The Figure in the Shadows

Suspense Stories | Dec 8, 2011 | 4 min read
72 Votes, average: 4 out of 5
Suspense Stories

The Figure in the Shadows

"Lovely night just cool enough not to make me sweat," Alex muttered as he biked along an abandoned path in Calabazas Park. It had been abandoned due to superstition. You couldn't blame the people for abandoning the path after multiple extremely gruesome deaths have occurred there. There was a small breeze blowing in the November air. It was midnight and everyone was at home sleeping but Alex was too energetic to sleep. Also there was a party at 2 am over at his friend's house which he dying to attend. He laughed at the sheer thought of him getting lucky with a girl there. He pedaled on for a mile or two then stopped for a breather. The wind had stopped but the trees continued to move. Alex did not notice this or the fact that the air had just dropped from moderate to freezing. All he cared about was a drink of water. When he felt that he had rested long enough he got up and remounted his bike. Just before he kicked off however he thought he saw a shadow dart across from tree to tree.

"Who the hell would be up at this hour?" he muttered to himself.

A thought crossed his mind. Perhaps thugs were lying in wait to mug him. He grabbed his phone, switched on the light and crept forward cautiously. Leaves crackled underneath him and there was a deadly silence. The air had long since turned freezing but now a fog lingered over the dark woods. It lingered there like a spider danging about to catch its prey. Through the fog the figure darted to another tree again, outlined by the grey translucent mist. Alex was breathing heavily now aware of what might befall him. Yet curiosity overtook him and he stumbled on. The figure was clear now, a shadow among the other shadows. Alex's pace quickened along with his pulse. Surprisingly he felt no impending danger only a raging thirst to see the figure. The figure darted behind another tree but stayed there beckoning Alex to come. Alex slowed down when he neared the tree and shown the beam to where he believed the figure was.

"Come out come out whatever you are," he purred. The figure peeked from behind the tree and Alex gasped.

There was no face, no body, no color. It was a manifestation  of evil gathered together to form a single dark silhouette in the form of a man. Alex dropped his flash light and ran, his fear transforming him into a wild beast determined to get away from this horrible figure of darkness. The ghoul was right on his heels and gliding just as fast towards its prey. Alex was panicking, his heart was nearly beating out of his chest. The leaves crackled under him as he raced for his bike. His mounted and rode off just as the figure cleared the woods. As he raced towards his home he heard a blood-curdling howl emit from the figure's head. He turned around and continued riding back towards home.

He arrived at front door in less that five minutes. He was out of breath, panting for air, still he managed to unlock the door and collapse in his sofa. Cupping his hands towards his face he attempted to wipe out the events. After taking an entire hour to calm down he stood up and walked to the bathroom. As he turned on the tap he saw a shadow move in the mirror. He looked behind him... empty. He looked at the mirror again. Sure enough the figure was there. He whipped his head to face the back again... nothing. He turned his attention towards the tap now, submerged his face and came back up to look at the mirror again. The figure was in front of his face looming there in front of him replacing his reflection. Alex's eyes widened and he opened his mouth to scream but the figure enveloped him and consumed his essence. As quickly as it started Alex was swallowed by the figure who went back into the woods and wait for another unfortunate passerby.

"Hey sweetie that path looks empty want to go walk through there?" 15 year old Brandon asked his girlfriend.

"Sure,' she replied giggling and they walked along the road chatting. The figure hid among the trees. It shook with anticipation for the upcoming meal.

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Reviews

Amy Apr 11, 2012

Good story

André Mar 30, 2012

Excellent story. Imagine the whole world filled by shadow, with light having no effect on it. That is really scary...

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