Dear ol' Author
I tore open the letter. It had no name on it, just my address and name, Levin Hugh. I started to trace the words in my mind.
“Dear Author! I love to read your books and l wish you a huge success. And about your new book probably called ‘shadows’… don’t you think it’s a bit cruel to the villain?”
~Your secret reader.
I stared at the piece of paper, completely dismayed. How in the world did they know about my new book? No one knew about it—not my editor, not my publisher. I ignored the letter dismissing it as a joke and tossed it on the table but the mystery still lingered in my mind. A few days later, l was on my way back from the restaurant l worked at. I took a shortcut through the back alley. Halfway through, l felt the unsettling sensation of being followed. Turning around, I expected the figure to disappear as I clutched my phone. But it didn’t. It stood there firmly, a tall silhouette against the flickering street lights, which were not bright enough to reveal any details. The silence was deafening. If anything it only amplified my fear.
He suddenly broke through the silence, his voice echoing through the darkness.
“We meet after all, dear author.” I stared at him. He took a few steps towards me, giving a better view.
“Am I supposed to know you?” I protested as l stood firmly with my hands now scrolling through the phone for the torch.
“Ah! Dear author l must say I’m disappointed. You remember all your heroes, though.” I paused as I looked up, confused. What was he uttering? Despite the darkness, l could tell that his lips had curled into a smirk enhancing the intimidating aura he possessed.
“If you’re a stalker or something you-” I tried to reason.
“Oh no, sir. You probably forgot my letter as well I suppose?” He spoke, his voice laced with menace.
“Your letter? Oh the secret.. Reader?”
“Of course.”
“I see. So you’re a fan.”
“Now that’s just insulting.”
I glared at him. Insulting? Is he retarded? What else does he want me to call him?
“The name’s Claviz Drake.” His voice echoed through the silence creating an ominous atmosphere. The cool breeze blew across my face, sending chills down my spine.
Why was that name so familiar? “What happened?” He asked, and after a pause, he spoke again, “Dear ol Author.” That sent another wave of chills down my spine.
“W-who are you?” my voice trailed off as I flashed my torch at him.
“Don’t tell me this isn’t how you pictured me.” He grinned.
“What do you mean?”
“Well I am sure this is how you wrote me.”
Write him? What was he onto? Hold on..is that THE Claviz Drake…the one I wrote? In my new novel.“You’re joking. This is a prank. Very funny.” I laughed nervously.
His demeanor didn’t change. “Oh come on. You just keep disappointing me.” That sounded like a threat.
“W-what?”
He sighed, “I am your character. Stop feigning innocence.”
“That is impossible. You’re not real. It’s a joke.” I refused to believe it. His face gleamed, a cruel smirk spreading across his lips.
“What can I say dear Author? Confused, I flashed my torch at him once again. His silver bangs framed his face and a chilling realization struck me the moment my gaze locked with his pair of red eyes, burning like smoldering embers in the heart of a fire. I couldn’t believe how perfectly he matched my character’s description. After a wave of heavy silence, I spoke up, “It’s not real. This has to be a joke. I’m dreaming.” I attempted to quell the rising fear and panic within me.
“What’s the matter?” the man’s voice echoed yet once again through the already consuming silence of air that had gone still. I turned around frantically and started walking. For a while the footsteps followed my path faltering every now and then, the rhythms closing in and then finally it went still. I turned and no one was around. I took a deep breath and entered my home, my body still adjusting to the adrenaline.
I took deep breaths, calming myself. My eyes averted towards my desk and l got up quickly darting towards it. I grabbed my manual scripts and opened the chapter where l had introduced Claviz and then flipped the pages to the scene detailing his past. I traced the lines with my finger. My heart sank as l kept reading my own work. I was interrupted by a phone call.
I extended my arm and put the phone to my ears with trembling hands as the voice on the other side spoke coldly, “I knew you’d open the piles first thing when you get back.” There was a pause before he spoke again, “Do you feel no remorse?...Dear Author. I feel betrayed.”
I kept silent, my fear starting to get the best of me.
“My childhood was a mess. Abusive and competitive household? How typical could you be?” I heard a chilling snicker at the other end of the line. “You had me kill my parents? Are you for real? ME? Well I would say that was bold but…that’s not the point. I stumbled upon a lot during my journey but you just had to bring that hero of yours. You know what’s sad?” I still didn’t say anything but a mumbled no.
“Because l get nothing at the end. Your hero suffered nothing and still won while l?...I was just a pawn. Someone the hero could use and throw away as he pleased.”
“That’s not true.” I blurted out hoping to defend the hero. “The hero suffered too. His brother died and he lived in guilt for a very long time and-”
“He got what he wanted didn’t he? Peace to his heart. His guilt vanished while mine doubled. I was abandoned all my life and I just wanted revenge. Your stupid hero had to be in my way!!” He screamed impatiently and the line went dead.
I put the phone down and stared at the wall.
A few nights went by without any disturbance. l knew for a fact that it was not a prank and it was all real. I got back home on a Saturday from my shift. The silence hinted at a storm. I saw another paper folded neatly on my table. I grabbed it with wavering hands and opened it hastily. I could feel my heart beating wildly inside my chest as I stared at the ‘We meet again!’ Written in bolded words. I jolted my head, hearing a sharp noise of something being scraped against a wall. He stood there with a threatening look and an unwavering smirk, his eyes pierced through my soul. I took a step back seeing a knife in his hands. He scratched its tip on the wall once again. I covered my ears as I took short breaths contemplating what had gone wrong. It stopped and he let out an unhinged chuckle. Chills ran down my spine and he suddenly lunged at me. I felt a surge of adrenaline and intense fear seized me. I jumped over the table and sprinted into my room locking the door behind me. I rummaged through my pockets desperately trying to find my phone. I pulled it out, opened the call pad and stopped when l was just about to type… I had forgotten the emergency number. Claviz started banging at the door, threatening me. What the hell is the number? I yelled. I was sweating and as much as I wanted to cry and scream I knew l couldn’t.
The blade of the knife tore through the door with frightening precision, coming to a halt just a few inches from my face and it retreated with just as much precision. My phone fell from my hands and it was a matter of seconds before the door broke open. Claviz laughed once again as he had me now, cornered. I tripped and fell backwards, crawling quickly until my back felt the cold concrete wall. He stood above me with the knife pointed at my face. His face was smug.
“Let’s make a deal.”
“W-what deal?” My voice trailed off as l stuttered in sheer fear.
“I want you to change the story. Let me win in the end and not the hero.”
“Is that all you want?” I asked, taking sharp, ragged breaths.
“Yes and who knows, maybe I’ll spare your existence.”
“B-but villains never win.”
His demeanor changed once again and his face darkened at my remark.
“I guess you don’t value your life dear author.”
“N-o I was just-”
“Hush. Say no more dear author. You wrote me and so you hold the power to design my character. That’s why l want you to let me win.”
“Yes. I did indeed write you but you were meant to lose because you’re a villain.”
He sighed. “You’re not reading the room are you?” He said and with a swift movement, he sliced my arm. I screamed in pain as I held my arm, the blood dripping continuously. My face contorted in fear and agony.
“Not so bold now, are we?” He said as he looked me in the eye, his grin never faltering.
“Just write my character again but this time it’s victory that l get. You hear?”
“What’s demanding such desire?” I managed to speak.
His face was smug as he responded but his voice revealed a hint of hatred.
“I suffered more than the hero and when I decided to take revenge, you decided to let the hero win. It’s your story and only you can write your characters.”
Something struck me. He’s right. Only l could make him do what l wanted.
“Alright, fine.” I said and his face lit up. I stumbled towards my desk and pulled out a pile of papers, the manual scripts l had written of my story. I grabbed an eraser and started erasing his name from every single page but half way through, he started yelling. “The hell are you doing?” He growled as he grabbed my collar.
“Erasing you off my story.” I said with who knows what courage. At this point l had no idea if it was fear or stupidity that made me do it.
His face twisted into a cruel smile. “You’re smart but not that smart.”
My heart skipped a beat. I knew l was done now. Erasing his name didn't work. “Did you really think you could get rid of me by just erasing my name? Huhh?...H-huh….ahahaha.” His laughter sent another wave of chills down my spine, his burning eyes bore into mine as his grip tightened with every cackle. I gulped hard, sweat beads forming on my head. The room suddenly fell silent and he plunged the knife into my chest, enjoying my face contorting in agony.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let this end just yet.” He smiled venomously. I woke up in a forest. I blinked and rubbed my eyes, focusing my blurry vision to look around. The forest was eerily silent yet it felt like something ominous was lurking. A wave of realization washed over me and my hand quickly reached my chest. I was fine. There was no knife, no blood and I was alive.
Was it actually a nightmare? But this forest—the dark clouds formed in the sky with ravens flying in circles—It wasn’t a dream. My heart skipped another beat. I jolted on my feet barely able to balance myself as I scanned my surroundings. Where in the world was l? And that wasn’t the only question that fogged my mind. I needed to know where that psycho was.
“I’m right here.” A similar voice echoed as I frantically looked back and found him playing with his knife. I stumbled back a few steps.
“Its a pity you don't recognize this place. Oh why would you? The hero wasn't born here.”
My brows furrowed in confusion as l looked around once more. My eyes widened with each glance. “This…its…how did l get here?”
“THAT concerns you the most?” He asked, a bit annoyed twisting the knife in his hand.
“You know the first question that should have come to your mind was how I was able to get to the human world but hey! That doesn't even bother you.” Our eyes locked as I replied, “That's because I already know. I'm the author after all.”
His mouth twisted into another grin. “Unfortunately that's where you’re wrong. You are just as clueless as dumb cattle. The power of voids you gave me wasn't the only thing that drove me to your world.”
“What was it then?”
“The moment I found the void in your world, I knew something wasn’t right. This string,” he pulled his hand up, showing his wrist, “The eagerness to know where it led me had gotten the best of me. And guess what? It leads to you my dearest author!” He exclaimed spreading his arms towards me.
I looked at the string and then at my own wrist. My eyes widened as I noticed a silk white string tied with me. I tried pulling it off but it looked stuck. “What is this? I have never seen it.” I screamed as I struggled with it.
Claviz laughed as he let out mocking insults. “Do you still not understand? This is my land not your little world. Here, in this place, you will experience everything I did.”
“What?!” I asked, genuinely confused.
He read me right away and sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Look the point is that you are now in my cage and this time I hold power. Its seriously that simple.”
That still didn’t make sense to me. Was he actually trying to make me suffer?
“I'm still the author you know.” I said as I brushed the dirt off my clothes. He looked at me as if to judge my entire existence.
“You are,” he replied, “but I’ve got powers. I can control voids and these shadows; they follow my lead blindly. I can read you.”
Even though he was right, I knew I couldn’t stand by and do nothing. It was true that he could read my mind since the powers I gave his character. I wished I hadn’t given the shadows power to read minds. He motioned to something which was pretty much a shadow–a dark shape that dragged someone…Keith; the hero. He wasn’t supposed to be captured; he was supposed to spar with Claviz.
“Not how you wrote? Aw that’s disappointing,” he chuckled, “Dear author, when will you understand? You are not in your world. While you’re here you can’t write the story anymore however, I do possess the power to change it.” He grinned and nothing was good about that aura he gave off.
“I will decide who wins.” He smirked once again before turning his attention towards Keith.
“The shadows can read your mind sir.” Keith spoke fearlessly. “He’s the author after all.” Claviz interrupted. The man stood stunned for a while before looking between us both. “What?” He finally uttered.
“He is the author of this story, the one who wrote our suffering.” Claviz told him as Keith just stared at me and quickly shot back at him, “Probably yours which you are just making worse.” That angered Claviz and he ordered his shadows to torture him.
“What are you doing?” I screamed from the sidelines.
Keith yelled as he remained steadfast telling how Claviz was just a coward to not even confront him. I jumped at Claviz but as by his shadows, he predicted my attack and moved aside letting me crash to the ground.
“No so bold huh? What was that? ‘I'm the author’.”
I got up and looked him in the eye. “Stop it. I’m the one you want.”
He huffed, “Okay you’re the author, stop trying to be a side hero.” I had to find a way to stop this. I looked over at Keith as the shadows tortured him. Claviz didn’t even hesitate and ordered the kill. My eyes went wide the moment my gaze locked with the lifeless eyes of Keith.
“You’re the one I want after all.” he said shamelessly to my face. “Why don’t we make a story? A tragic story of a tragic author who got what he deserved. Trust me I’ll make you rethink all your life decisions.” He said letting out a cold chuckle. My face twisted in anger.
“You think you can write one? You can barely stay committed.”
“What?”
I slammed my fist into his face. Even though I couldn’t write the story anymore but just like he said I could change it the way he did. He came for my throat as I quickly backed away and smiled the moment I saw confusion written on his face. He looked around but it was only us.
“Why can’t I read you anymore? Where are my shadows?” He yelled as he glared at me, his eyes piercing through my soul.
“That's because I changed the story.”
He laughed like a maniac before he took infuriated steps towards me, “You think you’re smart huh? You still think you can win. I also hold the power to change the story since its my land.”
I smirked at that. I knew what he was going to do and as predicted, he did that. He stood for a second before turning back to me.
“What did you do?” He asked venomously.
“Nothing,” I replied, “ I just added something interesting to the story. By making you the most powerful yet the most useless villain.”
He glared at me, confusion still all over his face.
“Look I simply changed the story. In this story you have the land, you possess powers but they don’t work against me. Also I made sure that the villain possessed no power to change the course of the story.” His eyes went wide as realization dawned upon him. Yes! He was probably thinking how he could have done this before me and then he could have had me right in the palm of his hands.
He twitched as he pulled out his knife and looked at me, “Sure I can’t do anything about that but I can still hurt you…better yet kill you.” He lashed towards me. My heart skipped a beat. My eyes widened as I tried to pull away but he managed to slice my shoulder plunging the knife deep.
“Brag about it now!” He yelled screaming at my face as he laughed with crazy cackles. The pain was intense as I dropped to my knees gasping and wincing. My heart raced wildly. I had to stay composed, I had to stop this before it escalated far.
“Come on!” He screamed and with that being said, he raised his knife. My heart pounded as I closed my eyes. I opened them a second later and found Claviz desperately trying to bring the knife down to my chest.
“What’s happening?” He yelled with gritted teeth. My eyes widened as a smile crept along my face.
“It’s working.” I chuckled.
“What?” He kept yelling. I moved aside and his knife fell from his hands.
“Why can’t l strike?” He asked with a wavering voice.
“That’s because this time the story won’t change. You will disappear. I erased you from the story, from my mind.”
He glared at me blankly. “And just like that do you perhaps get your answer?,” I smiled, “A villain never wins. In this story I was the real hero and look…I’m here.”
He looked at his hands. He was vanishing.
“N-no… no no no this can’t be. THIS CAN’T BE. IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT.” He desperately cried as he sank to his knees. “WHY? WHY’D YOU DO THIS TO ME? I CAN’T DIE, I DON’T WANT TO.”
He sank further as his tears continuously trickled down. “Sorry but despite the chance you had, you didn’t try to lessen your suffering, you were just focused on revenge. Do you know why you're a villain? You don't try to fix your own scars and wish them upon others.” It was when he realized he had messed up big time. He did get plenty of chances after all but he overlooked them.
“No please… no…I-I…please don’t kill me.” He cried as his voice automatically dropped to low whispers until it was heard no more. He had disappeared.
I never continued this story.
