Soul Stealers

The midnight moon disappeared behind the storm clouds brewing on the horizon, and I wanted to settle my tired bones into my bed before the torrential rains swept across the valley. As I peddled my bike toward my uncle's estate, I felt a shift in the night air.

Silence.

The night music stopped. The creatures faded into the shadows.

I felt it. I wasn't alone.

Stopping. I put my feet on the dirt road and listened for the monster waiting to devour me.

Trying to shake off my fantastic fears, I wiped my clammy hands on my pants and peddled as fast as possible toward the mansion. I could barely hear myself think, for my heart beat erratically in my ears, keeping pace with my overactive imagination.

Rounding the bend, I felt calmer when my eyes saw the light in the distance. Focusing on the illuminating glow guiding me home, I hoped I'd outpace the unknown horror, but then I heard it...

The explosion echoed in the night as the green luminescence flared into the night sky. To my horror, the remaining light was gone. The valley was in total darkness.

Stumbling over my two feet, trying to peddle as panic started to control my remaining sensibilities, I hit a pothole. My bike lurched, and I felt my body floating in the air until I landed on my back.

Grunting from the fall, I gathered my wits about me and stood up, shaking the dirt off my hands. I reached for my bike, but it wasn't where I thought it would be.

What the bloody hell is going on? How did my bike disappear? Did I bang my head? Lose my memory? Or did someone take my bike?

Muttering to myself, I said, "This can't be happening. This cannot be happening. I need to get in bed, and everything will be fine in the morning."

Closing my eyes, I took several deep breaths and decided to look for my bike again. As I opened my eyes, the impending storm introduced itself with a bolt of electricity. The night sky was briefly illuminated as the lightning flashed, and in the briefest of instances, I saw my mangled bike 200 meters down the lane.

Scratching my head, I couldn't understand how I had traveled so far when I flipped over the handlebars but walked over to the bike and cringed when I saw the twisted tire.

I wanted to scream!

Tossing the broken bike on the side of the road, I started to walk to the house but stopped when I heard something behind me. The raspy voice sent shivers down my spine.

I needed to run!

Every instinct told me to run, but my morbid curiosity forced my feet to grow roots, and I didn't move from the spot where I planted myself. I told myself not to turn around. I knew I should keep my eyes focused on the ground in front of me.

I should run! I should scream!

I shuttered when I felt his dank breath on my skin and his bony hand rested on my shoulder. Slowly, I turned around to look the creature in the eyes. I needed to know the monster that was hunting me down.

Lightning struck!

When our eyes met, I gasped at the ethereal creature standing before me. It was more shadow than substance, yet I could hear its raspy voice, the death rattle in its transparent lungs. The creature's ancient clothes were tattered and torn, swaying in the wind.

I needed to flee!

Before I could turn to run, I heard his voice upon the wind, "We've taken your uncle, just like we'll take you one day!"

He faded along with his words.

Racing to the mansion, I called his name, but the house echoed in its emptiness. He was gone! What kind of monsters took him? What will they do to me? As the realization settled over me that my fate was tethered to some ghostly bandits, I looked down at my forearm and read the inky words that appeared on my arm.

We own your soul.

"Nooooooooo! I will break this curse! You can't have my soul!"