darker_london | The Shadow (John Doe)

The carpet fibers stuck to the tape in the package John Doe had sent to the London Police, would eventually lead back to Kaufmann's Rug Factory, which was long since abandoned. The fibers were unmistakeable, as time was, Kaufmann's was the only place left in London to sell carpet dyed organically and not synthetically. The dye still ran, especially when exposed to chemicals. And John had no doubt the clues would lead the cops here to the factory. Though clearly he wasn't worried about it leading them there quickly, as he walked slowly around one of the dye vats, knocking his gloved fist against it occasionally.

It made a reverberating sound, which echoed across the abandoned factory, and on the thirteenth time he did it, he was answered with a whimper. And he smiled a wolfish smile. "There you are." He said softly.

"Where..." A trembling voice came from inside the vat. He hadn't seen anything. Hadn't heard of felt anything, he'd just woken up here.

"Shhh, Father." John said. "Wouldn't want to yell. Might make the building fall down and then you'd be in trouble."

Father McCarthy froze and then he started to feel around himself in the darkness. He was enclosed on all sides, above and below. Someone had locked him in something like a barrel! "Please...let me out!"

"Ah, but isn't that God's job?" John asked softly, knocking twice on the vat. "I think I'll leave it up to him." And John smiled. "Do not fear, right, Father? If it is his will, you will be saved." If the cops traced the clues quickly enough, Father McCarthy would be found alive. And he, of course, was a clue himself and it didn't matter to John if he was found alive or dead. Let that be between the man and his deity.

"Please! Who's there!?"

"A shadow." John whispered. "You can call me Lucifer if it pleases you. Breathe deeply, Father." And he patted the vat before turning away. He didn't need to hear the man's deseperate screams to know they were occurring. His fate was in the hands of the London police force now.