Jay Bell - From Darkness to Darkness

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From Darkness to Darkness 2012 Jay Bell / Andreas Bell

ISBN: 9781476173603

Published by Jay Bell at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or events is purely coincidental.

To those I have loved and lost: Joe Kelly, I wish I had been with you that night. Dad, I wish I could still call you and tell you all my stupid mistakes. Daniel Dworshak, I hope you finally found happiness. And of course Artemes and Psyche, our purring hearts, our furry souls. Nothing lasts forever in this world, even separation.

__________

From Darkness to Darkness

By Jay Bell

Illustrations by Andreas Bell

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Chapter One:

Goodbye

Two boys walked down a dirt road, jostling each other and laughing, feeling as tall as the mountains surrounding them. One boy was slender, skin as pale as the twin moons, hair as dark as the midnight sky. His head was tilted ever upward, gaze fixed on the taller boy at his side. Eyes brimming with admiration and grin nothing but encouraging, the smaller boy nodded as his friend continued his tale.

If not a ghost, then surely it was a ghoul. Makes more sense really, as ghosts cant do much with their hands. Probably wouldnt bother stealing food either, come to think of it. No, if we had pulled the tent flap back last night, we would have seen a ghouls beady eyes, glowing red like smoldering charcoal. Then you would have been Charred Cole!

Very funny! Cole rolled his eyes, but his smile didnt fade. What would have happened to you?

The older boy shifted the pack on his shoulders and gave the question serious thought. He glanced toward the setting sun, the remaining light turning his blue eyes silver. If I didnt manage to save you first? Id tear the ghoul to pieces with my bare hands. A frown creased his tanned brow. Of course it would never come to that. He flexed his muscles One look at these would send the ghoul screaming back to its grave.

Cole did his best not to appear impressed, but it was hopeless. If Cole had only one hero in the world, it was Jonah. Judging from the taller boys proud expression, he wouldnt have it any other way.

Ah, there she is! Jonah nodded to the horizon. Home, sweet home.

The little village nestled between mountains had been home to them both for their entire lives, seventeen years in Jonahs case. Cole would turn sixteen in a few weeks. The whole village would then gather for the day he became a man, not that Cole imagined he would feel like one. Maybe the ceremony would make a difference. Jonah hadnt seemed so different when he became a man. A bit prouder maybe.

The camping trip had been an early celebration of the coming milestone, as Cole was expected to begin his apprenticeship right away. That future felt like a winter wind. Once Cole had looked forward to learning a new trade and escaping the farm and its tedious chores, but the camping trip had changed everything. The time he and Jonah had spent together, what they had discovered together in that sun-drenched valley Right now Cole wanted nothing more than to turn around and return there, but he knew the sun wouldnt last. Summer was coming to an end, and winter always came early in the Steeplands.

Tell you what, Jonah said, as if he knew Cole could use some reassurance, how about we set up the tent on your parents farm tonight? We need to adjust back to indoor life one step at a time, right? Otherwise Grandma is in for a shock when she sees me eating with my hands.

Cole laughed in relief. Their time together wasnt over just yet. Okay. Are we still going to hunt, or are we allowed to raid the larder?

A horrible wailing cut Jonahs answer short, and for a moment, all Cole could think of was their imaginary ghoul. The wailing came again, accompanied by bleating. Cole peered down the road and breathed a sigh of relief when he spotted a goat.

Jonah was the first to speak, his voice quieter than before. Cant say Ive ever heard a goat make that kind of noise before.

No, Cole agreed. Looks like a young one though. Maybe its still weaning off its mom and got lost.

Maybe.

Jonah was tense, face grim as they approached.

Cole found himself desperate to restore their comfortable banter. One of Farmer Madgers goats, isnt it? Maybe hell give us some cheese for bringing it back.

Jonah held out an arm instead of answering. Pushing Cole behind him, he acted as if they were approaching a lion rather than a harmless farm animal.

The goat released another wail, causing Cole to jump. For a moment he hated the animal for scaring him, for ruining their nice afternoon, but then he saw the dark liquid swimming inside the animals eyes. The goat bleated again, black saliva dripping from its mouth.

Corpse sludge, Jonah hissed, sending terror racing across Coles skin.

They recoiled from the goat, or more accurately the black liquid puddled on the ground. To even touch it spelled disaster, the foul ooze gradually paralyzing its victim. What followed then was a fate worse than death.

Jonah stripped off his shirt and pulled his dagger from its sheath.

What are you doing? Cole asked, but he knew from the way Jonah wrapped the shirt around his hand what he intended. No! Its too dangerous!

We cant leave it like this. Its suffering! Now turn away.

Cole shook his head and tried to protest more, but Jonah wore the burden of responsibility. For the first time since his ceremony, he really did look like a man. Jonah approached the goat cautiously, swinging one leg over its body and straddling it. The animal didnt offer any resistance.

Turn away! Jonah said, holding the knife to the goats throat.

Cole complied, shutting his eyes tight against the sounds that followed. The next thing he knew, Jonah grabbed his hand and led him away.

Come on. We have to tell the others, get a messenger to the Blacksmith and his men. We can hole up in the meeting hall until his soldiers arrive.

The first houses they reached were silent, the main road deserted. A baby cried out in the distance, but all else was still. Maybe everyone was already hiding and help had been sent for. That would explain why no one could be seen. Cole swallowed, thinking of his father and how he would have come to find them, how he would have risked his life to warn them. If he could.

My house is closest, Jonah said, voice beginning to shake. Well check there first, since its just Grandma. Then well stop by the meeting hall before heading to your farm.

Cole could barely keep up with Jonah as they ran through town, their hands still clasped. By the time they reached the small two-story house, Cole was stumbling behind him.

Stay here, Jonah said. Ill run in and check.

Cole released his hand reluctantly as Jonah dashed inside. The sun had sunk behind the horizon, the light of day fading into twilight. The flint runners should be out now, lighting torches and lamps against the dark. Cole searched the windows of Grandma Isabels home, looking for any sign of life. All were empty, until he spotted light on the second floor. Her bedroom!