I never meant to find it. The map was tucked inside a dusty leather journal in my grandfather's attic. Its edges were burned, and the ink glowed faintly in the dark. It pointed to an island that didn't exist on any globe. At least, that's what I thought before the shadows started following me. Tomorrow at dawn, I leave. If I don't return... don't come looking for me.
The first ray of sunlight hadn't even touched the cobblestone streets when I stepped out the front door, my backpack heavy against my shoulders. I thought I was early enough to slip away unnoticed. I was wrong.
A chilling wind swept through the alley, extinguishing the streetlamps one by one. Out of the corner of my eye, the shadows detached themselves from the walls. They weren't just the absence of light; they were things—tall, shifting figures with eyes like glowing embers.
One lunged at me, its clawed hand swiping at my chest. I threw myself backward, my jacket tearing as I hit the ground. My backpack popped open, and the leather journal tumbled out. As the shadow loomed over me, ready to strike again, the map inside the journal flared with a blinding, silver light.
The creature hissed, recoiling as if burned. I didn't wait for it to recover. I scrambled to my feet, grabbed the journal, and ran blindly toward the waking city. The hunt had officially begun.