Each week, I send out a story via my email newsletter. Each story is around 1000 words, sometimes less, sometimes more. The stories are in a variety of genres: supernatural, thriller, sci-fi, horror, and sometimes romance, and all of my stories typically feature a gay protagonist.
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This is story number 36 of the series. Enjoy!
Into the Shadows
The midnight fog clung to Ben like a damp, musty blanket as he hurried down the deserted city street. His footsteps echoed hollowly off the brick buildings looming on either side. A chill ran down his spine and he glanced nervously over his shoulder. Nothing but swirling mist and flickering street lamps. Get a grip, he scolded himself.
As if summoned by his fear, a dark shape detached itself from the shadows behind him. Ben’s heart leaped into his throat. He quickened his pace, sneakers scuffing on the uneven pavement. The shape loped after him, keeping pace. His mind flashed to the news reports–three disappearances in this neighborhood over the past month. All young men out alone late at night, just like him.
Ben fumbled to pull out his phone, fingers shaking as he dialed 911. It rang once, twice. “Come on, pick up,” he muttered. The shadowy figure crept closer, close enough for Ben to hear its raspy breathing. He broke into a run.
“911, what’s your emergency?” a calm female voice answered.
“I’m being chased by someone… or something,” Ben panted. “I’m on 5th and Maple.”
“Stay on the line,” the operator said. “I’m notifying police to your location.”
A snarl sounded right behind him. Ben whirled around and swung the phone like a club. It smashed into the side of a grotesque face – milky eyes, lolling tongue, rows of jagged teeth. The creature yelped and fell back.
Ben sprinted down the street, lungs burning. He spotted an open doorway up ahead and ducked inside, slamming the heavy wooden door behind him. He collapsed against it, chest heaving.
“What the hell was that thing?” he gasped.
“Hidebehind,” said a low voice.
Ben startled and spun around. A tall, dark-haired man in a leather jacket stood in the shadows, arms crossed. He looked to be in his late 20s, with a roguish twist to his mouth and mischief glinting in his green eyes.
“Uh, gesundheit?” Ben said.
The man chuckled, a rich, whiskey-smooth sound. “No, a hidebehind. Nasty creature, preys on lone travelers. Likes to stalk from behind, hence the name.” He stepped forward and held out a hand. “I’m Rath.”
“Ben,” he replied, shaking Rath’s hand. A tingle raced up his arm at the contact. “How do you know about these… hidebehinds?”
Rath’s lips quirked. “Let’s just say I’m somewhat of an expert on the strange and unusual.”
A thud sounded at the door behind them, making Ben jump. A hideous face appeared in the window, smushed against the glass.
“It followed me,” Ben said, voice cracking. “We need to get out of here!”
“This way.” Rath took his hand and pulled him deeper into the dark building, down a narrow hall. The thudding and snarling faded behind them.
They emerged into a dimly lit, cavernous room filled with towering bookshelves. “What is this place?” Ben asked in hushed awe.
“My private library of the arcane and occult.” Rath released his hand to light some candles, bathing the room in a warm glow. “We’ll be safe here for now. No supernatural creature can enter without my permission.”
Ben ran a hand through his tousled blond hair. “This is insane. I always thought those urban legends about monsters stalking the city were just, you know, legends. Not real.”
“All legends hold a kernel of truth.” Rath’s eyes glinted in the candlelight as he gazed at Ben. “The question is, why was it after you specifically tonight?”
Ben frowned. “I don’t know. I’m nobody special, just an underpaid graphic designer.” He collapsed into a plush armchair, suddenly exhausted.
Rath rummaged on a shelf and returned with two tumblers and a decanter of amber liquid. “Here, this will calm your nerves.” He poured them each a drink and sat in the chair opposite Ben.
Ben took a grateful sip, the whiskey burning a warm path down his throat. “Thanks for saving me back there.” He eyed Rath curiously. “So what’s your deal? Professional monster hunter or something?”
“More of an interested observer. I’ve made it my mission to study and catalog all the hidden creatures that lurk in the shadows of our world.” Rath leaned forward, eyes intense. “But I have a feeling your encounter tonight was no random chance. Tell me everything you remember.”
Ben closed his eyes, thinking back. “I was walking home from my friend Jon’s house. We’d stayed up late gaming and arguing over which Chris is the best Hollywood Chris – Pratt, Evans, Hemsworth, or Pine. I’m Team Evans all the way,” he added with a wry smile.
“But as I was walking, I got this weird feeling, like I was being watched. Then I heard something behind me and when I turned… that’s when I saw it. The hidebehind.” He shuddered at the memory of its horrible face.
Rath stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Did you notice anything strange at your friend’s house? Any odd objects lying around?”
Ben’s brow furrowed. “Actually, yeah. Jon had this really ugly statue on his bookshelf, some kind of gargoyle-looking thing. I asked him about it and he said he found it at a garage sale last week.”
Rath sat up straight, eyes flashing. “That statue – do you think you could draw it for me?”
Ben shrugged. “Sure, I guess.” He grabbed a pad of paper and pencil from the end table and quickly sketched the grotesque statue from memory, tongue poking out the side of his mouth in concentration.
When he finished, Rath snatched up the drawing, studying it intently. He cursed under his breath. “I should have known.”
“Known what?” Ben asked, a sinking feeling in his gut.
Rath met his gaze grimly. “Your friend Jon is a hidebehind. Or rather, a human who can shapeshift into one. That statue is their symbol of power. He must have been trying to lure you to join his pack.”
Ben gaped at him. “That’s…that’s crazy! I’ve known Jon for years. He’s not a monster!”
“Hidebehind are masters of deception. He likely didn’t plan to reveal his true nature to you until he’d earned your trust.” Rath stood and started pacing.
Ben’s head spun. His best friend, a bloodthirsty creature that had tried to kill him? It didn’t seem possible. Although…there had always been something a bit off about Jon, now that he thought about it. The way he hated having his picture taken. How he never seemed to age. His aversion to anything silver.
“Oh my god,” Ben breathed. “You’re right. How did I never see it?” Tears pricked his eyes as the betrayal sank in.
Rath rested a comforting hand on his shoulder. “It’s not your fault. Hidebehind are experts at hiding in plain sight.”
“So what do we do now?” Ben asked, feeling lost. “I can’t just go on pretending everything’s normal, knowing what I know.”
A determined light entered Rath’s eyes. “We stop him. Destroy that statue and break the pack’s power over this city. It won’t be easy, but together we can do it.” He held out a hand to Ben. “Are you with me?”
Ben hesitated only a moment before clasping Rath’s hand firmly in his. “I’m with you. Let’s send those bastards back to hell where they belong.”
And so the unlikely pair set out into the night, the bookish expert and the brave novice, united in their secret quest to rid the shadows of evil.
Little did they know, an even greater darkness loomed on the horizon, drawn by the very power they sought to destroy. The true battle was only just beginning.
THE END