The Shackles

I am writing this fiction story for a contest organized by @dove11 in the Dream Steam community. The challenge centers around the interpretation of the second picture (sourced) in the story that was provided by him.

So, come along me for this tale of unseen shackles.

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. . . Danya's invitation to the camp party had Darek excitedly responding with a resounding "Hell yes."

Upon arrival, Darek couldn't help but notice the obvious absence of other guests. Confused, he inquired, "So where is everyone?"

Unbothered, Danya responded just by looking at him, a weird chuckle escaping her lips.

"It was a party, supposed to have more than two people. So where is everyone?" Darek questioned.

In response to this question, Danya broke into the most sinister laugh. Derek could feel a shiver down his spine as all the hair on his body stood on end.

He instantly regretted his decision to accept the invitation. Why would he do that? He had known this girl for only a month or so, and even during this time, she had not revealed much about herself or her family. But it was the pull that kept him saying yes to everything she said. He was captivated by her beauty and wild nature. The flirtatious way she would look at him while driving her car, so recklessly, would made his heart beat a thousand times in one minute. All his reasoning and the ability to think logically would be clouded by her mesmerizing manners. But, today, he genuinely regretted his decision to accept the invitation. Deep down in the recesses of his heart, he knew he had made a grave mistake. He had no way to go back; she had picked him up from his house and playfully blindfolded him all the way to this desolate place. He had no idea about the whereabouts.

He had imagined something like this when Danya suggested camping

The air got thick, and he sensed something seriously off. He realized that he was in a spooky forest. Danya, grinning weirdly, guided him deeper, arriving at a run-down campsite.

Still no sign of any soul. He tried not to give away his fear and forced a smile. Playfully, he asked her, "Is it a date? Are we supposed to hang out all by ourselves?" Danya gave him a crooked smile and didn't bother to answer. She started unloading supplies, her shot gun and the food she brought. From the corner of his eye, he saw shackles, unable to understand their purpose.

Inside, he was gripped by sheer terror, his mouth dry with a mix of fear and anticipation of what could be even worse. He realized that this girl hasn't spoken a single word since they were together this evening.

Darek's eyes widened in pure horror, and Danya's creepy grin only grew darker when Danya proceeded towards him with those shackles in her hands. Little did he know, those restraints weren't just for show – they were part of some ancient ritual. She entered a trance and began chanting something mysterious and eerie in some foreign language. His heart stopped beating even before she tried to put those shackles on him. "What a timid loser", she screamed so shrill, her voice piercing through the woods. She had yet to enjoy his terrified state. Why would he give up so easily. Ugh - she felt that she couldn't savour her prey fully. What a pity!

Nevertheless, she completed her ritual all the while dancing to her own beat. This rite of hers, bound Darek's essence to the very fabric of the forest, turning him into a spectral guardian forever entwined with the spooky woods.

He was her 13,000th victim in her one thousand years long life or, maybe, afterlife.

"Such are these offenders" she thought. Why do they always fall for these shackles? She didn't even have to use the physical one.

No remorse did she feel. Why would she? She had no heart. A heartless spirit wandering in the realms of life and death, entrapped in between.

One more abuser erased from the living. She had set her sights on a limitless goal.

Satisfied with her recent victory, now she was in search of another one.

All the while, humming to herself:

"In shadows' grasp, a soul confined,
Erased from life, in shackles bind.

Between realms, unseen, yet seen,
Abuser's fate, a spectral sheen

Dark deeds return, pay the cost,
Revenge's fire, not easily lost."

To be continued. . .