FF – Into the Shadows
Here is my little story for Friday Fictioneers, the weekly 100 word flash fiction hosted by Rochelle. This week’s photo was contributed by Emmy L. Gant.
To read this week’s other stories, click on the blue froggy.
Copyright Emmy L. Gant
Delvor cast his eye over the city as the sun slipped behind billowing clouds, admiring the spires and majestic buildings, testament to the achievements of Man. Despite these grand structures, the city was quiet, seemingly deserted.
Would that it were, he mused as he shifted his gaze to the shadows; inky black, far too black, unnaturally black. Delvor was Chosen. Delvor could see that which was hidden to most, the things which lived in the dark places, under beds, inside wardrobes. Things which killed the unsuspecting, the unaware, mutilating without mercy.
Girding himself, he unsheathed his obsidian dagger and advanced.
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draliman on life 
And when the moon finally moved out from in front of the sun after that day’s total eclipse he’d forgotten about, Delvor looked on in horror at all of the innocent possums he slashed at in the darkness….
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There’s always a bit of collateral damage in the fight against the evil hordes of darkness 🙂
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Things live under beds?!! Why did no one tell me?! Nice Ali, like the dark stuff you write.
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Yeah, they’re everywhere. Especially under beds 🙂
I’m glad you liked it!
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I’ll have to remember to sleep with the light on tonight! Great story, Ali. 🙂
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And remember to stay out of the shadows… 🙂
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I love all the twists and steadily uncloaking–then surprising–menace in this story, Ali. Delvor is (probably) not, in fact, the evil Cyclops the reader might spy with his/her little eye. Maybe, just maybe, he is some kind of hero. Savior. Chosen. Or maybe demented. Who knows? Great work, as always. How you get these in under 100 words, is awe-inspiring to me.
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I’m thinking he’s some sort of anti-hero, and has taken it upon himself to fight the creatures in the dark. He’s probably a bit demented as well – who wouldn’t be after seeing stuff like that all his life?
I actually didn’t have to cut anything from this story, it hit 100 naturally 🙂
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You left me wonder if Delvor is evil or not… but for sure there will be changes.
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He’s a sort of ant-hero I think, living in the shadows…
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Scary story. Making me look under the bed now. Nicely done.
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Thanks, check the wardrobe as well!
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A very dark and interesting story.
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I’m glad you liked it!
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Was he cursed or blessed to be able to see these things? 😊
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Cursed I reckon – I’m sure he’d have a happier life not knowing 🙂
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Please, don’t write children’s stories! I was afraid of the dark as a kid. I think I plug the nightlight in tonight 🙂
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But… I’ve just started writing “The Vicious Disemboweller from Under the Bed” (a bedtime story for all ages). Maybe a rethink is in order.
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Intriguing! And a little unnerving to read on a dark stormy afternoon such as it is here. 🙂
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Cool, you had the correct atmosphere for my story and everything!
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Love it! Left me wanting more.
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Cool, I’m glad you liked it 🙂
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:O)
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Dark but skillfully spun. I like the Obsidian dagger.
All my best,
MG
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Thanks. I toyed with all sorts of descriptions for it before settling on that!
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Dear Ali,
You had me engaged. Vivid descriptions…very dark.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I’m glad you liked it – I’ve gone back to “dark” for a while 🙂
Ali
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Awesome anticipation of a deathly battle ahead, skilful use of urbanish fantasy tropes here (spires, yay) 🙂 and yes, that shadow is very seductive. Liked that he’s fighting dark with an appropriate dagger (heh, dragon glass!), too…! Really liked this.
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What’s a good urban fantasy without spires? 🙂
I’d forgotten about dragon glass though it’s not long since I last saw GoT – I was thinking of the dagger I once had in Elder Scrolls Oblivion! Same deadly weapon though 🙂
I’m glad you liked it!
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Great fantasy story. The chosen one to see the dark creatures, not a nice fate. The obsidian dagger is an added bonus. And yet, with a little twist, I can see his mum tell him to do his homework and put the letter opener back. 😉
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I wouldn’t want that power, I’d prefer to live out my life in ignorance and let someone else do the fighting 🙂
Funnily enough, every “dark” idea I had seemed to end with some kid being called in for supper. But I thought I’ve done that a bit too much recently!
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I love the word ‘obsidian’. I’m a bit less keen on Delvor and won’t be inviting him around any time soon. Good one
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He’s more a “live and kill in the darkness” and less a “nice chap to have round for dinner” kind of a guy 🙂
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It sounds like the evil beings are a bit like the black riders in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Where is a well-trained elf when you need one? Good atmosphere, Ali. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I bet Delvor could use some Elvish help right about now 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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That was quite a menacing and sinister story. I think you could write fantasy-horror stories easily, apart from your usual brilliant, dry humorous stories. Beautifully executed (yes, the almost-pun is intended).
This was chilling and moving, both:
“Delvor could see that which was hidden to most, the things which lived in the dark places, under beds, inside wardrobes.”
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Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it! The only problem with writing fantasy-horror is trying to think of something “new” :-). This, for example, could be seen as a cross between “Grimm” and “Mortal Instruments”.
I’m glad you liked that line, I did too!
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🙂
You’re most welcome!
Yes, I’d have to agree with you about fantasy-horror — everything seems to have already been conceived of. Still, we can have wonderfully terrifying descriptions, right?
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True 🙂
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David Tennant I recognized as Barty Crouch (the younger) in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (the movie) — so, alas, I have to get over my prejudice against him. He did act very well, though, and looks absurdly young.
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Very ominous. You’re getting darker and darker!
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I’m returning to my dark roots 🙂
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You do it so well – although I love your funny stuff too 🙂
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Thanks 🙂
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Ach. I think you are braver than me. You went “Into the shadows.” I went “Out of the shadows.” 🙂 Great story.
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Thanks! I reckon Delvor still has a better chance of survival than your guys, though 🙂
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I like how you eluded to all the scary places we have in our minds from childhood through adult. This is deeply dark and very intriguing. Kudos.
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I was hoping to make people think twice before switching the light off in the evening 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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Nice and gritty — a superhero story that could become a saga. Perhaps it could be serialized???
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That might be fun, actually. One mini-chapter a week. I’m glad you liked it!
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i don’t think he could it all by himself. obviously, he needs help.
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There are probably more like him out there – but for now, he is alone…
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This would make a great novel! More, more!! I enjoyed reading it. 😀
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Someone already suggested serialising it. Maybe I should 🙂
I’m glad you liked it!
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This is wonderfully atmospheric but I have to confess I don’t know if it’s about do a comic turnabout like a Terry Pratchett?
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That would be funny following the rather ominous start!
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Creepy! I like that he sees the hidden, that which cannot be seen by others. Great story. I agree is very atmospheric and does the photo justice.
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Thanks! I’m sure he’d prefer not to see these things, but this is his Calling. When I first saw the photo, all I saw was the darkness in it!
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Bravo! Sounds like a slice of a novel. Interesting story.
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Thanks! Maybe I’ll extend it a bit, see if I can make more of it.
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I bet you can; story guidelines are set. Rock it out!
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🙂
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I love the feel of this. Just tell Delvor to stop killing my friends or I’m going to have to hunt him down for his crimes against my brethren.
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Ha, I’m afraid Delvor does get carried away when the obsidian dagger comes out!
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Wow! I’m ready to see that! Wonderful story, d-man! Wonderful
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Thanks! I’m glad you liked it 🙂
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My hero!
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🙂
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Nicely written.
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Thanks!
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