Stalking The Shadow Skulker

20260225

Written for Bradley Ramsey’s “Flash Fiction February Day 25”.

From the moment I saw that fire flickering through the trees, I knew my quest for revenge was almost over. Ma, Pa, Lucy, Tom, Gramma… I still remember what he did to you, all too clearly. I swear that monster will never destroy another family.
In one hand I hold Pa’s old revolver, its bullets blessed by every pastor I met on my journey. Partly for luck, and just in case the rumours were true and this ‘shadow skulker’ was in league with evil forces. Considering the state he left my family’s bodies in, I could believe he was something other than human.
My other hand rested on the long knife at my belt. Ma’s favourite for dealing with tough vegetables. Since claiming it I’ve proved that, swung correctly, it can not only cleave flesh but shatter bones. Not only has it been blessed like the bullets, a kindly blacksmith etched my family’s names into it, along with a prayer that they’ll rest in peace. It’s comforting to think they’re with me. That we’ll get even together.
Step by careful step I creep closer. Years of practice moving through the woods helps me pass without making a sound.
And yet, when I can finally make out his face in the firelight, I realise he’s watching me.
I freeze. Is it chance? Did he hear something despite my best efforts? Why else would he be looking to the side like this?
My finger tightens on the trigger.
“I don’t wanna put you off.” He rasps, his voice worn and weary. “But I feel I oughta warn what’ll happen if you kill me.”
I ain’t scared. Nothing to lose.
“Cause this thing, it can’t die. It’ll just go looking for a new body to wear. And right now, the only other body around… is you.”
That makes me pause. Lies though it surely is.
He sighs. His gaze sinking to the fire. “I don’t know why you’re here. I’m guessing it’s personal. I wish I could give you an apology worth a damn. I never wanted to hurt nobody. I swear. But it does. It’s hungry.”
An unearthly buzz undercuts the word, sending shivers down my back. The rumours were true. Or, if what he’s talking about isn’t a demon, it’s just as bad.
“I try and hold it in. Stay away from folks so if it does get atop of me there’s only animals for it to… to ‘play’ with.” He shudders and scrubs his hands on his shirt. “But it… I… you being here, carrying that much hate, I must’ve failed. I’m sorry.”
Alright. He clearly knows exactly where I am. So I speak. “What deal did you cut with that monster?”
“Deal?” His lip curls. “There was no fucking deal. This thing’s a goddam parasite. I was prospecting. Digging survey shafts. Part of an eight-man team. One of them was…” His voice cracks. “Was my brother. ‘Bout twenty feet down we hit air. A cave or summut. Maybe just an air pocket, I don’t know. I just remember something reaching out of that dark and grabbing Davy.”
“Gentlest man you ever met, that guy. So when he turns around and grins sick-like and makes as if to clobber the guy next to him with a shovel, we all knew something was wrong. Tried to stop him, hold him down, but he gargled and went limp and… this dark thing reached out of his chest and grabbed inside mine.”
He trails off. Takes a deep breath. “When I come round, the others, my friends, my brother, they’re all… it was… that monster had… with my hands…”
I bite my lip. Just seeing what happened to my family, having to bury them, was harrowing. I can’t imagine waking up to that and knowing I did it.
“Went to the priest. He tried driving it out, and… it killed him. So I ran. Didn’t dare try and kill myself, after what happened with Davy. This thing, I think it was lurking under that ground for a long time. Waiting for a body to come along. And what were the odds we’d sink a shaft right there, huh? I think it must have called to us, somehow.”
“So.” He clasps his hands tight and gives me a measuring look. “How strong are you? Will-power, like. Because, while I don’t know what set you after me… I can tell you this - you can’t want to kill me more than I want to die. But I wouldn’t wish this monster on anyone. If you think you can do a better job caging it, take it with my blessing.”
A bitter smile twists his face “Or, if you don’t believe me - or don’t care - go ahead. We killed poor Davy by accident, so I don’t think I’m hardier than most. One bullet oughta do it. But remember, when you wake up with someone’s loved ones’ blood all over ya, I warned you.”
We stare at each other. Then, gun pointed down, I step into the firelight.
“I swore I would end the monster who murdered my family. Sounds like that’s going to be trickier than I thought. Can I count on you to help?”
He blinks. A grin glowing with desperate hope splits his weather-worn face. “Don’t know if it can be done, but… believe me, I’m in. Best I can.”
“Alright.” I slip my gun away - though I keep it loose enough to draw - and swing my pack off to open it. Seeking my heavily annotated map. “There’s an old mine way northeast of here. Abandoned now. Easy to brick someone up real deep, then if I collapse the tunnels…”
He’s nodding along. His expression serious and disturbingly keen. I hope that’s not the demon and I’m not falling into some trap. But… won’t know until we try.

Prompt was “You’re heard tales of the wandering outlaw. A mysterious figure who sticks to the shadows and avoids large towns. He’s wanted, dead or alive, in every frontier town across the Wild West. No one’s ever caught him. Some say he’s possessed. That he made a deal with a demon in exchange for power. You couldn’t care less about his story, though. He killed your family, and you’re out for revenge…”