as he realized what he had just let slip. Locke’s eyes widened and she buried her face in her hands, but Sommer seemed strangely satisfied.

    No, Nicolai, I didn’t mean it! For the first time, he sounded humble and a pleading. It was just a slip of the tongue…so to speak.

    “How dare you.” Slowly, Nicolai rose, though his voice remained soft and low. “How dare you! How DARE you think that about my sister! You think you’re good enough for her, you miserable little shadow?” His voice rose to a roar, silencing the entire room. “You would DARE to want to lay your eyes on her. You would DARE want to touch her? You are not worthy to share the same space as her, you lowlife shade! You should consider yourself lucky I let your swill within ten feet of her presence!”

    His hands were gripping the edge of the table, knuckles turning white and the wood was beginning to crack. Sommer leaped up and began to back away from the pale blond with insane eyes as Locke quietly did the same.

    Please Nicolai, I swear! It was a mistake, I didn’t mean it! I know it was wrong, you have taught me well what happens when I slip like that. Please forgive me!

    “Forgiveness?” Nicolai’s voice dropped to a whisper once more. “You want forgiveness!? For daring to profane my sister with your vile thoughts? You are nothing but an abominable piece of trash I would kick aside off the street! For your arrogance, for your villainy, for your foolishness at trying to rise above yourself, there is no forgiveness. I must teach you again what it means to violate what is perfect.”

    He reached out and picked up the mostly full glass of water on the table, grinning madly. Three shouted out at this, though one was unheard by most of the tavern.

    “Nicolai, please, don’t do it!” Sommer begged, though he didn’t make any further complaints.

    “Nicolai!” Locke reached out to grab her brother’s arm, trying to compel him to stop, though one glance told her it was useless. Her brother’s protective nature over her was absolute, and he tolerated no “disrespect” from anyone.

    Do it. The voice rang out strong and fearless, apparently he was pulling on a bold front. I’m just itching to see you face-to-face, you demented, twisted, sister-obsessed pig!

    “You will learn, shadow, to show the proper deference towards your betters!” He screamed, throwing the glass.

    A few images could be seen as the water hit the already-dying fire before darkness consumed them; Sommer was doubled over, his face twisted into an expression of agony, a silent scream on his lips, Nicolai was grinning wildly, his eyes intent on the broken form of Sommer, and Locke was standing to the side, eyes filled with soft concern and horrible fear. Plummeted into darkness, screams emerged from the other patrons in the tavern, and many feet could be heard leaving the room. Over the panic, a laugh rang out; a laughter that sent chills down spines and stopped hearts. Softly at first, this unrestricted, almost maniacal laughter soon rang clear and strong, echoing through the tavern and up the stairs to the rooms of the inn, flooding the ears of all. Then a voice emerged from the blackness.

    “Fool.”

    ~End of part 1