Arcane Soliloquy: A Short Story

What was that? There, out of the corner of my eye I saw it - a shadow, a dark and darting figure, moving in and out among the shuttered shop fronts. You must have seen it, friend. Was it some low-bred brigand, an urchin, perhaps some vicious, starving cur? Someone or something meant to do us mischief foul? No doubt it was.

What can you mean, you saw it not? I saw it. I am certain that I did. See how it menaces us? There - it reached out and grabbed for me. How could you have not seen? Or does it stalk by your command? Am I to fear the shadow and my friend?

Oh, yes, laugh at my distress; yet offer not an explanation for the foulness that I see. Plainly, as if daylight played among the shadows of this night, I did see – eyes aglow - a monster surely bent on harm against my person. Do not deny that you it was who set it upon me.

You scoff and say my mind plays tricks among the shapeless shadows the gaslights cast along our way. You say my vision was no more than wind-blown boughs of stately elms still hung with autumn’s leaves.

You mock me, sir. Do not proclaim to me your innocence nor the innocence of that which waits along this path to wreak its sad discord upon my very being.

As it waits, does it not wait for word from you, some nod of head or wink of eye to bid it strike, bring upon my wretched person myriad sorts of mayhem and discomfiture?

You have been my friend these many years. You have bid me sup with you and drink our hearts’ content time and time again. And on this night, when we did early break our bread and sip the wine from your own vineyard’s season past, I trusted you.

Please, sir, it is so beneath you to deny upon your own soul the shadow that I saw, the monster that does lurk to do me harm.

If, as I believe, it waits but the signal from your lips, I must myself defend - must break the spell that binds you to the instrument of my demise.

Apologies, my friend, for doing as I must. But, as my psyche begs protection, I must do, as you would do, as I am bidden by my reason and my ration to perform.

Your words I hear, that it is but madness or the strength of drink that clouds my mind. That you protest so strongly furthers my fear that this shadow bids me ill.

There! There, again it darts! Caught upon the very edge of sight. That makes it real. I can but defend against its undeniable substance by one means.

I have no gun. No bullet can I send to lay it low. I have no knife. I cannot lunge and cut it quick to save my soul. No cudgel either can I bring to bear against this threat you claim exists but in my mind.

One means, and one alone, I have. I raise these ungloved hands to quell the protest from your lips. You will not bid the shadow your command fulfill. I will not die this night because you bear me some unknown ill.

There! My hands upon the whiteness of your throat have stayed the shadow from its deed. You strive no more, and it is gone. The coming of the dawn shows nothing hidden where the shadows bide no more.

I have saved my life, my friend.

I bear no ill toward you or yours. I know my dearest friend could mean no harm. Now, rise with me and walk a ways to gain the shelter of my door. Rise up, my friend. We cannot tarry longer here.

Rise up! Dear God! The shadow did exist! Did do you, my friend, the wrong it promised me. My God! My dearest friend, give me now leave, I pray, to fetch yon constable to your still and so very silent side.

I will explain what passed before the light of day. Surely he will understand.

Gaslights and shadows conceal and reveal many things, including insanity. Walk with this man and his friend. Immerse youself in his mind.