As we ran through the forest, we could hear the heavy footsteps of the creatures that chased us. Wolves. A pack of them. We ran like nothing before trying to escape but they were catching up, and fast too.

I ran up the hill with my three friends and tried not to look back. We crested the hill and ran down. I saw a grand view so beautiful it made my eyes tear up. It was a huge crimson castle with spikes at the top. The castle was surrounded by countless trees and a wall separating the wild from the civilized.

We saw it and we ran for it not knowing what was awaiting us there. I heard a howl from behind and new they were close. Too close.

We closed the gap between us and the castle wall and yelled for the gate to open. But as the gate opened, the world became dark. Shadows stalked every wall and crevice they could find. We were hidden from the predators, for now at least.

We approached the gate and went into the walls of the castle. Suddenly the gate closed behind them and a path was shown in the darkness. My friends and I, although scared, followed it into the castle itself.

The path weaved corners and through doors that opened themselves. I could only look at the path for everything else was pitch black. After about five minutes, the path stopped and lights went on. Our eyes adjusted and we saw a grand throne room. The walls were made of stone and covered in moss. The cracks were filled with shadows, and the lamps were lit.

No sunlight penetrated the massive structure and would never. I looked to the throne and saw a woman. She sat on the throne tall and menacing. She stared down at us with unblinking black eyes, and long golden brown hair lay on her back. Her black dress was ripped at the legs giving her room to run if she wanted. Her black crown sat on her head, small shadows zipping to and fro around it.

“Who are you?” Her voice boomed around the room.

“We are just travellers that were roaming these forests, until were chased by wolves, and you?” I asked trying to be polite and not get killed.

“I am the Shadow Queen. Ruler of this castle, the darkness, and of all shadows that lurk around this earth. I think you have stumbled upon the wrong place.” She said calmly.

“Yes, we have. Sorry to disturb you,” I said nervously and quickly. She was frightening and we had to get away. We turned to leave but all of a sudden the doors slammed shut.

“Oh, your not leaving though. You should have stayed out there with the wolves, where it was safe.” The Shadow Queen stood up and set her arm out. Shadows moved and grasped us. The woman walked up to us and grabbed a knife out of thin air.

“I am very not sorry for this.” She said to us. I cried out and my friends who I had brought on this trip started to cry and protest. The shadows held them firmly, restricting every movement they tried to do.

“Please!! Don’t do this!” I whimpered to her, but she didn’t seem to hear me.

*

“Why do they never learn?” Asked Shadow Queen to herself. She beheaded the men and walked back to her throne seat, sitting on the uncomfortable chair. She wiped the blood from her blade while her shadows brought the bodies else where.

“Well, it doesn’t really matter. It just gives me something to do!”