For as long as she could recall, Taliah had been told tales of the great darkness that lurked in the vales of Shadows Glenn. And, the tales that had been told of those who had foolishly challenged those shades for dominion over that cursed wood. On the eve of the Sanguine Moon, when red light shone down on the ground like firelight with its grim and imposing weight on the world, each season would hear the wolves baying to the Blood Moon in their adoration of the darkness that granted them power and form to walk among the mortals of the Del and beyond. Each harvest season it was expected that each village patron would offer homage to that darkness to keep it, and it’s cursed hunters, at bay for another year. Those who failed to offer tribute suffered the most horrific ends. That much she had seen with her own eyes four seasons past. The image of savaged bodies, ravaged by ivory tooth and talon-like claws, haunted her to this day. And this day was hers. Taliah had been chosen to seek the blessing of the shadows along with four of kin from other villages. Upon the dousing of the final lanterns of the Harvest Festival, they were each clad in diaphanous gowns of gossamer white - ghosts themselves among the shadows of the moonlight dappled woods. Fresh of face, with garlands on their heads, and bare feet finding faltering purchase on the well worn path into the darkness. Each kept her own counsel as they proceeded on, some sniffled and sobbed softly in their all too tangible terror at what awaited them. Silent forms shadowed their movements and kept them to their path as the moon rose high and stately to the apex of it’s orbit. They did not speak to each other to offer solace or ease to their tensions, nor even to learn her sister’s name. By the dawn, it wouldn’t matter. Before them lay the unknown wood and inevitable fate that awaited. Behind the menace of snapping jaws and the dagger-like teeth of the darkness’ minions, who now scuffed at the dead leaved under their paws in eager anticipation of the nights ritual. A pale blonde, no more than fourteen summers, spooked and broke away from her sisters, turning back to try to escape to the village, bolting blindly back into the woods. Melting into the shadows of twilight, her sudden, shrill scream rent the air like a knife, and was promptly cut short in a wet, guttural gurgle. Then silence, the air was then filled with what the three remaining girls contented themselves to believe the sound of twigs snapping, though all fully knew better. The trio finally reached a small clearing ringed by the imposing woods and faced a narrow gorge that lead to the heart of the darkness itself. Sheer, grey and lifeless stone opened up before them like a tomb, it’s heart plunged into unfathomable, impenetrable shadow. Before the passage, a figure clad in a crimson cloak, his face cowled in shadow, but bright points of ruby light set on the trio and appraised them silently. Hesitating only long enough to each light a single candle to guide them, each looked to her kin for support, reassurance, and hope, knowing well that once they stepped foot on that path, there would be none of any of that to be gleaned from anyone. The eldest among them, a shapely brunette, would be the first to offer homage. A mousy redhead would be next, and Taliah would be last as the young blonde girl was no longer among them. It took the young woman a few moments to bold up the courage to step into the gaping maw of shadow the loomed before her, but, trembling and crying softly, she did just that. Moments past. Agonizingly long seconds ticked past while the remaining girls waited. The anxious motions of lupine forms behind them stirred in shadows. A low rumble set a plume of dust through the gorge back toward them, rank and acrid. The beasts concealed in the woods issuing, a low, keening howl that rose like a billow of smoke in the still of the nights air. Signaling their master’s acceptance of the offering given. The cowled watchman merely set his eyes to the next young woman and silently nodded to her and pointed a deciding finger down the dark path behind him. She started down the path, then hesitated, sobbing uncontrollably, then turned and bolted back toward the woods. Her inevitable end at the teeth and jaws of the anxious pack. Not so much as a panic struck cry was issued to herald the end of her days. When the ruby gaze of the watchman set themselves upon her, Taliah was ghost pale and frozen where she stood. The whole of her body trembling like a leaf in a gale. Her limbs unresponsive to any commands her terror seized brain might have tried to issue it. A step taken. Then two. A score - enough to place her at the very threshold of the gaping maw of shadow before her. Then she hesitated, starting to look to the guardsman in a hopeless appeal. The last thing Taliah felt and heard in her world was the cold hand of the guardian at her back propelling her forward into the darkness, and the rabid snarl of the beasts of darkness she was pushed toward. A chilling scream, then oppressive and deafening silence. In the darkness that remained, a great beast set glowing, lazily sated eyes to the world beyond it’s cavern. Slowly, with careful deliberation, let out a low, hot, steaming breath laced with the aroma of brimstone, blood and decay. There would be seasons more for tributes, and it would be paid homage to again. Until that time, however, it fell into a contented silence. Watching for it’s next victim...and waiting. **** Word count: 988 Inspired by a number of suspense and fantasy based horror movies and stories from over the years. Mostly just spending too much time watching late night horror movie marathons. Happy Halloween!