Chapter Sixteen
The shadows followed my footsteps. Although I thought I saw possible slivers of sunlight ahead, I couldn’t seem to escape from the darkness. I heard unearthly noises – like calls from wild animals in unseen places. The chilling sounds surrounded me.
I squinted into the darkness and saw three different paths to take. I knew horrors would lie in wait – no matter which one I chose. The shadows are everywhere and they are prepared to devour me. I couldn’t just stand in place for very long because that would be dangerous. So, I tried to force my feet to move forward, as the darkness tried to convince me to stand still. I continued to hesitate – I was unable to fully commit. I can’t trust myself anymore. Danger encircled me. The darkness would consume me because of my indecision.
By the time I finally made my choice, the paths had vanished. I have nothing to guide me through the shadows. If I remained stationary then, I would certainly die. My indecision had cost me a tremendous amount because I had lost all sense of direction. I could hear my own heart beating. I begged the god of this universe to please just send me a sign. Something I could understand…a direction…a place to start.
Then, I heard Tray calling my name, somewhere in the distance. I felt the darkness laughing…it wants to consume everything…devour my soul. My brother was searching for me in the shadows. I had no choices left! I was already dead and had been that way from the beginning.
The shadows had used those darkened paths as a ploy to lead me further away from Tray. They would take our souls if I allowed it. I would sacrifice everything before I would surrender him to my shrouded fate.
So, I would permit the darkness to surround me because it was my hesitation that landed us here. It should be my sacrifice to make.
The shadows understood my decision and agreed to release my brother. He will go free because of my surrender.
I felt the life begin to drain from my body. I tried to yell and tell him to leave here immediately. He needs to return to the light. When I opened my mouth to shout, no words were issued. Nothing, but black sand poured from my lips. There was no surprise as I realized that I had been betrayed by the darkness – never trust in the shadows.
The black sand covered my feet and I was choking to death. I clawed helplessly at my neck. Then, I fell to the ground in desperation…I had to stop Tray somehow! Suddenly, the black sand turned into a pit of molten fire. It was pulling me down toward Hades – into the House of the Shadow Fall. I couldn’t struggle anymore. It would take my brother too, but I was helpless to stop it. Nothing was left inside of me – I was empty. I felt my life force and my spirit slipping quickly beneath the fiery surface into the hands of the eternally lost.
Somewhere in the deepest part of my heart, the Creator whispered to me. He told me exactly what to do in order to live through the darkness.
I knew how to save myself – save Tray – save us all from our darkened fate…
I should have listened closely to the Creator’s warning and acted without hesitation…
The wicked Shadow Fall consumed the last remnants of my life…
The answer was given…an instant too late…
Ember Rising Light (Book One) Page 20
