The Shadow Figures

There was a positive tranquility that could be felt walking through the woods in the day time. Various song birds could be heard while the occasional breeze ruffled your hair and tickled your skin. It appeared to be just like any other woods one might venture into.

However, once dusk fell, no one dared venture into the woods. When the last rays of the evening sun fell, there was a need to leave the woods immediately and return inside under the safety of ones home with the doors and windows locked. Children were forbidden to venture out into the woods once the sun set. Parents forbidding their children from playing in the woods after dark wasn’t necessary as not even the boldest and liveliest children were willing and brave enough to be in the woods after dark.

The difference between the woods during the day and the same woods at night was otherworldly. Like comparing heaven and hell.

“I made a new friend, Mama.”

Sarah glanced at her four year old daughter and smiled, gently yet firmly guiding her inside. “Dinner will soon be ready, Hailey. Get cleaned up.”

Sarah stared out where the edges of the woods met the back yard and signed uncomfortably before closing and locking the door. She hated living so close to the forbidden woods. It wasn’t a good place for her or her four year old daughter but right now, moving anywhere else was not an option.

“I’ll show you my room and my toys! Do you like …?”

Sarah listened as her daughter hurried upstairs as if she were having a friendly race with someone she could not see. She brushed the uneasiness she felt and smiled. It was good for Hailey to have an imaginary friend. She did wish there were other kids her age to play and bond with.

***

“You really believe those stories?”

Luke shook his head profusely at his next door neighbor and friend, Devon. “Those aren’t stories. Those things are real!” Maybe it was Devon’s 15 year old spirit of invincibility but Luke was also 15 and he knew better.

“I’ve lived behind these woods for years and I’ve never seen anything,” Devon’s gaze fell out into the woods as if he were expecting to see something at any moment.

“You wouldn’t want to,” Luke warned. “I’m telling you, you don’t know what those things want from us!” The last of the sun’s rays were drifting under the horizon and in about another hour, it would be completely dark.

“Let’s just leave, man.” Luke’s voice became more agitated the more the sun sank under the horizon.

Devon took a step closer to the woods as if taunting whatever creature might be in there.

“What are you doing?” Luke exclaimed as he watched his friend take another step into the woods.

“Hey if you’re scared and believe those stories they tell little kids so they stay out of the woods, that’s fine. I’m checking these woods out for myself!” Devon called out as he disappeared into the woods.

Luke was torn. It would be best to go back home immediately but if Devon disappeared and it could have been prevented, he couldn’t help to feel at fault.

He took a slow deep breath to compose himself before following after his friend. Maybe they were just stories after all.

He caught up with Devon several feet into the woods. The woods were strangely quiet and there was an unshakable feeling that they were being watched.

Luke shook the feeling off but it still persisted. He approached Devon, his voice urgent to leave. “Well?”

“Not a thing. I told you.”

Luke took a moment to stare past the trees and over growth. The scenery was just like any other woods but something felt off. He broke his gaze from the woods as if he was afraid to see something if he stared out even a second longer.

“Let’s go.”

Devon didn’t answer, his attention focused on something else.

“What is it?” Luke asked, hesitant.

“Shh!” Devon motioned towards the direction he was looking at and Luke followed his gaze. The moment he did, he wish he hadn’t.

Out of nowhere, as if there was an invisible portal like slit, the first figure — a tall shadow humanoid form emerged from it and then another.

Luke couldn’t move or even speak and even Devon found himself paralyzed with fear. Both crouched down beneath the overgrowth.

“What are they? What do they want?” Luke whispered.

Devon only remained silent, his eyes locked on the shadow figures. They moved stealthily through the woods and were as mysterious as ghosts. They appeared to be observing the woods but why?

“They’re looking for something,” Devon hushed.

“Or someone,” Luke added. His heart raced each time one walked by.

One of the figures approached them as it moved with a swift yet steady observance.

“Holy shit!” Luke gasped under his breath barely able to get the words out. Devon shook his arm urging him to stay quiet.

The figure, although faceless seemed to be staring right in their direction but after what felt like an eternity, it moved on vanishing into thin air.

Once the figures were out of sight, both Devon and Luke scrambled to their feet and fled out of the woods.

“What were those things?!” Devon exclaimed panting in between words.

“Now do you believe?!” Luke replied panting between breaths as well.

Devon didn’t say anything but his face said it all.

***

Sarah had just put her daughter, Hailey to bed. She gently closed the bedroom door as her daughter started to fall asleep.

“Good night!”

Sarah heard her daughter say goodnight. She smiled and shook her head. They had already told each other good night and with good night kisses too but Sarah with having a four year old, Sarah knew it was best to just go along.

She opened the door slightly. “Good — ”, she started but stopped in her tracks. In the dim light of her daughter’s room by the night light, her eyes locked on a figure, about the same height as her daughter.

It stood in the corner of Hailey’s room and appeared to be staring right at Sarah.

“Oh no! Oh no!” Sarah exclaimed with trembling hands over her mouth.