Renege

 PROGRESS 100%

SUCCESS

It took a second to comprehend the message. In truth, my initial thought was whether the message box had become corrupted. In that case, my next action would be to look for the nearest bridge. Any suspicion of success did not even make the top ten list.

But here it was.

Dare I hope?

PROGRESS 100%

SUCCESS

"Success..." My voice hitched and a wave of elation followed. "SUCCESS!" The air received a one-two knockout as I thrust my fists outwards. "Yes, yes, yes, yes! Finally! Wait, wait, wait... maybe this is a fluke..." My chair rocketed forward as my fingers flew over the keyboard. A final key press was the sign for the laptop's fan to take off.

PROGRESS 25%

PROGRESS 50%

PROGRESS 75%

PROGRESS 100%

SUCCESS

"It... it really works..." I blew out the breath I didn't realize I was holding. "I might even get some rest." The thought came with a chuckle. "R-Senpai will be delighted to hear that." The chair protested as I leaned forward to share my fortune with my friend, but a clatter drew my attention sidewards.

"Oh, Airiel, hi," I greeted the glowing eyes with a glowing smile. "Guess what, it's working! Wait, hold on, I need to commit this first." Which I did with a few more key presses. I could scarcely believe it. A working build didn't mean my job was complete. Tasks like code cleaning and peer reviews were still in the imminent future, but the hard part was over, and a restore point had been created. Even the interns could breathe a sigh of relief. I'd be willing to wager some of them might even take some time off sooner or later.

"I should do that as well," I returned my attention to my visitor. "Ah, sorry, I've been rambling on. Please, sit down. You don't have to wait for an invitation." The glowing eyes responded with a tilt of its head. One I was slightly familiar with by now. Yet what was this feeling of discomfort?

"Uh, Airiel? Is everything alright? You... haven't said a word..." My nervousness became worse when the figure took a step forward. "A... ai..."

"... Yes..."

"Wait, you're-" Two hands grabbed me from behind and silenced any further objections. The age-old instinct to fear the unknown kicked in, and I tore myself out of my chair with a quick twist. Two pairs of white eyes met mine when I managed to refocus.

"You're not Airiel!" I took a step backward as both advanced. Their smiles were as wide as their glowing eyes. "Wh... who are you?" Neither answered, with two more shadowed steps as their only reply. Another step backward pressed me against the doorframe.

You do not want to be going down that route.

My eyes darted between the shadows. I thought I saw something move inside the right one's smile.

Do not go running after shadows.

The left one broke ranks first and charged forward with a screech. I twisted to the right and dove underneath a strike strong enough to dent the doorframe. That left me vulnerable to the second shadow, who wrapped their fingers around my neck. Pain shot through me as the shadow pulled me closer.

"... Eat..."

"What?!"

"... Eat..." His comrade agreed as something sharp pierced my left shoulder. I screamed from the surge of stinging pain.

"... Bastard... Wait your turn..."

"... No... Hungry now..."

"... I was first..."

I struggled against its grip with every sentence the shadow spoke.

"... What about Airiel... She will not be happy..."

"... She's not here now..."

"... Then let us eat... together..."

"... Yes..."

Its grin was as wide as before when my captor turned back to me, but I was focused on its eyes. Two fingers forward into each with as much force as I could muster. The sensation of disturbing its veiled visage was eerie, yet it appeared neither man now shadow wanted their eyes harmed. My ass hit the floor as the figure stepped back with a pained howl, both hands firmly pressed against its afflicted optics.

Get out, get out, get out...

"... Bastard..."' The shearing of cloth accompanied the sting of broken skin as the shadow struck at my back, but I was free to move, which I did. I'd worry about my injuries when my survival was more assured.

"... Get him..."

Where to... I ran through my options as I ran out of the study into the hall. The door at the far end would be the obvious choice, but I'd be dinner before I could open the security lock.

Maybe the- A blow sent me crashing against my bedroom's doorframe. I managed to stay upright, I could even dodge the next blow by flinging myself around the door and slamming it shut behind me, but the attacks continued against the wooden barrier. My body weight was the only thing keeping it closed.

"... Eat..."

C'mon... My mind raced, filtering through any ideas that could help, but nothing volunteered. The bed was too far to be used as a weight, and my old baseball bat would probably splinter upon first impact. My gaze fell on the window. Jumping could be an option, but landing from the third floor would leave me handicapped for the rest of my life.

"What to do..." My back throbbed achingly from the repeated blows, and I felt tears run down my cheeks as my mind rescanned and reanalyzed everything. Every time, the conclusion was the same. Nothing would help.

"What to do...?!"

"... Eat..." A movement to my right. I snapped my gaze to it, where a shadow charged towards me. "... Eeeeattt..."

"Noooo!"

"... Stop!..."

Everything became quiet. No more pounding from the other side of the door. No flesh ripped off my bones. Only the sound of my thundering heart rang in my ears. Very hesitantly, I opened an eye. The charging shadow had stopped in the middle of the room. Its eyes constantly glanced in my direction, but its main focus was on the new entrant.

"... Leave this one alone..."

"... But..."

"... I have staked my claim..."

"... But... he is..."

"... Mine..."

The shadow's glance had several meanings. Its murderous intent was palpable, but it conceded. "... Very well..."

A blink and the rooms occupants became two.

"... Hey..."

My eyes zeroed in on the glowing orbs staring back at me. They looked the same as the others, but a small part of my mind knew they were different.

"... Do not be afraid..."

"Go away!" My voice was almost as shrill as those of the shadows.

"... I beg your pardon?..."

"Go away, and leave me alone!" I forced myself into a fetal position, covering my eyes while squeezing them closed as tight as possible. "I don't have to see you, I don't want to hear you! Now just go away, and leave alone!'

"... Please... I want-"

"GO AWAY!" I rocked back and forth. "There are no shadows here... there are no shadows here... there are no shadows here..."

***

...No... What have they done...