Malklover

A chilly autumn wind whipped and weaved its way through the labyrinth of stone and concrete along the Upper East Side. A few determined leaves clung desperately to their branches and twigs as the perfect line of trees along the sidewalk trembled against natures chilling sigh. Dr. Maryanne Lux, face framed with shadow, shivered and pulled the collar of her black dress coat closer to her neck. For the city that never sleeps, tonight her street seemed oddly dormant. Realizing her loneliness, Dr. Lux quickened her step, her favorite red pumps with the ankle straps tapped quickly along the cement. Although crime was low in her neighborhood, she couldn’t keep her heart from racing beneath her buttoned up blouse and gray blazer. She tried to keep her mind busy by glancing up at the townhomes she passed. Silhouettes in the windows depicted families already finished with dinner, and couples kissing each other goodnight before switching off the lights. Dr. Lux, pursed her lips and stared ahead

I was Lightbringer, a hero to the people. I donned an outfit fitting for my station, my powers, and my desire to save Manhattan from the actions of evil men. My powers were impressive and my skills in combat superior. I thought I was unstoppable. I was a foolish man. I look down now at my broken and blood body, a God-that-was. Never did I think that I would be defeated, not by him. Yet there he was, waiting for me, a flash of knives, pain, and blood, frantic flight, twisting and turning in the cold fall air. My fist found his face. I felt his stomach groan as I made another attack, bones crunching beneath my fingers, flesh rippling. Then I felt a tugging inside of me and then there was a great pain. My chest tightened, my stomach turned. I looked up into the cold gray eyes of Harbinger, my arch-nemesis, a master of shadow manipulation. He smiled as the shadows were pulled from inside my body. My flesh ripped open with a sickening sound as the rabid shadows answered their master’s

There is someone else in the room. Heart pounding, The Girl reaches over and turns on the fuzzy pink bear lamp, illuminating her room with bubblegum light. The Girl pulls the blankets close to her chest. The Girl turns her head to see the dark figure sitting at the foot of her bed. Made of shadows and fear; the figure trembles before her. The Girl stares at The Shadow and whimpers. “Where…where have you been?” “I have been waiting.” “You frighten me. I think I’m ill. I think you make me ill. I want you to go away.” “You have no idea what you want or what is good for you Girl. You are too weak. That is why I came here in the first place. That’s why I love you and protect you. No one else will. No one else cares. I care. I will hold you no matter how dark it gets. You need me.” “No…you scare me…I don’t need you. I’m gonna tell Them about you. I should tell Them. You need to go away…please…please…You make me sick inside!” “YOU NEED ME! YOU WILL ALWAYS NEED ME!” The bedroom door opens. A