Shadows of the Mind

As I fell down that shaft, the sheer darkness seemed to fog my consciousness. It felt like I had been falling for hours even though I knew I had just been shoved into the well a moment ago, and my flashlight did nothing to illuminate my descent. I didn't even notice gravity's effect anymore except for the sound of air flowing past me. As confused as I felt, the only thing that I could do was think. Soon my mind began to wander to old and recent memories.

I relived the morning that I learned about my mothers' death and how it felt like someone told a cruel joke that I couldn't grasp. I thought for some reason that dad was trying to scare me, that was until he sat next to me and broke down crying. It was just one of those times that even if she took the proper precautions, an outside influence proved to be more than enough to change our lives. And while the guy that caused the accident did get what was coming to him, it still did nothing to change what had transpired. Several months passed, and my attitude had changed at school, most of my friends noticed and drifted away. All except for Heavyweight, who stuck by me through those times. As time went on, he even got me into karate when he started.

I recalled all the time I spent getting to know Sonata, how we first met, and the struggles that we had together. Looking back at those times from the outside in really began to show me how naive I had been. It made me realize that I should've been more aware and cautious of what her sisters were planning. Maybe then we wouldn't have been on the razor's edge as far as our friends went. I could've done more to investigate about them and possibly prevented any of it from escalating the way it did. Still, I never regretted meeting Sonata in the least, only that I was clueless as to what was going on. I suppose there was only so much an average person could do.

I then drifted forward to when I experienced first hand what it was like to be a part of the terrified and untrusting crowd when this world's Twilight came to our school. For a while, it was difficult to separate the person she was trying to be from the one that we encountered during the games. I hate to admit it, but after what happened, I could understand why others treated Sonata and her sisters the way they did since my main concern was with who I could have lost thanks to another situation that no one could have foreseen. While the school and I managed to forgive her just like they did with the Dazzlings, it made me wonder, "When will it happen again?"

My mind flashed through all the horrors that had relentlessly hunted my companions and me that night. One by one, they had been snuffed out in the most gruesome of ways possible. There had to have been something, anything that I could've done to prevent them from dying. As I ran through all the what-ifs that I could, an image of Sonata sitting with her knees pulled up to her face as she cried softly began materializing in my mind. I could've sworn that she was right in front of me even though I knew my mind had to be playing tricks on me. Little by little, however, her body contorted and elongated. She began to look very similar to the creature that knocked me into the cistern. It began reaching a hand right for my face, and I could feel my heart threatening to leap right out of my chest.

My eyes shot open with my heartbeat racing in my ears. I soon realized that I was lying against a cold stone floor, so I pushed myself up. That turned out to be a painful task as my left arm began to sting with pain from the gashes along the top. I couldn't see anything within an inch of my nose, so I felt around in the dark to find my flashlight. Several minutes passed before my fingertips nudged it.

When I tried to switch the flashlight on, it was flickering badly and threatening to leave me stranded in the dark. I smacked it a couple of times before getting it to stay on for the most part. At least with some visibility restored, I could check the claw marks that the monster had left on me. The sight was pretty jarring, on account of the drying blood caked on to my arm. Taking a deep breath, I carefully removed my backpack and took out a spare shirt. I wrapped and tied it as best as I could around my forearm, if for no other reason than to try and protect it.

With that taken care of, I got up and looked around the area. It seemed that I had stumbled into a cave system underneath that abandoned town. I then pointed the flashlight directly above me only to see a small dot of light that pierced the darkness, and to be quite frank, I was utterly baffled.

"How am I still alive?"

How indeed, something emanated from the dark.

"Ah hell, that thing followed me down here." I swung my flashlight, attempting to find where the voice originated.

Make no mistake, that miserable bag of flesh and fur could never compare to any of my capabilities. Still, it does have its use, albeit with a rough touch.

"So, if you sent that thing after us, then that means you have Sonata." I accused the emptiness.

You are correct, it responded.

"Let her go!" I yelled.

You are genuinely one tracked in your desires. You are just going to wind up like the rest of your friends as soon as you both escape. But if you follow my instructions, you may make it out alive.

"Shut up and let her go!" I repeated. "If you're the cause of all this, we're dead anyway, so I'll take my chances."

Hmm, I sense that you're going to be difficult, the voice said more disappointed. Perhaps it should have been expected, seeing the sacrifices you made. Still, anyone will do anything with the proper motivation.

Everything went silent as I checked around, trying to track whatever was down there with me. Suddenly from further within the caverns' depths, a scream rang out. It was Sonata, but she wasn't calling out for help, just yelling in agony. As this went on, the voice then said.

If you want this to stop, you'll cooperate.

I wanted to get her out of there, but I had no idea what this thing wanted. Sonatas' screams got even louder as she shouted, "Stop! Stop! Aaaahhh!!"

"Alright! Alright! Leave her alone. I'll do what you want!" I cried out. Shortly after that, it was as if something had covered her mouth as her cries became muffled.

Good. Now look for a large crack in the wall with your light.

Without any other options, I followed its orders. Towards the far end of the chamber, there was a split in the rock, just big enough for someone to crouch in.

Go through.

I went over and checked inside the passageway to find that it went further into the earth. I took a deep breath before I pressed on through. I had no idea where it was leading but knew that I had to keep a level head.

It's fascinating seeing how far you're willing to push yourself to save this girl — recklessly searching while throwing your companions to the wind.

As I made my way through the narrow tunnel, I responded, "I didn't know any of this was going to happen. I never wanted any of them to end up dying."

Then why didn't you listen to your friends? It gleefully pointed out. Surely creatures one could only find in nightmares would have been a clear sign that death was just around the corner.

"Because I couldn't let her die out here, and I wasn't the only one who felt that way!"

Yes, this girl's sister. The voice acknowledged. She might have been a better candidate, but she wasn't as aware as I would have hoped and was ultimately not as easily manipulated.

I continued through the passage as it widened a bit more. The voice went silent, waiting for me to reply, but I just contemplated what it had mentioned.

You are very similar to others that have crossed my path. It continued. So determined to find someone, something spirited away. But the girl you've been looking for is entirely different.

I was beginning to wonder what this thing was getting at. I could see a dim green glow that was barely even visible further off in the tunnel.

I could sense a power almost like my own, albeit much weaker. It's something that I could use. Probably even more adeptly than this girl could.

I had finally reached the end of the tunnel and found myself in a large chamber dotted with a glowing green moss-like substance that clung to the walls. Since it only hung closer to the ceiling, it gave off a sickly glow that left the floor in the inky darkness. There was, however, a section of the wall that lacked any of the moss. It was just as dark as the floor.

"Enough, where is she!" I demanded.

Almost as if it came up from the shadows, the voice said, Right in front of you.

Suddenly, the shadows that obscured that one part of the wall slid off to reveal some moss higher up. As it wriggled away, I could see Sonata secured to the wall by black tendrils that wrapped around her and even covered her mouth. I shone my light at her and saw long cuts up along her legs and her tearstained face. She flinched at the brightness before she tried to scream out to me.

"Sonata!"

I broke into a full-on sprint. I could see Sonata shaking her head as she continued to try and yell but was only able to make a muffled cry.

Before I was less than fifteen feet away from her, something pulled itself up from out of the shadows between Sonata and me. It was huge, too big to have laid merely flat against the ground and not be seen. It was as big as a large van. I shone my light directly on it and could see scaly frills running along its spine. Its head looked horse-like and even had a front pair of hooves. Its hind legs, however, were fused into a finned tail. Its whole body was black except for its eyes, which were dark red, and its pearly white serrated teeth. And right in the middle of its chest was an obsidian sphere.

It focused its stare directly at me before speaking. Now, now. Don't get ahead of yourself.

"What the hell is this," I said with a noticeable quiver.

The thing pushed itself up with its forelegs and gave a broad, toothy grin. This form is what that girl is. It's fantastic, not once in my entire existence have I encountered a creature so ideally suited for hiding amongst such unsuspecting prey.

My legs would not move as the large shadow that towered over me began to circle me.

It then let out a frustrated sigh. That's why it infuriates me to no end that this girl refused my offer so adamantly. She would have had all my power and been able to save all of your companions. But she said no. Can you believe that? Still, that is why I anticipated at least one of you making it to me.

"Then, this whole night was a sick vetting process?" I asked. The dark creature didn't reply but instead flashed a sickeningly gleeful smile. "I'm going to get Sonata out of here. But first, I'm going to kill you."

Its eyes flashed with excitement. Do you mean that? Soon, the creature collapsed in on itself into the black orb. It then reformed itself into a more humanoid shape right next to Sonata. It was at least a foot taller than me and had a thin muscular build, but it still had those red eyes and serrated teeth.

I'd like to see what you're capable of first hand, it said. It then turned to look at Sonata and stroked her cheek with its forefinger as she flinched at its touch. And to ensure you don't decide to run or lose that fire. Its fingertips then morphed into vicious-looking talons. As it placed them to her neck, her eyes went wide with fear.

When I saw what was about to happen to her, I ran as fast as I could towards them.

It then merely stated with a hint of indifference, What a pity.

I was just a foot away from grabbing it by the arm, but it had already raked its claws through her throat. It laughed as it melted back into the dark.

"No!" was all I could get out as a warm spray of red spattered my face and shirt. I stopped in sheer disbelief.

Her eyes welled up with tears before they rolled back. Her head dropped to her chest as her blood flowed out and drenched her shirt. The tendrils suddenly released her, letting her fall forward. I quickly grabbed her and laid her gently on the floor. I tried to stop the bleeding by pulling off the shirt on my forearm and held it against her neck.

"Come on," I pleaded. "You've gotta make it! Please..." Unfortunately, there was nothing that I could do.

That creature came up behind me and whispered, Do you still have the will to kill me?

Without thinking, I spun around and threw an uppercut and landed it on its chin. The creature recoiled only slightly and replied, Ah. Very good. It jumped back and gave one last response as I got ready. Don’t disappoint me.

I gave one more glance at Sonata's body before I took the charms I had found and used the last of the parachute cord to wrap my right hand and hold them in place between my fingers.

As soon as I stood up, it ran forward and threw a massive right back punch that crashed into both my forearms as I barely managed to protect my head. It then threw a strike with its left hand and caught me on my right side, knocking me onto the ground.

I stood back up and wrapped my arm around my side, and found some blood staining my palm. The flashlight glinted off the creature's extended claws and its toothy grin.

You know, most people who have sought me out came with weapons, and yet you decide to face me with some scraps of metal. Not very bright. It said while walking towards me.

It then swung with its claws once more at my head. Luckily, I ducked past its attack and caught it with my right elbow to where I assumed its floating rib was.

Ha, that was an excellent- it began, but I spun out of that first strike and threw a right cross and embedded the charms in its face.

"Shut up!" I yelled as I threw a sidekick to its knee and brought it down lower before using the back of the flashlight as a baton on its head. I was about to hit it again when it caught my left arm.

My oh my. Such anger. It stood back up and lifted me off the ground by my arm. Perhaps there is some potential in you. It slowly tightened its grip on my arm. Then again, you did manage to get all of your group killed.

Little by little, the bones in my forearm were starting to bend. I tried to pull my arm free with my right hand, but that did nothing. I landed a hard kick on its side, still nothing. The bones were starting to bow, so I threw a roundhouse into its belly, and it hardly moved it. I swore the bones were beginning to rub against each other as my wrist involuntarily twisted. With very little hope left, I threw one more roundhouse into its chest and felt a hard bump against my shin as soon as I felt that it let me drop to the floor as it gasped and held its chest. It took a couple of steps back, trying to recompose itself.

I checked my left arm with the light and found blood trickling from the reopened wound. And very gradually, I was starting to feel dizzy. Suddenly the thing raised both its hands over its head and clasped them together before it swung them down.

My arms were practically screaming when I crossed them overhead and blocked the hit while it forced me to drop to a knee. It then threw a front kick right at my head. With a quick pivot of my knee, I let it pass right on by before I grabbed it by the crook of its leg and shot forward. Using the momentum of my whole body, I pulled its legs from underneath it and threw that thing onto the ground. The next thing I knew, I had jumped over its legs and stomped down on its stomach and chest.

Suddenly, several sharp points dug into my right calf. It had wrapped its claws around my leg and said Gotcha. It lifted my foot off its chest and rolled over, slamming me onto my back. It grabbed me by the shoulders and picked me up.

It then let out a low, Aahh, as it opened its jaws wide. It felt like time had slowed down as those teeth drew closer to me, so I quickly jammed the flashlight handle into the back of its mouth. In its surprise, it jerked back and shoved me away. Using the newly gained space, I lunged forward, and with an open hand, struck the blinding light as hard as I could, ramming it even further down its throat.

It wheezed as it reached a clawed hand up to the lodged flashlight, but I was far from finished. I used a left palm strike on its chin, sending a few of its teeth clattering to the cavern floor before it let out an angry growl. I then yanked out the flickering flashlight and struck the monster across the chest. There was a loud clack as the metal hit that black orb.

The creature recoiled from the strike. It became clear that that was the best way to try and kill it, so I readied the flashlight once more, but before I could swing, a sudden sharp pain erupted from my abdomen. I looked down to see that the thing had thrust its claws through the muscle up to its wrist. I couldn't even scream due to the immeasurable pain as I dropped my only weapon. It then used its other hand to grab me by the neck and pin me to the ground.

It got in close and panted out. This was more entertaining than I expected. But I'm still alive. Perhaps this just wasn't meant to be.

While it taunted, I had been feeling around the floor for something, anything that I could to try and kill it. Right when I thought I was slipping away, I brushed across one of its teeth I had knocked out.

Oh well, perhaps someone else will come looking for all of yo- it stopped as I stabbed the tooth between the obsidian orb and its dark flesh. I yanked the tooth downward, making the cut even wider before I forced my hand into it, and with whatever strength I had left tore that stone from its chest as I coughed up blood.

I barely managed rasp out, "You're probably right." as my vision blurred. The moss that clung to walls and ceiling began to look like stars dotting the night sky as I heard weak laughter. The last thing I managed to see was the outline of Sonata lying there in the dark before everything faded out.

I suppose another human is acceptable, for now.

I felt the air enter my lungs as I began to stir and suddenly realized that I wasn't dead. I shot straight up and found myself back in my sleeping bag in Heavyweight's tent, but no sign of Heavyweight. I then checked my body but didn't see any gashes, cuts, or wounds.

"What the hell," I mumbled before putting on my shoes. When I stepped out of the tent, I nearly had a heart attack when I saw everyone. They were up and about in the morning light, but they retained all their injuries from the whole night.

Heavyweight came over to me and asked, "You alright, Slate? You look really out of it."

I rubbed my eyes and screamed internally. Oh, God! It all did happen! When I opened them again, everyone was back to normal.

"What?" I asked in confusion.

Aria came over and scowled at me. "If he hasn't thrown up, he's fine." She then placed a hand over her mouth before she ran behind a tree.

Looking around, everyone seemed a little green around the gills. Even my stomach was gurgling in protest to any movement.

I went to sit at one of the logs next to Sonata. "Morning, Sonata. Are you feeling sick too?"

She nodded before replying, "My stomach is killing me."

"Hang on. Maybe some water will help." I went to the cooler and asked Big Mac, "Hey, did everyone wake up sick today?"

Big Mac answered as best he could, "Ee-*hurp*-yup. Maybe the cider was a might too strong."

Maud walked over to us with the bag of marshmallows in hand. "Sorry, it turned out that the marshmallows that Pinkie Pie gave us were slightly expired."

"So, dumb question, but did anyone else have any nightmares?" I asked a bit queasy.

Heavyweight answered while holding his stomach, "If I had to guess, this is it. And I'd honestly have to chalk it up to the booze and food poisoning."

Everyone else halfheartedly nodded while I took a couple of water bottles and went back to sit with Sonata.

While everyone was recuperating, Sonata whispered to me, "Hey, Slate. Did you call me last night?"

I was absolutely at a loss for words. After everyone had just told me that nothing happened, I wasn't sure how to respond. I just gave the best answer I could, "I don't think so."

"Hmm, I guess I must have dreamt that then," she said a bit confused.

After we were able to recover from that marshmallow mishap, we carried on with the rest of the camping trip just like the day before. We got in some swimming, Big Mac caught some fish, we did some hiking, and there was no sign of anything out of the ordinary during the day or night. The one thing that did leave me wondering, however, was when I could have sworn that I saw a black bump on my palm for a second. But when I checked my hand thoroughly, there was nothing. I just guessed it was a trick of the light and enjoyed the rest of the trip with my friends.

Both subjects are still alive, as well as the other campers. A new host was selected. Further observation is required to determine if the process was successful.