THIS STORY COMES WITH COVER ART. I cross-posted this story. To see the image, please go to my AO3 (Archive of Our Own) account (under the same username, RainbowSheltie).
BETA: Annabelle
A familiar voice broke through the darkness before he could utter those ancient words from the Before.
"Dimash, Dimash!"
Dimash turned to see Hyde standing next to him, gripping his arm.
"What are you doing out here? Is something wrong?" Hyde questioned, concern in his voice.
"We have to go! Hurry, the shadows, the darkness, the whispering of the void—"
"Dimash!" Hyde yelled, interrupting him. "There's nothing here."
Hyde was right.
The alley had changed. It was dimly lit by the nearby street lamps. Dimash saw two large trash containers on the left side of the alley, next to some scattered garbage cans that had spilled over. A small animal was rifling through its contents. The alley was empty otherwise.
"But you saw them, didn't you? Those shadows and their white, glowing eyes, and their poem, the one from ancient times: the grave, the dark, the—"
Hyde shook Dimash, interrupting him again.
"There's nothing here," Hyde repeated. "It's late. You're probably just tired. Besides, it's not safe to go wandering around at night. You should have come sooner."
"Sorry, I got caught up in work at the studio," Dimash admitted.
"Right, well, let's get inside. It's not safe," Hyde remarked.
Dimash nodded.
He took one last look around. Whatever foreboding atmosphere had presented itself earlier, it was certainly gone now. Had he really imagined it? It seemed so real.
"Dimash, are you sure you're all right?" Hyde inquired.
"Yeah, it's nothing," Dimash responded. "I just thought I saw something in the shadows."