《Beyond The Shadow》


 Prologue

    (Gary)


    We, as humans, keep on wishing to go back in the past, and change one or more of our decisions. Contemplating about the possibility of a different course¡­ an alternative route. But as they say, everything happens for a reason. Each interaction and conclusion, is already ordained. And maybe, it was. Maybe, when bombarding me with disaster after disaster, catastrophe - one after another, the world where I lived seemed to make my life a living hell¡­


    Time kept on passing, days kept on changing. And I, became more and more embroiled in twists and turns with each decision that I? made.


    ¡°Would you like to have some breakfast, honey?¡±


    ¡°Why haven¡¯t you been promoted to the manager, you scoundrel?¡±


    ¡°Wanna have some fun tonight, Mister?¡±


    All different decisions, all leaving a scars in my pure heart¡­ leading me to discover myself - rediscover to be exact.


    Still, I could not even figure out the person reflected back when I stand in front of the mirror? And all I could see was a clear face with dark eyes. Black eyes, and a well built muscular body - showing the effects of my regular exercise. All in all, a handsome young man, but the aura was nowhere in sync with the youthful figure. I had an aura of pandemic, and utter tragedy.


    I could see person after person, passing one after another, in this bright and beautiful city, only to suffer chaos. Only a privileged section enjoyed all the success, which remained true, no matter the city or country. On one hand were the bums who sat with their backs against the grimy building while having Starbucks coffee, awaiting their next paycheck. While on the other, were the business professionals, who utilized all their sweat and blood to print dollars after dollars.


    Each individual I? stumbled upon had made at least a decision better than mine. Why, you ask? Well, it¡¯s simply because they were able to make a choice, while I¡­ I just kept on roaming - like a vagabond, in a daze suffering a series of breakdowns. The cause being the drugs that I? had last night.


    All I could see was black and white¡­ and after God knows how much time passed on, I finally was able to stop my ever stumbling feet. A wide variety of hooters rang out loud into my messy head, making the already disturbed mind grew even blurrier.


    Just then, a professional two piece gray colored suit entered my vision, who seemed to be yelling on someone via his mobile phone. Before I? could clearly hear what she was saying, her words cut off while her mysterious eyes ran up and over my body.


    Fuck me - will you? A voice came out from my heart. Yet, for some reason, she did not notice and kept on walking and passed me while giving me a glance. And for fucks sake, I? swear when I looked into her amber colored eyes, my last bit of reasoning was thrown into dust.


    My thought process seemed to have abandoned me yet another time, and I? ended up in yet another confused place. Yet, not knowing why, I stood there while rows and rows of people passed by me. My shiny black hair swirled along side the wave, but still could not find a strain of visibility in others¡¯ eyes.


    Everything seemed to repeat itself, the scene of me roaming around half awake in a tipsy condition - the scene of everyone ignoring me - the fact that no one bothered with me. It itself had repeated over and over, leading me to ask myself - Am I even required in this world? If not, then should I just end it for once and all?A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    It seemed like the combination of Bacardi and cocaine were leading my mind to a completely forbidden thought process. I took out a pill from my pocket, and gulped it in. My headache seemed to lessen - NO, more accurately, I was unable to feel the headache.


    With colors finally entering my vision, I recognized the place I was in - ¡®The Red Light District¡¯. I wanted to laugh seeing that even the path was embed into my muscle memory. And why not, I? could not count the exceeding number of times, I have visited this place.


    A place to fulfill your fetishes¡­ to fulfill your demons inside. As the saying goes, a promising night of heated fucking with a stranger, resolves all worries and stress from the body.


    Ever since I? was a child, I was being looked highly because of my calm and collected nature. Coupled with my jade like perfect body structure, they viewed me as some sort of prince descended from the heavens. But I knew the reality¡­ the reality that all of the assets that they viewed were nothing more than curse to me. A curse planted via DNA. DNA¡­ the cause of all the ruckus and chaos in this world.


    ¡°Hey, are you listening? Stay out of the way, you¡­!¡±


    I was still not able to balance myself properly as I collided with a beautiful and rich blonde. I knew at first glance that she was rich because of her wrist watch¡­ Rolex. A watch whose cost surpassed the cost of my entire life. I was sure that even if I end up selling my life and work as a slave, I? would never be able to buy one.


    A hand suddenly wrapped around my waist, seemingly helping me to stabilize myself. I could feel the softness of her hand through the clothes on my back, but did not dare to look into the eyes of the person who saved me from falling down. I often had dream about saving a damsel in distress, but here the damsel seemed to be helping the prince out of distress.?.. quite ironic, wasn¡¯t it.


    My eyelids grew heavy, and my throat was about to vomit the excess of alcohol burning in my stomach. I felt tired¡­ and lost. So lost, that even a girl, was able to lead me around. But I could not care less as I was able to walk steadily with her help.


    I could vaguely feel that he path that we were on, lead to a destination which was known only to her. We passed through the buzzing street through the trash and fog present in the air. The smell was anything but pleasant, yet it was neither able affect me¡­ or her. Yes! Giving me yet another surprising, her chiseled face did not gave in to any discomfort. If that was all an act, then I? would directly nominate her for Oscars!


    I could hear horns yanking loudly, dogs barking on one another, and yelling coming from every alternate streets. This darkness¡­ it seemed so familiar, yet so different. But the strange thing was that even through all this noise, I felt an eerie silence¡­ like an omen that something is going to happen¡­ something devil like.


    ¡°Looks like I have to help you get home. Let out the address!¡±


    Somehow walking along, I seem to have gathered enough courage, to turn and stare back into the deep amber eyes of my savior. It was the first time that our eyes met, yet it all seemed illusion to me¡­ just like a fantasy.


    Her eyes contained mystery that seemed to be founding someone to solve it for her. The girl seemed to be hiding some secrets¡­ yes, secrets. The one thing that everyone has, but hers were terrifying enough to give me chills down my spine. My intuition screamed at me¡­ wanting me to take a run out of the woman¡¯s grasp. But my mind had already grown tired and wanted to rest¡­ like forever.


    I often cursed myself¡­ for not making a better decision. I always had encountered mishaps far greater and mightier than my peers. But this was the first time, that my gut screamed so loud. It happened always, and later on I kept on condemning myself.


    I wanted to make a right decision¡­ even a single one would satisfy me¡­ just a single one. I screamed from my brain with all my might. Yet, my heart was pulled strongly towards this stranger. I knew that the smart thing would be to flee¡­ flee from the cab and away from this stranger, but my heart did not let me. Or rather, it was my eyes that never seemed to put themselves aside from her breathtaking face.


    The voice inside my mind kept on reminding me of the danger¡­ wanting me to not make another mistake. But my heart¡­ it accepted that. I felt as if it had been hours since she spoke, and here I was ready with a decision.


    ¡°3039 Meadowlark Drive¡±


    I finally made a decision¡­ one that I would be regretting for the rest of my life.

 Council of the Devil

    (Angela)


    Most of the people in this world held onto their NAME as the most important thing in the world. And why not, their very existence was based on the it. It was their identity which was referred to by their friends and family, whenever they wanted their attention. Just a simple name, an identity, and it gave you a power of presence.


    But I was more attracted in those without one¡­ those people who did not have an identity, to be exact. Individuals who did not have any sense of existence¡­ or rather they had no attachment to the world. All those helpless and smart, having no place to call their own. As for me¡­ my sole purpose was to find such people. It was for this reason that I roamed in and over throughout the streets, trying to blend in with the commoners as much as possible. Just a reminder to everyone¡­ that you should not go by my looks, because¡­ I was a predator who loved tormenting the weak - a huntress of these stray animals.


    Majority was unable to recognize me¡­ at least not until their eyes met mine. This seemingly entertaining life of mine, always found out unique ways to keep me engaged in my own daily activities. And my daily activities were quite different to those commoners. Because ?I had something unique ability inside of me, which was more than enough to capture the hearts of the mankind. I was like an incubus¡­ charming from far away, but very deadly when nearby. Deadly¡­ nightmarish¡­ hellish¡­ that can only be imagined in dreams, if at all.


    I was unable to- rather I did not even try to contain the devil inside of me. I just let it roam freely outside in this dark and dreary world. The devil inside me was some kind of ray of light for the masses that I? dealt with¡­ Dealt with because that¡¯s what I did. Our encounters did not last for long, rather they were so few that they counted on one hand. Their response to take appropriate shelter from me, was rendered useless by their hyper arousal state. Even on the slight offset, that they knew the danger, it was already too late by the time they realized it.


    They never in their lives could overcome their senses. My body¡­ my thin waist, tight buttocks, my precious assets¡­ was my life in one single sentence. It was my hunting equipment, my very own survival mechanism. It was like a double edge knife¡­ my strong point, as well as my weakness. But it had to be such, in my line of work.


    I was an agent for ¡®Council of the Devil¡¯ - a psychopath murderer if situation demands of it. An agent responsible to deliver the fantasies and fetishes of the targeted victims. The bosses behind me were the ones who delivered them on their way behind my back. But I knew it too well, and thus was held equally responsible. To be honest, I did not care if they died or survived, lived a day or a year, or even are brutally tortured before death. I did not care, simply because it was not required- rather forbidden in my field.


    Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    I did this simply because it gave me a purpose. It gave me a chance to return to somewhere¡­ A chance to have fun¡­ A chance to live!


    Sometimes I? would find handsome and dashing young man, but with a broken spirit of survival. And I specialized in taking something meaningful away from their pitifully devastated life. It was like an inherent skill of mine. A positive side was the chance to judge the quality of the item, if I ever wanted to. It all depended on me, where and whom to choose for the it. Usually I just plucked the flowers before they would perish, and help them to end their life of suffer and guilt, in a much quicker pace than it would have if I? left them all alone.


    I was never a noble on his job, as I did take plenty of time to fuck their mind and body before letting them out into the hell for eternity.


    I did not take pleasure in seducing first timers. Nope, it was not the job I required to do. My rich skill set lied in attracting charming and graceful men who outranked their peers by far. It was the reason for my exceptional value to my boss. Normally it was not easy¡­ even a bit to find someone of such a caliber, capable enough but not in the spotlight, so as to not cause any disturbance in the city.


    And I knew from my research that this city would not miss¡­ not even a single bit, of our very own and precious Gary Hoffman.


    An athlete turned alcoholic druggie, a man with a perfect body, but also with a miserable fate. A college dropout, a attraction for the defaulters and infidelity. He was a case of a drunkard, who could be seen on common streets around the world, but a face and body line which seem out of the world. A man with time in his hands, a youth¡­ but without a future to share with someone. No hope, no dreams¡­ just the perfect target I? wanted to meet.


    At that time I? never imagined the rumble it would cause, once he enters the place he was about to land in. The world outside did not care for him, and I? wondered what worth he would bring once I lead him into the ¡®Council of the Devil¡¯.


    Maybe the auction would break the record, at least I? had high hopes it would. Even if not, then also my boss would at most just beat and rape him, but let a pretty boy like him live¡­ I? suppose.? Well, quite doubtful¡­ but anyways, I was about to find it out either way.


    I did not care a bit, because all I wanted was to start my game of chaos and greed.


    ¡°Thank You,¡± he mumbled. ¡°For¡­ helping me.¡±


    The cab we were inside came to halt at the traffic lights. I looked at the driver who was not in a mood to give any regards to our monotonous conversation.


    ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. You kept on shaking and stumbling, not looking well. So, how do you feel now?¡±


    His eyelids opened and closed, trying to see the road but failing miserably to do it. And, his strong fingers pressed against his forehead, wanting to remove the headache that came wave after wave.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Ah¡­ a little sick, I guess? I seemed to have partied a little too hard last night.¡±


    It may be the irony of the life for him, I? suppose. He had been irrational and idiotic throughout his life, and much of it he still is. Even having a masculine figure like that was only going to make things worse for him¡­ worse than it was already.


    He was wearing the same black jeans with blue hoodie that he wore at every outing. Outing with her ¡®so-called¡¯ friends. It was basically a red light district¡­ a fucking club to be exact. I could have spent thousands if not more, just to get inside, and abduct him from there, but I restrained myself.? I could not threaten my existence with so many people beside him. It was outright risky. My allegiance to ¡®Council of the Devil¡¯ would have been danger.


    The main head, Marvin Davidson, was not any easy person to get away with. She would click his teeth, and my pitiful existence would be removed for eternity. I thought that her assassination would leave me some space to breathe in. But I? was wrong big time. Because the one who took her place, her best friend, Hadwin Harris, wasn¡¯t as intelligent as her. Marvin wasn¡¯t killed, and recovery was still in proceedings, that were brought forth from her vengeance.

 Model

    The massacre by the main master - Marvin Davidson, was earth shaking. And as a result, after her vengeance, all the security guards were removed as a precaution. Complete lock-down was enforced, and all the safety measures of the ¡®Council of the Devil¡¯ went a thorough check, so much so that, even to get close to the place, Marvin had to be updated.


    She had set up surveillance in his own room, which she himself monitored. She killed off anyone and everyone who seemed to even show a slight sign of hesitation or betrayal. Along with it, she also made sure to thoroughly get a background check on all the slaves to rose higher up in the hierarchy.


    One of them was her lover. He was in his twenties as far as news goes. He was among the slaves that rose to the top, after setting her up in the trap. What happened to him? No one knows for sure, but there are rumors that he was tortured and each part of his body was smeared apart.


    If before Marvin was a psychopath, then now¡­ he was more of a demon¡­ an all out psychopath demon. To get on his bad side, was a mistake- no rather a sin to commit, and I was in the mood to make one.


    ¡°Do you smoke?¡±


    With a twerp on my mouth, I shook my head sideways, looking at the handsome man, who was unable to keep his eyes open anymore. I could see a visible frown on her eyes while her gaze lingered outside of the cab window.


    ¡°I should quit,¡± he muttered. ¡°I keep saying I¡¯m going to, but I haven¡¯t even tried.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a bad habit. Luckily, its the one I¡¯ve never had to deal with. Oh right, how old are you, if you don¡¯t mind me asking?¡±


    ¡°Twenty one.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re still young. You have plenty of time to quit.¡±


    I moved myself closer to him, just to not appear unapproachable.


    ¡°You¡¯re quite tall. Are you perhaps a model or something? Maybe a swimmer for that matter?¡±


    He smiled, but the frown quickly took over his handsome face as he sighed.


    ¡°I used to be an athlete in my teens. But I? didn¡¯t go anywhere to participate. Maybe because I was too distracted by other things. And hence, never got a chance to take it up seriously.¡±


    ¡°By other things, you mean¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah. Stupid things.¡±


    ¡°Well, it¡¯s not too late for that either, you know.¡±


    He remained silent. And I could his shoulders relaxing a bit, as he leaned closer to the door, while continuing to stare outside scenery of buildings. Even though I am quite proficient in small conversations, I despised it. Well why not¡­ I always knew everything about the other person, so it was quite meaningless for me. And hence, there were little things that could spark my interest. The enticement¡­ the haunting¡­ the games of chaos - as I? like to call them.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Time passed on, and so did the traffic. We were only able to crawl along our destination, but I had the patience so it was no big deal for me. I did not forget to take out my cell phone, and pretended my disinterest. It was just a precaution in case the driver remembered any of us. The driver wouldn¡¯t remember me having an interest in him, or so I planned.


    I maybe not a charming lady, but I? was not unlikable either. If I were to be honest, then I would say that I am slightly above the common beauty standards. My figure and build, were the factors that took my standing even higher, and of course I was more than satisfied with that.


    But this time, my figure and build was not quite visible, because of the oversize suit that I draped over myself. If the driver would remember, then would remember me as an overweight, I? assume. And it was better for the driver to stay as further away from the truth as possible.


    ¡°Can I? ask you a question?¡±


    Waiting for me to look over, she continued, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t get your name. I¡¯m Gary.¡±


    This bastard - I almost burst out on him.


    I clenched my teeth as he raised his hand outwards. I clenched not because I had to introduce myself, but because he state his name in high voice. It was quite an uncommon name for in this part of the city, and the driver, regardless of whether paid attention or not, would sure pick up on it¡­ even if it was only subconsciously.


    ¡°Angela Shepherd.¡± A common name in these suburbs. One that didn¡¯t even match my distinct body features.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Angela. And were you serious when you said that it wasn¡¯t too late for me to start becoming an athlete?? I mean do you really think I? stand a chance? I¡¯m not really as fit as I used to be. Or as handsome for that matter. I just¡­ huh¡­ no one¡¯s said that to me in a long time. You really surprised me by even suggesting me to carry on.¡±


    I smirked on the corner of my lips.


    ¡°I think, that if you got your life together, then absolutely. And who know, you might even have a chance to become a model. You also have the looks for one. If it¡¯s becoming an athlete¡­ I can¡¯t be of much help. But if it¡¯s a model¡­ well, thinks could get interesting. And looking at you, I guess you just have to give it your best. Just believe it here, and it will be done,¡± I said, placing my hand over my breast - my heart, I? mean.


    I could see his eyes giving in, and he turned back towards the window to think for some time. It was quite a long silence, for he did not utter a single word.


    When he finally turned to me again, tears were overflowing from his eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to become a model. But became an athlete was because I wan¡¯t allowed to become an actor. I want it from the bottom of my heart, so the handwork and willingness required, is never going to be an issue.¡±


    ¡°Well, there is a saying that happiness is defined by your attire¡­ by the riches you possess¡­ or by the beauty you exhibit. But they are all lies.¡±


    ¡°Yes, sometimes, no amount of creativity or reality can remove the damage that¡¯s been done. Do you perhaps know, how do you find joy in life when you don¡¯t know what it is?¡±


    His black dead eyes looked into mine, searching¡­ or perhaps looking for the answer he required.


    But it wasn¡¯t supposed to be there. I didn¡¯t expect him to be so deep, so in face, I did not know how to handle this situation.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m not normally so unspoken or sullen. It¡¯s just that it¡¯s recently been quite a bad last few years,¡± he said.


    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I? think we all have to go through these kind of cyclones. Many of which are longer than the others, but we always have the possibility of bouncing back, right?¡±


    I grinned as thought of his battered and bloody body eased into my imagination.


    ¡°No more worrying, Gary. Something tells me that your life is about change¡­ Forever!¡±