FLASHBACK

POV: Darrell Williams

I recall the gloom. The never-ending gloom that kept me imprisoned for ages. I came back to the pack, to Ivory and our kids, in this way. That was the gloomy area where it all began.

When I opened my eyes, I was blinded. Everything is just black. The world of shadows. It seemed like I had been here forever.

"Hello?" I yelled. My voice was heard back. "Anyone there?"

Not a response. I exhaled. How much time had I spent here? Days? Weeks? I was unable to tell. My thoughts turned to Darcy, Jeremy, and Ivory. Did they fare well? Was the pack secure? The toughest part was being in the dark.

I heard something after that. A whisper, so faint I nearly heard it. "Who's there?" I turned around and yelled. "Show yourself!"

The murmur returned, more insistently this time. "Darrel... Darrel Williams..."

I became motionless. It was aware of my name.

"Who are you?" Trying to seem brave, I asked. "What do you want?"

In the shadows, a figure materialized. It was a shadow person,