The Hooded Shadowers

Chapter 1: A Haunting Mystery

Sombre and dark could not describe this day. Apocalyptic was closer to what it felt like. Shadows seemed to swallow the cemetery from every direction I looked. Black clouds hung above like an eagle waiting for its prey. The soft and muffled wails of Jason Hagues friends and family argued with the cries of the crows, as if slaves were arguing against their evidently more powerful masters.

Others believed Jason died of a heart attack, told of by The Agency. Only I was told the truth or what was considered the truth. It was hard to believe, but it was all I had to go on. He was murdered by some supernatural being, or just an extremely twisted human genius. The Agency mentioned that me being his closest friend, I played a vital part in finding the murderer, and the motives behind it. A scan revealed a small knife lodged into his heart, however there were no wounds on the outside leading the knife in.

Nearing the end of the service, I saw a strange man in dark robes look at me. He was rather tall and thin, moving very subtly; but his robes made him stand out easily against the crowd of modern formal dress. It was as if he time travelled form the 16th century to the 21st. I wouldnt have been surprised if he suddenly cast a spell and blew up the city. His face was completely concealed by his hood, only eyes showed.

The priest was saying prayers for Jason, and directing everyone through the traditional burial. Nobody else seemed to notice the strange man amongst us. Who was he? What did he want? Why didnt anyone else notice him? Question after question seemed to line up in my thoughts, stretching infinitely, and all the answers lay within this man. I shuffled my way towards him. He looked at me, and instantly disappeared.

After the body was buried and we paid our respects, everyone began to leave. I turned around to look for my family, but instead of seeing them, I saw the man. Right in front of me. I was frozen still; sound wouldnt come out of my mouth. His cold eyes drilled its way into mine. With a quiet whisper, too soft to fit him, he warned me, be very careful. Very careful

indeed. Theyre coming. Before I could respond, he disappeared without a trace. Gone with the wind. A storm started, giant pelts of water slapped me across the back and on the head, thunder clapping in the distance. A hand tapped my shoulder and I looked around. You okay? Its starting to rain. Lets go home now, said my dad, opening an umbrella. Did you see him? I asked. See who? The man in black robes, My dad seemed to think for a second, then replied, I think youre hallucinating, lets go home where you can have a rest,

That night I couldnt sleep. The man and his words replayed through my head continuously: Theyre coming. I swear I saw shadows or silhouettes dancing across my walls and curtains. I had a meeting with The Agency the next morning, so I had to sleep eventually. But something stopped me. The sound of glass splintering, it was one of the neighbours windows breaking. I dashed to my window to check, and as I thought: a hooded man in black robes was entering that window. As he went in, something peculiar caught my eye; the window seemed to repair itself. I heard one scream, and the street went completely silent.