Shaded Beliefs

Dark things roamed in that wood. Beneath those thin boughs and spindly vines. There lurked one so evil that even its breath could wither grass. And there it waited for many-a year, for some poor soul to enter into its realms of shadow. It waited for a year, then another, five years, fifty, a hundred. Seasons turned to dust before its eyes and still it waited in the undergrowth, patiently, patiently...

A giant wood rose up from Gran Hill. It was dark and ominous. They spoke of a great creature that dwelt there. But the boys never believed in the silly rumours of their elders and laughed in their faces. Just to prove the villagers at the bottom of the hill that there was no such thing as any beast, they walked up and into the trees.

The trees closed in behind the boys, welling up in a cold shadowy veil. There was a rustling and soft hissing beneath their feet, vibrating and humming gently. It spoke but they could not understand. Their bones felt weak and their muscles useless. One by one, they sank to their knees. The boy in the front felt sharp pain in his leg and a loud hissing at his ear. Cruel eyes leered from the blackness and the grass about the boys' feet withered.

Still the woods on the hill aren't entered. But I can see a man standing there, looking up at it. There is a thoughtful expression on his face. He would not dare, he would not dare. But I see him raise a foot onto the tufty earth and begin to climb, his ruddy hands clutching at the thick grey grass on the slopes. It is withered and dry you see, not green or lush, even in Summer.

Steadily he climbs until he stands triumphantly on the peak. Then, rubbing his hands together and licking dry lips, he marches boldly into the woods.

Many hours pass and still he does not return. The beast has eaten its fill. Beast? How silly! I don't believe in rumours like that!

The beast? The beast! Don't make me laugh! I'll show you. I'm going right up there and I'm going to prove there's no monster, no beast. I'll tell you and I'll show you.

And somewhere in the darkness, a low voice says,

"No, you won't."