⚠️ WARNING!!! Mention of Suicide, addiction, and emotional trauma please skip if you are NOT COMFORTABLE!!! ⚠️
I stood face-to-face with the shadow.
"Who are you? What do you want? Why are you taking people's souls?"
"Oh, how tragic," it sneered. "We simply thought these people were… in the way."
My fists clenched. "Answer me!"
"It's really nice to finally speak to you in person, Lyra. Watching you from afar was such a bore."
It titled its head. "And that face… such a pretty thing to waste."
"What have you done with my family?"
"Oh, your family… right." The creature's voice darkened. "Angelina was such an easy kill. The poor girl only wanted a snack, and then oops."
My chest tightened.
"And Osvaldo…" The shadow chuckled. "We didn't expect him to… give up on living. Though we may have planted a few thoughts in his mind."
My eyes widened. "You… you planted those thoughts?! You made him do it?!"
"Oh no, dear. Those thoughts were already in his heart. We only whispered what he already feared. And the note? That was our handwriting."
"You monster!" I flew at the shadow, throwing a punch but it vanished before I could hit it.
"Nice try," it whispered from behind me. "But you can't get rid of us that easily."
I spun around. Three more shadows emerged, surrounding me.
"We weren't finished talking," one hissed. "Shall we show dear Lyra where her family is?"
"Let me think… " another teased. "No. You'll be joining them soon enough."
"Why didn't you take me?" I demanded.
"Who says we didn't try?" the tallest one said. "We wanted to play with you first. We know your fears… your weaknesses."
It circled me slowly. "You struggle with addiction, don't you? Pills… alcohol. Tempting, isn't it?"
"Shut up!" I swung again, but my hand sliced through the air.
They laughed. "You really think you can fight us, Lyra? You can't punch what isn't real."
Their laughter echoed, crawling under my skin.
Then one whispered close to my ear. "But your biggest fear of all… is being alone."
I froze.
"Look around," it said. "You are alone. No one can save you. Every soul in this kingdom is gone."
For a moment, my chest ached. Then I lifted my head.
"I may be alone," I said firmly, "but that won't stop me."
Light surged in my hands. I charged, striking through the darkness again and again.
"You'll never win!"
They hissed and recoiled, but I didn't stop. Even exhausted, I kept fighting.
"Ugh," one groaned, "I'm getting bored."
"This is pathetic," another sighed. "Though, credit where it's due, she really doesn't give up."
"Should we finish this?"
"Not yet," the leader said. "Send the souls away first. Make sure she can't get to them."
With a snap of its fingers, the glowing souls in the sky vanished every single one.
"No!" I cried, reaching toward the empty air.
Their laughter filled the kingdom.
"Now, as for you, Lyra," the shadow said, stepping closer, "it's been fun. But your soul… is ours."
"Not a chance!"
"Oh, we expected that." The last thing I saw was a burst of black wind swallowing me whole.
Then silence.
When I opened my eyes, I was surrounded by nothing but endless darkness.
The laughter echoed again, distant and cruel.
"Where… am I?" I whispered.
"Welcome," the voice said, "to the abyss of eternal darkness."
My heart pounded.
"Your soul will soon be ours. You'll wander lifeless through your own kingdom… knowing you couldn't save them. Not your people. Not your family."
I turned around, breath trembling.
"Mom?"