• A calm, still darkness enveloped the small suburb of Winston. The street lights had been off for three hours, and everyone had resigned themselves to a night without power. The silence was incredible, only the occasional skittering on pavement of a dry leaf caught in calm wind. Lulled into sleep by the serenity, Seth shifted uncomfortably on his porch swing.

    He opened his eyes and looked around, eyes darting between street-lights and normally-illuminated windows up and down the street. Wishing that the power would return so he could resume his nightly internet habits, he stood up and stretched, his dark clothing accentuating his silhouette against the white paint of his house.

    "Time for a walk" he thought, as he stepped away from the porch, but was given pause immediately. A figure stood before him on the sidewalk, one that he hadn't noticed before, but somehow knew that it had been there for quite some time. It was a featureless shape, roughly resembling a very tall person. Frozen with fear, Seth nearly dropped his cell phone. He attempted to speak, but his voice was caught with fear.

    "Do as I ask, and you will have incomprehensible power." the shadow intoned in a whisper.

    Seth dared not speak, and took a step back.

    "Your friend Anne has been very, very bad, Seth... I need you to bring something of hers to me... something small, blue, and from her desk... You have until tomorrow night...you will regret refusing me, Seth" ... the whisper trailed off, and the being vanished.

    Suddenly the street lights came back on, and Seth could breathe again. He looked across the street at Anne's house, and immediately walked towards it, hoping to conceal himself before anyone looked out the window to check on the power.

    Seth knew he had to obtain the object... he had no option.

    To be continued...