Darkness Within the Light

Chapter 5: Vanishing Hill

Mom wouldn't elaborate on her disturbing statement in the car or give me any details about The Fellowship. She just went silent and ignored all my pestering questions. It was like she wanted me to know what was going on, but something was preventing her from revealing any secrets. I saw despair and fear in her eyes. She longed to protect me, but it seemed that her hands were tied.

With my imagination, I had already developed my own conspiracy theories, but I needed to do more research. I needed answers and my gut told me that the only place I would find them was through Shadow Dark.

I have no idea what possessed me to walk towards Vanishing Hill.

Maybe it was my longing for a revealing in the mystery, or maybe I just needed a distraction from my own emotional turmoil.

I waited until the sun fell and my mother's slumber echoed in the halls. Once I was sure the house was still, I silently crawled out of my bedroom window. I tiptoed through the front yard with a delicate jog, continuously glancing behind me for any movement in Aunt Verna's house, but everything stayed motionless, and my heart calmed as I realized my escape didn't draw any attention.

The air became cold as I made my way around the curve and fog began to tickle the street as I grew closer to the Dark's mansion. I felt myself tremble as I stood at the edge of the long walkway that led to the Dark family's front door. An iron gate stood as a barricade blocking me from the answers I seek. I prayed it wasn't locked so I could sneak in or they were awake and willing to allow me access. I could only pray that Shadow's perfect smile would greet me with open arms.

I never felt so desperate.

I never felt so lost and uncertain about the world that surrounded me.

I exhaled a final breath before I placed my uneasy foot onto the concrete that began the mansion's property. I felt the atmosphere shift and a cold breeze flowed through my body as if a ghost had greeted me.

With a brave face, I continued to march forward until I met the barrier. I hastily pushed and pulled the gate and to my despair, it was locked. I was denied entry. I felt my heart sink into my stomach as my eyes swelled with tears.

I didn't understand why I was so desperate.

I didn't understand why I wanted to be on the other side of that gate.

But it was hopeless.

I wasn't going to be able to put my restless mind at ease tonight, and I would have to accept that I wouldn't get any sleep.

My head was heavy as I gloomily turned to walk away, but then suddenly, I heard the squeak of rusted steel. I slowly glanced over my shoulder and gasped with gratitude.

The gate had swung open.

I checked my surroundings as I uneasily tucked my cold hands into the pockets of my black hoodie. I was uncertain how the gate opened and honestly, I didn't want to know. My numb legs quivered as I walked through the entrance, and I leaped out of my skin when it slammed shut behind me.

As I made my way closer to the mansion, the fog thickened, but I could see the shapes of tombstones and I could hear large lifeless trees scratching each other with their pointy branches. This house was spookier than it appeared from the street and the deeper I walked onto the property, the more I began to regret my decision to come here.

There was no turning back now though, and even if I wanted to run out screaming, I doubt the gate would be gracious twice. I was already standing on the decaying front porch.

I scanned for a doorbell but all I saw was a long and thick black rope dangling beside the porch light. I uneasily pulled down on the rope and then I heard an echo within the house that sounded like the ringing of an old grandfather clock.

I wanted to run but my legs were too weak to move.

Suddenly, the deep red door swung open, and I was greeted by a ghastly looking elderly man who appeared to be the butler.

He was tall and hefty. The corner of his eyes dragged down as if they were frowning as his skin was colored a mixture of gray and blue. His butler uniform was torn and decayed as if worms and moths had feasted on it. I had to rub my eyes to ensure I was seeing correctly because I could have sworn a roach crawled from his white hair into his left ear and then out the other.

“May I help you?" his voice was monotoned and it echoed in my ears as I stood helplessly. I began to choke on my vocal cords and oxygen began to restrict itself in my lungs.

I cleared my throat, “Is Shadow home?" I felt my words falter as my mouth quickly became dry.

“Right this way," he said as he moved to the side, allowing me in.

I forced my feet through the doorway, and I flinched when I heard the door close behind me. I just knew I was going to be locked here forever. I just hoped that over the years of imprisonment, my appearance didn't match the butler's persona, but I guess, technically, I was halfway there with my sulky, black attire.

The butler led me into the den that had a large black-stoned fireplace blazing. The warmth of the fire was calming and thawed my frozen body. The entire back wall was filled with shelves of books as high as the ceiling that required a sliding ladder to reach the literature on the top. Mysterious paintings that matched the medieval era dangled from the deep blood red walls, and abstract sculptures that were molded into bizarre shapes and swirls occupied the corners of the rooms. A sitting area inhabited the center of the den. The butler gestured me to have a seat on the black Victorian style sofa. The material was a comfortable soft plush that I sank into when I fearfully sat down. A matching love seat was on my right side and a large ottoman chair that reminded me of a king's throne was on the other.

“Master Shadow will be down shortly." The butler bowed to me before suddenly vanishing from the room.

Literally.

He just faded into thin air.

I wanted to run out screaming. I closed my eyes begging myself to wake up. I even pinched myself a few times to ensure this wasn't real, but the throbbing pain on my skin assured me that it was. I think I was starting to bruise.

Why didn't I just listen to my mother?

Why did I have to be so stubborn?

I was rocking myself in my seat like a newborn baby, as I kept my eyes clenched shut, afraid of seeing anymore unnatural things.

But then I heard his warm and soft voice pierce me in the heart. My stomach began to flutter as the pounding in my chest ignited.

“I would say what a pleasant surprise, but I'm not really surprised," Shadow chuckled as my eyes slowly met his.

“Why is that?"

“Because of your little crush on me," he teasingly waved his finger at me as he flashed his gorgeous smile, causing my body to become weak again.

“You're pretty full of yourself, you know that?" I antagonized as I felt my nerves slowly begin to settle.

“So, I've heard," he smiled and I couldn't help but to blush as I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I guess the stories about my house didn't keep you away like the rest of the town."

“I haven't heard a*********s about your home. Just your family."

“They say walking onto this property is the same as walking into Hell." He slowly stepped closer towards me with his hands formally folded behind his back.

“I doubt that."

He leaned back as the corners of his lips twisted with wonder. “How come?"

“I haven't seen anything evil here. Bizarre, yes, but not evil."

His eyes soaked me in from head to toe as he flashed a sinuous smile. He leaned into my personal space, and I nervously gazed down at the dark hardwood floor. I fiddled with my fingers as I felt his cold breath amuse my neck. “You haven't seen the rest of the house yet."

I felt a chill slowly slither down my spine.

His aroma was so intoxicating and bewitching.

I was completely trapped in his presence.

He could tell that I was becoming antsy, so he quickly stepped back to allow me some room to breathe. He analyzed me again before his eyebrows curved in the shape of a question mark. “Why are you here?" He paused as I saw a flame flash within his eyes. He was becoming angry with me. “Are you spying on me?"