Shadow in the Light

Chapter One On a dark night, surrounded by the pitch-black furnishings in his apartment, a young man sat, staring out the window. A storm had just passed, and the power had yet to return. It was calm and quiet for him, a rattle of thunder now and then to ease the eerie silence. Accompanying the noise, a white shock would come from the lightning dimmed by distance, leaving the room even darker and causing the eyes to have to readjust. Thoughts of the previous days, months, and even years passed through this his thoughts, and with them, the whispers pushed him into finding out what to do in the following times. Life would be difficult with every decision, but that was life: it was never meant to be easy. The door opened gently, and the shuffle of shoes sounded through the apartment. A soft female voice echoed. “Hello?” There was no response from the young man. “Hello? Alex?” After another minute, the girl turned on a light—a sign that the power must have come back on—and walked through the hallway. It was clear she saw him, and she started to walk to the living room where he sat. “Alex, are you okay?” It took him a moment to stop his spiraling thoughts. He looked up at the girl, smiling his fake smile, hoping that it would be enough to hide the torrent of ideas within his mind. “Hey, sorry, I was just thinking. What’s up? You’re home early.” “It was slow, and then the power went out, so I hurried to clean. Want to watch movies tonight?” She smiled at him with a sense of excitement at such a simple hobby. The hall light shadowed her features. Even then, he knew her body well. As slim as Rebecca was, she had the muscles of a farm girl. Her simple use of makeup never faulted her appearance, as she had a natural beauty of that of a half-Russian, half-German girl. Even in the dark, her figure was well-remembered by him, a man who did not enjoy looking at women. He could not help but shift to face her. “I think I’m going to bed. I still have to pack before I leave on Thursday. Are you coming out tomorrow?” She moved around the couch and threw herself down next to him. She tossed her long legs on top of his and made herself comfortable. “Of course, I’m going to try, but who knows if I’ll get off work in time. Jordan has to work too, so I don’t know what is going on, but I’m sure he won’t mind if I go.” “Well, I know Naomi is going to be raging for me.” He stood, sliding her legs gently to the floor, and started to head to his room. “Dinner will be at seven, and then we’ll go out after Trivia Night. Come if you want.” He walked into his room and shut the door. Taking off his clothes, he crawled into bed and continued to think about what it was that he was going to do. Only two years ago, he had studied and had become a certified hypnotherapist. It was this reason that he was leaving for Washington in the morning. A simple hypnosis session had brought out an interest in shamanism that he needed to check out. He awoke to his teacher, a Shaman who was the greatest in the land and last great teacher who knew the ways of the Condor. The sun had yet to stir, but the jungle had come alive as the village people started moving around. Little did the people of the tribe know, today was the day that the teacher had been anticipating, knowing that a significant change was about to occur. He grabbed his medicine pouch and followed his teacher as he did every day. By the time the sun greeted them, they would have reached The Sun Spot, a place deep in the darkest, thickest area of the jungle where a small opening had allowed sunlight to enter. It allowed a little clearing where Ahau, the teacher, believed that only good would shine from the sun, and always prevail against the dangers of the darkness that dwelled in the jungle. Not even the tiniest of insects would dare enter the clearing. Ahau sat down at his usual spot, a dark-skinned elder with ancient symbols drawn all over his naked body. Where he sat, the place where the sun would first hit the ground, was a sacred space for him. To him, it was a way to get closer to the Sun God. His first messages would come then with the warm beam of light. The young Shaman sat in front of his teacher, not stirring, only listening to the jungle speaking its words by a form of nature: whether it be the sound of the wind or the wings of a bird, anything worked. When light indeed did show upon Ahau’s face, the old man smiled as he sat. The bright ray of shimmering sunlight lit up the old man’s features, weathered from the elements and age, nearly making him appear to be a statue basking. For minutes this occurred, the Shaman soaking in the wisdom the warmth gave. The man finally slouched, a movement to show he was done receiving the Sun God’s message. He said, “In trying times you will receive the knowledge of the Sky People. They have shown me the ways of the Condor, and they will allow me to teach you, yet not in this life. You will go to the highest mountain where the entire world is yours to watch over. It will be in the last life that you succeed.” “Ahau, what is the meaning of this trickery?” The man frowned a little, yet not showing the actual sadness he would speak about. “The time of our empire is done. We have seen this day coming for many lifetimes. Today, you will leave this place. Follow the hunter’s trail. From there, you will leave to the mountains. Live out your days in nature and become one with it. You will find the knowledge you seek, but in another life is when you will understand. I will always be with you, child, and you with me. When we meet again, you will have much to learn, but you will save your people from the darkness that is to come. My only warning is not to follow him into the darkness. Let the Sun God keep you safe. Let His light always shine on you. If you fail and you follow your heart into darkness, you will never be able to learn of the Sky People and the ways of the Condor. Keep your purity of heart. Now, run.” With hesitation, the young Shaman stood, looking at the darkness around them. A moment later, he heard the screams of his villagers. He looked in the direction of the village, and then back at his teacher. “Ahau, come with me.” Holding out his hand to help him up, Ahau declined. “Please, Ahau, do not let this happen to you.” Ahau did not attempt to move. “If I am to join my teachers, I am to wait here. I will watch over you. Your journey starts now. Be gone with you.” The screaming from the village got louder, and a faint sound of movement in the jungle disturbed him. It was never like him to not follow the commands of the Shaman, but for once, he did not wish to obey such an order. After a few moments, he saw Ahau’s face slowly wilt into a saddened expression. He could not help but plead for his assistance. “Please, Ahau, don’t make me shame myself. The village will need us.” The old man shook his head. “There is no village to return to. Everyone you know is already doomed, as am I. Now, leave.” The man waved his hand abruptly for his apprentice to depart. “Or you will never see the light of the sun again.” This time, he felt utter defeat. He turned away from the village and his teacher and ran. The darkness of the jungle was disturbing; his view limited to what he could reach at arm’s length in front of him. Fighting against the cold dimness that tempted to steal his sight and spirit, he felt his feet scrape on unseen branches. At one point, he heard a growl, but it soon faded. For days, he ran. The jungle had become somewhat more pleasant again, as he was out of the thickest area. Light shone through the trees. It was the farthest away from his home that he had ever been. Cautiously running past neighboring villages unknown to him, he tried to flee from any veiled threat. It was surprising how many dangers that could include: animals, people, and creatures of horrid origin lived in the jungles.