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      “When I was young I often saw things that others didn’t. Faces in grains of wood on floors. Laughing figures in the flames of a campfire. When the room was dark after mother kissed me goodnight the room would take on a life of its own. The shadows would shift in the moonlight, and the sounds of the house would send me cramming under the blankets for solace. Every little girl who’s ever had brothers will tell you the monsters are always under the bed. At least that’s what Lenny, my older brother said. Since Lenny was ten years older than me he knew these things. I never questioned him. As Lenny put it, “The bed’s always safe, it’s The Shadow People you have to worry about. If they can grab ya foot, you’re a goner.”

      “Lenny was like that, he would tease me, pick at me, but always when I whimpered in the dark he was the first one to come and turn on the light. He’d give me his flashlight and extra batteries, kiss my head and say, “Go back to sleep, baby.” Which I could never do, not without a long check around from the top of the bed to the super scary bottom. Then me and the flashlight would tuck under the covers and fall asleep. I was safe, but knew even with the light I was never quite alone. Things were always just a little different in the mornings. The chair not quite in the same spot, the hairbrush would be on the floor…” She let out a long sigh staring out the window shoving her hands into her jean pockets. “I tried telling mother and Lenny, but they only placated me for so long. When I was twelve and still sleeping with a night light mother started me in therapy. After a while, seeing what my actions did to her, I just told them I didn’t see things anymore…” She trailed off, pushing her chestnut hair back behind her ears with a shrug.

     “But you were lying?” The therapist asked looking over the top of the clipboard, his pale brown brows raised in question.

      “Eventually I learned to stop being afraid. When I heard that others saw them too I accepted that I was one of the Talented. Mother was thrilled, as it was better than having the medicated child on the block.” She half laughed.

       “How did it affect you? Were you happy to know you weren’t mentally ill, that all of it was real and true?”

      “At first I was more frightened. I mean to know that the tales were true, that there was something more than just us? At that age it was more than I could wrap my head around, but it’s not just the ghosts anymore is it?”

        “Quite true, other things have come through over the years. Some fantastical, others terrifying. But it seems it’s the temperament of the Talent that attracts one or the other. Which is why you have been assigned to come in I understand. You have been with the Paranormal Agency of Research and Kinetic Studies longer than most. In that time you’ve had to terminate your fair share of Toxic Shadows and the agency is concerned that it’s having an effect on you.”

      “P.A.R.K.S and their T.S initiative is concerned about me? That’s the funniest shit I’ve heard all month. Listen Mister Rollins.”

         “Doctor Rollins, if you don’t mind.

       She turned around. “Doctor… I’ve spent enough time on couches to know when the straightjacket is in the next room with the other guys in white. I’m a good Agent and I’m damn good at my job, so unless you plan on pushing that button and taking out one of the few of us who can actually talk to these fuckers you’ll be giving me a glowing report and I’ll be on my way. That is unless you don’t want me to take care of the wanderer in the building that’s fixing to break through right at your desk. She’s a nasty one, but I’d be happy to leave it be.” A smirk crossed her deep pink lips as she leaned against the couch arm, staring directly past him to the corner of the room.

A bit of sunlight danced across the wall and in the points of darkness a shadow writhed, its clawed hands stopped from grabbing hold of the doctor by the shaft of light.

        He turned his head slightly, not being one of the Talented he could not see the thing, but like most others he could feel the coldness in the room and the creeping up his back. “How long..?” His voice cracked as he pulled forward in his chair toward the woman, who let out a wry laugh.

“Long enough that she’s got sufficient energy to be seen in color. Would you like a description?”

 

~**~

 

        The shadow’s head twisted in to its self. The gaping mouth full of razor teeth folding backward enveloping the skull. The insides of the head becoming visible then swallowed down its gullet once more. The long neck was serpentine in its bobbing and weaving as it moved away from the sunlight. Grey skin and black scales reflected in the dark spaces with talons on its hands and bird like feet, of which there were four. Not the worst she had seen but certainly up in the top twenty.

          “That’s okay.” Dr. Rollins stuttered. “Can you get rid of it?”

          “Will I have to come back here if I do?”

       “I- It’s not my call, I just…” He stood up as the lights suddenly went out. She grabbed him by the arm and he screamed like a small child as she tossed him over the back of the couch.

           “Fear…” The thing hissed. “He has much, you do not. We will have to spit you out fast.”

           “Yeah, maybe not.” She jumped backward to avoid its attempt to grab her by the waist.

            It roared and pulled back like a viper about to strike.

 

~**~

 

           From the doctor’s point of view the room shook and the table lifted without any aid. It flipped and he was pinned behind the couch in terror. He could hear the screams in the hallway. The door being pounded on as his newest patient was pulled and bent into impossible twists that all seemed to be keeping her from reaching the door or the window. A mournful wailing filled the room. Banshee was the only word known to him, as the Talent chanted. Then she was lifted and began to gag. She went silent and hit the floor. He could feel the cold as it surrounded him. His breath visible by the little light to which his eyes were adjusted. He smashed his eyes closed, and curled up trying to make himself small. Then a terrible scream filled his ears again…

 

~**~

 

         When the doctor next opened his eyes he was in a brightly lit hospital room. The blinds were open and he could see the lights of the city as it bustled and ran through its nightly routines. People meandering without a care, those who knew better stayed indoors at night. It was safer than finding yourself prey to the Shadows should the lights suddenly shift out from over you.

       Dr. Rollins rolled his head back toward the front of himself and found his newest patient, Miss Amelia Spencer. She was standing over him, a serious look over taking her face. No longer in the skinny jeans and t-shirt she had been wearing, now she wore the P.A.R.K.S official uniform which consisted of all white. From her steel toed boots to the utility vest that covered her full chest. He couldn’t help but think that if she wasn’t such a guarded mess she would be rather pretty. Her eyes were slate grey sitting nicely in a heart shaped face, surrounded by a long chestnut bob. She had a demure little nose and kissable lips. Especially the bottom one which jutted out ever so much more than the top.      

          “Miss Spencer.” He managed with a dry throat. “I take it my lying here is due to your work?”

She looked straight ahead as the hospital room door hissed open and a tall richly colored man in a white suit entered.

         “Agent Spencer?” The man questioned as though he did not know her. “I understand you were present when the T.S appeared, is that correct?”

          “Yes sir.”

          “Was there a warning before the lights went out, and it manifested?”

       “Warning Sir?” She watched the doctor out of the corner of her eye as she looked to her superior. It wasn’t fear coming off of her, rather an aura of eerie calm. Which made the room feel thick with heat and tension.

         “Yes, warning. Did you see the level four before it broke through?”

          “I did Sir, but then the lights went out and I had to protect the doctor. I couldn’t get out to deal with the hallway.”

         “Is this true Doctor Rollins? Did she in fact protect you, or do you believe she may have brought the T.S. with her for your assassination?”

        “Assassination? No… err- I- I believe, Miss Spencer was in fact trying to help me, as I was trying to help her.” Dr. Rollins answered trying to reach the water pitcher but his arm was in a sling and the cup too far away.

          “Well, according to our resources at this time the call is that you require protection. A level four T.S. rarely gives up once it’s attached.

          “I understand.” Dr. Rollins nodded still trying for the cup. With a frustrated sigh he gave up. The man in white turned to Agent Spencer who faced him as well.

           “You Agent Spencer are assigned to his detail. You will stay with him until the T.S. manifests again and you will terminate it as soon as it does. Is that understood?”

               “But Sir, my skills are better suited-”

               “Are you actually going to argue with me after this fiasco?”

           “No Sir.” She straightened her stance once more. “I’m on it. I will need to go home for some things if that is permitted. Sir.”

          “I will have Agent Lilywhite go and get you what you need. You are not to let this man out of your sight. Understood?”

                 “Understood.”

                   He turned on his heel, with a nod to Dr. Rollins and without another word left the hospital room.

              Amelia sighed heavily, grabbing the water and putting the straw to Dr. Rollins mouth. “Babysitting, I go through all that to save your ass and now I’m stuck sitting on mine.”

                  He took a large sip of the iced water. “Thank you, and I’m sorry.”

                “It’s not your fault, not entirely at least.” She put down the water jug and walked over to the computer that kept his records for the nurses. With a few key strokes she was looking at his file. “Let’s see, Gabriel Matthew Rollins, thirty four. Single. Never married. No drugs, a light smoker. Height six foot two. Weight two hundred pounds. You work out a bit don’t ya, Gabe?” She chuckled lightly. “You’re practice is private sector. Which makes me wonder why they sent me to you.” She clicked the keys again and swung the computer out of her way to face him as she sat on the empty bed with a thud. “Why is that, do you think?

“I’ve had some success with young Talents. Seeing as you have had the ability strongly since childhood perhaps they thought I could be of help.”

“That or they knew or know why that class four T.S. was in the building you work out of, rather worked… It’s been leveled.”

             Gabriel tried to push himself up higher in the bed, the nurses having put the controls on the wrong side of him, forcing Amelia to get up and help him. She shook her head. “Think that they would at least try to pretend they care.” She huffed, pulling the controls out and handing them to him.

He pushed the button lifting himself with a wincing, he grabbed his side, finding a pain shooting through it.

            “What happened after I passed out?”

          Amelia knitted her well defined brows. “Well the T.S four tried to rip your guts out, but I neutralized her by getting hurled at the mini blinds. It pulled the creature back into the void, at least for now. I was ill equipped. It won’t happen again. I apologize for your injuries.”

               “I’m just glad to be alive. How bad is it after all?”

              “Shoulder was dislocated and the collar bone mildly cracked, hence the sling, and you got thirty-three stiches, from what I’ve read.”

               He nodded, trying to get up suddenly. Amelia stepped in front of him.

               “Where are you going?”

             “I’ve gotta piss, if you wanna know. Now please either help me up or get out of  my way.” He grunted leaning toward her, his vision blurring slightly. “Nice pain meds.” He looked at the I.V. pole. “Dilaudid... Yeah I’m going to need a little help.” He wobbled with a high laugh, as Amelia grabbed him under his good arm, careful of his stitches. He leaned down on to her five foot nine frame, trying not to drop his full weight.

              “You’re gonna fall, if you don’t straighten up some, come on, I got it.” She reached for the I.V. pole, and helped him to the private bathroom. “Think you got it from here?”

            “We’ll know in a second.” He smiled and the lines around his hazels eyes deepened slightly, making Amelia almost blush as she closed the door.

                She leaned against it with a hard sigh, listening to make sure he didn’t fall. When everything seemed okay she sat on the edge of his bed and pulled out her cellphone, dialing.

                  “This is Jenn.” The southern accent answered.

                  “Jenn, its Amelia are we secure?”

                 “Gimmie a sec.”

             Amelia could hear the clicking on the other end of the phone as Agent Jennifer Lilywhite took the proper precautions to be sure their call couldn’t be heard or traced by curious persons. She routed through different countries and filtered the voices so that even the sounds in the backgrounds were unrecognizable. “Oh- Kay. What’s going on Amelia? Why the cloak and dagger today?”

                  “I don’t have much time just listen carefully. Riedell is going to send you to my house for some things. Don’t go, just go to my locker at the base and grab my red duffle bag. It’s all I need. Under no circumstances do you go to my house.”

                  “What about Felix?”

                  “He can get in and out through the doggie door. He’ll be fine this should only take a day or two to sort. Please promise me.” Amelia could hear the toilet flush. “Promise?”

                 “I got sweet cheeks.” Jenn answered though her voice sounded scared by the urgency in Amelia. “Are you okay shugs?”

                       “Yeah, fine, I gotta go.”

Chasing Shadows

Copyright ©2015 Hayes

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Chapter 1

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