In Shadow - Revision #2 - March 15, 2008 3:51:32 PM UTC

The sun was dying in the west by the time I reached the castle, and the October air took on a dark chill. I was afraid before by the thought of waiting, possibly for hours, in a cold, dark and probably haunted castle, but as I stared up at the stone behemoth, my fear grew into terror.

Why do I have to wait here? Philip had never said why he wanted me specifcally to wait for him at this castle, although I knew he'd always been fascinated with the place. Maybe it was because he new we would probably never come back this way and he wanted to explore just once before leaving it forever. If that's his plan, I thought, he'd better get here soon. I didn't want to be near that castle a second longer than I absolutely had to be.

I suppose I have to tell you why Philip and I were running away. In truth, we were lovers, and to have two men in love was seen as the work of the devil by English society. The same sentiment is shared by many people, but in those days, we could have gone straight to the gallows. Philip and I had to leave because people were becoming suspicious, especially my mother, a fanatically religious woman who, if she had found out, would have turned me in, seeing me as a perverted soul first and her son second.

The plan to leave was made a week before we were to execute it. Philip insisted that I leave town first, so that at least I'd be safe no matter what. He would stay behind and tell his beloved grandmother the truth about us. He said she would understand, for she was a sweet and kind old woman, but just in case, I'd better secure my own freedom. I argued with him at first, of course, but somehow he managed to quell my fears and put me at ease. He always did. That was one of the things I loved about him.

Now, here I was, standing beside the truly massive skeleton of a home. To look at it, I could hardly imagine it ever being lived in. For one thing, it was so old and weather-beaten and yet it stood angry and strong as if laughing in the face of the wind. For another, not a single quality about it seemed inviting.

I did not want to go inside, but a freezing gust of wind changed my mind for me. I entered the dark and cavernous hall. It was pitch black and I felt the fear rising within me. Racing against my dread, I lit a candle as fast as I could and felt better once I had some light. In here, it was no warmer than outside, but at least it protected me from the wind. Now would come the most excruciating part: waiting for Philip.