The Shadow

It was a summer day, and I was returning home after work. I had to walk some distance to reach my house. It was a very familiar road, but I felt something odd that day.

I was walking slowly, as the road was in semi-darkness. A strange feeling started to overshadow my self-control. I was scared of the darkness. My grandparents used to tell many scary tales about gruesome incidents on that road.

The shadow, they said, was a loitering spirit in the darkness, and we used to tremble listening to my granny's tales. As we grew older, we forgot about "The Shadow." But on that particular day, the memories came rushing back.

The places shrouded in darkness brought my hidden fears to the surface. I scanned the surroundings, expecting to find "The Shadow" lurking, waiting to catch me. Soon, I reached a spot where there was no light—someone had removed the bulb from the lamp post. A strange chill enveloped me, accompanied by a pungent smell.

"Who's there?" I asked in a shaky voice.

I was sure I had seen someone.

Though it was pitch dark, I felt the presence of a man.

There was no answer.

I stepped forward cautiously, my entire body drenched in sweat. I couldn’t control my trembling legs.

"Should I run?" I asked myself, but I couldn’t even muster the strength to quicken my pace.

After two agonizing minutes, I emerged from the dark area into a place with some light.

A sudden wave of relief slowly overpowered my fear. I was reassured by the thought that my house was near—a well-lit place. The blazing lights infused me with confidence.

As I approached the front door, I heard a whistle behind me.

I turned back.

It was there—in the middle of the road, standing and staring at me.

I froze, unable to tear my eyes away.

He was smiling, a sarcastic grin on his face.

And then, just as suddenly as he appeared, he was gone. The road was empty. Somehow, I managed to compose myself and turned the knob to open the door. I stepped inside and immediately locked the door, fumbling with the key as my fingers refused to cooperate.

Father was the first to speak.

"You saw him?"

I nodded, and my father’s face turned serious.

"Okay, try to forget it."

I nodded again and turned away.

But suddenly, I looked back and saw that my father wasn’t there.

Then a pang of fear struck me.

My father had vanished.