creeping in

Wet earth sunk beneath my sneakers as I sprinted through the forest back to my home. Slithering through the trees not far behind me was an eerie shadow, it wasn’t the first time it had appeared, but this time it was noticeable. Flowers wilted, water froze, and light disappeared as the black fog slid across the ground; increasing its speed quickly. My heart raced as I tried to move faster towards the sunlit gravel walkway just yards away. The air felt colder behind me, my heart skipped a beat as darkness fell over me; with a jolt my mind told my legs to leap. Rocks dug into my skin as I landed on the path, relief rushed through my veins as the sunlight danced across my skin. Lingering among the trees was a sinister figure, almost upset or discomforted; deciding whether or not to emerge into the daylight. The loud heartbeat thumping in my ears faded as I limped across the lawn and up the stone steps leading to the large red-oak doors of my home. The wood creaked open as I turned the knob and collapsed onto the stone floor. All the energy had left my body and a deep gloom came over me.

My consciousness re-emerged at the opposite end of the alley to a hooded figure, powerful, and intimidating. The air was cold, the sky a deep and dark blue, with a lingering lunar glow. As I stood staring down the alley at the figure the wind blew briskly along with a bone-chilling whisper, “This is your warning: the end of your world is approaching.” The figure began gliding closer, my head began to swim, while its cloaked arm was outstretched towards me. My breath ceased to exist in my lungs, then, my knees buckled. I felt the wet ground on my face and it all went black. I awoke on the stone floor as a new day of the sun kissed my cheek.

That morning against my better judgement, I went out searching for that shadow creature. My eyes fell upon the sun as it was peeking out from behind vast mountains. Perched on a nearby cliff was a wolf that eyed its prey in the woods below. Light coalesced with the blue in the sky creating a breathtaking vibrant hue with few clouds scattered amid it all. The auburn fur on the wolf’s back moved like subtle waves with the wind as it lunged at the small ferret it had been stalking. The neck of the ferret snapped beneath the pressure of the predator’s teeth as they sank into the warm fur. Satisfied with its catch, the wolf returned to its watching place upon the ledge; searching for any movement below. Its eyes quickly darted towards a dark shadow moving through the evergreens. The wolf was confused, the shadow didn’t belong to anything; it was a being in itself. As the wolf stared at the spot it had seen the odd shadow, there was a sudden cold breeze behind it. A whimper left the jaws of the wolf while the darkness moved over it. A deep force compressed its lungs and air wouldn’t enter its diaphragm. Frightened, the wolf began gasping for oxygen, but it's time had run out, for the wolf’s heart stopped beating. The shadow changed slowly into an opaque hooded figure. What appeared as a hand moved over the dead animal and withdrew a silvery mist. Gradually the bright mist sculpted itself into the stature of a wolf. After a few breaths, the figure turned toward the tree I had been taking shelter behind.

The cold air caught in my lungs as my eyes locked onto the lurking danger. Suddenly, the world began to tilt sideways. One way and then another, the contents of my mind began to slosh. The darkness drifted closer and my body became heavier. I lost the concept of breathing as a ghastly hand made contact with my forehead. The dry palm pressed solidly against my skin. The last thing I recalled feeling in my body was the sensation of my energy dropping to my feet. I didn't stay in there long enough to feel my face make contact with the damp forest floor. I regained consciousness outside of my body, where I stood behind the hooded figure. I locked eyes with my lifeless body before looking down at my now-ghostly body. I was hovering off the ground, just like the dark hooded figure in front of me.

I’d become many of what would be referred to as the Firsts, coined as something easy to remember and honor. The Firsts were the initial wave to be wiped out by the Eaters, who consumed much of life on Earth. Eventually, I would fade away and become but a distant memory, washed away like the high tide. The Eaters, however, would thrive off of the remaining life hiding in the corners of the planet. Those few would lock themselves away, surrounded by light in fear of what might be hidden in the shadowy depths of the night.