Coming From the Shadows Series
Coming From the Shadows: Lydia
The Growing Shadows of Uncertainty
Part 2
Related Stories:
- Eliza Wright – Youth Empowerment in Martial Arts: Eliza’s Tae-Kwon Do Match
- A Friend in Need – Silent Screams for Help: A Friend in Need
- Eliza and Tyler 1 – A Playful Romance: Eliza and Tyler’s Journey
- Eliza and Tyler 2 – Eliza and Tyler: A Tale of Love and Vulnerability
Previous Instalments:
- The Growing Shadows of Uncertainty: Part 1 – Unraveling the Shadows: A Tale of Darkness and Courage
Chapter 3:
The air hung thick and heavy – the stench of rot and something acrid, almost metallic wafted through the room; dust motes danced within the faint light the emanated; the Cultists present were seated around a circular table, there was an air of fanatism and they speak in hushed whispers.
The oppressive atmosphere present within the room however was not as a result of those present, nor the state of the dilapidated room; it emanated from the very shadows that clung to the corners of the room, from within those shadows – two crimson eyes burned like embers within the darkness, the room, its temperature was icy, each breath misting within the air; the ‘Entity’ of the darkness was present, it’s heavy stomping a distinct, hoof-like sound as it circled around the cultists.
The form of this ‘creature’ remained a mass of swirling darkness that defied perception as it hid within the darkened shadows; but the presence was undeniable, a palpable wave of dystopian despair crushed any feeling of hope; the Cultists, despite their devotion, still trembled in its presence.
“For too long have we wasted opportunity after opportunity” a voice said to the gathered Cultists as they sat around the table
“But we’re making progress” another voice said
“We’ve secured out position in places like America; across various European countries, and even across Asia” a third voice spoke “That group Lydia formed; they are pitiful, they present no threat anymore” the third voice added
“The ‘Group’?” a fourth voice chimes in, a melodic sound to their voice “That ‘Group’ has been interfering quite well against our operations in China, Japan and Brazil”
“They are still insignificant” the second snaps
“I disagree” the fourth voice responds “Our operations across China, Japan and Brazil hold just much importance as our operations in America, or here in Britain”
A Low guttural growl emanates from the darkness as the heavy stomping finally comes to a stop, an oppressive silence descends within the room as the discussions end abruptly “The only thing of importance is the box” the voice that came from the darkness was ancient, chilling
“We…, we will redouble our efforts” the first cultists voice says with hesitation
“It won’t be difficult to trac down if you do as you are told; my patience for your incompetence is beginning to run out; too long have you all sat here, discussing your failures across other lands, too long have your entire organisation has spent wasting time with your petty squabbles and indifferences” the red eyes seem to glow with a barely supressed rage “You place is to obey; to do as commanded, if I need to intervene against these…, transgressions from those who wish to interrupt the Imperium, then I will do so, but only if it threatens a far greater design that I have, until such a time, you do as you are instructed” the voice snaps
There is a silence once again; the Cultists looked to one another, but there wasn’t much else they could really do in response.
“Continue the observation of the girl; she will lead us to the box” the red eyes flashed for a moment, the stomping once again resuming, but moving towards the door of the room they were all waiting within
Chapter 4
The college buzzed with life and frantic energy of the new year; students milled about trying to find their classes, their voices a cacophony of excitement and nervous anticipation; for Raven, everything was a blur – the corridors twisted and turned, lecture halls appeared and disappeared, and every sign she could find was no help, she felt as though everything was very overwhelming; she finally came to a stop near some stairs before backtracking through a pair of double doors to look at the numbers along the doors “Wait…, Room C-Three….” She glanced at the timetable in her hand, nothing made sense to her “This isn’t the right building….” She commented to herself, growing frustrated
Then, a giggle erupted from behind her “Lost again love?”
Raven spun around, she found Yasmin stood by the open double doors; she had a mischievous glint in her eyes, as usual, Yasmin had to come searching, knowing Raven would once again having gotten herself lost “It’s not my fault this college was designed by sadists” Raven grumbled, making her to quickly to her “It’s like every room just wants to mess with me”
Yasmin just maintained her smile, giving a slight shake of her head, she leaned forwards to give Raven a quick kiss on the lips before gently taking the timetable, although she didn’t need to look at it really; Raven was in the same class as herself “C-Three is on the other side love” she chuckled in amusement “Come on” she held her hand out; Raven quickly took it, their fingers intertwining as Yasmin began to lead them to the correct part of the college
As they walked; Raven leaned towards Yasmin, drawing comfort from her, she barely took notice of some of the glances it brought upon them; Yasmin had a tendency to keep Raven grounded, to keep her calm whenever she was struggling, it curved Raven’s lips into a smile as she gave Yasmin’s hand a gentle squeeze, drawing Yasmin’s attention who just smiled at her.
Meanwhile, across the campus; Eliza was experiencing a very different kind of disorientation; as she sat in her first lesson of the day; she found her focus drifting, the professor’s discussion seemed distant from her mind as she felt an ever increasing wave of nausea washing over her, she leaned forwards and gripped the edge of the table, her knuckles went white.
Sarah, taking notice leaned nearer “Eliza; are you okay?” she whispered with concern
Eliza swallowed hard; she was trying to control the sudden urge to vomit “I…, I don’t feel….” She croaked, her left hand moved up to cover her mouth
Sarah’s eyes widened “Come on; bathroom” she said quickly; helping Eliza up and supported her by keeping a grip on her arm, the two hurried out of the class, it left a few confused expressions who watched them rush from the room; the professor glanced over with a concerned expression.
Eliza barely managed to reach the girls toilets around the corner in time before her stomach would erupt violently; Sarah reached to pull Eliza’s hair from her face; preventing it from falling in the way “That would be the second time you’ve been sick today wont it” Sarah commented, her face a mask of worry
Eliza simply mumbled when she finally regained a little composure; after a brief moment of waiting, wanting to be certain she wont have any further urge to vomit; she finally moved, she was a little wobbly but made it to the sink to rinse out her mouth; her face was pale and clammy “Yes” Eliza said sounding groggy
“Let’s go find Tyler” Sarah suggested
The two would soon be making their way through the crowded corridors; Sarah keeping her arm around Eliza’s as she guides her; Eliza was unusually subdued; her usual athletic grace replaced with a shaky fragility that Sarah hadn’t seen before – Eliza had always been a strong one, she always had everything under control, seeing her vulnerable was unsettling
When they finally found their way to the sports centre across from the main building; Eliza took a moment to get some water before Sarah helped her sit down near the doors to try getting fresh air; Sarah then made her way to the gymnasium; pulling the doors open she saw the class in session, her eyes scanned around quickly before landing on Tyler as he was messing around; despite the class being in progress, Sarah darted across the busy gymnasium and over to Tyler.
When Tyler noticed her, he looked at her with surprise “Sarah?”
“Eliza has been sick” Sarah tells him quickly; Tyler’s face switched from confusion to concern before he follows Sarah out, mumbling apologies to his instructor, claiming urgency
When Tyler came to find Eliza near the doors of the building; his expression crinkled with concern “Eliza?” he knelt down in front of her, looking at her carefully “You look really bad” he reached his hand up, gently stroking her face
“I feel worse” Eliza mumbled as she looked to Tyler, slowly trying to get back to her feet; Tyler stood up with her, supporting her movement; she leaned against her, her eyes partially closed, she felt his arm wrap around her
“Sarah; could you grab my bag” Tyler shifted his gaze to Sarah “It’s just to the left of the door in the gymnasium” Sarah nodded in response before disappearing for a moment, Tyler shifted his gaze to Eliza “I’m taking you to the walking-centre”
Chapter 5
As Raven and Yasmin reach their class; Raven glances about as she continues to hold her hand; the air crackled with the energy of students that are deep in conversations.
Raven and Yasmin, making their way to the far end take a seat nearer to the window; it isn’t long though before they are joined by someone else; a lad much taller than the pair of them, and as he joined them at the table, Raven glanced towards him; his eyes were like sapphires that drew attention to his facial features, his hair was short and brown – this was Terry “Hello girls” he said warmly, though his attention was mostly on Raven.
Raven raised her eyebrow a moment as she looked at him with a slight confusion present in her expression “Hello Terry”
“Did you end up lost again?” Terry asked as he looked at Raven, his smile unwavering
“Yeah” she nodded “It’s like a maze those corridors” she complained, her eyes drifting away from Terry and in the direction of others entering into the classroom
“Yeah; we all had that experience last year” Terry chuckled, he glanced around a moment at their classmates as their class was about to begin; as their teacher finally started quieting down the students, Raven looked towards the open doorway a moment, something drawing her gaze, but as she stares, there doesn’t seem to be anything in view, shrugging, she turns her attention to Yasmin and smiles
Outside of the college campus; as Tyler drives Eliza away from the college; a figure approached the main gates, partially hidden within the shadows of the movement of the trees and bushes; his head leaning back a moment as he looked upwards at the building in front of him – he was a nondescript man, dressed in ordinary clothing, easily overlooked by the students that passed by him – but, within his gaze sat a deeply unsettling and predator intensity that sent a shiver down the spine.
He fixed his eyes towards the windows of the Fourth-Floor of the building, his head slowly tilted to the side, his presence was silent – an ominous shadow lurking.
Written By: Westley H.
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