Portance of Fear is a horror fiction podcast
which is intended for mature audiences. Discretion
is advised. Welcome, fearlings, to another weird
and horrifying tale made just for you. I am your
host, Mashulu, and I'll be your guide into the
macabre and mysterious. Tonight's story is about
the fabric of one town's reality in Aftermath.
Before we get started... Take a moment to like,
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you don't miss a single terrifying story. Luke
woke to screams. The clock read 3 a .m. Cold
hardwood greeted his feet as he went to investigate.
Fear took root in his stomach. Another scream,
this one closer, came through the walls. It was
Luke's sister. He quickly ran to her room. It
smelled of blood. Shelly, you in here? He asked.
Clicking on the light, he was confronted with
a horrific scene. Blood and gore covered the
walls. He started to back up, unsure of what
to do. Something moved behind him. He turned
to look. Nothing. He felt cold creeping up his
legs, chilling his spine. He looked down. Below
him was a shadow, a darkness with no source.
A bony hand reached out and grabbed his leg.
There was no one left to hear his screams. The
news was everywhere. A whole family dead. Rumors
said it was a gruesome crime scene. People speculated
on how it happened. Maybe the father lost it.
Maybe the mother did. There's no way it's the
kid's fault, right? The police weren't talking.
It was an open investigation. No comment. Dylan
sat on his bed staring out the window. He understood
death. He came face to face with it when Ginger,
his cat, passed a year prior. But he'd never
really thought about it past that. Sure, someday
he'd die in like a hundred years. But Luke dying
so young? How was that even possible? It didn't
compute. He'd just gotten a Nintendo. Nightmare
on Elm Street 2 was coming out. Kate Rose liked
him. Who would tell Kate? These questions bubbled
to the surface of his brain. His skull felt like
it was going to crack open. Lots of adults came
by like grief vultures, straining to seem sympathetic,
looking to feel good about themselves. They talked
to Dylan like a child. He was 14. He understood
the world. It frustrated him. They pretended
to get it. Adults always like to think time stood
still. The childhood never changed. Well, it
wasn't 1960 anymore. There was cable TV, video
games, and his friend Luke was really dead. So
shut up. A soft knock at the door interrupted
Dylan's thoughts. His mother poked her head in.
Hey, kiddo. How you doing? I'm all right. She
sat next to him, putting her hand on his shoulder.
You wanted to see Nightmare on Elm Street 2.
It comes out next week. I can't see it without
him. She took a deep breath. I understand, but
also, you've already been caught twice sneaking
into R -rated movies, young man. Mr. Olar said
one more time and you're banned from the theater.
Besides, I hate those type of movies. I'm sorry,
but the answer is no. I just said I couldn't
go without him. Besides, the R -rating is bogus.
I'm old enough. She bit her lip to avoid a disagreement.
Mom, why did he have to die? I don't know. Sometimes
the world... Sometimes the world just doesn't
make sense. I tried to call Dad, but his secretary
said he was busy. Son, your dad... Well, he left
us. He has a new life in Miami and isn't coming
back. But I'm here for you. Yeah, but I still
wish he'd move back. I know, sweetie. I do too,
she lied. The bastard could burn in hell for
all she cared. She smiled, kissed him on the
cheek, and returned to the door. I'm working
tonight. There's a pot pie in the freezer. Put
the oven at 400 and let it sit for five minutes
when it's done or you'll burn the roof of your
mouth. I know, Mom. I cook for myself all the
time. I still worry. Janet's next door if you
need anything. I talked with her parents. Feed
Patch half a can of food at 8 and be in bed by
9. Try not to eat all the cookies. Oh, and no
HBO after 8. I'll see you in the morning. Love
you, Mom. Love you, too. He waited till the car
pulled away to go downstairs. Dylan grabbed five
cookies, poured milk into a tall glass, and turned
on the TV. Patch leaped up on the couch and sat
next to him purring. It's just you and me again,
Cat. He gently petted Patch's head. The TV buzzed
to life. He didn't want to think about Luke,
his dad, or life. He went straight to HBO. Not
Red Dawn again. Patch, we need something better.
He cat meowed in what Dylan thought was agreement.
He ate three cookies and drank half the milk,
dumping the rest in the sink. He could hear his
mom say, we're not made of milk. He hated when
she said things like that. They made no sense.
Dylan threw on his shoes and bolted out the door.
The night air hinted at the coming winter. Janet
stood on her porch thinking about Luke. She hadn't
really gotten to know him well. Freshmen and
juniors moved in different circles in high school,
but she'd seen him and Dylan around. She knew
Dylan. He was complicated. No dad, mom worked
graveyard at the hospital, and now his best friend
was dead. He seemed angry and lost. The kid was
alone and took care of himself most days, but
his mom still acted as if he was eight. Janet
felt bad for him, having to navigate so much
loss. His mother would often ask her to check
in on him just to make sure the house didn't
burn down. But tonight felt different. She felt
anxious about the task. She didn't know what
to say to him, how to act. She'd never lost a
friend like that. Dylan's door swung open, and
he went straight for his bike. On any other night,
she might not have said anything, but that night,
she worried. Hey, Dylan. Dylan stopped. He wondered
if she was going to be a pain. She was almost
an adult. When does the change to asshole happen,
he thought. You okay? She walked within a few
feet of him. Janet was slightly taller than Dylan,
five foot eight, had blonde hair and blue eyes.
Her purity had been a topic of great debate among
the older boys at school. They'd call her a prude
in the bathroom, boasting that they knew what
she needed while grabbing their crotches and
laughing. They tried to sound macho. It bothered
him, but he was a freshman, and sticking up for
her would end very badly, so he didn't. Hey,
Janet. I'm fine. How are you? He didn't turn
towards her. I'm all right. Your mom asked that
I check in on you. Where are you going? To the
video store. I can't watch Red Dawn again. I
get mom asked you and all, but I don't need a
babysitter. I'm not babysitting, just checking
in. You know there are other channels besides
HBO, she said. He still hadn't turned around.
I know, but I like movies, and normal TV is lame.
I understand. I wanted to say, I'm sorry about
Luke. I know he was your best friend. If it helps,
Mom says he's with God now. He finally turned.
God? Seriously? You honestly think that if there
is a God, he gives two shits about us? God did
nothing to save Luke. I'm sorry. I understand
your anger. But it's after dark. Please stay.
I'm sure I have a movie you'd like. I don't need
another mom, Janet. Leave me alone. He hopped
on his bike and disappeared into the night. Janet
sighed. There was a deep anger in his eyes, almost
hatred. Hate for the world? Hate for her? She
couldn't tell. But it was there. Janet could
have taken her car, but decided her bike would
be better. She followed. The video store was
open from 11 to 11 every day, save for Sundays.
Pete sat behind the counter reading a three -month
-old gun magazine. His arms had military tats
from when he was overseas. A few men nervously
milled near the adult film section, contemplating
going through the beaded curtain. Dylan walked
through the door, causing them all to scatter
into different aisles. He grabbed Friday the
13th, Ice Pirates, and Buckaroo Bonsai and went
to the front. Dylan, good to see you, man. Let's
see what you got tonight. Pete picked up the
movies, turning Friday the 13th in his hand.
Your mom threatened my life the last time I rented
you an R -rated movie. Promise me she won't find
this one in the machine tomorrow. I promise.
She still treats me like a kid. You are still
a kid, Dylan, but mothers protect their cubs
too much. You don't become a man watching Cocoon.
Dylan nodded as he pulled two wadded -up dollar
bills from his pocket. Nah, these are on me.
You know, in memory of Luke. I've lost friends
before, too. I know what you're going through.
Thank you. I'm sorry about your friends. Was
it during the war? The war refers to World War
II. I was in NOM, infantry. When your friends
die, they live on in you, Pete stated. Dylan
nodded again. They won't tell me what happened,
just that he's dead. I have a right to know,
don't I? I think you do. Remember, though, the
goal of the government is to hide the truth.
It's how they control the narrative, Pete said.
What? Dylan lost the plot. Authority figures
like things to be stable and predictable. They
do this by controlling the stories told in the
media, in movies, and in books. I don't know
how Luke died, but if it was something mundane,
they would have just told you. How do I find
out the truth? Not by watching Friday the 13th
for the 10th time, Pete smiled. Dylan thought
for a second. You're right. Keep the movies.
Thanks, Pete. He ran out the door. You're welcome,
dude. He waited a second. Okay, gentlemen, the
kid's gone. Either get your girly flicks or get
out. This ain't no social club for perverts.
The lurkers began to breach the beaded curtain
to choose their entertainment. Janet leaned against
the video store wall, waiting for Dylan to emerge.
Dylan didn't notice her when he came out. He
wasn't carrying movies, which was like a mailman
without mail. I thought you were getting something
to watch, Janet asked. Dylan pivoted, surprised
to see her. I was, but Pete said something that
made me think. Why'd you follow me? Your mom
said I should look in on you. She's worried.
Moms worry. That's what they do best. You know,
you're being a jerk. What if something happens
to you? There could be a killer on the loose.
I don't want to tell your mom you were killed.
I'm older than you and I say we're going back
home. Don't make me call your mom at work. Being
two years older doesn't make you an adult, Janet.
You're not my sister or my mom. Go ahead and
call her. I have things to do. He jumped on his
bike and rode off. You little shit, Janet grumbled.
She followed him. Janet wished she'd taken her
car, though if she had, she may have run him
off the road. It took her a second to catch up.
So you're going to follow me all night? Great,
Dylan rolled his eyes. Yes, I am. I get that
you're upset. The whole town is upset, but it
doesn't mean you get to act like this. I'm not
acting like anything. Don't you have something
better to do? Go comb your hair or call Stacy
Holtz and talk about Brandon? Why would I talk
about Brandon? Because you like him? This is
the first time you haven't mentioned him at least
once in the past three months. I don't like him.
I don't like anyone. You're just reading into
things. Sure, whatever you say. Where are we
going? Luke's house. I want to see it for myself.
The adults won't tell me how he died. I need
to know. Dylan, this is a bad idea. Then go home.
I'm sure your mother is waiting for you. They
made it to the crest of a hill. Below was the
street that ended at Luke's place. You'd never
know there were multiple murders here if the
house didn't have police tape on the front door.
Everything was quiet. See? Police tape. We're
going to get in major trouble. Let's go back
home, okay? Dylan gave her epic side -eye. I
need to do this. Go home. I'll take the heat
for not listening to you. He rode down the hill,
jumping off the bike in Luke's front yard. Janet
wanted to scream, but she followed. Oh, come
on. Just go home, Janet. I'm coming with you.
Janet, Jesus, back off already. She grabbed him
by the shirt and got into his face. I said I'm
coming with you. Do I make myself clear or do
I need to knock your teeth out? She smelled like
strawberries and sweat. Dylan wasn't sure why
he noticed. Her lips were so close he could kiss
them. His stomach filled with butterflies. Janet
held onto his shirt for longer than the situation
called for. Something about Dylan made her so
mad she could just kiss him. No, he's a freshman.
She's a junior. No way she'd like this boy that
way. The whole school would laugh at her and
make him a king. Nope, not going to happen. But
being nose to nose made attempting one kiss wouldn't.
OK, OK, just let me go. Dylan wrestled himself
from her grasp. She couldn't believe how close
she came to. Well, let's not dwell on it, she
thought. But in the back of her mind, she dwelt
on it. Dylan knew where the hide -a -key was,
under the gnome with the blue hat. They went
through the back door. It didn't have any police
tape. The smell of blood was strong. It wafted
down the stairs. The shadow that had killed Luke
was near the window, doing what shadows do, blending
in. What's that smell? Janet asked. What do you
think? They don't clean up? I guess not. Janet,
I'm sorry I got mad at you. I'm just tired of
getting talked down to by everyone. My mom, her
weird friends, everyone but Pete has been acting
like I'm a child. The shadow moved closer towards
them. I understand. My mom does the same thing.
Do you know why I don't date? Because no boy
would be good enough. Brandon is a straight -A
student who plays in the band. He couldn't be
more boring. She couldn't dislike him, he remarked.
The shadow moved closer. Want to bet? She spends
all her time at the church. Everything is a sin.
I haven't even kissed a boy. Don't feel bad.
I haven't kissed a boy either. They both smiled.
She thought she saw a shadow move in a strange
way right next to him, but ignored it. So now
what, she asked. We go upstairs. The upstairs
hallway was painted in blood. Every surface had
splatter on it. Dylan wanted to seem tough, but
he couldn't hold back the tears. Janet hugged
him. It's okay. Let it out. The shadow crept
up to the top step. I don't get why this happened,
Dylan sobbed. He looked up at her. Half her face
was lit by moonlight. He felt so small in her
arms, like the kid he claimed not to be. It was
embarrassing. He hugged her tighter, burying
his head into her arms. They closed their eyes.
A black, bony, claw -tipped hand reached out
from the shadow, followed by the rest of its
void -kissed skeletal frame. The thing rose up
slowly, not making a sound, finally towering
over them. Flaming blue orbs lit its obsidian
eye sockets. Jagged fangs framed its hideously
perfect jawline. It watched their embrace and
thought about what they would taste like. It
savored their fear, their love, their innocence.
Janet was the first to notice something wasn't
right. When she beheld its skull gawking at them,
she let out a scream. Holy crap, Dylan exclaimed.
Without thinking, he grabbed it by its ribs and
pushed with all his might. They both fell backwards
onto the stairs, but the skeleton turned back
into shadow, allowing Dylan to land on the steps.
The shadow, now under Dylan, started to absorb
him. Dylan, no! She grabbed his leg and pulled.
Inside the blackness, the skeleton swiped at
the boy, its claws cutting his face and throat.
Dylan flailed his arms, trying to break away.
Adrenaline rushed through Janet's veins. Screaming,
she pulled him free. They collapsed together
at the top of the stairs. The shadow began to
transform back into a skeleton. Dylan, bleeding
profusely from the face and neck, stood quickly,
grabbed Janet's hand, and pulled her down the
hallway to Luke's room. He slammed the door behind
them. It's just going to turn into a shadow and
go under the door. What the hell are we going
to do? Janet asked. I'm thinking, um, quick,
out the window! But it didn't go under the door.
Instead, it punched through it. The door splintered
and cracked as its skeletal knuckle rammed into
the wood. Dylan opened the window, ushering Janet
through first. The skeleton moved quickly to
catch him, clawing at the teenager as he went
out. They tumbled into the bushes below, falling
eight feet, then spilled out onto the lawn. Janet
looked back up at the window. The skeleton peered
down at them. I don't think it can leave the
house. You okay? Scratched up, but nothing bad.
We need to get you to a hospital. You're bleeding
a lot. That bad? Yes, you have cuts all over
you. The hospital was busy. Dylan's mom was helping
an elderly man with a bad cold when her son was
rushed through the emergency room on a gurney,
Janet following close behind. She ran down the
hall after him but was stopped by another nurse.
You can't go in, Margaret. He's in good hands.
What the hell happened? Not sure yet, but maybe
his girlfriend knows. Girlfriend? The nurse pointed
at Janet, who was standing at the end of the
hall, being placed in a bed for examination.
Janet, are you okay? What happened? Janet had
to think quickly. She couldn't say we were attacked
by a six foot tall skeleton that could turn into
shadow. They'd lock her up. We went to Luke's.
He had to know how he died. There was a brown
bear in the backyard. It attacked us. We barely
escaped. You were supposed to watch him. I'm
sorry, but he didn't listen when I told him not
to go out after dark. All I could do was follow
and try to keep him safe. In the end, though,
he saved me from the attack. I can't believe
this. What is wrong with him? Nothing. He's just
been through a lot. He's tough. He'll be all
right. I'm going to have to hire someone to stay
with him. He's been allowed to do whatever he
wants, and look what happened. I'm sorry, Janet.
I don't think you're old enough to watch him
anymore. You're not hearing me. He doesn't need
a babysitter. Your son fought off a bear to save
my life. He's not a little kid. If you listen
to him instead of assuming that he's too young,
maybe he wouldn't be so angry all the time, Janet
snapped. Well, I, um... Need to check on a patient.
Excuse me. That felt good, she thought. She'd
never spoken to a parent that way. The real test
was going to be with her own mother. Dylan came
to in a good amount of pain. He had over 30 stitches
on his neck and face, but he was alive at least.
His mom sat in a chair near a cracked window
smoking a cigarette. Mom, I thought you quit.
I did, but then my son left the house in the
middle of the night and was attacked by a bear,
so... I'm sorry, Mom. But I needed to see. Yeah,
yeah, I know. Janet told me. She also said I
should stop treating you like a child. She's
right. I know I'm not an adult. I know I deserve
to get grounded for this. But I'm not a little
kid either. I take care of myself all the time.
You can't expect me to be eight forever. I realize
that. It's just, after your father left us, I
hoped he'd be eight just a little longer. You're
growing up so fast. I'm sorry. I should treat
you your age. But to be clear, you are grounded.
Is Janet okay? Yes, she's in the hall waiting
to see you. Her mother wasn't very happy, but
Janet told her off too. She's much more of a
firecracker than I thought. Are you guys dating?
What? No, she doesn't date. Besides, I'm a freshman.
Well, the EMTs called her your girlfriend when
they brought you in. She held your hand the whole
way to the hospital and she's been waiting in
the lobby ever since. My mistake, though. I misunderstood.
I'll go get her. Mom, what are they doing about
the bear? The park rangers are searching for
it now. They think it might have killed Luke's
family. It's been decided that the house should
be torn down. Bad mojo or something. The police
say you're welcome to Luke's things. No other
family members to pass them to. I figured you'd
want something to remember him by, she said.
I will. Thanks, Mom. Janet came in, pulled the
chair close, and took Dylan's hand. A bear? Dylan
asked. It worked, didn't it? The alternative
was for both of us to be labeled insane. True.
Thank you for lying. I know it's not your favorite
thing. To be fair, you saved me as much as I
saved you. She took her finger and gently moved
his hair to the side. You're right. I did. How
bad is my face? Dylan asked. Bad, but it's because
of all the stitches right now. You'll heal. There
are going to be scars, but you'll always have
a great story to go with them, she assured him.
Really? Yep, the boy who saved the best -looking
girl at school. Wait, you're not Becky Leafson.
Shut up. She leaned in and kissed him. It hurt
like hell, but he didn't complain. Aw, so nice
to see two lovebirds survive a skeletal assault.
What would you do if a shadow skeleton attacked
you? Be sure to tell us in the comments. If you
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