There has been a report of a fifteen-year-old named Rachel Johnson who went missing during her family’s camping trip to Charleston, West Virginia. The police department is working to investigate the scene further and has reported that the only thing they have found is the cold ashes from their campfire. Her family told the police that they were having a bonding moment until things took a turn when she had suddenly vanished.
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The smell of burnt wood still lingers on her clothes, but she woke up with sweat dripping from her forehead and found herself in her own room. Everything had looked the same for the last three days before their trip to Charleston. She had an ornate dresser filled with clothes, a gaming system to pass the time when needed, and a poster of the Red Hot Chili Peppers on the wall on the side of her bed.
She recuperates by changing into different clothes just to remove the smell from herself. Rachel took time to clean herself off, but the density of the air had lessened as the smell escaped. She was ready to exit the room, but when she opened the door, something was off about the rest of her family’s house. The halls and the living space were dark, to where she couldn’t tell which area she was in.
“Where am I? This is my family’s house, but why is it so dark?,” she asked herself.
Wondering what lies beyond the dark void, she takes out her phone and turns on the flashlight. She then steps into the darkness, and moves with caution. The good news is that her phone is at a decent battery level, but as she treads through her home, the temperature of the house slowly drops the more she explores. Voices begin to fade in as the hallway stretches itself further, and she can recognize them very well.
Why can’t you be more like your older sister? She is grateful for what she has. Why can’t you?! Her mother’s voice echos.
“I thought I had raised you better than this, Rachel. Why did you have to make your mother cry?” Her father's voice echoes.
“But I didn’t mean too-” said her younger self.
After everything I have done for you, I have given you a lot of things. A TV, a room, and a place to sleep. What more do you want?!
As she continues to make her way through, in the distance lies a wooden door painted in red. In a moment of relief, she rushes over to the door and grabs the golden knob. Just when she was about to turn it, she heard a loud thud from behind. Curious to know what it is, she turns around and notices a shadowy figure.
A shapeless creature with red eyes absorbing the house’s darkness with no reflecting light that would bounce off of it. It black-tinted limbs were unnervingly clean with white-tipped claws that would tear through animal flesh. It looks as if the monster itself were to be two beings conjoined into one.
One half being warped, and the other being lively. Its gaze shot at Rachel, sending a jolt of adrenaline down to her body.
She stood there paralyzed and dumbfounded by this horrid sight. Then, the monster lets off a distorted roar enough to chill a person’s spine, and charges its prey with full strength. Fear was shouting at her, telling her she needs air. It was the only choice for survival, nevertheless fighting it off would be a death sentence.
The wind blows over as Rachel sprints through the halls. All of her memories begin flooding through her mind, reminiscing over the joy she had once felt. She never wanted to lose that happiness, but it had worsened her fear of losing her own life. For it was not the only thing that was scary, there were two words on the walls repeating in an endless loop: “WHY ME?,” as something was questioning her existence.
The hall begins to twist and turn. She has to make a quick decision, otherwise she would be the monster’s meal. Then, the monster attempted to land a strike on her, and the claws scraped her left arm. She makes a sharp turn to the right and continues to sprint. Blood trails off of her, leaving her left arm immobilized. Noticing a bright light in the distance, she continues on, but the air thickens around her. A yellow door appears before her, and with her last burst of stamina, she sprints with all of her might. She opens the door quickly and closes it back as soon as she makes it inside.
The beast bashes on the door and roars in desperation. She holds the door down, attempting to hold the beast back. Moments later, the bashing had come to a halt.
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Noticing a change around her, she finds herself in her school. She is in the hallway with lockers stretching across her view. Exhausted from all of that trouble, she slumps against the door to take her time to recover and while clasping her injured arm, she looks for a med kit to stop the bleeding. It took her a while to get to the nurse’s office, but when she got there the med kit was sitting at the table of the office.
Her body had told it is safe here - no darkness, no spiraling chaos, just a normal space where the smell of disinfectants and gym socks lurked through every inch of the school. However, the truth was much colder than any temperature drop. The monster wasn’t chasing her for nothing; it was leading her to a deeper level of her dread. The walls of the last place had already known about her failures. Why here?
See, you need to be careful. You could get seriously hurt!
Trying to shake off this uneasy feeling, she opens the med kit and cleans her injured arm. The antiseptic burned, but the tight wrap had stopped the bleeding. Still, the road to escape was far from her reach. Afterwards, she exits the office and walks through the halls without incident, but that relief is nothing more than an illusion. She wonders whether she is dreaming or not, for the familiar clatter of the lockers and the students' laughter suddenly echoed in the empty school.
What is the matter, Rachel? Too scared to fight, or are you just going to spend your time running away? After all, we know wimps like you are born to lose, especially in dealing with your problems.
The lights suddenly turn off and change to an ominous red color, filling the entirety of the school’s hallway. It was not the only thing that had disturbed the peace around her, a distant figure appeared in the distance just standing there blankly. Lifeless and faded out of color, it almost looked like staring into a black-stained mirror with a broken reflection. Knowing that the person she is up against is far more dangerous than any other enemy.
“How do you like the message that I gave you? Isn’t it just beautiful when it is in red?,” she said. her grin stretched from both corners of her face, revealing a disturbing sight of her black teeth.
After hearing this, she was confused as to what the girl was talking about. She didn’t get why this person is telling her this, for she had a hard time understanding this concept.
“What?! How do you know that? How did you know about the words on the walls?” Rachel said, confused and terrified.
In response, the figure tilted her head eerily. “I’m what you fear, Rachel. I am the daughter they actually wanted. An obvious question with an obvious answer,”
Rachel lifted her trembling arm to check on the wound where the monster had struck her in the twisted hallway. The wrap was gone and there was no blood traced on it, but it didn’t heal completely. The only thing that was on her arm was a thin, black of scar tissue, embedded on her skin. The torture of Rachel’s turmoil was entertainment towards the figure, watching her suffering through every ounce of her fear. So, she pressed towards Rachel.
“I know. You must be asking yourself what happened to your arm? I healed your arm, but not as what you would expect it to be. That is what pain does every time we experience something dreadful, for it a silent scream that people do not understand. The scolding, the laughter, and every woe that people go through every day would change someone into a person that people will not recognize. It is sad to watch someone lively, become a dying star that can’t shine brightly. After all, we are our own worst enemy,”
The shadow girl stops and puts out her hand. Appearing before her is a golden trophy, shimmering with glory.
“Do you recognize this, Rachel?”
Rachel looks at the trophy and inspects it closely, and she realizes that what she is holding is her sister' s trophy. Her older sister named Susan had gotten that trophy from winning at a science fair at the same school Rachel had gone to. She was kind and caring towards her younger sibling, and Rachel has looked up to her as more than just a family member, but a lifelong friend that she can lean on.
“That is my sister’s trophy. How did you get this?”
“I was with you throughout your whole life, Rachel. How else would I have her trophy with me.” her shadow said, sighed. “Even if that were to be the case, I would still have the memories that you have carried. You've always wanted your family to acknowledge you for your successes, and your potential, which can be a great experience for all of us, but how much of it do you need just to see a grin on their face?”
Then, the girl casts the trophy aside, and extends her hand towards Rachel as if she is making an offer that would be worthwhile. “You do not have to endure this suffering alone. I can help you get what you have wanted all of your life. Trophies, Plaques, and maybe start a new family that appreciates you just for you. I will protect you from their scolding and their laughter, but you have to give me something in return.”
“And what would it be?” Rachel asked.
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A smile of gratitude spread across her damaged face, excited over Rachel’s curiosity. “You must give up on who you are. Once you do that, your new life will start here. You will not worry about pain, suffering, or any woe that reality throws at you. I can give everything in this world, for you will be at a happier place,” She extends her hand towards Rachel, waiting for her request. “What do you say? Do we have a deal?”
Thinking hard about this risky offer, she hesitates knowing that this deal could change her life forever, but the question still stands: At what cost would it be just to be grateful for a new one? All her life, she has been with her family quite often, and she could be wrong that her parents weren’t intentionally trying to devalue her potential. Sometimes things may turn out well with her family’s relationship, but other times she could not deny the fact that they are the reason why she had kept going. Euphoric memories flood in her, reminding her that her family may not be perfect, and she can see her friend Chloe within her mind, reminding her that no matter where she is, she will be remembered.
All of this time, she has been running away from her struggles along with her dreadful experience. Now a new feeling arises from the grave of her misery that crystallizes into something that cannot be broken. Finally, it is time to make a choice. To live or to remain in darkness.
“I really appreciate the offer, and it is great for you to do something that I can be happy for, but I refuse to accept the deal. I understand that I may have not always been successful in my life, but there are more important things than to chase after acknowledgment. I get why you are with me, and I know how scared you are of letting me fall, but I think I have been protected long enough,” Rachel said, under a new resolve.
“I see,” her shadow said, then she summons a black sword in her hand. “I have no other choice than to kill you. I hate to kill something that was dear to me, but there is no other way around it,”
The school building begins to break apart, creating an opening that would reveal the dark void around them. Multiple weapons spawn in front of Rachel. She knows that this battle will not be easy to beat and to fight a person that knows you too well is a threat that goes beyond what is imagined. She glances over each one, trying to find the weapon that would suit her. The morning Star would be good for brute force, but the shadow is quick. I need something that would give reach to my enemy.
Looking through the pile, she finds a spear lying among the other weapons. “This should do it,” Rachel said, with a look of assurance.
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“All done?” the shadow girl said. “Then, let’s begin.” She performs a small gesture, summoning knights in silver armor. “All right, boys. Surround the area, and make sure she doesn’t escape this time” the shadow girl ordered.
The silver knights followed her command, surrounding both fighters in a circle. All of them remain poised in their position while having their shield out. Now this is where the real fight, for both Rachel and her shadow stare each other down under the heat of this fight. It is either to kill or to be killed. The shadow lunges, and Rachel does the same. The shadow had intended to copy her moves like Rachel had planned, reading her like the book she is. Rachel attempts to thrust her spear, aiming for the shadow’s chest, but the shadow’s blade connects with Rachel’s strike perfectly.
Canceling both forces out simultaneously. Their movements were a dance of equals, increasing the pressure of the battle. The shadow attempts to slash at her opponent. Then Rachel catches the blade with her spear, locking it in place. The shadow retaliates by kicking Rachel, jostling her off her feet and hitting her head on the ground. A sharp, stinging pain floods behind her head. The floor of the battleground felt cold against the side of her face. It was a momentary stun, and the circle slowly shrinks.
Rachel straightens up, and adrenaline shoots through her body like an engine pumping gas in its system. “See, you should accept the deal when you have the chance and yet you choose death,” the shadow said.
“Like I ever would, witch!” Rachel’s words shoot back at the shadow.
“Ohhhh… looks like someone has little fire in them” the shadow teases her. “I really like that from you,” The shadow’s sword clattered onto the floor and Rachel’s opponent smiled - a smile of long-forgotten excitement.
The shadow moved first in a burst of speed, and Rachel was already gripping her spear ready to thrust at her enemy, but the sharp point of her didn’t connect with the shadow's body. Instead, she slides under Rachel’s attack and delivers a bone-crushing sweep kick towards her abdomen. The force of the kick was so strong that it knocked the wind out of Rachel in a split second. Staggered by a brutal hit, Rachel clutches her stomach. The shadow picks up her opponent’s spear, splits in half like a toothpick, and throws both halves to the side.
“Tired already?” the shadow said. “I thought you had in you, but I guess I was wrong about you. And yet you're still the failure that your parents have known,”
When hearing this, rage creeps through her forcing to ignore the pain. Then, the shadow made a small gesture for her sword to retreat to her hand and lunged at Rachel. This time, the tables are slowly turning in Rachel’s favor, for she catches the shadow arm, and lands a jaw-breaking punch. Sending her opponent stumbling back on her feet.
“Leave my parents out of this!”
Rachel charges at her opponent, and tries to land a hit on the shadow. The shadow quickly recovers and dodges her punch. Both opponents engage in close combat as if they were dancing with death altogether. Then, the shadow thrusts her sword at Rachel. Instead, Rachel dodges the attack, snatching her sword away and jostles her with a kick to the face. Forcing her opponent to stumble back on her feet. The circle of the arena shrinks again, leaving a small enclosed space around both fighters.
All of the hits she took did not matter, but the kick that marked her face was enough to cause her smile to fade. Her smile of the earlier part of the battle is now replaced with an irritated smirk. “I let you have that hit, but I will not lose to a nobody like you,” the shadow said, brushing off her injury. “So prepare yourself, Rachel. For this battle will get intense the further we go,”
The shadow extends her blade, and her weapon dissolves. Afterwards, her sword became a black scythe. Both opponents are poised and ready to finish the fight once and for all. For there can only be one that can stand alone. The air around them becomes intense, causing the knights around them to sweat under their helmets. Under their desire to win, both fighters lunge at each with full strength. Unleashing a flurry of attacks at each other with elegance and grace. Both blades create sparks from every touch while clashing and humming, matching with each other in a constant rhythm. The force of weapons on the last attack had sent both fighters flying.
In quick recovery, both lunge at each with a burst of stamina attempting to land a devastating blow. They both made their move simultaneously, and all of the knights looked in shock. For the only thing they saw was the shadow bleeding out from her abdomen, clasping her hand over her wound. All of the knights that had surrounded them had all faded into dust.
The fight is over and Rachel’s opponent is now on her knees, humiliated by her unfortunate defeat. How could she have won? I am nothing more than a goddess of this world. How could a mere mortal beat me at my own game?
“It is over. I have won this fight, and I want to escape from this world,” said Rachel.
The shadow chuckles under hidden intention. “You think that it would be easy to kill or beat something that is a part of you? I am the one who is a creation of you, and you are willing to erase me from your mind? What a fool you have been to believe that,” She turns over to Rachel’s position and points at the scythe, “ If you really want to kill me that badly, do it if you must. For it will only make things worse in the process as of how many times I die by your hand,”
Rachel looks down in her hand, and the opponent’s scythe appears in her grasp. She looks over to the shadow and realizes that her opponent isn’t just an opponent, but a deep truth that she has denied throughout her life. And that was a sign that her enemy’s fate is now resting in her hands. With this in mind, Rachel walks up to the shadow, with a black scythe in hand.
“I get it now. I get why you brought me here. It was really to give into the truth, and to face the pain that I have held through most of my days. And now I stand before myself with a kill switch in hand, ready to make decision that could either ruin me or build me,”
She raises the scythe over her head, ready to deliver a final blow that could end it all. “Do it. I know how you would want it. So, do what you must, if you will. For life is now yours for the taking,” the shadow said, with her hands out. As their eyes meet for the last time, Rachel hurls down the scythe and every cuts to black. The sound of a scythe cleaving through a living object was the only that could be heard. Under her last breath, six words echo through the dark void: See you next time, my friend.
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After all of the terrors Rachel had been, she is able to feel sunlight radiating on her body once again. She stands up and finds herself in front of her family house. Excited and relieved that she is home again, she walks to the wooden staircase and approaches the door. The interesting part about this is that people still don’t know that she is alive. So, she knocked on the door.
“I got it,” Susan yelled behind the door.
As soon as she opened the door, her breath was drawn away knowing that she had found her sister again. “Hi,” Rachel said, with a warming smile. Then, tears of joy streaked down upon Susan’s finally reunited with her long lost sister.
“Rachel!” Susan said, hugging Rachel. She didn’t want for this embrace to end right now, but she had to let her go just to give her room to breathe. Warmed by this moment, Susan calls her parents down and lets them know someone is at the door. “Wow. Have you lost a fight against a tree or something?”
“What is it Susan? Is it your boyfriend, Brad again? I thought you two had broken up with each other already,” their mother commented. To her surprise, it wasn’t Susan’s boyfriend, but it was one of her daughters. Her mother's eyes shot wide open and her husband was curious as to what was going on. And both of them were surprised to see their daughter alive and well. So they rushed over to the door, and everyone had embraced Rachel into a family hug.
Finally back to her original life, she gets herself cleaned, fed and recuperated. And all of the good times were rolling in, for the whole family had watched movies and played board games just to pass the time. The sky darkens and everyone proceeds to head over to their rooms to hit the hay. While everyone is settled in their beds, Rachel is lying in her bed wondering what she should tell Chloe about what happened during her disappearance.
After reflecting over that moment, she decides to brush it off and head to bed. Silence was the only thing that stood awake, taking in the sound of the air conditioner blowing cool air and the clock ticking through every second it touches. Appearing at the front of her bed was none other than her shadow, watching her knowing that she is her reflection that always stares back at her as her sleeper breezes through the night.