Tuesday, September 27, 2022

6:30 a.m.

Shane woke up and did his typical morning routine. After that, he decided to turn on the TV.

It only took a few seconds for him to wish he didn't.

"The body of Harrisburg resident Brad Kazinsky was found just about an hour ago. The cause of death: a slit throat on top of a stab wound. He was found in front of his computer-"

Shane turned off the television as soon as he heard "computer".

At that moment, Shane noticed an e-mail notification on his phone. Reluctantly opening it, and it said:

HAVE YOU FIGURED IT OUT YET, SHANE? EVERY DAY THAT PASSES, ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS DIES. AND IT'S ALL BECAUSE YOU WON'T READ THAT BOOK.

NOW, YOU MAY BE WONDERING, "WHERE DID THE BOOK COME FROM?" WELL, I'VE HAD IT WITH ME EVER SINCE HELL ITSELF. FOR COUNTLESS MILLENNIA, I HAVE OFFERED MANY PEOPLE MY WORK ACROSS THE PORTALS OF HELL SO THEY COULD GAIN POWERS THAT WOULD SHATTER THE IMAGINATION.

IF YOU WANT YOUR FRIENDS TO LIVE, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ADHERE TO ONE OF THE PASSAGES IN THE DARK OPUS. OTHERWISE, I WILL FOLLOW YOU AND EVERYONE YOU KNOW AND LOVE UNTIL THE DAY YOU DIE. YOUR CHOICE.

The director threw his phone across the living room in frustration. What passage from The Dark Opus could he possibly read that wouldn't cause chaos? Shane would have to find one right now, or everyone around him would perish.

After clearing his mind, Shane Nolan decided he would be up for the challenge.