From the Shadows

By Russell Foster and Kyle Stockley-Pollard

12 year old David Solomon is haunted by vivid dreams, which lead him on a quest between the physical and spiritual realms. Feeling alone after the tragic death of his parents, David encounters some new friends and they journey through the forces of darkness and light to fulfil an ancient prophecy. With little guidance, David is forced to trust his gut to find Melanopia and begin the ultimate battle against the mighty Dark Lord, Ahriman and his evil army.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Mar 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781728396170

Russell Foster

Russell Foster is professor of Biology at Imperial College, London and the world's leading expert on chronobiology.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Driving home from a camping weekend, the rain had started to fall heavily. The windscreen wipers were working overtime to attempt a clear view of the road ahead. Visibility was quite limited as the sun was setting behind the rolling hills ahead. A couple of times, the faded red Ford Mondeo had veered across the narrow country lane, prompting David’s dad to expertly regain control. The car radio was struggling to locate a strong enough signal and through the buzzing and crackling of the white noise, the DJ of a local station could just about be heard. At one point, David was sure there was a mixed signal as he thought he heard a young girl’s voice saying Watch out. After a number of jingles, the signal gained enough strength to clearly hear the DJ introduce the next song Enter Sandman which, for some unknown reason, made David’s blood run cold.

His attention was soon diverted to his parents who were, as ever, arguing about the quickest route home. His Mum, always being the voice of reason, suggested they take the next right turn, through the village and onto the dual carriageway. Dad, being less flexible about veering from the plan, sternly advised it was the middle of rush hour and would take twice as long to get home. The Sat-Nav, not being very helpful at all, had lost signal a number of times already and had suggested they turn around and head back to where they had started from, adding further fuel to the fire. Once they had driven past the junction towards the main road, David tutted and picked up the comic which was beside him and started reading. After a couple of pages, the radio started crackling again and David heard the same girl’s voice as before, only now it was much clearer and spoke with a real urgency; Watch out. With that, David dropped the comic and stared through the windscreen. Suddenly, what looked like a wild boar appeared in front of the car; its cold eyes locked on to David’s own gaze. The creature seemed to stop directly in front of the vehicle as if standing its ground, causing David’s Dad to slam on the brakes, putting the car into an almighty spin. The tyres emitted a harrowing squeal as they skidded past the beast and along the drenched tarmac. This time, when he tried to regain control of the car, it slid off the road and rammed into a tree. After a few moments, the stench of sulphur forced David to open his eyes. Dazed and confused, for a split second, he found himself lying on the ground about twenty metres behind the car. He looked over at the beast who stared back before trotting off into the woods and quickly out of sight. David’s attention snapped back to his parents. Sensing the danger they were in, he attempted to run to their aid but was held back by an old man.

Let me save them. David cried.

But just then the car exploded into a ball of fire causing David to scream out loud.

As David looked around for the old man, a light came on and he was back in the familiar surroundings of his bedroom at the foster house. His football shaped lamp which was on the bedside cabinet was giving enough light to see the framed photograph of him with his parents, a moment in their lives, captured forever to remember happier times.

It had been six months to the night that David’s parents had been taken away ripping his life apart. That was just two weeks shy of his eleventh birthday. He had dreamed of his parents on numerous occasions since, but this was by far the most vivid and also the first time that he had been present at the crash. In reality David was not in the car, he had been away on a school trip to France and his parents had decided to go away camping by themselves.

David was still trying to calm himself from the nightmare he had just had, when Margaret, his foster mother, sat at the end of his bed. She smiled and patted his shoulder, the cuff of her cream, towelling dressing gown brushing his cheek. Margaret was in her early sixties and together with her husband John, had been fostering for over thirty years as they could not have children of their own.

It’s ok David you have just been having a bad dream Margaret soothed.

David replied shakily, But this time it was different. It was so real, I was there, I could have saved them, but an old man stopped me.

It’s not your fault, David, you weren’t there, you couldn’t have stopped it. Sometimes bad things happen. You have been through so much, it is quite understandable that you’re having nightmares, but John and I are here whenever you need us.

David nodded sadly, then laid back down. Margaret smoothed over the duvet and tucked him in, as the bedclothes had all become dishevelled during his nightmare.

Would you like me to leave the light on David?

David shook his head and said goodnight. As nice as Margaret and John were, David knew they couldn’t possibly understand what he was going through. She switched the light off and left the door slightly open, in case he needed her during the night, then returned to her own room. David yawned and then fell back to sleep.

The next morning, David was awoken by the sun shining through the curtains. He sat up in bed squinting, he looked towards the doorway and saw the silhouette of a young girl. As she stepped forward into the light, her white dress gave the effect of a bright, glowing, angelic aura all around her. David rubbed his eyes to help them adjust to the light which made her features become clear. She seemed to be about the same age as David and had long, auburn hair that reached her waist. Her complexion was pale and on her button shaped nose had a small cluster of freckles that crossed to her slightly pink cheeks. Her big brown eyes glistened as she produced the largest and warmest of smiles.

Good morning sleepy head she said in a soft friendly voice, which was strangely familiar.

Erm, morning, who are you? David replied.

I’m Evie, the girl laughed I haven’t got a Mum and Dad just like you.

What are you doing in my room? David sulked.

I got up early and was bored. I thought I would come and say Hi! I got here last night. Is this your parents? Evie asked as she picked up the photo that sat by David’s bed. You must miss them.

Yes, I do. David bit back, snatching the photo from her hands.

With that David heard footsteps in the hallway and Evie put her finger to her lip, gesturing for him to be quiet as she smiled.

Breakfast is ready. Margaret called cheerfully.

David sighed as he pulled the Star Wars duvet across and wearily placed his feet on the floor, his toes almost melting into the thick carpet underneath him. He put on his Chelsea FC slippers, which matched his pyjamas, and reached for his royal blue dressing gown. He slipped it on and ventured downstairs to the dining room. John was already halfway through his breakfast; a half-eaten slice of toast was on a plate in front of him. The coffee cup had steam gently rising from it. John’s crescent shaped glasses sat almost hanging from the end of his long hooked nose as he looked down reading the newspaper next to him. His bushy white eyebrows seemed to stick out further as his head was tilted forward. His hair was thinning on top and matched the colour of his eyebrows. As it was a Monday morning, John was ready for work, dressed in a white long sleeved shirt with Burgundy tie, black pullover and grey trousers. He never discussed his job very much, but David knew he worked in an office at the local council. The dining room, like the rest of the house, was rather small and cosy. On the cabinet by the wall were a couple of framed photos. One of Margaret and John’s wedding and the other an old black and white photo of an elderly couple which David presumed was one of Margaret or John’s parents. The dining table had individual places marked out with a plate and glass sitting on floral doilies. A rack of toast, a butter dish, a tea pot and a jug of orange juice sat in between the fruit bowl and a vase of flowers. On the wall opposite, the queen’s eyes uneasily followed David’s every move from the large photo within a gold frame like a stern disapproving head mistress.

Morning John! David said alerting John to his presence.

Morning David, sleep well? he replied, looking up from his paper.

In the end. sighed David as he sat at the table.

David buttered some toast and poured himself a glass of orange juice. He was taking in all of his surroundings as he usually did in the morning. Something felt different today, but David couldn’t quite put his finger on it. The routine was the same and breakfast was the same, Margaret and John were even the same, but David felt different somehow; almost like he had to do something today, something important, but he didn’t know what.

Margaret, are we going somewhere today? he asked with a puzzled look across his face.

‘No dear. Maybe you are confused because the school holidays have started and you are at a loss for something to do." Margaret smiled warmly.

That’s probably it; David thought and carried on eating his breakfast.

Once breakfast was over, David went up for his morning wash. He reached into the airing cupboard on the landing for a clean flannel and towel, then went into the bathroom, leaving the door ajar behind him. Once he had put the plug in the sink and turned the taps on, he looked at his reflection in the mirror. His pale blue eyes were still puffy from last night’s disturbed sleep. His normally wavy blond hair was sticking up and out in all directions and his thin face seemed very pale compared to normal. After a few seconds, he reached across and turned the taps off. After washing his face, he used the damp flannel to try and smooth his hair down, without much success. He then emptied the water and squeezed a little toothpaste onto his brush. Once he had started brushing his teeth, he was startled by a voice at the door. Hey, only me! Evie beamed.

I wish you would stop jumping out at me. David laughed.

Sorry. Evie replied, I was hoping that you would show me the neighbourhood.

Ok, David said it might be fun, now can I finish getting ready in peace? he smiled.

Great. said Evie ‘I will meet you downstairs."

David shook his head as she walked away, then returned to his bedroom. Searching through his drawers, he found a light blue T-shirt and, after more investigation, his favourite grey hoodie. From the wardrobe he grabbed a pair of dark blue jeans and proceeded to put them on. Once dressed, he found his blue and silver trainers and navy New York Yankees baseball cap and finished getting ready.

Before he left the room, he opened the curtains and quickly pulled the duvet back across the bed. It was slightly lumpy, but it would do.

Margaret. David called, We are just going out, be back in time for lunch.

Oh we are, are we? Well, have fun, chuckled Margaret, whose back was turned, washing the breakfast dishes. She then became more serious and remember to take your phone with you. Don’t leave the estate and if you get in any trouble, you call me straight away.

With that David and Evie walked out of the front door. It was the day before Halloween and, although the sun was trying to poke through the clouds, it was still quite cool. The sky seemed to be a light grey colour but didn’t look as though it was going to rain. They walked to the end of the path and turned right towards the corner shop. The houses in the street were not very exciting. The estate was fairly modern and all homes were practically identical, even down to the flagstones and privet hedges determining boundaries. It was a great place to be if you liked symmetry and uniformity, but there was not a lot for children to do, no parks to play in or trees to climb. The only family friendly aspect of the entire neighbourhood was the social club which was great for people who liked to party, but children had to be accompanied by adults at all times. Margaret and