In a tunnel, with little to no light, stagnant water filled the center of the path with its filthy stench, and creepy sounds of rats running around, squeaking at the footsteps of a man approaching.
"Huf! Huf! Huf!" A panting voice echoed as the figure staggered back and forth, holding on for its balance with the pipes.
A few meters away from him, was light, coming from the small holes in a sewer grate.
The man's eyes widened open, staring at the ladder in front.
"F-f-finally..." a white bright smile through the darkness, and a voice too weak as if he hadn't eaten in days.
His legs suddenly mustered strength as they found a ray of hope.
"Ha, ha-ha, hahahaha..." The man started laughing under his breath, running ahead even if it meant dragging his feet.
Finally, in front of his escape, his hands let go of the pipes to hold on to the bars of the ladder, grabbing them tightly.
The light shone on the figure's face and ragged clothes, he was a man in his thirties, skinny, his lips dry and flesh stuck on his bones because of thirst and hunger, yet his smile was still brighter than the day with glimmering eyes that were fixed on the grate on top of him.
But he failed to notice, a pair of boots stepping behind him, stealthily. No, even that would be an understatement of such a scary feat. The footsteps were never heard. The lights were too dim to brighten the figure, some would even mistake it as the shadow of the man.
A shadow.
One, that walked.
The man looked down, trying to see where he would take his first step.
But his head failed to respond to him.
He suddenly found himself looking at the holes of light. They were bright and weirdly grew blinding, slowly as he felt his body's senses and grip leaving him.
He didn't understand.
He couldn't.
He could only feel a twitch on his neck.
He couldn't think nor be curious about what it was.
The happiness that filled his face, changed into remorse, plead.
His eyebrows narrowed.
No sound came from his slightly opened mouth, no breath or panting this time.
His body, which had not had a drink for the past week, still managed to let out tears from his begging eyes.
Suddenly, he could feel it again, the twitch on his neck, getting higher, making his expression breathe out as if his soul was leaving his body.
His pupils shook uncomfortably for a moment, then, they faded.
*THUD!*
The body fell to the ground in a flash, then was rolled over by the shadow's boot into the water.
He stood in place silently, his hand to his ear, *Click* "Dead." *Click* A hoarse and monotone voice.
He raised his head to the lights of the grates, only for it to reflect on his mask's teeth, those of a demon before he walked back into the darkness.
A city, unaware of the dangers it called upon.
*Footsteps from above the sewers. *
A foot stepped on the grate and passed.
---
A young woman was walking, unaware of anything, with her headphones and music, walking in the middle of the streets brightened by the light poles, wearing a grey hoodie much bigger than her size and matching sweatpants.
YOU ARE READING
Her Shadow
Mystery / ThrillerLea delves deeper into the shadowy underworld with a burning desire for revenge fueling her every move, she sets out on a dangerous path of vengeance, determined to dismantle her father's criminal enterprise from within with the help of her boyfrien...
