• Chapter 1: Birth of The 1st Shadow


    People aren't afraid of the dark. They're afraid of what comes out of it.


    18 year old Jared Arcker was in his room with the door unlocked, and his 2 younger brothers, who were watching TV, in the other room. He was going on with his research on the fear of the dark, but no one supported him. The people said he was crazy, and that his research was as pointless as that movie "Spaceballs." But he knew something others didn't get. He thought there was more to it. His theory was that people aren't afraid of the dark. They're afraid of what comes out of it.
    Jared opened up his video log on his computer, clicked record, and said, "October 31, 2000. 6:42 pm. Monday. I've come so close to secrets of the fear of the dark- otherwise known as Shadowphobia- but if I fail this time, I'm shutting down the operation." He had a beaker, a cigar and lighter, a bottle of beer, dope, and some polluted lake water. "Serum 6067. Components: Polluted essence, lit cigar, beer, cocaine, and one drop of blood." He began by lighting the cigar and putting it in the beaker. Next, he put in the cocaine. Then, he mixed the beer and polluted water, put it in the beaker and let it sit. It became a black and hot liquid. “Now for the drop of blood, the secret key in question,” he said.
    He took a knife out of the top pouch in his bag and cut his palm straight through. He winced a bit, but he was used to it. He had done it so many times from previous failed experiments. He stuck his hand over the beaker and let a drop go in. The liquid started boiling rapidly. He was intensely focused, refusing to miss a second. Every minute seemed an hour. It boiled for 2 minutes, then calmed and died out. He sighed with deep disappointment. All of his life’s work was for nothing.
    Jared turned to his computer and said, “No response. Deleting all records n-“. He stopped. Something was happening. A black and purple aura was emitting from the beaker. “Wait, wait. I got a reaction,” he said hastily. The contents of the beaker rose out up into the air, and opened a pair of eyes, entirely yellow and pointed. Jared muttered, “I may have found the secret to my father’s legacy.” He stared at it as if it were his newborn son.
    That’s when it happened. The thing stared at him for a moment, and then glided over to the knife. It was still. Instantly it wrapped itself around the blade for a moment. It slowly detached itself, and looked at Jared. Jared felt something was amiss. He was frozen with fear and curiosity. He stretched his hand toward it. The thing wrapped around his cut right palm. His skin was going pitch black. He was being possessed.
    Jared screamed, and Matthew (his 15 year old brother) rushed in. “What’s wrong,” His mouth hung open in shock, seeing his brother like this. Jared said in an agonized voice,”Take Cole and run, Matthew! It’s gone out of control!” Matthew responded immediately. He turned to the side and saw Cole (the 5 year old brother) already standing there, frightened.
    The thing completely consumed Jared now. It shrieked and broke not only the glass and windows, but exploded the walls so they were bare. The creature was all black. The ends of it’s 2 tails had flames on each tail; one black and the other purple. It cackled and shot a wave of darkness in all directions; it hit the entire neighborhood. Those who looked directly at it died, but those hit who were not looking at it had a revelation.
    Matthew ran with Cole in his arms, but he saw the wave in the corner of his eye when it hit him. He collapsed. He gave a piece of paper to Cole and wheezed, “Read this to keep alive. Be well, brother. I love you.” Then Matthew went limp. The thing lunged at Cole, then recoiled and vanished, writhing in pain. Cole cowered and cried to himself. His brothers were dead. His house was gone. Cole noticed Matthew had completely lost the whites of his eyes, and they were all black and lifeless.
    Cole was all alone.