By Josiah Dyck
I don’t realize we’re under attack until it’s too late.
I leave work, heading for my car. How much longer can I put up with the stress and dissatisfaction of this dead-end job? Why can’t I figure my life out? I’m so done with all this crap. My thoughts, like always, are an emotional jumble, stirred into a frenzy until I’m numb. My aching body and rampaging thoughts distract me from everything else. Head downcast, I reach my car and pull out my key.
As I unlock the door, something breaks through my mental hurricane, and I freeze.
Why’s it so quiet? It’s four in the afternoon, so…
I look up the street, and my jaw drops. Shadowy, humanoid figures are swarming the city. Some fly on ripped, feathery wings; others skitter on all fours; still others dash around faster than humanly possible. They seem to have one goal: trapping people within pulsating purple bubbles.
I haven’t been sleeping well—am I hallucinating now? This feels far too real for that. So where did they come from? I’ve got to escape before—
Something yanks the key out of my grip. A tentacle retracts back to the nearby, featureless monster, carved out of living darkness.
I stagger back. “Who—who are you?”
“We are the Fear-Walkers.” Its layered voice scrapes like knives against rough stone. I can’t help but cringe. “And we want you.”
Its hands twist in a swirling motion and thrust forward. A bubble swells over us, the purple goop faintly glowing. I glance around frantically. “What’re you doing? Leave me alone!”
The tentacle touches my shoulder, a sensation that both chills and burns. I cry out and fall to my knees. Moments later, the tentacle lets go. I crack my eyes open, only to let out another yell. The creature has shapeshifted and now looks like… me, right down to the blonde hair swept to one side, the dark glasses, the mediocre build.
He licks his lips and smirks. “Your fear tastes good, Mike. So much depth to it. What did you just tell me? To leave you alone? That’s one thing you’re afraid of.” He sweeps his hand. “Tell me, do you see anyone here with you?”
The all-too-familiar hollowness resurfaces. Why am I alone? Why does it always feel this way? I shake my head. “I—I have friends.”
His smirk grows bigger. “Facts don’t change the feelings.”
Memories flood my mind: leaving work and feeling like I had nobody to talk to, nobody willing to listen and understand. I’m being soaked in a rainstorm that cuts me open with its droplets, and no one offers an umbrella.
He cocks his head. “Depression, is it? That’s heavy. No wonder you’re ignored. You’re just an unwanted burden.”
“Shut up!” I scream, launching myself at him.
He pivots to avoid the attack and kicks me on my way down. I hit the ground and stay there. He continues kicking. Each blow increases the pain in my heart, which is emphasized by his words.
“You’re worthless! You don’t mean anything to anyone! No one’d notice if you disappeared! Things won’t get better! You’ll always be lonely!”
I want to retaliate, but I can’t. Not while the fears that have plagued me for so long are becoming reality. I’m drowning, water rushing through my nose and mouth and choking my lungs. Or maybe I’m being crushed, slowly compressed in a machine that destroys me. Or maybe I’m falling into a deep pit; my hands slip past the escape rope, and I plunge to certain death far below.
No, it’s none of those. I’m just tired.
Sore.
Lost.
But most of all, empty. This may not be the end of the world, but it feels like the end of mine.
The kicking stops. “Please,” I whisper, “I’ve struggled enough. Let me…”
The words die off. Something in the darkness has changed. The bubble is trembling, an unfamiliar shape straining against it. And then…
One of my coworkers appears next to me. Bria. She reaches out to grab my hand. “You okay?”
I start crying. “No, I’m not.”
Her sad smile brims with hurt. “Well, I’m here now.”
“You’re not supposed to be!” fake Mike growls. “How’d you get inside?”
“I dealt with my fear,” she says. “Truth is, I did a long time ago.”
He snarls and stomps a foot on my back. It may as well have been an anchor. “You can’t do anything this time.”
Bria pushes against his leg, to no avail. She looks at me again. “Take my hand, and get back up.”
“I can’t,” I whisper. “I’m so exhausted. He’s too heavy. Leave me and save yourself.”
A tear slips down her face. “Never. You’ve been struggling lately, and I’m worried about you.”
My crying becomes gut-wrenching sobs. I reach out and grab her hand. She tries to pull me up, but the Fear-Walker has me pinned.
“You’ll never escape,” he spat. “You are, and forever will be, what you fear!”
Everything in me is in agony. I so desperately wish to break free, but how? It all seems helpless… I’m sick of feeling this way!
Tears blurring my vision, I look back to Bria. “I can’t do this.”
“You don’t have to. Not alone, anyway. Light always returns.”
I close my eyes and push against the foot on my back. My spine feels like it’s going to shatter, but still I grit my teeth and strain against my captor. No more of this! The Fear-Walker screeches as I rise, aided by Bria. His scream grows louder until he and the bubble explodes out of existence.
For a moment, I just stand there gasping and crying, and Bria pulls me into a comforting embrace.
When we finally let go, I turn toward the street. There are still more bubbles, more people trapped in their deepest fears. We haven’t won the battle, not by a long shot.
But maybe it’s time to fight back.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fantastic! I really enjoyed the ending. The Fear-Walker’s blunt revelation of its identity made me smile– I was expecting the story to take on much more horror-y feel.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. And nope, didn’t really have a horror feel in mind. XD
OH MY GOSH. I actually cried :’( I haven’t dealt with clinical depression myself, but I’ve seen many close friends and family members struggle with it, and I’ve experienced crushing hopelessness. This was so emotive and real. Thank you for pouring your heart into this. And the light at the end—so beautiful. <3 thank you, Josiah, for writing this.
Aww . . . I’m glad I was able to write a story that was so powerful in its emotion. Thank you so very much for your lovely words! And you’re welcome. I’m happy that I could share it.
You are so welcome. <3
This was fantastic! So heart-wrenching and scary but then that ending! Love the writing and the characters! And the quote “Light always returns.” Such an inspiring story!
Thank you kindly, Deb! I was hoping it wouldn’t feel too rushed or anything, so I’m glad it turned out good. I tried to balance realism and hope in the story. Thanks again!
This wrenched at my heartstrings, and that ending…oh my goodness <3 Amazing job, Josiah.
I’m glad that it turned out to be as moving as I’d hoped it would be. Aww, thanks a lot! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it so much.
It is a great fictional read but so much more. A true commentary on facing our fears. It leaves us all with hope. Thanks Josiah for a very powerful message.
Thank you so very much, Johanna! It’s nice to know that the meaning that can be pulled from the story goes beyond what I may have had in mind. You’re quite welcome.
This was absolutely fantastic – so extremely real, and very raw emotionally. I loved it. Great job.
Thanks a bunch, Savannah! It was definitely both of those things for me. You’re too kind! ^_^
The emotion really shone through! So much depth in such a small space–well done.
I loved this line: “This may not be the end of the world, but it feels like the end of mine.” And this one: “You don’t have to. Not alone, anyway. Light always returns.”
Awesome story, Josiah! The light DOES return.
Thanks, Tracey! I was worried that I’d rushed it, but it seems I worried unnecessarily.
The first one is definitely one of my favorites too. And the second is kinda based off of something one of my friends has said to me.
Thank you again!
Woah, that’s deep. (No pun intended. XD)
That feeling of fear and loneliness is so real in here. :o I love how you captured those emotions. You caught my attention so quickly in such a short time. Like, I love Bria so much and I haven’t even known her that long. XD
And Mike was super relatable, even if it’s hard stuff we all don’t always admit we relate, too.
Josiah, I love this!
Puns are always welcome, intended or not. XD
Thank you! I’m happy that the emotion really shone through here. Bria is actually based on a couple of friends of mine, believe it or not. :)
I had hoped he would be, though I didn’t necessarily write with that intent. So I’m glad he ended up being relatable.
Thanks again, Chloe!
Man. Josiah. This story. It was heart wrenching and yet beautiful. I was holding my breath the entire time. There was so much emotion and you displayed every single moment perfectly. I almost teared up reading this.
I love your writing style so much. It’s so easy to read and I can’t get enough of it. This story is phenomenal. <3
Thank you ever so much, Kaitlyn! I really appreciate all of your kind words. Aww . . . It seems I made at least a couple people cry or almost cry . . . which I guess is a good thing.
Thank you! That means a lot to me, it really does. An individual writing style is a really important thing to a writer. You’re far too kind!
Josiah, you have done it again! You have written an amazing story! So much emotion! But with the ending, there was hope!
Keep writing! God has definitely gifted you with the gift of words!
Love you, Mom
Thank you, Mom. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much. I definitely intend to keep writing, for sure! Love you too.
Vivid imagery. Exactly what I believe my husband deals with during an “episode” of his PTSD. Well done. I especially love the hope you wrote in.
Thank you! Oh wow, that’s really interesting to know. I had no idea people with PTSD suffer similarly. Thanks again! I tried to make sure there was at least a little bit of hope, even if it’s only a glimmer.
My goodness. I…I have no words. The utter emotion and passion and light and love in this story resonated so deeply through the words. I almost choked up reading it. What a powerful, hopeful message this one gave. And such a fascinating concept to go along with it! The emotion was tangible. And the ENDING! This is the type of story that really, truly makes you want to step out and change the world.
All the applause! This was spectacular.
Thank you so very, very much, Christine! It feels really good to know that all the emotions really came through in the end, even when I had to cut a hundred words from the story initially. Agh, I keep making people almost cry! I’m happy that the ending was such a strong and impactful one.
Thanks again! ^_^
Wow this is a beautiful story. This is one of the reasons I love fiction–because we can talk about real, hard things in a relatable way. Thank you so much for sharing :)