" Who were you talking to... Tud? "... The question ringed in the air, hanging like a quiet breath of unknown mysteries and untampered suspense. Tuddi’s eyes flickered back to the corner before answering, pointing to an empty space opposite them. But looking closer, there were shadow like figures with pure white burning eyes, crying and whispering, and crawling with their bodies on the floor, coming a step closer and instantly moving a step back, as if something is scaring them from coming closer, but their eyes kept still , as it fixed on him, watching.

" Those things keep looking at me and whispering ". Tuddi said, his voice small, carrying a weight of fear that made it tremble. " It’s like they’re trying to… tell me something. But… I don’t understand what. They scare me, Miss Jian ".

Jian leaned closer, her expression calm, gentle. " They won’t hurt you, " she murmured softly, brushing her fingers gently through his damp, black hair. " Look at them. Really look. They’re just waiting ".

With a deep breath, Tuddi’s eyes slowly met the shadow like figures, who are staring right back at him, with their strangely pure white eyes that seemed to hold despair in it. But this time, he didn’t look away.

The figures were there, hazy and dark, almost formless except for their eyes, bright white, but filled with a hollow sadness. They hovered just at the edge of the light, pressing close but never daring to come forward. The floor creaked slightly as they swayed, reaching out only to retreat back as if uncertain.

" Waiting for… for what? ".Tuddi asked, still unsure if he wanted to hear the answer.

Jian’s voice was steady as she smiled warmly. " For someone who sees them as more than shadows. Sometimes, when people don’t listen to our pain, or when we’re left behind, we become like this. Pieces. Leftover feelings. "

Tuddi stared harder at the figures, a strange flicker of enlightenment in his eyes. " They look sad. Almost… lonely. "

Jian nodded. " They’re here because they think you can understand them, Tuddi. It doesn’t mean you have to. Only if you want to ".

A heavy silence fell between them, broken only by the distant murmur of the camp, muffled but ever-present. The air felt thick and heavy, like the room itself was listening. Tuddi’s hands clenched the fabric of his knickers, his breaths coming out in shallow puffs.

" What should I say to them? ". He whispered.

" Just speak from your heart, ". Jian said. " Imagine if you were one of them. What would you want to hear? ".

Tuddi took a shaky breath, then managed to speak up, just loud enough for his voice to reach the corner. " Are… are you all right? " He asked, his voice trembling.

The shadows didn’t answer at first, but their movements became more agitated. Their pure white eyes flashed with a strange intensity, and for a moment, Tuddi thought he heard faint voices, blending together into a soft hum that echoed through his mind.

" Lost… forgotten… ". He caught a few words, but they slipped away as soon as he tried to focus on them.

One shadow seemed to break away from the others, crawling just a bit closer. Its form shifted, its outline becoming more defined, like a figure with black hands and feet, fingers clawing into the ground as it moved. It stopped right at the edge of the light, staring at Tuddi with hollow white eyes.

" Help… ". It whispered, barely audible, like a distant echo that will take multiple hearing aids to finally understand

Tuddi’s fingers tightened as he asked. " How do I… help? "

Jian gave him an encouraging nod. " Sometimes, listening is all they need. Maybe all they want is to be heard, to feel real. "

Tuddi took a shaky breath, his voice barely a whisper. " I can hear you ".

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

The shadow like figures seemed to react, its pure white eyes widening slightly as if it hadn’t expected a response. The faint voices grew louder, like a low, mournful wail.

" They’re… they’re thanking me, ". Tuddi said, surprised by the words slipping from his own mouth. " But they’re still so sad ".

Jian’s gaze softened, her tone calm but stained with a strange intensity. " That sadness isn’t something you can take away, Tuddi. But by recognizing it, you help them carry it. You make them feel… less alone ".

The room grew colder, a chill settling into the air. The shadows grew still, their pure white eyes fixed on Tuddi as if they were listening to him just as he was listening to them.

" But why did they come to me? " Tuddi asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jian tilted her head slightly, placing her right hand just beneath her jaws. " Sometimes, the world chooses us to bear certain things. Maybe it saw something in you, Tuddi. A strength, a kindness… or a despair... something others don’t see ".

Tuddi shifted uncomfortably, his gaze drifting down. " But I don’t feel strong… or kind. I’m just… scared ".

" Everyone is scared sometimes ". Jian replied softly. " Even the strongest people are afraid. The difference is in how they choose to face that fear. You’re facing it right now, aren’t you? "

A small, uncertain smile tugged at Tuddi’s lips. " I guess… I am ".

The shadow figures seemed to respond to his words, their pure white eyes flaring a bit brighter, as if acknowledging his courage. One of them stretched out a hand, fingers elongated and claw-like, and touched the edge of the light. It paused, its gaze locked with Tuddi’s, then slowly pulled its hand back, almost as if it were… respecting him.

" I think they… trust you ". Jian said, watching the scene with a serene expression. " I promise you this day, that if you could make friends with them, they will protect you anywhere you go ".

Tuddi’s gaze shifted from the shadows to Jian, a spark of hope mixed with curiosity in his eyes. " Do you think… they’ll always be here? "

" Maybe, ". Jian said thoughtfully. " Or maybe they’ll fade, when they no longer need to be seen. But either way, they’re a part of you now. A memory that will guide you, if you let it ".

The shadow figures began to withdraw, their pure white eyes dimming, but before they fully faded, one of them, still barely visible, reached out again, its hand forming a faint gesture, as if it were waving goodbye.

Tuddi watched, a strange pang in his chest, a mix of sorrow and relief. He raised his hand slightly, waving back, and the figure nodded before melting back into the darkness with the others.

As the last of the shadows disappeared, the air grew warmer, and the cold, heavy weight lifted. Tuddi exhaled, feeling a sense of peace, a strange connection he couldn’t quite understand.

" Thank you, ". he whispered, barely audible, his voice directed both at the shadows and at Jian.

Jian placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. " You’re braver than you know, Tuddi. Remember that ".

He looked up at her, his green eyes glimmering like an emerald with something close to admiration. " You make everything seem… less scary ".

A gentle smile touched Jian’s lips. " Fear isn’t something that goes away, Tud. It’s something we learn to carry. And with each step, it becomes a little lighter ".

Just as Tuddi was about to respond, a voice from outside the room called out, and the door creaked open slightly, revealing a face of a lady, with blonde hair, gorgeous blue eyes and a star like face like that of an actress.

It was Viola’s face.

" Jian, ". she said softly, nodding as she glanced between the two. " Pardon my intrusion, but before the meeting with the others starts, I would love if we could discuss before that, if you would love to now, I don't mind ".

Jian nodded, glancing back at Tuddi with a warm look. " I'll be back soon, ". She promised, giving his shoulder a gentle squeeze before standing.

Tuddi nodded, watching her rise, a strange comfort settling over him. The shadows were gone, but he could still feel their presence, lingering like a quiet reassurance in the back of his mind.

As Jian stepped away, Tuddi called out softly, " Miss Jian? "

She paused, looking back.

" Thank you… for helping me understand them,". He said with a warm smile on his face, his voice filled with gratitude.

Jian gave him a final nod, her expression both proud and warm. " You helped them as much as they helped you, Tud. Remember that ".

And with that, she walked out of the room, leaving him alone.... but not truly alone, for he now carried with him the memory of the shadow figures,

A reminder of his own strength, a quiet courage he hadn’t known he possessed.

The door closed softly, and Tuddi sat there, his gaze drifting to the corner where the shadows had been. The room was silent, but in that silence, he felt a strange sense of peace, a new understanding of the world he didn't seemed to understanding previously..

Moments later, outside in the misty red fog, the red moon light shone brightly in the neverending forsaken night

The air seems to grow thicker as the misty red fog mysteriously trembled

and then

A smiling bloody teeth erupted on the moon's surface

A Bloody Damned Smile That Only Meant One Thing.....

Dooom!