• Chapter 1

    There he was, standing by the elevator. His hands possessed a leatherbound book with gold letters on the spine. He muttered something under his breath as he checked the time on his watch. His black coat marked him as a member of Shadow's Despair.

    I blinked and looked down at my shoes. I was told never to stare at these people because of the dark energy they were able to release at will. But how could I not? They were our protectors.
    Without them, we wouldn't be able to live a normal life. They absorbed all the evil the Shadow's tried so desperately to secrete into our world.

    It was true they were dying out, but just a newborn Shadow is enough to cause destruction. They must be controlled and isolated. That's where Shadow's Despair comes in.

    They cross over and use their abilities to absorb excess energy. Yes, they allow us to live in peace. But it takes a toll on them.

    From what my former friend told me, a very experienced member, they are unable to sleep at night due to the nightmares and insomnia caused by this energy. They're appearance becomes identical to a ghost. They're eyes sunken in and their skin gray. They lose their social skills. Friends become strangers. They give up their lives just to help the ones they love most and people they won't ever meet.

    This man I see everyday, I notice his skin grays more and more, and his greetings become simple nods. This man is named Elliot Harris. He used to be a salesman who loved his wife and children more than anything in the world. He lost them in a house fire a year ago. Not wanting anyone to feel his pain, he decided to join the group.

    My heart wailed in sympathy for this man. I couldn't even begin to imagine what he must feel deep down now. Everyday I watched these people cross over and come back missing a few more pieces.

    It is a sight truly unbearable, but if it means I will find the one I'm looking for, so be it.