“They told us that the shadows outside the gate were hungry. I just wanted to know what they tasted like.”
Chapter 1
The leaves brushed against each other as the wind fought its way through the gaps in the branches. The streets were lined with clocks at every corner, people compulsively checking the time as the sun began to hide itself behind the gates surrounding Windermere. As the sunlight barely touched the tip of the towering church bell, businesses began locking up—bolting their doors shut and pulling down the blinds in a hurry. One might think the town was preparing for a natural disaster, but this was just another day for this rural town.
Adelina rushed back to her house, running through the now-empty streets as she kept glancing at her watch. She couldn’t believe she had lost track of time—her exhales leaving her mouth in rhythm with her sneakers hitting the pavement. Just as the sun fully disappeared, she made it to her house, slamming the door behind her and making sure every bolt was secured.
“Adelina!” a stern voice called from the kitchen. “Where in the hell were you?”
It was Adelina’s mom, Mrs. Katz. Her face was full of worry; her eyebrows knitted together as she shot a cold glare at the teen girl.
“Mom…” she began, though the words froze in her throat. She didn’t know whether to tell the truth or make up some half-thought-out excuse about where she’d been. Her shoulders dropped, her breath still heavy from sprinting across the town.
“I… wasn’t looking at the clock.”
Mrs. Katz scoffed, somewhere between annoyance and disbelief.
“The town is flooded with clocks and timers, and you’re trying to tell me you weren’t checking?”
Adelina sighed, her eyes dropping to the floor as she stepped closer to her mom. She pulled her mother into a tight hug, not wanting to admit what had distracted her enough to forget the time. Mrs. Katz let out an exaggerated sigh, hugging her daughter back.
“Dinner’s on the table. Clean up and shower once you’re done,” she said softly, pulling back from the hug. Mrs. Katz headed upstairs—her footsteps fading, the sound confirming for Adelina that her mother was safely in her room now.
Throwing herself on the dining chair, Adelina slumped over the table. Her breath was finally calming down as she rested her head on her forearms. Her mind rushed with endless possibilities as she’d never actually seen what happened past dark– just heard the warnings that were passed down to children like bedtime stories meant to scare them. But don’t stories always have a root? It was instilled in her from a young age that if the sun was gone, she was to remain inside the house until it came back up. She used to ask her mom what would happen if someone lingered out there longer than they should have. Mrs. Katz would just tighten her jaw and tell her to wash up for dinner.
She shifted positions, propping her head up with one hand, her elbow pressed into the table for balance. With the other, she messed with her food without purpose, her spoon scraped the plate like a clock ticking too loud. Her heart still hadn’t settled from the sprint home. From almost missing her curfew.
As she blinked slowly, half-chewed memories rose to the surface– of days at the creak. Laughter echoed through the trees that were now too quiet. She didn’t know why they always came back at night. Perhaps it was the silence. Maybe it was the way the wind seemed to howl among the leaves.
Adelina’s gaze flicked towards the window, where the curtains pressed against the frame like a barrier. Without thinking, she rose. Her fingers curled around the hem of the fabric, she was hesitant. She inhaled, holding it in as she tugged the curtains open.
It was just enough to show her what she knew already; the streets were empty. Still… waiting. The wind stirred the leaves in spirals across the sidewalks. A streetlight buzzed in the corner– flickering ever so slightly– casting a pale gold across the spot where someone once dared to climb. The lamppost still wore the marks of rust where hands gripped too tight.
No one really talked about what happened. Not anymore, at least. It was as though the town had decided silence was safer– as if silence could erase what really happened that fateful day. Not Adelina though, she remembered. She remembered a person who always pushed boundaries and scoffed at warnings. Adelina remembered a voice– a stubborn one, that laughed in the dark.
“It’s just darkness,” they once told her, “Why are we so scared of it?”
Those words stuck to Adelina’s mind as if it was a crown woven from thorns.
Something moved out there, or maybe nothing did. But something out there was luring Adelina in. The kind that pried at your thoughts– the feeling that waited for you to be curious enough to follow.
Adelina snapped the curtains shut, her breath stuck in her chest. The scraping hiss of the curtains against the rod echoed louder than she had anticipated. Without a word, she headed upstairs– each step of hers slower than the last.
The smell of dinner still clung to her clothes, but the hunger was long gone.
She threw herself onto her bed, the wooden frame thudding against the wall. Her eyes shut hard, her thoughts louder than her heartbeat.
“If only I just… If only I didn’t…” she didn’t finish that thought. She never did.
He was sitting in the small kitchen, his legs on the table. His blue eyes narrowed, to keep the smoke from his cigarette from burning them. He looked around the kitchen, it really was the last one, like everything else in this cabin. He saw a cockroach running along the wall and disappearing behind the gray cupboard, with pickled food. Now his eyes were on the old glasses, the water was brown and there were leftovers floating around in it. He would never eat it, neither would Leon, he knew that. As for Kain.... He looked up, when he heard soft screams and grinned slightly, then the voice of his eldest brother, he moaning, a room was closed and Leon limp into the kitchen. "You don't have anything better to do, than sit here and smoke, do you?" Luke looked his brother up and down and shrugged. His brother's long hair and dense beard really made him look like a backwoods guy. "Make sure, you go into town. We still need some things, get a new rope" - "Again?" he asked his brother, who had just taken a glass, from the cupboard.
"Yes, he's getting more and more aggressive, he always does that, when it's about to rain" - "What did he say?" Actually, that would have been a stupid question, because Kain couldn't say anything, he screamed, but the brothers were close and understood their younger brother right away. "Nothing. Nothing at all" Leon said and shoved Lukes legs off the table, with full force before putting the glass on the table. Luke groaned slightly, losing his cigarette, which fell on the kitchen floor. When he picked it up, his fingers almost got stuck to the ground. The cigarette left another burn hole, which now joined the others. "How about you wipe the floor with a damp cloth?" he asked, amused. "How about I beat that shit out of you?" Luke got serious, you had to be careful, when Leon said something like that. He stubbed out his cigarette, in the ashtray, and stood up.
"I'm going, yes." Leon just nodded as he was about to open the glass. Knowing the stench, that would come from the glass, he made his way down the hall, past the door with the locks, and picked up his brown jacket, from the rake on the wall. "Shall I bring someone?" he asked shortly as he opened the door. He looked into the scowling face of Leon, who stood by the locked door, with the glass. He nodded and walked out without expecting an answer. He closed the door behind him and briefly breathed in the cool and clean forest air before going to the car. Through the small dirty window of his car, he saw that, he had forgotten to lock the door, he was glad that Leon hadn't noticed. "Hey... pull down your sleeves, will you?" Luke had the car door open and looked from Leon, who was closing the door again, to his arms. He groaned, a silly habit of pulling up his sleeves, he shouldn't do it lest silly questions be asked, he thought as he pulled the sleeves over his scarred arms. He sat down in the old Ford and put the key in the ignition. Luke didn't expect it to start right away but the car surprised him today. Well then, let's get started - he said to himself as he reversed down the small driveway.
"Don't forget the rope," he said to himself again as he drove down the dirt road out of the forest, it took a little longer before he finally reached the road, that would lead him to town. He was looking around, had turned on the radio and was listening to the music, when suddenly breaking news came on. "Short break, Mattie is still missing. She is 25 years old, last seen by her mother, she was wearing a white blouse and a blue short skirt. Mattie is blonde and wanted to go to the bar with her friends - Scorpion Ride - in Nashville, The Gulch - She didn't come home, that night. The Nashville Police Department is taking tips. Thank you, for your understanding! And now the song "No Woman No Cry" by Bob Marley" the song started playing. Luke hit the car cockpit, several times in anger, so hard that the radio got a loose connection and the windshield started to tear slightly. He only stopped, when he noticed it, in anger of this, he slammed the seat next to him, until his hand started to hurt. "Shit, shit!!!" he yelled.
He was almost into town, but he rolled down the window to get some fresh air. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette. "Shit," he said again as he lights it. He stopped at the traffic light and pulled up his left sleeve, the cold air clearing his mind a little, but not letting his anger subside. It couldn't all be true, they've been looking for this girl for two weeks now. The traffic light had long gone green, but Luke hadn't noticed and was honked at by the old woman behind him. This caused Luke to get out and go to the old lady. He knocked on the glass, but the old lady just looked at him, startled, and didn't move. With force, he smashed the window and took the woman by the collar. The old lady screamed, but quickly fell silent, when she saw the big scars on his arm and his face contorted with anger. But she didn't say anything, he let go of her, looked around and was glad, that nobody was around. "Sorry," he said, and went back to his car and drive by red, better get outta here.
When he got to the supermarket, where you could really buy everything, he rolled up the window and thought about, what had just gotten into him. Actually, it was his brother, who was aggressive, but even he could pull himself together in the city, when he had to go there. He looked at the cigarette, that had burned a hole in his seat, stupid old lady. He picked her up and threw her out of the car as he opened the door and got out. "Yeah, that's Luke." He groaned and looked up, to see a fat man walking towards him, with his arms outstretched. "Do you still live alone, with your brother, out there?" he asked and wanted to hug him. "Yeah, we both like it, it's quiet, just what we need" - you idiot - he thought to himself, while holding out a hand reaching out to stop the man from hugging him, he quickly pulled down his sleeve. "I'm sorry, about your father" - "Yes, it's been a month now" - "Yes, but I know how you feel" - you have no idea how happy we are - he thought, but said "Yes, you knew father very well" - "He was my colleague, we were best friends, but this accident shocked us all. And shortly afterwards, his sister died of a heart attack."
The man shook his fat head and tried a hand to put it on Luke's shoulder, but he fought that off too. The man had to realize, that Luke didn't want him here at all, because he decided to leave. "Say hello to your brother" - "I'll do that" Luke looked after the fat man, while he lit another cigarette. He shook his head as the man got into the car and the car shook heavily. Luke inhaled the smoke as the man drove past him and raised a hand, Luke only nodded briefly. - Just get all the dirt and go home. This is not my day - he thought to himself and flicked away the cigarette and went to the supermarket. It was busier today, than usual, his mood turned more and more. He grabbed everything, they needed and had also found a sturdy rope. He paid the sum, with the money they were "gifted" and put the change back in his jeans. Luke went to his car and opened the Luggage space, he opened his eyes briefly, when he saw the brown spots and threw, the purchase on it. "Hey, can you give me a little help?" Luke slammed the Luggage space door and looked at the redheaded girl.
"I'm sorry, what?" - "Oh sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, I just moved here yesterday" she smiled at him and brushed some long hair behind her ear "Oh no problem" - "I just wanted to ask if you can do something good here" - "Parties?" -" Yes, yes exactly" Luke looked around for a moment, but no one was there to listen to their conversation. "You moved here all by yourself?" - "Yes" she said and grinned even wider - probably proud as hell, the little one - he briefly thought "Oh, that's really nice, I'm a forest guide, and I'm organizing a forest party today, maybe it would be something for you" - "I love Nature, I'd like to be there" - "Very good, wait, I'll give you a description and my business card" Luke got everything from the passenger seat, he always had something with him for people to find. "Here, it's not that far from here, but very wooded and that will help, what's your name" - "My name is Jana" she said and took directions and a business card. "I'm happy" She looked at him and her green eyes shone "Me too and thank you" she said and went embarrassed to the supermarket. She really seemed to be alone. He grinning, Luke got in the car to drive home. He didn't feel like going to his brothers, but he was proud of himself, probably only until, he told his brother, that Kain can go out today, after all it's supposed to rain today - Let it rain, oh Lord, let it rain. - were his thoughts as he started the car.
Leon:
"Dirty" - "Don't, don't look" - "Take it" - Leave it" - He's dirty" - Laugh - "Look" - scream - "Take the knife" - Leon was standing in the shed, in front of the massive wooden table at the wall and looked at the mess. His friends, as he called them, were always with him. - "He can't even clean up" - "Kill him" - laugh - as he picked up the smeared knife and took a closer look. His eyes went from the knife to the individual clumps of blonde hair, they stuck everywhere - "Gosh" - angry - "Hurt him" - Leon threw the knife on the table and turned away from the sight. This shed was the last one, and he only went in to see if his brother would at least clean up, when he was done working. He's limping through the plastic curtains, to get out of the shed, when he hears his brother's car. He was very angry, and it didn't help, that his friends had other plans. "Did you feed him?" - "Here he comes" - laugh - "Grab him" - "Did you close the door?" Laughing again as he looked at the cabin, but he was sure.
He watched as Luke got out of the car and walked towards him, with a big grin. But Luke lost it as soon as he saw his brother. "I have news," Luke said, but Leon grabbed his neck, with a firm grip, and pushed him forward. He was older and stronger, and he wouldn't let him endanger her in any way. Leon pushed him as hard as he could, he didn't let go, when they were in the shed. "Hurt him" - "No" - "He's your brother" - "You don't need him" - loud laughter as he slammed his brother's head, hard, on the table. Blonde hair hung on Luke's lips, he noticed it when his face came closer to his brother's. "Clean up here, immediately" Luke nodded slightly, but his brother's hand didn't make it easy for him. "Today, I don't want to see, this shit and bring the food in the house," he said as he pointed to the deer in a corner, he saw Luke's eyes follow his fingers.
"That wasn't there yesterday." - “That's me doesn't really matter, please come in here more often, you know him after all" his deep voice, became deeper whenever he was angry. Leon took his hand off Lukes head and was leaving the shed, his eyes grazing the deer once more, from whose nose flies came. "I have news, tonight a girl is coming, who just moved here yesterday" Leon stopped, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, but his anger came back like a hammer blow, he turned and grabbed a mason jar, from the shelf next to him and stood in front of his brother, who walked in a defensive stance. "Do it" - laugh - "You can just smash that on his head" - he limp to his brother and he raised the glass - "Don't" - "Let ihm" - "No, it's your brother" - shout - "You need him" - "What is that?" - Leon lowered his hand again and looked into the glass, the water was not brown yet, but the flesh was grey. He gave it to his brother, who took it.
"Bring the food in the house" he said, it was hard for him, not to give in to the urge, so he left the shed. A woman coming here, was just what they didn't need. But a smile spread across his face. "Nice" were his own thoughts. Outside, his eyes on the kennel, his footsteps leading him towards it. The rottweiler briefly showed his big teeth, but when he recognized Leon, he wagged his tail. He opened the door and looked around briefly, the dog jumped up on him. - "Woof, woof" - "Cute" - "He just wants to play" - “Is it a wolf?" - "No" - "Can he go out today?" - "Who are you?" - "A dog"- he shook briefly his head and closed his eyes to calm his friends. The dog hasn't been outside for a long time, but maybe today it would be that time again. Leon saw all the bones in the kennel and decided to clean up here, for the time being.
Bones, that he didn't eat, had to be buried in the garden and the dog poo was already piling up. He looked at his dog and stroked it briefly on his big, broad head. "Good dog," he said as he watched Luke, who came out of the shed, with a handful of glasses. "Oh, here," he said, throwing him the car key. "I still have the stuff in the Luggage space" Leon caught the key and nodded, there was still time to get everything done. First it was the dog's turn, he thought briefly as he wiped the dog's spit on his pants and wondered where to start. Bones, excrement, loosen soil. "Woof, woof" - "Leave it" - "Where is he? Can he get out?" - His green-brown eyes looked at the house again, he was really fed up with the voices confusing him so much.
Jana:
An hour and a half, she has now driven and is now standing in front of a cabin and a shed. She was confused, it was raining heavily and there were no other cars here. She took the directions again and looked them over carefully, but she wasn't lost. Jana sat down and considered whether she should go home again, but then she grinned briefly, when she thought of the young man, maybe he wasn't giving a party. Maybe it was a date invitation and if she knocked, he would say sorry, I just wanted to get to know you. She decided to at least knock. She reached behind the passenger seat, to get the umbrella, and was startled when there was loud thunder. "Oh, that's just thunder, Jana, don't be so scared," she said to herself as she opened the door, before exiting, she opened the umbrella, so she wouldn't get wet.
She looked around briefly, there were no lights on, in the hut, but maybe that didn't mean anything. So she headed for the door, the rain was lashing so hard, the umbrella was pretty much wasted, but she was glad her hair didn't get wet, she wanted to look good. Until her eyes came to the roof of the cabin, and she spotted something creepy. Jana stopped and tried to recognize it, was that a statue? It was wrapped in cloth, she took a few steps closer to get a better look at it. But she quickly stopped again, when she recognized a face. But you couldn't call it a face, it had little eye shells, that lit up something when it flashed, its nose was very small and flat, it lifted the nostrils as it inhaled. His mouth was wide and odd teeth came out of them.
Her eyes turned to his posture, he was on all fours, his hands like claws. When it thunders again, Jana jumped and decided to run to the car, but when she turned around, a dog was standing in front of her car and bared his teeth, it growled menacingly. Jana grew scared, but when she turned to the cabin, she heard a whistle and saw the figure jump off the roof and land on all fours. This caused her to run into the forest as quickly as possible, dropping the umbrella in the process. She slipped on the wet ground, but quickly recovered. She heard slight screams and whistles, and the dog barked. The dog had to run after her because she heard his footsteps on the ground. She just hoped he couldn't smell her so well because of the rain.
But when she dared to look behind her, she didn't see a dog, she saw the figure, he was running on all fours and was damn fast. When she turned back, she almost ran into a tree, but she was able to turn the corner just in time. She ran on and looked back again, the figure was so fast, that it too almost rammed the tree, but it jumped against it and grabbed onto the bark and watched her go. He was whistling and making scary noises, his fine white long hair coming out from under the hood. Jana ran and hoped, that the horror would end, but the dog stood in her way. She stopped for just a moment, a moment that cost her, her life. The figure lunged at her and they both fell hard to the ground. Jana quickly rolled onto her back, the figure's face close to hers. His black eyes met her, and before she could do anything, the figure bit her throat, ripping out a large chunk.
Her eyes wide opend, she watched as it chewed on her flesh, the blood pouring from his lips and chin and dripping onto her face. The dog growled and it seemed like the two were talking. The last thing, Jana saw, was the rough gray tongue licking his lips.
Vermelha Noir is a Querétaro, México-based creative who uses drag makeup, clothing, design, and theatrical elements to create a body of art that is as visually stunning as it is culturally fascinating. This is @vermelhanoir in an elaborately embroidered boregheh mask, which has been worn for hundreds of years by the Bandari people of Southern Iran (based on ancestral tradition). 📸IMAGE DETAILS📸 Photo and edit: @salemmcbunny Makeup and styling: @vermelhanoir Assistant: @karenmexico For @mobjournal •••
posted on Instagram - https://instagr.am/p/CP7SSX-rIMh/
