Shadow Stalker

Prologue: The Dream

"THERE IS NO HOPE CHERIE," the pale faced man cried. "You are mine, you are mine, you are MINE!"

The man suddenly smiled at her with malice and started towards her. She screamed with horror and ran down a dark corridor. As she ran she could hear the chilling laughter of him following her.

She frantically touched the walls, searching for a door. She arrives at the last to a door at the end of the corridor. She sighs with relief at the sight of light coming from under the door. She pulls hard on the door knob-it wouldn't open. She pulls frantically now, knowing what was to come.

The laughter was closer, but it felt like it was already there, pounding into her head like a hammer. She presses her nails hard into her palms until they bled, hoping it would distract her from the intense fear crawling down her spine.

She kept tugging at the door , but it wouldn't open. She knew she wouldn't be able to open the door. She lost hope and slid her quivering body to the floor.

"Help me!" she cried over and over until her throat was hoarse. She starts crying. Her body rocked with each climatic sob she made. The laughter stops. The man walks out from the shadows shaking his dark head.

"Cherie, Cherie, Cherie," he said. "What is the matter love? You know this was meant to be. Why couldn't you accept the inevitable?" he holds out his hand to her. "Come to me Cherie."

"No!" she cries and she crawls into a corner, holding herself.

"Tsk, tsk Cherie, that is not the answer I am looking for," he said. "Looks like I will have to use force." He walks to her, grabs her arm, and pulls her to him. Her skin crawls at his touch and she tries to wrench herself from his fierce grip.

Suddenly, the door of light swings opens. A tall man appears from the light and walks toward them. She couldn't see what he looked like because of the light, all she knew was that he was here to rescue her. She knew that she was finally safe. Then the mysterious hero spoke, a voice dark and hauntingly beautiful. I

"Cherie, it's okay," he said to her. "Come, walk to me. With me, he can no longer hurt you."

As Cherie stared at her rescuer, she knew she could trust him. His rich deep voice enticed her. She must go to him. She pulls herself away from her captor and ran into the tall man's arms. She felt secure in his arms as he held her tightly to him. He picked her up into his arms as if she was child and carries her through the door of light.

The shock of the light from earlier didn't hurt her eyes no more. It warmed her and she feels the darkness flow away like water. She looks back and sees the pale man running after them, his hands reaching for her. The door closes in his face.