A Journey Through The Dark: There's Nothing in the Darkness that Isn't in the Light

A Journey through the Dark

There’s Nothing in the Darkness that Isn’t in the Light

R.S. Gunn

ISBN 978-1-64559-527-4 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64559-528-1 (Digital)

Copyright © 2019 R.S. Gunn

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

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Table of Contents

Prologue

The Tree

The Woods: Part 1

Fairyland and the Gate

The Queen’s Castle: Level 1

The Queen’s Castle: Level 2

The Queen’s Castle: Level 3

The Woods: Part 2

The Queen’s Castle: Level 4

The Queen’s Castle: Level 4 Lexie and Isaac (Continued)

The Queen’s Castle: Level 4 Sweyn and Reunion (Continued)

The Queen’s Castle: Level 5

The Woods: Part 3

The Queen’s Castle: Level 6

The Woods: Part 4

The Queen’s Castle: Level 7 The Queen’s Throne Room

Home

Poems to Inspire a Novel

About the Author

Prologue

It was five thirty in the evening. Dawn’s pregnancy was taking its toll on her; she was tired, but it was time to start on dinner. Her husband would be home soon, and she had invited her brother over as well. On her way to the kitchen, she paused outside of her daughter Lexie’s room. She was three and a half years old and had a wonderful imagination. She would play by herself for hours and never struggle to be entertained. Dawn could hear her talking to her toys and smiled when Lexie let out a heartwarming giggle. Content that her daughter was fine, Dawn continued to the other side of the house and started her meal prep.

As she stirred and spiced each pot, she was usually very content. Cooking was always a peaceful time for her. It was easy for her to get lost in the meal, but something about today was different. In the pit of her stomach, she knew something was wrong. That eerie feeling when something bad is about to happen. Certain that it was just hormones exaggerating her senses she continued on, stopping occasionally to listen for her daughter.

The meal was ready. All Dawn had left to do was let it all simmer so the spices could come to life and do their jobs. One last taste, and she sat the lid back in its place. As she lowered the flame, Lexie came running into the kitchen. Not out of alarm, but at three, it seemed to be the only speed in which she was capable of traveling.

Hey, sweetie! Dawn greeted her daughter. I heard you playing in your room. Who were you talking to?

The Blanket Man, Lexie replied as she danced around the kitchen.

Oooh, the Blanket Man. What did you talk about? Dawn asked, envying the imagination of her child and expecting a story about unicorns.

I dunno, was her only reply.

Dawn laughed. What do you mean you don’t know?

The Blanket Man comes to my room when I’m playing. He likes to talk, Lexie said, her voice more serious than whimsical.

Dawn stopped smiling. The bad feeling in the pit of her stomach returned with a vengeance. She had been preparing to set the table, but she stopped and turned to her daughter.

Baby, what does the Blanket Man say?

He says that everything he says is the truth and that I should listen to him. He says that there is only his truth, Lexie replied, shaking her head. But I don’t like him.

Now Dawn knelt down to Lexie, the blood drained from her face as the nausea built inside her stomach. I don’t want you talking to the Blanket Man anymore. The things he says are not true. He is not welcome here.

Okay, Mama, Lexie said and then went skipping out of the room.

Dawn sat down on the floor, trying to calm her stomach and her nerves. The baby was kicking as she did breathing exercises to try and settle him down, but he felt it just as much as she did. They may never relax again. Her daughter had just had a conversation with an evil she had prayed never to encounter again. She searched her mind for memories she had long suppressed; a tear ran down her cheek as it all came flooding back.

She knew what was going to happen next.

Chapter 1

The Tree

You look around, See nothing but a tree

Leaves, it has none, and of fruit, it is free

You’re pulled to it, tugged by evil desire

As you draw near, it’s engrossed in fire

A lone tree standing on a hill. Lexie looked around. It was a barren wasteland. There were no bushes, no rivers, no animals, and no sound. The only thing she could see was the tree standing in stark black contrast to the blazing white sky above. It hurt too much to look up, but even with all the light, she couldn’t see anything else around her. The tree seemed like the only place worth going.

She weighed her very limited options and, hesitantly, decided that it was time to move. She didn’t know how she got here or where here was, but she knew she had to try to find someone. It came as a surprise to herself that she wasn’t afraid. Maybe it’s a dream, she thought. Maybe past the tree is Fairyland, and I’ll get to dance with unicorns and have dessert with the Fairy Queen.

She smiled to herself and took the first step; a feat she didn’t realize would be quite so momentous. Movement and sound seemed to be concepts with which the world she found herself in was unfamiliar. She was only fourteen, and even though she was a little tall at 110 pounds, she was very thin. However, lifting her leg for that first step felt more like she weighed 800 pounds. Her first footstep came crashing down like a crack of thunder. The sound surrounded her, and she couldn’t help but scream from the surprise.

Her scream was even more powerful than her footstep. The sound started a chain reaction like a pebble dropped into a perfectly calm lake; the ripples growing with intensity the further they moved from her. She watched in terror as the echoes of her fear reached the tree.

What she thought were leaves dangling from the branches burst to life as the wave of sound hit them. A dark cloud rose from the tree without making even a vibration in the stagnant air. Leaving only the barren remains of dead branches in its wake. Lexie didn’t know what it was, but she knew it was unhappy, and she knew it was headed straight for her.

Without a second thought, she took off running straight for the tree. She knew it offered her little protection, but her only other option was absolute nothing. Each footstep created the same deafening crash of thunder. She ran faster, as fast as her legs could move. The cloud shooting straight up as if the sound of her running actually caused it pain. She didn’t know where this place was, but she knew she had to leave. The longer she stayed, the less it felt like a dream, and the more it felt like forever.

Was she trapped? She just needed the tree.

Gasping for air, she collapsed among the roots of her steadfast savior. Finally, the tree. She closed her eyes and tried to calm her breathing. Then a voice inside her head began to speak, The tree is truth. My truth. Always listen to my truth, and I will protect you. I’ve been waiting for so long.

Lexie was terrified. She knew the voice, and she knew the words. How could he have found her? They had moved so many times. Her mother was desperate to save her from this thing. He couldn’t know where she was. Slowly, she opened her eyes. What she thought were roots on the ground now held her tight as a mother’s embrace, but these weren’t her mom’s arms.

Looking up, she saw him, the object of her nightmares and her every fear. There were no eyes, but she knew he was looking straight into her soul. His long tentacle-like arms wrapped around her like a snare, trapping her against the base of the tree and making it difficult to breathe.

Blanket Man, she whispered, and the sound broke his hold on her. The ground began to shake, and the dark cloud circled them.

I see you. His voice declared inside her mind.

But you can’t have me, Lexie screamed out loud.

The tree burst into flame, and the dark cloud grew even thicker, choking her and making it hard to see anything beyond the flames. Anything, beyond him. She turned to run, but someone else was standing there. Someone she had never seen before but felt very familiar. He was just a boy, maybe her age, but she knew he was there to save her.

He reached out his hand, and as soon as she grasped it, he leaned in and whispered, Wake up. The world around her melted away into total darkness. She closed her eyes and started to cry.

When she opened her eyes again, she was lying in bed in her room. The sun was barely up, but the birds were already chirping. It was a dream, she said to herself, a bad dream, but still just a dream.

Lexie climbed out of bed and walked to her window. She knew that her grandparents had left her family this house but hated how close it was to the woods. It didn’t matter which direction she turned, there were trees everywhere. No neighbors, no skyscrapers, no traffic, and no peace. Just trees and everything that she had grown to fear. She liked being outside, and she loved the sounds of all the animals and the constant smell of flowers, but she knew she could never go past the trees. They formed her permanent cell. Like a prison warden, he was there, watching her. Even if she didn’t see him, she could feel him. It had been years since he had made an appearance, but after that dream, she knew she couldn’t let her guard down. He was still looking for her. He was still waiting.

What are you doing up so early? Lexie turned from the window to see her mother standing at her bedroom door. I thought I was the only one who couldn’t sleep. Are you feeling all right?

Lexie just walked to her mother and put her arms around her neck and started to cry. Her mom dropped the clothes basket she was holding and wrapped her arms around her daughter.

What is it, baby? she asked. What happened!?

Lexie just shook her head as her mom led her back to bed. She kissed Lexie’s forehead and looked deep into her eyes. Fear. She could see absolute fear on her daughter’s face.

It was just a dream, Lexie said. "I know it was a dream, but he was there. Why can’t he just leave me alone?"

Dawn managed a small smile. Her daughter had been dealing with these nightmares for years now, but it had been a while since she had one. Was it too much to hope that they were done?

He isn’t here. It was just a dream. You’re safe. I know that it’s still scary, but you can’t let it get to you. Just stay out of the woods, and you will be fine. Besides, we can’t start the day off like this. We’re building a new fairy circle when your brother wakes up. Now get dressed and come down to the kitchen, I’ll get breakfast started.

Don’t you think I’m a little too old to still be building fairy circles? Lexie asked with a chuckle. I’m in high school now. I know fairies aren’t real.

Dawn let out a laugh. Be careful what you say, the fairies will hear you! Age isn’t a factor, and if nothing else, your brother still loves it. So let’s just go ahead and suffer through it for his sake.

Dawn walked to the bedroom door and started to pick up the clothes she had dropped.

Mom? Lexie’s voice seemed so small behind her.

Yes, sweetie? she answered without turning.

There was someone else there this time. In my dream. There was a boy. He was my size, and he’s the one who took me away. I think he’s the reason I woke up. I felt like I knew him, Lexie said.

Lexie