The darkness was almost absolute. Anyone looking would only notice a patch, seemingly floating in the middle of the room, and then only as it seemed to be even darker than the absence of light surrounding it.

The patch pulsated and split; revolving around itself to reform in some mockery of a dance. Wisps of smoke like pitch melted from it continuously and floated towards the floor, only to be sucked back into the whole.

The room lightened, only minutely, as a thin slice of radiance crept from a corner. In moments the slice expanded and shaped itself into the silhouette of a door. A slow wash of deep blue incandescence swept the room from the new shape, heading left and right giving everything its own stark outline for a few seconds. Computer terminals and equipment lined the walls, silent and menacing. Here and there were desks with strange scientific equipment laid out on them, seemingly stuck in half completed experiments.  

As the blue light completed its circuit and met on the far side from the door, the centre of the room became illuminated. A large glass case stood solitary. It was sealed at both ends and gave the impression of security and air tightness. Though the case itself reflected the dull light, the darkness inside remained. Light seemed to not exist, nor ever could exist where the darkness pulsated.

“Clear” rang a harsh, androgynous electronic voice from the direction of the doorway. “No preliminary contamination detected. Entry for physical sweep deemed safe.”

The light from the door intensified and as it swung wide open, the room sprang into life. Fluorescent tubing ringing the room stuttered on, terminals whined and began a long series of clicks and beeps to indicate their status and the glass chamber in the centre began lazily humming.

Two figures dressed in black, insignia-less combat gear crept into the room shortly after all the lights had come on. They peeled off to the left and right, pointing silenced snub nosed machine pistols before them in a standard military room sweep. The one on the left of the room approached the nearest terminal when the sweep was complete.

The figure studied the readout on the terminal screen. Green writing reflected from the black eyes of its insect like gas mask. Upon finding what it needed it turned to its partner and gave the thumbs up sign, which in turn lifted a radio to its face grill.

“All clear, repeat all clear for normal entry. Entity contained, repeat entity 100% contained, over.” It said in the same electronic voice as before.

The radio crackled for a moment.

“We acknowledge, Quebec. You and Romeo stand guard at the door and await further instructions. India and I will be joining you momentarily. Juliet, over and out.”

As the radio went silent Quebec and Romeo strode silently back towards the door. They took up positions either side of it facing inwards towards the chamber. Both peeled off a layer of Velcro over their hearts, revealing their name tags.

“What do you suppose it is?” buzzed the one labeled Romeo.

“We don’t get paid to ask that, Romeo” buzzed back Quebec.

“Still, it freaks me out every time we have to come in here. Damn thing makes my skin crawl. It isn’t natural.”

The darkness seemed to sense the connotation of Romeo’s words, and pulsated with fury and menace for a moment.

“Of course it isn’t natural” said Quebec, as the darkness began to subside. “It’s some God forsaken magic! Anyway, just keep silent. India and Juliet are coming and they’ll kick our arses if they catch us off guard.”

They stood silently watching for a few more minutes until the sound of footsteps approaching brought them to full attention, their machine pistols pulled tightly to their chests.

Another black clad figure entered the room, nodding to Quebec and Romeo as it passed. Its name tag read India. It did not carry a weapon in its hands, but did have twin black katanas crossed on its back. Following shortly was a pale man dressed in a business suit. His face was pinched and drawn, with sunken eye sockets, lank and short dark hair, and near transparent eyelids. At first glance he seemed wary and haunted, but on closer inspection his eyes reflected patience, confidence and brutality. The third figure entering was the second of the new combat pair, Juliet. It stood easily a foot above the other 4 in the room and carried no visible weapons at all.

“At ease, soldiers” it buzzed as it passed through the door and into the room. However, neither dared move and inch.

The business man walked straight through the room to the chamber and stood mere inches from the glass. India and Juliet took up positions on either side of the man. The darkness once again began to swirl and shiver with menace.

“Magnificent, isn’t it?” queried the man, turning slightly towards Juliet.

“It certainly is, Mr. Mindgier.” returned Juliet, still facing the chamber.

“Hmmm, yes, indeed it is Juliet. But an apparent failure, as it seems.” Mr. Mindgier muttered as he turned back towards the chamber. The darkness renewed its anger, as if it were furious at being held captive.

“Be still.” said Mr. Mindgier almost too quietly to hear. His words were frosted with poison. Quebec and Romeo felt the already low room temperature drop a few degrees, and their stomachs turn.

Instantly the darkness seemed to draw into itself and the pulsating stopped. The only movement remaining was the slow drifts of black wafting down through the chamber.

“Better.” Mr. Mindgier leaned in close, so that his nose was almost touching the glass.

“Gentlemen, what you see here is more dangerous than your whole unit put together. It can literally eat your thoughts, can make you think what it wants, and ultimately swallow you whole.” He leaned back out. “One misstep, one wrong move and it would not hesitate to strike. You would all feel its influence right now if it wasn’t for me being in this room. It responds to me…“

He paused, in thought for a few moments. “It fears me.”

A gentle shuffle sounded. Mr. Mindgier felt a cold stabbing in the back of his head, the muzzle of a gun. He sighed.

“I assure you Quebec that anything you do right now that does not relate to you dropping your weapon, will result in your arm being broken.”

“That seems highly unlikely Mr. Mindgier. I do have the gun.” Buzzed Quebec; lowly and threatening.

“You do have a gun. That much is true.” There was a flurry of movement and Quebec found itself disarmed by Juliet and its arm trapped by India at the elbow. Juliet now pressed the gun to Quebec’s temple.

“Orders, Mr. Mindgier?” asked Juliet.

“Not for you Juliet. However, India, I believe that there was a clause relating to our friends non-compliance.”

India nodded slightly and in a sudden jerk snapped Quebec’s arm midway up his forearm. Quebec made no sound.

“Release it.” India dropped the now useless arm. Juliet remained with the gun to Quebec’s head. “It is no threat now.”

Mr. Mindgier turned from the chamber and faced Quebec who stood unflinching.

“You have failed here today. Whichever one of my colleagues wishes me harmed; you can tell them they will need to try harder. Give the gun back to Quebec, Juliet.” Juliet reversed the weapon and handed it to Quebec who took it with his off-hand.

“My apologies, sir.” said Quebec with no hint of pain in its expression. “I was only acting under orders.”

“I know. You, like the creature here, are just pawns. Return to your post at the door.”

Quebec smartly about faced and retook his position. He took out a bandage from one of the many pockets lining his gear and began to set his broken arm. Mr. Mindgier refaced the chamber.

“Well, enough of the fun and games gentlemen. Let’s get to work.”

He put his hand onto the glass of the chamber, and a dull throb echoed around the room, like the shockwave from a heavy explosion.

The darkness wreathed and pulsated in horror.


* * * * * * * * *


Many miles away, in the still of the night, Gabriel sat upright in his Spartan cot, soaked with sweat. Woken by a nameless terror and darkness in his dreams, he sat for a moment, his breath held for what seemed an age.

The kitchen tap dripped once, twice and a third time.

Only then could he lie down again.