Entry #7852: Dewsbury
Giulia Wu
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The pitter-patter of paws rose up above the quiet cobblestone streets, accompanied only by the gentle howl of the wind. A full moon cast its light down onto a young pup, its tail wagging excitedly as it bounded through the sleeping town. Soon, the tapping of claws against stone gave way to the crunch of leaves as the buildings gave way to trees more ancient than them. Then, a wisp of a cloud caressed the moon shining high above, and the sound of eager exploration vanished altogether.
In the morning, the proud cry of the rooster was interrupted by a cry of anguish, awakening the townsfolk all the same. It didn’t take long for the news to reach them: Little Vithi’s dog had escaped her dwelling.
Her parents did their best to comfort her, knowing that he would’ve been snatched up by some creature by now if he headed into the woods, as a dog was wont to do. Little Vithi had more faith in her pup.
That night, after her parents had tucked her into bed and the town had fallen still once more, she clambered out of her bedroom window and set off into the forest, the pitter-patter of her footsteps echoing the ones of her precious pup the night before.
She, too, disappeared into the wilderness surrounding the peaceful town of Dewsbury.
As the sun rose once more, the chilly morning breeze carried the alarmed shouts of Little Vithi’s parents through the narrow streets as they rushed to the nearest guard post. Certain that the girl had already been snatched up by a beast, the captain sent out his most inexperienced men and awaited their fruitless return.
They never did.
Still, the captain was not too bothered by their disappearance; perhaps they’d been attacked by some creature, too. After all, it wasn’t uncommon for them to stray into these woods.
Time moved on, unforgiving to those still grieving, and the gentle autumn breeze grew harsher. Night robbed more sunlight each day - perhaps too much - but the denizens of Dewsbury took no notice of the slight divergence from the usual progression of winter.
The leaves of the woods around them disintegrated. The chirps and growls of life quietened. The darkness approached.
Still, the denizens took no heed.
Deryck was clearing out the snow from his roof one freezing afternoon, the gale threatening to sweep him off his feet. The night had already begun to fall when a wisp of movement caught his eye, quite a ways down the street.
Near the edge of the woods, a little girl stalked out of the shadows with a dog by her side. Though they were both shrouded by darkness, Deryck could feel their piercing gaze on him.
Slowly, he approached them with his shovel, not wanting to provoke them by calling for the town guards.
Just as he was close enough to make out Little Vithi’s smile, they surged towards him in a flash, their smoky beings seizing him. He did not have the time nor willpower to refuse their offer to let go of his dull life, to be a part of something more.
As the unsuccessful search party emerged from the lifeless forest to join Little Vithi and Deryck on their mission, the peaceful town of Dewsbury saw its last sunset. Soon after the last rays of light abandoned it, its old cobblestone houses crumbled into dust and the townsfolk dissolved in their slumber, for the Darkness swallowed all.