Dark Mistake

• Maiana Takairangi, Grade 9
• Short Story
• 2015

The things that lurk in the dark behind every shadow, have a wanting for you, and you know there’s no escape.
Yet, every minute I run and hide, the more it gains on me. It always seems to be a step ahead of me. But then I think…
‘Why do I run? The darkness has already consumed me’
So as I sit here, I know the darkness is near and I know I can’t stop it. It’s nearly here and I don’t know how to let go of it. I need to protect them from me, and the things I can and possibly will do to them in the future.
So I have made the decision to sacrifice myself, to protect them. No matter how much it will hurt me to know that I will never see my loved ones again.
The loved ones that thought I was a perfect young girl, who got exceptional grades, did well in all sports and had many friends and companions. But they’re wrong.
And because of my doings, I must pay the price and let the darkness take me. Take me far away and never let me return.
For their safety.
My heart beat quickened as I saw that the time had nearly come and as the hand struck 9, all the lights started to flicker and my room had become an icy chamber. So cold that I could see my breath. The glass doors of my bedroom opened and the cold wind of evil entered my room, as my curtains flew in the sudden wild wind, bringing a feral odor of death in.
A dark, black cloaked figure as tall as a lamp post floated into my room, and my breath became shaky. Tears welled in my eyes and I knew it was time.
The cloaked figure extended its hand and a dead corpse of flesh was shown, asking for my hand. A voice boomed through the walls of my room and it sounded like nothing I had ever heard before.
“Take my hand and I will lead you to the Underworld” the in-human voice filled my ears.
My tears were uncontrollable and my nose was running with liquids. I brought my shaky hands up to my face and made an attempt to wipe it away. I nodded and took hold of the boney flesh.
Suddenly, I was floating with the figure and my hair was rising up in all directions. I felt a lightness upon me.
With one last look back at my home, the demon took me away with it and a gush of wind had overcome me, and before I knew it…I was plunging into the darkness, never to be seen again. But as we fall into nothing, the cloth covering the figures face flies off into the wind I am horrified to see what is behind it.
My reflection…