The Shadow

Caw! Caw!

Tom tilted his head and eyes towards the sky. Even in the darkness, he could see the silhouette of a murder circling overhead.

Waiting for the inevitable, he thought.

He turned back to the road. The moonlight made a futile attempt to fight its way through the overarching trees on either side. He squinted to get a better sense of what lay ahead, but it wasn’t much use; darkness took over about ten feet in front. Apart from the crows, all he heard was the pebbles crunching under his feet.

Loose dirt scraped against his heel as he spun around to walk backwards—still keeping up his pace. Tom’s shoulders rose, and a cool breeze parted around his neck, making the hair on his nape stand. Every muscle in his body tensed.

They were still there—always there. Two floating eyes, resting about three feet in the air. They should have reflected the dim yellow moonlight, but instead they glowed red. To calm the demons in his head, he assured himself that the eyes had not gained distance. They remained at a stalking pace, not ready to commit to any action yet. The rest of the figure taunted him, a vague shadow in the nothingness around the eyes.

Tom’s heel collided with a rock. His arms shot out to catch his balance. He had to keep moving forward. He pivoted to his right, his eyes leaving the entity only at the last moment.

The thought of what might occur if he let the shadow catch up to him tightened his entire body. His mind turned to his wife and daughter waiting for him down the road. I can’t let it consume me; I need to keep going for them.

Tom loved them unconditionally. They brought light, not leaving a single space for something to conceal itself. His thoughts floated to the memory of his daughter’s second birthday. Open boxes in the corner, the lingering smell of chicken and herbs, and the warmth of the fire. He thought of the way his wife’s eyes squinted and her forehead raised when she smiled. He remembered his daughter’s laugh. A laugh that demanded the corners of your mouth to ascend. He smiled. That was his peace. A place safe from the darkness and all that loomed.

I must return to them! I won’t let the darkness have me; I will be with them again!

His pace increased, and so did his determination. Tom didn’t know how much distance stretched between him and his salvation. All that lay ahead was black, no light or shelter in the distance. Still, he pushed on.

It can’t be much further now.

A sigh crept into his ear from behind. The creature was getting impatient. He turned to face it once again. This time, his shoulders were straight, and his posture upright. He stared into those red eyes with a confident grin. They must not have liked this. They rose, narrowed, and closed distance.

Tom’s legs twisted to the side as his body turned, trying to keep up with them. His feet flung gravel. The creature must have been matching his pace. He couldn’t hear its movement. Still, he knew it was there from the heavy panting growing in strength. His eyes darted around the road in front of him, just a straight road, nothing else. He would have to find his family soon. His chest clenched, and the muscles in his legs burned.

The rhythm of his steps slowed—he was losing energy. His shoulders sucked inward as his body deflated. His feet kept moving, but he knew it wouldn’t be long until they gave out. Tom searched ahead one last time, hoping to see something, anything.

A glimmer flashed intermittently through the leaves up ahead on his right. He gritted his teeth and surged forward towards the newfound hope. A driveway appeared—his own. He turned, only slowing his pace to ensure his feet didn’t betray him. Not far now!

As he drew near, light from the room he shared with his wife and daughter illuminated the forest. The rest of the house was dark, but that single light was enough. With one last push, he flexed his right leg to leap forward, skipping the steps and landing on the porch. His body compressed as his full weight crashed into the door. He flew backwards, but gripped the handle to right himself. He forced it open and slammed it behind himself.

Tom dropped, his back pressed firmly against the door, crossed arms resting on his knees while his chest heaved. Still covered in darkness, the light at the end of the hall brought him comfort. He laid his forehead on his arms.

“Is that you, my love?” his wife called.

He raised his head. Red eyes hovered inches from his face. The hope escaped his soul. As Tom gazed past the eyes, the light at the end of the hall drifted further away.

I was so close.

The shadow’s mouth constricted with a growl that exposed its long-jagged teeth. A single tear traced the wrinkles on his cheek. He smiled as the teeth embraced him.

About the Author

T. R. Murray is an aspiring author originally from Ontario, Canada, now living in Bangkok, Thailand. He is passionate about writing fiction that explores the complexities of human experience. T. R. Murray’s work has been published in 101 Words Magazine with the story “Mom!” Inspired by the diversity in human experience, he aims to connect with readers through relatable narratives.