A Flicker In The Dark Novels & Stories

Something searching. “I don’t know,” I admit. “Maybe just the things that make me feel… seen.” Flynn’s gaze flickers down to my lips, then back up. “Then don’t let anyone make you feel invisible again.” Before I can respond, the lights above us flicker once, then twice. A short glitch in the power system. It startles me just enough to break whatever quiet moment we were in. Flynn tilts his head. “You really should get someone to fix that.”

“We’re not alone.” The lights in the hallway outside flickered just once. Then everything went black.

she said, that saccharine voice sending a chill straight down my spine. The lighter snapped open and shut with a crisp "click." A flame would flash up, then snuff out, casting flickers over her perfect face. That little flame-it was like the devil dancing. One flick, and the entire room would go up in flames. Me with it. I stared at that flickering light, heart pounding, breath caught in my throat.

Damian whipped around, dragging me tighter against him as dust exploded around us— And the lights in the building flickered and then went out completely. All we had left was darkness, blood, a hidden sniper closing in

Trying to jog my memory of where I might have left it, I decided to review the security footage. That was when I saw Amelia, who could barely get around, fumbling her way to my fish tank. She had yanked the fish out and hurled it to the floor with all her might. All the while, she was muttering to herself, "I should've been Mrs. Floyd by now! You've hogged that spot for years, it's about time you handed it over, don't you think? "Samuel owes me big time. It's his fault! If it weren't for him, my eyes wouldn't be like this!"

At first, it's only a faint whisper like a brush against my ear, but then it becomes louder and stronger until it's screaming, calling me home — the call of the gate. I'm not aware of the smoke and darkness surrounding me and filling the room, because right now, darkness is all I can see as my mind travels toward the call. My mind shifts through the darkness fast, black thick clouds whip past my vision. A faint orange glow is visible in the distance, and the further I go toward the call, the brighter and redder it becomes until I suddenly break through the darkness and see the flames of hell and the burning red gate covered in black soot.

Just as I decided to go home and sulk over a bottle of whisky the moonlight caught something silvery on the sand which in turn caught my attention. I turned on my phone torch and bent to examine whatever it was. Sand covered most of it probably when Butterfly drove off so I had to dig it out. When I did I saw it was a decorated gold-and-black card probably the size of an ID that was an invitation to the opening of a club called Ecstasy!. I recognized it immediately because — Christ, what was her name again? — well, my newest conquest was ranting and raving about it before she started ranting and raving about me.

Then I changed my expression to anger as I watched the corner next to the light bulb somewhat shake. If anyone saw me they would think that I was deep in thought. A few pieces of stone fell down from the floor. I crawled to my bed and lay down facing the light bulb in the room that flickered. This was also the only light in the room. Under my breath, I counted the seconds as the light bulb. "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven…" Flicker "One, two, three, four, five…" Flicker "One, two..”

Slowly, it was a bunch of little fireballs dancing in the darkness. “Fireflies…?” Colter whispered, his voice echoed in the darkness, “They are beautiful.” He felt a sudden pain jolt all over his body, it was as if something was being pulled out of him forcefully. It was a pain that seemed familiar, yet painful. Visions flickered in the dark, he saw memories, he saw his life flashing in this little dark space of his mind.

*Do not stop. At the floor the emergency lighting in the stairwell suddenly flickered and died. The world instantly became pitch-black save for the dim green glow of the exit signs above the doors. I had to grip the iron handrail with both hands using it to pull my body upward feeling my way up the steps in the dark. I didn't care about the pain. I didn't care about the fire burning in my chest. All I could see in the darkness of my mind was Aria’s innocent smile and the terrifying thought of some faceless predator tearing her away from her mother.