Back From the Shadows

The Shadows are a grouping of trees located deep within the woods of Somerset PA, 13 trees that have grown together in a perfect circle. They have grown so tightly together that most of the trunks have fused together and their branches have managed to choke out any semblance of light from entering their center. No one really knows how long the trees have been there or how they came to be formed in the manner in which they were, but what they do know is that nothing that ever goes into the shadows ever comes back, or at least that is the rumor that has been passed down through the years. Those who do know of the Shadows, tell tales of a darkness within that consumes all that enter its embrace and become part of the wickedness within it.

This place is not a well known fact to anyone who resides in Somerset and anyone that does know about it just stays away, nothing lives or grows around the trees, they have been dead for some time now, their bark cold, lifeless and black, their branches bear no new life come spring, they shed no leaves, they mealy loom above the desolate earth beneath them. What secretes could the darkness within possibly hold and what would happen if it ever got out?

It was the early afternoon of July 7th 1990 it was a warm summers day as 13 year old Michael Moran and his parents Anthony and Jamie were on their way to Michaels grandparents in Somerset, the drive was only 2 hours and he was just fine ignoring his parents while he listed to his music in the back seat. This trip is just what he needed to save what little sanity that he had left. Michael was a quiet kid who kept mostly to himself, trying to keep under the radar as to not draw any un-wanted attention to himself. Try as he might no matter what he did, where he went or what he said, trouble seemed to follow him relentlessly. He was bullied continuously by not only other students but by some teachers as well, his parents were no help to him what so ever, his father told him to stand his ground and fight back against the people who taunted and bullied him, (Don't ever let anyone knock you down son, stand tall and give them HELL) is what he would say whenever he would see Michael with a new bruise, his mother on the other hand would tell him to keep quiet and stay out of sight, seeing as that he was a mere 85 pounds, he did as his mother said. Michael was also light sensitive which came to be a twofold curse, not only did he have to seclude himself out of the light it was also more fuel for the fire for those who teased him. Through the years he had been called vampire, creeper, psycho and the most popular one of all that seemed to stick, Night Crawler. Students would point and stare as they said here comes the Night Crawler, better watch out he's gonna get you. There was even a time that a teacher was taking role and instead of calling out his name, said Night Crawler, when even teachers are in on the cosmic joke that is you, you have embraced a whole new level of suck.

Almost there, he could see the farm houses and fields, he loved the smell of the country, it brought a smile to his face, which was rare. Michael loved his grandparents, they never judged him for his clothes or music or the movies that he watched, to them, he was just their grandson and they loved him unconditionally. The car soon turned down the long stretch of road that led to his grandparents house, they came to a stop near the house and there just outside the front door were Charles and Lucia Moran. Michaels door flew open and he ran into his grandfathers arms with a huge smile on his face. What do you think you're doing young man, his father bellowed, get the bags out of the back and bring them in. He pulled away from his grandfather and did as his father said. The day was amazing, they all talked about good times and fond memories, they had a hearty meal, Michael loved his grandmothers cooking so much. Time came and went, the skies turned black and a storm rolled over the town. It was now 11:00 and Michael was supposed to be in bed but Michael couldn't sleep, the wind was howling and the rain was pouring down, no one heard him as he came down stairs, he heard arguing from the living room and went to find out what was wrong. He stood just outside the doorway so that they couldn't see him, he heard his grandfather yelling at his father. You just can't do this Anthony, it's just not right it's not fair to Michael. The boys hairs stood on end, what are they talking about, what's not fair to me, he wondered to himself. He leaned in closer to the door as to hear them better when he heard his mother shout, were getting a divorce Dad we need a break, we can't go on like this anymore. What about the boy his grandmother said, where is he during all of this, what is he supposed to do? His mother hesitated and then chimed back in, well that's the thing mom, we both have so much on our plates right now, neither one of us knows what to do with him anymore, we don't know how to deal with him, we were hoping that he could just stay here with you, at least until we get our lives straightened out. You can't be serious, you don't know how to Deal with him, he's not a stray dog, he's your son. Michaels father looks up blankly and mutters, sometimes I wonder, just then Michael steps into the room and stares through his father with a combination of hatred and sorrow in his eyes. Oh my god, Michael, you weren't supposed to hear that. With everything that I've been through, with everything that I go through and now this? Before anyone could say another word Michael was out the front door and headed through the storm into the woods.