Shadows of Darkness

Chapter 2 - Did it really happen?

I was standing like a stone, not being able to move or make any sound. Someone was standing on the path, but the sounds of pain were not coming from him. The face of the stranger was not visible in the darkness but the moonlight was giving an idea of his large figure.

His shoulders were moving up and down like he was breathing hard. There was another man, the stranger was holding him by his neck. The whimpers of pain were coming from the same person but I doubted the large stranger cared about his pain.

A snap echoed in the empty path followed by a gasp. I realized the gasp was my reaction which was a mistake. The body of the man fell down like a lifeless puppet.

The strange man turned in my direction slowly, fear overtook my senses but it was surprisingly not because of what I just witnessed. The eyes of the stranger were glowing. Two round yellow circles were staring at me. The fear flew away and I felt numb at first then a strange light feeling spread through my body.

I could hear the sound of my breathing as well as my beating heart.

The stranger was not moving as well, but I could feel his eyes on me like he could see my soul.

My brain was telling me to run for my life otherwise I would be found next to these two men in the morning but for some reason, I could not move. The fear was gone, why was I not scared of dying?

Just then, my phone started vibrating in my hand. Reluctantly, I moved my eyes from those animalistic eyes to the screen of my phone which showed Eddie’s name.

It was enough to bring me back to my senses, the fear was back. Without thinking anything, I turned around and started running back to the park.

I did not stop once, not even to check if the man was chasing me.

“Celeste, where were..”

I did not let Eddie say another word and threw my arms around her. She quickly wrapped her arms around me and started rubbing circles on my back, “What happened? Are you okay?”

I could not respond.

“I saw…” but I stopped mid-sentence, what was I supposed to tell them? I saw a man with glowing eyes who possibly murdered two people. I could not tell them anything, if he saw them he would go after them as well. The strange man saw me but I could not risk Eddie and Neon’s life as well. Besides what would I tell everyone I was doing in the middle of nowhere at midnight?

“Nothing,” I forced a smile, “I got scared of the darkness.”

“You like nighttime,” Eddie raised her brows, exchanging a look with Neon.

“Did something happen?” Neon took a step in my direction, his voice suddenly became heavy, “you can tell us, did someone say anything to you?”

“No,” I replied almost too immediately.

“Let’s just go back home,” I suggested, suddenly remembering the strange man that could be watching us.

Neon and Eddie glanced at each other once again, it was their thing, They did not always need words to communicate with each other. It frustrated me often times but it was not the time to focus on their special language.

“Fine,” Neon answered and we quickly got inside the car.

During the entire car ride, I did not utter a word. Eddie kept on talking with Neon but I could not focus on anything they were saying. My mind kept replaying the incident that happened earlier.

Did it really happen?

Someone died and I did nothing.

The guilt started stirring a heavy feeling in my chest. I closed my fist and let the nails dig deep inside my skin to stop the tears from flowing out of my eyes.

“You okay?” Neon was looking at me through the mirror.

I turned my lips upward and nodded, “Just a little tired.”

“Even you have to admit, it was better than your so-called twenty-first birthday party,” Eddie snickered from the passenger seat.

I did not respond but saw Neon giving her a look.

“What? That party was lame, I would not enjoy that kind of thing even in my eighties. Everything was so formal and uptight, just like Mrs…”

“Ed…” Neon said in a warning tone, knowing well I did not like it when Eddie talked like this.

I gave Neon a thankful smile but added nothing to their conversation, I knew Eddie did not mean anything bad. She was someone who would rather speak what was in her mind than keep things stuffed inside her heart. Another one of her qualities I wished I had.

I zoned out of their conversation once again and started looking outside the window even though I was not focusing on anything.

My brain was still in the same place.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?” Eddie turned just when Neon stopped the car.

“Yes, I have to go back before anyone notices I am not in my room.”

“When are your parents coming back home?”

“In the morning,” I answered, “I will see you guys later.”

I got out of the car in hurry and started making my way toward the familiar building. I could not enter through the main gate, that’s why Neon dropped me off on the back side of the house. I used the key to open the gate as quietly as I could and walked inside the stones but my heels were making a lot of sounds. I removed my heels and picked them up in my hand.

Silently I pushed the glass window of the room inside and entered. It was the same window that I used to get out earlier.

Once I was inside, I did not turn the light on and walked out of the room. I did not need lights, I could reach my room with closed eyes. Holding my breath, I almost ran through the stairs and turned to my right making sure not to hit the large antique flower vase on the way. I took fifteen steps and stopped.

Slowly, I opened the door of my room and closed it quietly.

After I reached inside the comfortable walls of my bedroom, I let out a breath of relief through my mouth and plopped down on the bed.

I did not bother turning on the light, I hated lights, and most people I knew needed some light in their rooms at night but not me. I wanted the darkness to sleep peacefully.

When my heartbeat got normal, I decided to get up and change into an oversized long-t-shirt.

The images of the strange man once again started flashing in front of my eyes.

What should I do? The thought was keeping the sleep away from my eyes. I knew what was the right thing to do but doing the right thing could get me in a lot of trouble. What was I supposed to tell everyone? Why was I outside my house at almost 12 am and what was I doing in that part of the city? Who would believe my story if I told them I saw a man with glowing eyes? Even I would not believe my words.

What if it was all a lie?

What if my brain was playing tricks with me? Or what if there was something wrong that that drink?

I shook my head, Neon would never do that.

I got up knowing well I would not be able to sleep until I told someone about what I saw. It was clear, that I would tell everyone about the murder I witnessed. I could not stay silent and let a murderer run away like this.

I just had to wait for a few hours then with the light, I would bring the truth in front of everyone.