Finley Flood: The Wall of Darkness

By John Cummings

Finley Flood age twelve has a secret, a really cool secret that he only shares with his closest friends. When they all start to have the same dreams Finley realises something is very wrong and discovers the menacing darkness that will give them the biggest challenge of their lives.

When Fin gets stranded and is in deadly danger, he finds the most awesome use for his new phone that you could ever imagine. As the tension mounts Fin and his friends will have to confront their biggest fears as they explore a strange and hostile land, where darkness rules and something sinister lurks within. Danger abounds as they race to locate the source and protect the most secret of secrets from a terrifying power that threatens their entire existence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: John Cummings
• Release date: Jun 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781910256442

John Cummings

Author of the Finley Flood series of books aimed at Middle Grade readers of nine and above, right through to adult.The books are fantasy adventure stories, and based around the central character Finley who is currently aged twelve. When writing I try to ensure they would be suitable for my own children to read making them fully appropriate for the age groups they are intended for.Finley is starting to gather his own fan base and a visit to his Facebook page will get you more information about him.https://www.facebook.com/pages/Finley-Flood/165809730280773

Book preview

For Charlotte and Victoria.

A father’s love for his daughters is infinite and total. They are my sun and moon and stars and it is they that make my heart complete.

Thanks to those that supported and encouraged me during the writing of this novel. I couldn’t have done it without you.

FINLEY FLOOD

THE

WALL OF DARKNESS

By John Cummings

Finley Flood – The Wall of Darkness

Copyright © 2014 by John Cummings

Cover design by Spiffing Covers Ltd

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All rights reserved.

Published by John Cummings at Smashwords

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locations is entirely coincidental.

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Smashwords Edition: Licence Notes

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ISBN

Paperback: 978-1-910256-42-8

e-pub: 978-1-910256-44-2

mobi: 978-1-910256-43-5

Chapter 1

Fin lay on his bed thinking how great it was to finally be twelve. His new mobile phone lay on the nightstand next to his bed and he glanced over at it proudly.

Suddenly it bleeped quietly and he reached for it, aware that he was breaking one of the ground rules his mum and dad had set in place when they gave him the phone that forbade him from having it in his room at bedtime. He decided that still being dressed meant that it didn’t count.

He turned the volume right down for fear of discovery, swiped his finger across the screen and for a brief moment it lit up and then a grey mist covered the glass. He blinked and looked closer and suddenly it turned jet black. He quickly tried to swipe his finger across the screen again but all he felt was coldness, and then his hand started being drawn into the blackness.

Fin tried to wrench it away, but it was too strong and started pulling him further in. He tried to fling the phone down, but he couldn’t move it and turned his head to look at the door and saw the darkness slowly enveloping everything in his bedroom.

Fin opened his mouth to shout for help but couldn’t make any sound come out. He tried to turn away from the phone to scream, straining his throat with the effort and it felt like his eyeballs would burst.

His complete arm had disappeared into the blackness and now it was about to have his shoulder too. He turned his head as far away from it as he could and tried to scream again. Such coldness was creeping over his body and it felt like he was being slowly immersed in icy water. He could feel the draw on his neck now and tried with all his strength to pull away from it but was hopeless; he was being drawn further in and now the blackness was closing around him.

The bedroom started to fade away and he saw nothing but the all-consuming blackness and he wasn’t sure if his eyes were open or closed. Coldness swept over his entire body as he was dragged completely through the glass, and now he felt himself falling.

Fin’s eyes watered with the cold as he plummeted head first, arms out-stretched and silently screaming. Strangely it suddenly puzzled him why he wasn’t tumbling. How can I be falling like this, dead straight and moving like a bullet? Surely you tumble when you fall. Don’t you?

Fin continued falling, seeing nothing but blackness and the cold was hurting his face and hands and he shivered uncontrollably. How long will this go on, surely I will hit the bottom soon? What if there is no bottom? What if I fall forever?

He knew the blackness was something nasty, and suddenly remembered the feeling he had in the forest. It has come back for me, taken me away from my family and I will never be seen again. This is where it ends; there is nothing more than the dark.

Fin opened and closed his eyes trying to stop them watering and realised he couldn’t tell the difference; all he saw was blackness and was completely and utterly terrified. He kept falling, moving at great speed and nothing was changing, he was alone in the silent and malevolent darkness; the ultimate abyss.

Suddenly directly in front, a slit of light started to appear, widening as he plummeted towards it. It was like two enormous shutters opening, allowing a dazzling bright horizontal light to shine at him and with every second they widened revealing an elliptical shape and still the light grew stronger.

He started to see the periphery had a reddish tinge to it, and in the centre was a huge jet-black ball and he suddenly knew exactly what he was falling into and tried to scream. The eye; the eye of the darkness. The black eye; an unblinking mass of evil. He could feel it deep inside, and now it was even colder; brutally cold and menacing, so menacing.

The eyelid opened fully and the pupil looked out at him, unmoving and cold. He was headed straight for it, powerless to stop his free-fall and as he drew closer it started to resemble a huge lake of black ink. He closed his eyes and waited for the end.

Chapter 2

Fin woke with a start, his pajamas were soaked through and he could feel his damp hair clinging to his scalp. He sat upright and looked around the room. That dream was familiar and the worst one so far. It was so vivid, the blackness, the sense of falling, but the eye was new; I haven’t seen that before.

He slid off the bed and made his way to the bathroom, pulling the clinging material of his sodden nightwear away from his skin. He pulled the door shut behind him before turning on the light, to avoid waking the rest of the house up and shivered. He was surprised how cold it was, and flicked the light switch. The sudden brightness dazzled him; although it seemed quite gloomy and he glanced up at the bulb sure that it was dimmer than it should have been.

Fin turned his head towards the mirror, and caught his breath. He felt giddy and reached out to the wall to steady himself. The glass, or where the glass should have been, was pitch black and there was no reflection or shine; it was just black. His legs suddenly felt like jelly, the hairs on his neck were bristling and he shivered and realised just how cold the room was; much colder than he had ever known before and he started to see mist escaping from his mouth. Fin kept his eyes on the framed darkness and tried to hold his breath but the blackness didn’t change; it was just like it was watching him and waiting.

Slowly without letting go of the wall, he slid a foot towards the mirror shaking almost uncontrollably and as he inched closer to it he was sure the temperature was dropping further. Fin concentrated on the blackness trying to see a shimmer or something but there was nothing. He slowly stepped forward and away from the wall and closed in on the mirror, reaching out for the edge of the sink but still not taking his eyes off of it. He stretched his fingers and felt the cold porcelain make contact with his skin and gripped the edge hard, arms locked out straight as if holding on for dear life. Still nothing changed in the frame.

Fin held that position for sometime thinking what to do. I need to move; get away from it but what if it pulls me in, like in the dream.

Slowly he bent his arms and leant forward, all the time looking into the darkness yet still nothing changed other than the temperature. He gently brought his hand up towards the mirror and stopped again; the cold was amazing and now there was a slight aroma. It was almost like you’d find at the beach when the wind is coming in from the water; cold and fresh and maybe slightly salty.

He reached out very slowly and felt the familiar pull; not like in the dream, but there nevertheless. Fin tensed, not willing to put his hand into the darkness and he held himself back without too much effort.

He continued to look into the gloom and still he saw nothing, but suddenly he could feel it. It! What is IT? Something bad; evil; nasty. It was there, and he thought back to when they were in the forest and the gloom. He shivered deeply, and not from the cold this time.

I’m not going back there. I’m not, he muttered under his breath.

Fin moved away slightly and felt the pull recede. Then without being able to explain why, he lifted his hand and moved it towards the blackness. He held his breath, bracing himself with his free hand against the sink and as his hand moved close to where the glass should be, he saw the mist forming. It was greyer than he remembered, but it was definitely there and was swirling under the area where his hand was. He glanced around the frame looking for a shimmer but he could only see the mist and the gloom. Fin pulled his hand away and the mist dispersed then he dropped it back to the sink and looked around the frame again, willing the shimmer to appear.

He wasn’t ready to explore this new mystery and stepped away from the mirror, backing up until he was against the wall again. As he did so, the blackness seemed to fold into itself and the mirror returned to its reflective state. Fin stood still for a few moments watching it, still hoping that he would see the shimmer, but nothing was visible other than his own reflection.

He approached the glass again and placed his hand on the surface. It was solid and cool to touch and he realised that it felt warmer in the room now and seemed a lot brighter than a few minutes ago. He stared at it for another minute and then flipped the light off, and padded across the hall to his bedroom.

The bed felt cold and slightly damp from his sweat and Fin laid awake thinking about the mirror and the dream. He knew something was wrong; he could feel it.

Just as he was closing his eyes, he suddenly thought of the shard of crystal he had brought back from the forest. Is it crystal or stone? It sure looks like a stone now; it hasn’t glowed since I came back through the mirror. Fin leaned across the bed and rummaged in his bedside drawer and found it tucked at the back where his mom wouldn’t find it. Not that she would know what is was, but nevertheless he kept it out of sight. He brought it out and was slightly disappointed to find it still looked like a grey stone and placed it on the nightstand and laid back down, thinking it was dead.

Sleep didn’t come easily; the blackness was in his head and he knew this wasn’t going to be the end of it. If it’s coming to find me, what has happened to the Merrelger and the Darriner? Eventually Fin did drop into a troubled sleep, tossing and turning restlessly.

Beside him on the nightstand the crystal began to glow.

Chapter 3

Fin opened his eyes cautiously and seeing it was light, breathed a small sigh of relief. Keeping his head on the pillow, he looked around his room, vaguely remembering the episode with the mirror. Was that last night? It seemed like longer ago. Surely that was another dream?

He glanced over at the nightstand and noticed the grey crystal lying there and reached out for it, hoping that it would start to glow but it didn’t. He frowned, put it back and climbed out of bed.

He looked out onto the landing and heard Phoebe talking to herself in her room. Why do sisters have to be so weird? Holding his breath he glanced across at the bathroom and saw that the sun was shining in through the window then breathed another sigh of relief and crossed the corridor, before peering around the doorframe at the mirror. It looked normal and he blew his cheeks out slightly with relief before going into the small room and closing the door behind him.

There was no sign of anything unusual, and Fin held his hand up close to the glass and saw the clear reflection coming back at him. He touched the cool, hard surface and there was no trace of the mist so he dropped his hand back to the sink, pushed his face closer and tried to look past the reflection without success.

Eventually he gave up and went back to his room, got dressed then walked across to the nightstand and picked up the crystal. It was still grey and he rolled it around in his fingers, shrugged then put it in his pocket and went downstairs.

Phoebe was at the dining table and had a mixture of dolls and teddies sitting on each of the chairs. In front of each was a small bowl of cereal, and she was walking around pretending to feed each of them. Fin stood and watched for a few seconds and went to move one of the bears so he could sit down. Phoebe looked horrified. No Finley! Leave him alone; he’s eating his breakfast, she said holding her hands on her hips.

Can’t I sit down too Phoebs?

She looked daggers at him for a few seconds, and then her face softened slightly. You can sit on that chair with Winston, she said and pointed at the small bear at the head of the table. But you have to make sure he eats all of his breakfast.

Fin looked at her, then at the bear and then walked over and grabbed a bowl. Okay but he’d better not eat my Cheerios too, he said and picked up the bear.

You have to watch him Finley, he can be very naughty, she said seriously.

Fin sat down and squashed the bear into the side of the seat with him. I think I can handle him, he said and smiled at his sister, then poured the cereal into the bowl and topped it up with the milk. He glanced at the bear again and began to eat. Phoebe continued to walk around the table pretending to feed each bear and Fin suddenly became aware that she’d finished and was staring at him.

Finley, Winston is hungry! He frowned, looked up at her and offered his spoon to the bear. He has his own bowl Finley, she said indignantly and Fin reached over and took a Cheerio from the bears bowl and put it to its mouth. He waited for Phoebe to turn around, rolled his eyes and put the Cheerio in his own mouth.

Gulping down the last of his cereal, he saw Phoebe heading to the cloakroom across the hallway so he stood up, picked up the bear and placed it in the middle of the table. Then he poured the small bowl of cereal over the table in front of it and put the bowl upside down on it’s head. Lastly he took the milk jug and poured a small amount out on to the table, before looking over his shoulder to make sure she wasn’t coming back and then tipped two more of the small bowls over in front of Winston. Bad bear, he muttered and ran upstairs.

Summer holidays meant no school, and Fin planned to go to see Robby then maybe hang out at the park. He threw on his sweater, ran back down the stairs and then picked up his phone from the kitchen counter and peered into the dining room. His mother was wiping the table down and Phoebe was standing against the wall looking thoroughly miserable. But it wasn’t me; it was Winston, she pleaded.

Yes of course it was, her mum said sternly. Fin leant further around the doorframe and caught his mother’s eye.

I’m going to Robby’s now, he said and she looked up at him.

Okay, have you got your phone? Fin nodded and pulled it out of his pocket to show her. Don’t lose it, she said, giving him a stern look. And be back before its dark.

Yes Mum, promise,

And don’t get into any trouble either.

Yes Mum, I mean no Mum, he replied. She looked at him for a second or two, before returning to her clearing up and Fin glanced at Phoebe, briefly feeling a bit bad for her. She caught his eye and gave him a look that told him what she thought.

Fin opened the front door, stepped outside and slammed it behind him then walked down the garden path looking at his phone; the dream came back vividly and he was a little nervous about touching the dark screen. Don’t be stupid, it was a dream, he scolded himself quietly, and swept his thumb across the screen and wrote a message to Robby.

HEY ROBSTER BE THERE IN 5

He allowed himself a small sigh of relief as the message sent and then his mind was back on the mirror. The darkness couldn’t come for him, could it? What did it want? He fingered the piece of crystal in his pocket. Surely it wasn’t after that, was it? It’s dead; it can’t be that. His mind whirled, trying to process his thoughts rationally.

BEEP

Fin’s heart jumped slightly when he heard his phone, and looked at the screen nervously.

I SEE U FINBOW

He looked up and saw Robby leaning on the wall outside his house, smiled and started to jog towards him.

Finbow! Robby greeted him with his usual exuberance and held up his fist for Fin to punch. What’s going on Fin?

Not a lot, what about you?

Same, Robby said and started to walk down the street towards the park. Fin kicked a small stone, and walked alongside his friend. The stone came to rest just in front of them, and this time Robby gave it a kick and watched it roll along. He looked at Fin and raised both eyebrows. Go on, I dare you, Fin said, understanding what was going through Robby’s mind.

Robby bent down, picked it up and tossed it gently in his hand. He looked at Fin again and saw him nod and then recoiled his arm and threw the stone down the street. It travelled a distance and then bounced once before disappearing into the hedgerow at the side of the path. I guess that answers that, he said, looking slightly disappointed.

They made their way to their favourite tree, and Robby made his usual light work of clambering up; Fin took longer but made it comfortably. No matter how many times he climbed this tree, he still wasn’t as fast or as nimble as Robby.

The tree made a good vantage point and they could survey the goings on below them in the park. Fin was quiet, thinking some more about the mirror and Robby noticed him gazing vacantly out across the field and watched him for a minute. Okay Fin, what’s going on? He eventually asked.

Fin jumped slightly and glanced at Robby and then looked down towards the trunk of the tree. Nothing, Fin said quietly. Why?

I know you Finbow, something isn’t right. It’s the mirror again isn’t? Fin looked up quickly and then looked back down at the base of tree. Robby exhaled loudly, slightly afraid of what Fin might tell him.

You remember in the forest Rob, Fin said quietly. Robby nodded and knew what he was about to say. When we were coming back it got dark and cold. Do you remember that? Robby nodded again, and this time it was his turn to look down towards the trunk of the tree. I saw it in the mirror. Fin said and stared directly at him.

Robby looked up at him, trying to work out what he was saying. Saw what Fin? What did you see?

Fin swallowed hard. The darkness, he said quietly.

Robby closed his eyes and nodded. I knew it, he said, almost under his breath.

The boys gazed out across the park again not saying anything for a minute until finally Robby broke the silence. Fin, he said quietly, are you having weird dreams? Fin looked at him, then looked back across the park without saying anything and Robby waited patiently for his friend to speak

Yes, Fin finally said very quietly.

Robby nodded. Me too. Fin’s eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped open slightly and he looked at Robby.

What kind of dreams Rob?

Falling. Falling into the dark. It’s so dark. Robby said and closed his eyes for a moment.

Like falling straight down? asked Fin. Robby’s eyes lit up this time and he looked directly at Fin.

Yes exactly, falling straight down with your arms out in front. Is that what you are having too?

Fin was shocked to hear it. Yes, yes. Wow I thought it was just me. Last night’s one was worse though, Fin looked back down at the ground below.

What do you mean worse? Robby asked, focusing on Fin’s face.

Fin looked back up at his friend. The eye, he said and returned his gaze to beneath him.

Robby was unmoving. What eye Fin?

Fin glanced up briefly again. The eye at the end of the blackness, he said looking at Robby directly.

Robby swallowed hard. I haven’t seen the eye. Not yet anyway. What’s it look like? Fin stared at Robby briefly and paused before speaking.

I saw it for the first time last night. I was falling and then it was like this giant eyelid opened and then I was falling straight into it. Black, jet black. Fin stopped speaking and looked up above him into the tree.

Robby glanced up to where Fin was looking and then returned his gaze to his face. What happened? he asked slowly.

Fin shook his head slightly. Nothing, I woke up sweating like a pig. That’s when I went to the bathroom and saw the mirror, he said. But I’m still not sure if it was part of the dream or not.

What do you mean? Robby asked.

It’s vague Rob, like I wasn’t really awake. Robby continued looking at him without saying a word.

A football scooted across the field below them and they both watched it roll past as a younger boy appeared and ran after it. Something’s wrong isn’t it? Robby asked, still looking at the boy chasing the ball.

Fin turned to Robby and narrowed his eyes slightly. I think so, I think it’s coming for us, he said very quietly.

Robby looked at him. What do you think it wants? Fin shook his head and rummaged in his pocket, holding onto the tree branch with his spare hand. He pulled out the grey shard of crystal.

I’m guessing this, he said.

Robby leaned forward and looked at it. That’s the piece of crystal? It looks dead.

Fin nodded. I know, it’s been like that since we came back through the mirror. Robby reached out for it and picked it up between his thumb and forefinger. He examined it closely as if it was a fine gem.

Maybe it only works on the other side Fin, he said as he rolled it around in his fingers.

Yeah maybe, but I still think whatever is there wants it.

Robby handed the crystal back to Fin Do you think it will come through the mirror?

Fin shrugged. I’m not sure, I think it wants to know the secret but if it was coming after us I’m sure it would have come through before now, he said sounding quite positive.

Robby nodded. Yeah I think you’re right.

Both boys were quiet again as they thought about the conversation until Robby broke the silence again. Do you think the villagers are okay? he asked quietly.

Fin looked down at the crystal and made a tight fist around it. I have a bad feeling, he said.

Robby nodded. Me too.

The boys climbed out of the tree and walked across the field towards the basketball court.