Impending Darkness
by Fauna

Chapter 1: 10/9/2005 11:18

I wasn't certain just when I realized that my world was growing darker. It began as shadows around the edges of my field of view, and progressed steadily as the focal point blurred.

I denied the inevitable, and really didn't care to hear that I wa going blind. I hid the news from family, and withdrew from all my friends. I spent long stretches of my day just soaking in the sights around me, savoring each special treasure before it should fade away. I kept the house lights bright all the time, even in the night, lest I wake and lose my final moment of sight to the blackness of the night.
A new day stretched before me and I contemplated what I should do, pulling on a pair of jeans and shirt, and tying my shoes. Yes, I think I should go somewhere today, but where?

Voting begins!
Final Results: Where to go?

Options	Votes
Catch a film	0 (0%)
Take in the park	2 (50%)
Grand Canyon	2 (50%)

Chapter 2: 10/9/2005 11:34

I decided to take in the park, easily within walking distance, and a pleasant journey along the way. The sun shone warmly on my face, countering a chilly wind that nibbled at my cheeks. The colors around me waxed and waned with the breeze, and I arrived at the park with mixed emotions.

The sounds around me seemed amplified and in opposition to my fading vision, and I settled into a leisurely stroll through the winding paths of a flower garden. Gravel crunched beneath my feet, and I thought I heard tiny voices speaking from beneath the roses.

The voices were shrill and conversation was punctuated with laughter, and visions of nympths popped into my mind. I thought about bending on my knees to peer beneath the rose bushes, but then again I'm sure that a more plausible explanation exists. Straining my limited sight, I looked about for nearby children.

No one was within my sight, and the compelling sounds continued to beckon. What should I do?

Voting begins!
Final Results: What to do?

Options	Votes
Look in the roses	2 (50%)
Shout out to see if anyone answers	2 (50%)
Leave it and wander on	0 (0%)

Chapter 3: 10/9/2005 11:46

Recognizing the limits of my failing eyes, I shouted out to see if anyone would answer. The little voices in the roses stopped, and for a few moments all was quiet.

Then a hushed babbling resumed beneath the bushes, and a spray of small gravel issued out and landed across my shoes.

I bent on hands and knees and peered into the darkened area, an unfathomable expanse to my failing eyes. A larger pebble struck me on the nose.

I crawled under a short ways, my feet jutting out into the path behind me, and I saw a small point of light inexplicably glowing ahead in the tangled under-garden.

'Come on in,' a chorus of small voices called to me. 'Keep crawling until you reach us.'

What should I do? Go forward or back out? What other choices might I have?

Voting begins!
Final Results: Now what?

Options	Votes
Go forward	2 (67%)
Find something else less creepy to do	0 (0%)
Try to get them to talk to you more	1 (33%)
Entertain them	0 (0%)

Chapter 4: 10/9/2005 11:54

Despite the darkness under the plants subtracting further from my limited vision, I crept onward towards the light, and the giggling voices within.

The light swelled around me and I felt sucked into a larger space, the brightness overwhelming and stripping me of what little vision I had left. Hands grapsed at me from the surrounding area, and I stood abruptly when I felt a tiny bite on my wrist.

I wasn't in the park any longer, I suspected, and I took off in a sightless flight through the light. The sounds of diminutive pursuers pattered behind me.

I crashed into a solid object, and wrapped my arms around it. Many clawing petite hands scratched at my legs, and little bodies caught purchase and began to climb my clothing. What now?

Voting begins!
Final Results: Okay...

Options	Votes
eat one	1 (50%)
kill one	0 (0%)
converse	0 (0%)
entertain them :^p	1 (50%)

Chapter 5: 10/9/2005 12:05

I grapsed a little beastie from my belt, and it sank it's teeth into my thumb. Fear grew into utter terror at this point, as more of the eerily chuckling fiends began to gnaw at my exposed skin.

My horrified mind reeled, and inexplicably I popped the squirming captive into my mouth and chewed. Bones crunched between my grinding teeth, and the insides squished onto my tongue.

I convulsively swallowed, and then grabbed another. Into my mouth it went as well, and I started to chew again. Several of the creatures were on my face now, clawing at my eyes and scratching my chin.

I brushed at my face and clothes, and then began to run once more, mostly in circles. Falling to my knees, I strained to hear the sounds of the park; birds singing and children playing. I sought for a solution to find my way back...

Voting begins!
Final Results: Solution?

Options	Votes
sing	3 (100%)
search pockets for a packet of ketchup	0 (0%)

Chapter 6: 10/9/2005 12:15

The din of their gleeful voices drowned all other sound, even those of my doleful crunching and ragged breathing.

I spat out the poorly masticated remains of the last creature popped into my mouth, and in a manic moment decided to sing.

My voice rang out above the clamor of monstrous beasts, and I continued the clear notes of the song until unconcious.

I awoke on the garden path, surrounded by concerned and gentle people. My face was scratched, and later the doctors suspected I'd clawed out and consumed my own failing eyes.

The End