Memories of childhood echoed in Edward's mind, a time when his father's comforting embrace offered solace in moments of fear. His father's words, spoken with an air of reassurance, resonated in his ears, a poignant reminder of a time when he sought refuge in his father's protective arms.
"Men are not afraid, son. You are a big boy now," his father's words echoed, etched into his memory from a time when he was merely a tender-hearted child of five or six years.
Yet here he stood, a grown man now, but trembling with a primal fear that seized his very core. The haunting wheezing breaths, eerie and haunting, echoed just a few steps behind him, a relentless reminder of the lurking horror that shadowed his every move.
Though he dared not turn to face the source of his terror, the familiarity of the creature's breathing triggered a recollection buried deep within his past—the unsettling resemblance to the drunken man who once roamed the town's streets. As a child, Edward had steered clear of that man, avoiding him like the plague. The man's aura reeked of cigarettes and alcohol, a repulsive combination that had always filled Edward with an inexplicable unease.
The relentless approach of the creature, coupled with its eerie whispers, imprisoned Edward in a vice of terror. His eyes clamped shut, shutting out the horrifying visage that loomed closer with each passing second. The creature's guttural growls distorted into a haunting whisper, calling his name in a voice that sent shivers down his spine.
"Edward... Eeeedward."
Paralyzed by fear, Edward resisted the urge to look, his mind gripped by a primal terror that rooted him in place. But then, an unexpected twist—the creature's whispered words shifted, taking on a strange, unexpected tone.
"I don't want you to be alone."
The shock of those words jolted Edward to his core. Hesitation lingered in the air as he dared to open his eyes, meeting the piercing gaze of the creature's blood-red eyes. The sheer horror of the encounter overwhelmed him, and in a desperate bid to escape, he attempted to flee.
However, his attempt to evade the ominous presence proved futile. Before he could take a single step, the shadowy figure pounced upon him, slamming him forcefully into the wall. As Edward teetered on the brink of unconsciousness, the haunting echoes of those words reverberated within him—"I don't want you to be alone." This time, however, the voice had transformed. It was Claire, her voice softly speaking the haunting phrase that resonated within the fading recesses of his mind.
Then, engulfed in an impenetrable darkness, Edward succumbed to the void, losing all semblance of consciousness. The whispers, the presence of the creature, and the enigmatic words echoed in the depths of his subconscious as his world dissolved into an abyss of oblivion.
YOU ARE READING
The Silent Shadow
Mystery / ThrillerEdward's life was completely turned upside down after a tragic incident as a child. Regret and nightmares haunt him.... The day has finally come when he will face his biggest nightmare and regret....
