The Shadow Box: Paranormal Suspense and Dark Fantasy Thriller Novels

by Travis Luedke

  He knew he had a choice—a choice that would change him forever.

  I can’t kill you. I’m not like you. I’m not a murderer.

  Allowing himself to stumble backwards, he ended up on the ground. He saw Aldrich’s chest rising and falling. Slight relief. Without the energy to cry, he simply lay still. His mind was somehow both blank and busy.

  After a long moment of self-pity, he tried to stand. He got to his feet, then trudged over to the murderer and weakly reapplied the blindfold. Aldrich moaned dazedly in defiance.

  Nick was so fatigued that it was hard to think straight, but eventually he managed a few clear thoughts about his mum being immune to Aldrich’s ability. That’s what got her killed … But if she hadn’t been immune, the twins would have been sacrificed instead. A lose-lose situation.

  Bringing his hands to his face, Nick became unsure whether he’d really attacked Aldrich or not. Had it been a terrible hallucination? He hoped for a moment it had. But the pains across his body told him the truth. He uncovered his face, took one look at Aldrich for absolute validation, and then tried to gather his thoughts again.

  If Mum’s mind was ‘impenetrable’ like mine, then was she psychic, too? Did she pass the gift down? If his mother had been able to see the future, though, then she wouldn’t have been murdered … Would she? But as Nick had experienced, visions weren’t always accurate. Also, his first one had come to him only recently, at the age of twenty-four. Is it possible Mum’s ability never switched on?

  Blood. His mother covered in dark red punctures. Fleshy, glistening wounds. Horrid images flickered across Nick’s mind. Urghhh! He clenched his fists and mentally pushed the pictures away, hopefully to a place where they would stay locked tight, never to return.

  Aldrich had said the twins’ minds were different from Nick’s and his mum’s. Did the gift only get passed down to the first born? Or maybe, because they were twins, the power had been split or weakened. Nick just didn’t know enough. With a grumble, he dismissed the thoughts.

  ‘Juliet?’ he shouted, his voice weaker than expected. ‘Juliet, you can come back. He’s blindfolded again.’

  No response.

  He squinted, peering through the trees, and bellowed, ‘Juliet?’

  Where is she?

  Chapter Sixteen

  SHE WALKED TRANSFIXED. Autumn decay rustled underfoot. The woods swelled thicker, denser, heavier. Twigs crunched, and a damp and earthy smell was in the air. Were the trees becoming taller the further she delved?

  The thing swirled and weaved excitedly through the tangled trees. It glowed. Juliet’s gaze was glued to it. She imagined its reflection shining and twinkling on the surfaces of her own eyes.

  A peacefulness filled her mind as she followed the thing. She knew she could break off and turn away at any point—this wasn’t like Aldrich’s evil trance—but she didn’t want to.

  It was beautiful.

  It’s not a spirit, thought Juliet with confidence. The thing didn’t wobble the air or agitate the atmosphere the way ghosts did. It was too elegant for that.

  The decadent ground transformed the more she tread. She looked behind her, in the direction she’d come from. So much brown, orange, and red—autumn at its purest. But then she peered ahead, towards the bobbing thing. Everything was so alive in that direction, as if autumn hadn’t touched it.

  Impossible.

  Not all the trees were coniferous, and Juliet knew enough to recognise that most were deciduous and should have been leafless at this time of year. But they weren’t just leaved; they were so, so green. Branches were thick and overflowed with foliage.

  Then Juliet noticed the flowers, coating the ground in a myriad of colours—wildflowers of blue, yellow, purple, white. Some she recognised, and many she didn’t.

  Have I stepped into a different world? It must be spring here …

  Looking behind herself again, she saw autumn within walking distance. It gave her confidence that she was still in this world, that she hadn’t somehow passed out and woken up in spring or had stepped through a door into another universe.

  There are probably scientific reasons to explain this. But instantly after that thought, she wasn’t so certain she believed it. This all looked too magical, everything harmoniously mingled. Juliet was modestly impressed with herself for not freaking out—she imagined a lesser person would be shaking in their knees right about now.

  The bobbing fairy-like thing demanded her attention, then zoomed through a bush and out of sight. Juliet sped up and eagerly pushed through in pursuit.

  She found herself in a vast, open area, the trees creating a circle perimeter. When she looked up, there was a halo of sky. She felt like a contestant walking into an ancient Roman arena, like the Colosseum, and the trees were spectators. Only grass covered the ground in this clearing—deliciously green, of course—but in the centre was the strangest thing.

  A set of steps.

  They didn’t lead upwards, but below ground, as if to a basement in the earth. The steps looked ancient and almost ready to crumble. Juliet walked forwards, cautiously, knelt down, and couldn’t resist the urge to touch the first stone stair. It was smooth, as if weathered, but felt strong against her fingers, in contrast with its appearance, which gave the expectation of a coarse, sandy texture.

  The steps reminded Juliet of a place in Athens. On a holiday with her parents, she’d visited the dramatic marble hill, Areopagus, also known as Mars Hill or the Hill of Ares, and the old marble steps that led to the hill were so alike these ones. Majestic.

  Here and now, Juliet gasped when she noticed what was at the bottom. A pool of light, almost completely white and shining fiercely. She stood up and moved backwards, wondering if ‘pool’ was the best-fitting description or not. It seemed to have a gloopy consistency—ethereal, wondrous, and full of glitters.

  There were no typical woodland sounds, no rustling, no chirpy-cheeps. All was still, apart for the glowing pool. It warmly hummed, a fixed ringing note that soothed her senses.

  Then she spotted the thing. The glimmering whatever-it-was bounced around the air momentarily before flying down into the pool. What on earth? Juliet felt her face fall slack. The thing had vanished through the light. As if it had become one with it, or as if the pool was really … a portal?

  What is it? she thought, and was that her imagination, or did she hear a whisper? Maybe even a reply. This time, she made an effort to direct her thoughts at the resplendent pool. What are you?

  The instant answer that pervaded her mind was: the Otherworld.

  It wasn’t like a voice speaking aloud; it was a sexless, languageless reply, yet perfectly clear at the same time. So it is a portal, Juliet decided. Can I pass through it? Go into the light? Then Tamara’s words came to mind. You’re anchored in two worlds. Your soul is in the Otherworld, but your body is here.

  A realisation startled Juliet: She had the opportunity to get her soul back. It was potentially on the other side of this supernatural doorway. She could be normal again. Even after her promise to make the best of her ability, she knew in her heart that she’d rather not have it. That it was a curse.

  But anything could be through the portal. And even if she did locate her soul, there was no guarantee she could do anything about it. Would the soul magically recognise her body and re-join it?

  I’ll worry about that when I need to. I have to take this chance.

  She stole a deep breath and trundled down the steps. The air warmed the closer she came to the glimmering pool. She paused a stair away, then moved one foot close to the portal, wanting to ‘test the water.’ But she didn’t yet dare to.

  Retracting her foot a little, she thought about her options. What if I passed through and couldn’t come back? Got stuck in the Otherworld?

  Surprisingly, the idea of not returning hardly upset her; she wouldn’t be leaving much behind. All she had was Chanton Hillview, her colleagues, Kim, who was busy with Ryan, and her distant parents. Maybe now N
icolas, too, since she’d kissed him … Could that lead to anything more?

  Stop. Chanton Hillview is important to me. I’m a good manager. Kim is my best friend; I’d miss her, she’d miss me. And my parents love me. These are things worth keeping. But …

  … I want my soul back.

  While she mulled over her conflicts, the pool of light hummed louder and drew her attention. Then it ‘said’ something.

  : Hello, Soulless One.

  The words forced a deep void in her chest. She felt empty in a swift moment. To be called soulless pained her. What am I without a soul? Am I even human? Thinking about what she was or was not made her wonder whom the ethereal voice belonged to—the portal itself, or a being on the other side?

  : What’s your name, Soulless One? the portal asked.

  ‘Juliet Maystone,’ she answered automatically, the way she always did when greeting someone. Then she considered that giving out her full name might not have been a good idea.

  : Soulless One.

  The portal mocked her.

  Juliet’s urge to go through the pool of light came back again. If I can get to the Otherworld, then I can find a way back. If I can lose my soul, then I can gain it back. Failure was never an option. There had been times in her life when she’d wanted to run away from problems, but practical and applied thinking always got the job done.

  She was about to step into the gleaming pool but heard Nick’s voice a long way off, calling her name. How far had she travelled? Hastily ascending the steps, she struggled to remember what direction she’d entered the clearing from.

  Nick called again. She followed the sound and ran through the woods, sprinting from spring to autumn. Because of her daily exercise routine, she was accustomed to running—wearing trainers, though, not wedge boots. She almost tripped and was lucky not to twist her ankle.

  When she located the fallen trunk she’d previously sat on, she stopped. She couldn’t risk Aldrich’s mind control.

  ‘Juliet, where are you?’ shouted Nick. ‘He’s blindfolded …’

  ‘I’m here. I’m coming.’ She paced.

  When she found him, he looked vacant, his posture slouched. She tracked down his body to his gored hands. Blood on his knuckles. Why are his hands bloody? She felt she knew why, but she didn’t want to look at the evidence. Would Nicolas attack a restrained man? It was a disheartening thought.

  She straightened her back, standing tall, and found the courage to peer over at Aldrich. His head hung low. The chocolate-brown throw barely covered his body anymore, and phlegmy blood had further stained his tweed jacket. Below clotted hair, his forehead was swollen. His lips glistened red.

  ‘What have you done to him?’ Juliet trembled.

  Nick stared blankly for a moment, then looked at her with reddening eyes. Although she hardly knew him and didn’t know what had preceded this moment, her heart ached to see him this way.

  ‘He ... he murdered my mum,’ Nick murmured weakly. ‘It was him.’ His face screwed up as he looked down and away.

  Juliet hurried to embrace him. It was an odd feeling. She couldn’t remember comforting a grieving man before. She’d consoled Kim a few times, but that was after breakups with random guys. Never anything as serious as this. But pain was pain, she supposed, whatever the extent, and she would help if she could.

  Poor Samantha … Poor Nicolas … She squeezed her eyes shut and gently shook her head … His poor family …

  Nick’s chest convulsed. Juliet could tell he was trying to contain himself. It would have been natural for him to wail uncontrollably, but she was thankful he wasn’t in that state.

  He began to settle. ‘I … I didn’t think I had the energy to cry.’

  Juliet was unsure of what to say. She went for, ‘It’s okay.’

  ‘I was angry at him, the way he killed her, and for no good reason … if there ever could be a good reason for murder.’ He huffed miserably. ‘I wanted to kill him, but I … I couldn’t do it.’

  It disturbed Juliet to hear that aloud, so she responded with a half smile and a nod. As much as she empathised with Nick’s anger, she knew it was foolish to further harm Aldrich when they were already stuck in this difficult situation.

  ‘I need to show you something in the woods,’ she said. ‘Something I found.’

  ‘Right now?’

  ‘I don’t know if I imagined it. I saw the strangest thing.’

  Even in his anguish, Nick seemed intrigued and pulled a quizzical face. Aldrich turned his head and tried to mumble something, but it came out a gurgle. Juliet worried for the murderer’s health. We’ll be murderers if we let him die …

  ‘Juliet, could you find my brothers, please?’ Nick asked. ‘They can watch over Aldrich.’

  ‘Will you be okay here?’

  ‘I think I’m all cried out.’

  After a nod, Juliet was on her way. She jogged to the extent her wedge boots allowed, then brought the twins together and returned to Nick. He asked his brothers to keep an eye on Aldrich.

  Tom wanted to know what had happened to Aldrich, while Tommy demanded that Nick tell them everything. Nick fumbled over his words, clearly trying to avoid the truth for now and most likely lacking the emotional stamina to repeat it again. Juliet didn’t blame him.

  The three men argued, going in circles. Juliet sighed as it continued.

  ‘I can’t tell you everything right this second,’ Nick stressed. ‘Just watch him, please.’

  Tommy scowled. ‘Yuh gotta give us more than that!’

  ‘Why don’t you trust me, Tommy? I said I would tell you, and I will. Just let me get it straight in my head first.’

  ‘Well, you’re obviously hidin’ summin’! Just … whatever. This is bullshit. I ain’t standin’ around in the cold no more. If yuh ain’t tellin’, then I’m leavin’. Come on, Tom, let’s get outta here.’

  Tom looked torn. He shifted on the spot, inclining towards Tommy, who Juliet sensed was the dominant twin. Even she found him a little intimidating.

  ‘Fine!’ Nick threw out his hands. ‘It’s his fault Mum never came home …’ He pointed desperately at Aldrich. ‘It’s his fault she’s dead!’

  The twins simultaneously peered at the battered man against the tree. For a long moment, there was a silence in which the air seemed full of prickly cactus spines.

  Eventually Nicolas spoke again, calmly this time. ‘Juliet found something in the woods that we need to check out. I’ll tell you everything when we get back. Just make sure he stays blindfolded.’

  The twins didn’t reply. Tommy paced angrily. Tom appeared to be in shock, his expression both sunken and bewildered.

  ‘Just watch him, please,’ Nick said, then turned his attention to Juliet.

  Juliet led the way, recalling where the thing had flitted and flashed through the trees. Sprinting together, she and Nick jumped roots and fallen branches. Nick unexpectedly grabbed her hand, holding it tight while they ran. His fingers were rough and cold. Juliet resisted looking down at the blood.

  It was nice to be in this together.

  As spring came upon them, Juliet wondered if leaving the twins with Aldrich was such a smart idea or not. Nick slowed. He gently tugged her to make her stop. She watched him view the surroundings in wonder, his jaw hanging open, and wished for a moment that she had access to his thoughts.

  Juliet was all too aware of their fingers locked together. Her skin tingled. The day’s events had left Nicolas dishevelled, but still handsome-looking to Juliet, maybe even ruggedly so. Those hazel eyes of his resonated with the surroundings—both in beauty and colour.

  He grabbed her other hand, now holding both in his, then stood face-to-face with her. ‘This is amazing.’ He gazed into her eyes, seemingly with purpose. ‘It’s beautiful.’

  ‘It reminds me of Alice in Wonderland,’ Juliet said, then felt stupid about her lazy comparison. She didn’t particularly like the Disney animation; it was so nonsensical that it irritated her. ‘There’s more to
show you. I think it’s this way.’

  ‘Wait. Before we go, I want to say something.’

  Juliet swallowed, slowly, and braced herself.

  Chapter Seventeen

  ‘THANK YOU FOR saving me earlier.’ Nick recalled the deafening shotgun fire and how urgently he’d ducked when Juliet screamed, ‘Get down!’

  ‘That’s okay.’ Juliet laughed gently.

  ‘I realised I hadn’t mentioned it yet.’

  ‘If you remember, it took me a while to thank you for saving me.’

  Nick smiled. ‘That’s true.’ He focused on her warm fingers intertwined with his.

  ‘Anyway, your mother saved you earlier, not me. I was waiting outside the manor when she appeared and told me to save her boys.’

  In the calm way Juliet spoke, Nick could tell she’d become more used to ghosts appearing. He quirked his mouth, then said, ‘It was still you who acted so swiftly.’ It warmed him to know that his mother was still looking out for him; it almost made the whole situation bearable.

  ‘Your mother obviously still loves you, and now that you’ve found out the truth, I think she has gotten what she wanted. I hope that gives you comfort.’

  ‘It does, but is that all she wanted?’

  ‘It’s what she said when she first appeared.’

  ‘But what if she wanted us to find something else here? Even if she did help you save my life, she still put all of us in danger by sending us here. Why did she do that? Just so I’d know the truth? I feel like I’m missing something. Did she want us to find this place? Everything’s so colourful here. And what are we supposed to do with Aldrich? Report him to the police? Or … or …’ He left it unsaid. ‘I can’t imagine my mum wanting revenge.’

  ‘I don’t think she does.’

  Nick became extremely unsure. Juliet took one hand away and used it to gently rub his arm. The gesture relaxed him, and he stole a moment to take in the area. He couldn’t believe his eyes. There were enormous sycamores, the same trees that shrouded his front garden, but these were fully leaved, green and luscious—not how they should have looked at this time of year.