4 of 211

Write now Article Tools

Whispers & Shadow

It's not the individual details of some strange sound in the middle of the night seeking out the unsuspecting listener, or even the eruption of some utter darkness during midday that disturb us at our very core. It is rather the implication that such events represent; an end to the reign of rhyme and reason; an end to the time of man and the beginning of something new and dreadful.

Such inexplicable and sinister events seem to signify the disappearance of the final few twinkling rays of all those things that bring us comfort, giving birth to a terrible twilight of the unknown. The important thing to remember is this; whenever we choose to peer out into the darkness beyond what can be seen, beyond what we know, and beyond what we can understandmore often than not the darkness is right there peering right back at us.

"Even in the wake of the most divine light; where ever there is substance there also exists shadow. "

This was among the first of many lessons Alicia learned as a practitioner of the dark arts. Things began simply enough as one might imagine. Dianne, Megan, Alicia, and Bianca were all from different walks of life and were all drawn together by both magic and a mutual thirst for more; more knowledge, more power, more everything.

Man has always strived to attain more. So then, why should these women of the occult be any different? Why should they be unaffected by such a dark and seductive lure? Simply put, they were not. However, these four patrons of the dark arts made a protective pact; a solemn vow not to delve to deeply into these arts. The simple implication being that once beyond a certain point, there would be no return from the place their path of dark ambition would lead.

True enough. However, what they failed to anticipate was the narcotic like effect practice of such arts would impose upon each of them. Just as with other more conventional highs, there are those that use once and continue to do so in a casual and haphazard fashion, and then there of those who after the first taste become hooked. What began as mere curiosity quickly grew out of control and became raging obsession.

It is said that power corrupts, and absolute power..? Well, it would seem that even those maxims forged in the familiar fires of the most mundane are still well suited to piercing the flesh of even the most fantastic.

You see, the voices had always been with her; sometimes instructing, often questioning or even chiding her reluctance to listen.

• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Short stories: Tales of horror?
We want to hear your view. Write now!