Horrific Shorts: Zombie Edition

In the heart of a decaying town stood an old shop, dimly lit and filled with strange artifacts. This was the domain of Alaric, once my closest friend, now transformed into something grotesque and unrecognizable. I had heard rumors of his transformation, of how he delved too deeply into dark magic and lost his humanity. But nothing could have prepared me for the sight before me. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

I found myself trapped in a cell within his shop, the bars cold and unyielding. Alaric loomed before me, his face a ghastly mix of decay and malevolence. His eyes, once warm and kind, now glowed with an eerie light. I could hardly believe this creature was the same person I had known.

"Welcome," he rasped, his voice a harsh whisper. "I see you’ve found your way into my domain."

His voice sent chills down my spine. Despite his monstrous appearance, he retained a semblance of humanity, enough to speak and reason. I struggled to find my voice, to plead for my freedom, but the words caught in my throat.

"Alaric," I finally managed, "why are you doing this? What happened to you?"

He leaned closer, his putrid breath washing over me. "Curiosity," he replied, a hint of the old Alaric flickering in his eyes. "I sought knowledge, power. But I paid the price."

He reached into his cloak and pulled out a small, ornate box. "This," he said, "contains my secret. The source of my power and my curse. If you promise never to reveal it, I will let you go."

Desperation clawed at my heart. I didn’t want to spend another moment in that cage, under the gaze of my former friend turned monster. "I promise," I said quickly, my voice trembling. "I won’t tell anyone."

Alaric studied me for a long moment, then nodded. He reached into his cloak again and produced a key, unlocking the cell door. I stumbled out, my legs weak with relief and fear.

"Remember your promise," he warned, his voice low and threatening. "If you break it, I will find you."

I nodded, backing away slowly. Alaric watched me go, his eyes never leaving mine. I fled from the shop, my heart pounding. The town seemed brighter, less oppressive once I was out, but I knew the darkness that lurked within.

I kept my promise, never speaking of the secret Alaric had shown me. The memory of his transformation and the horror of that night haunted me. The old shop remained, a silent reminder of the cost of forbidden knowledge. And Alaric, the undead merchant, continued his existence, trapped between humanity and monstrosity.

Though I was free, I knew that some secrets were better left hidden. The curse that had befallen Alaric served as a grim warning of the dangers that lay in the pursuit of dark and forbidden power.