Shadow Hunter: Flash Fiction

NOTE: This was a flash fiction post that I converted into a blog, I have not revised as thoroughly as I would normally but I thought it would be fun to post it here as writing content. The prompt can be found in the comments

SHADOW HUNTER

I knew something was wrong the minute I exited the elevator. Cold beads of sweat trickled down my neck and back. The halls looked like the aftermath of a warzone; paint peeled off the walls, several of the doors were broken down, and there were scraps of paper, clothes, furniture, and suitcases in the halls. The darkness in the complex was oppressive. Each footstep I took echoed down the decrepit hallways. I shut my eyes, focusing on my breathing, the last thing I wanted was to have a slip up here. I reached out with my mind. Mental tendrils spread out from me like the roots of a plant.

I understood the entire layout of the floor, and I sensed it. There was definitely something here-something of immense power. There was no doubt in my mind, one of them was here. The Benefactor’s intel was accurate. I extended my mind out further, almost touching the source. I could feel its vampiric coldness coiling around me as I tried to learn more. A tremor went through my entire being, and a familiar sense of dread invaded, but I didn’t relent, I needed to know more. I veered deeper, touching it directly.

I screamed. My legs faltered beneath me; I fell onto the cracked floor. It saw me! I retracted my mind as I felt its tendrils moving to seize me. Heart racing, I took off my backpack, unzipped it, and drew the obsidian colored case adorned in golden runes. My hands trembled as I put in in the combination code. The oppressive atmosphere worsened even without using my senses, I knew it was moving.

It knew where I was.

I had to hurry. I tried to recite the incantation, but I fumbled the words—damn nerves. I shut my eyes and prioritized breathing. I remembered the teachings, remembered my training. A harsh croak reverberated throughout the halls—the sound sent shockwaves throughout my skull. The coldness I felt before intensified. It was getting closer. I opened my eyes and glanced down the hall, the darkness grew thicker like a black cloud. The light of the flashlight could not illuminate it. No light could repel this shadow. From around the corner, crimson light shined through. The briefcase’s runes glowed brighter.

I cleared my throat and spoke the w-

I couldn’t breathe as I sailed down the hall. I hit the ground hard, pain erupted through my shoulder. Screaming, I rolled over and looked up. It took a form similar to a human, but its body was made of writhing black tendrils, its arms were far too long. The shadows turned crimson, painting the hall in a hellish light. It twitched and throbbed in at an unnatural cadence like it was playing in fast motion. I looked at the case, it was closer to it than me.

A sinking feeling filled my gut. I needed that case. I stood up and brought my hands in front of me. I reached into my coat and draw the dark gray 1911. As I did, its soulless eyes locked onto me. Intense fear, dread, and paranoia filled me. I couldn’t hold my arm steady as I pulled it from its holster. I flicked the safety off and squeezed the trigger, emptying six shots into it.

Its form parted as the bullets slammed into it. It reformed and lashed with its long arm; the tendrils elongated. I m- The blow sent me back towards the elevator and knocked the wind out of my chest. The air refused to enter my lungs. I forced myself up and aimed the gun down the hall.

It wasn’t there.

I reached into my trench coat and fished out the shard.

It croaked again; all the doors flew open. New cracks formed in the walls and floor around me. I saw it at the end of the hall. Then it was closer. A few seconds later, it appeared closer.

I squeezed the amber shard, cutting myself on it. It warmed up in my hand as my blood excited it. The being blinked closer. Now! I threw the shard like a grenade. The shard bathed the hall in a golden light. A hum filled the room, and then it exploded with the brilliance of a sun. The being’s shriek reverberated through my skull and bones, chilling me to the core. I didn’t have time to fear. I bolted through the light and down the hall. I could already feel it reconstituting around me as I ran.

The red light from the entity returned. Halfway spinning around, I emptied the clip, forcing it to break apart then reform. I was almost there and shouted the incantation. The case clicked and opened. The light from the shard died out, and the shadows intensified.

Pain exploded through my shoulder. I howled in pain and bit my lip. Falling to my knees, I reached with the other hand into the case. A tendril wrapped around my neck, pulling my head back. Its touch both burned and froze my skin. With my free hand, I grabbed the rod and watched the golden spear form. The light scalded its shadowy flesh, making it shriek and retreat. Twisting around, I tossed the javelin. The minute I let it go, I dived into an apartment and hugged the wall. A concussive roar sounded, and an oppressive heat followed. A much brighter light painted the halls and I heard the walls and roof collapsing around the impact site.

Then it all stopped. I looked down the hall. It was gone; only the javelin and a large crater remained. The walls and ceiling were destroyed. Smoke seeped from where the spear landed.

“It is done, Anna.” The Benefactor’s voice boomed in my head.

Exhaling, I took out the wrinkled picture of a boy. I was one step closer to freeing him from his curse. And myself from this duty.