The Evil Within, by Kalan Cordell

If you’re reading this, it means I’ve already been killed. That you’ve found this letter clamped
tightly in my hand so that this monster couldn’t swallow it with the rest of me.

The only light I have left is a lantern in the corner of my room. Its light is weak and fading. I’m
in a tiny shack. It was built in the middle of nowhere; too far from the city but close enough that
help could arrive in a couple of hours. Only I didn’t request emergency assistance. I’m ready to
die. When I decided to “Study” in these tiny four walls, I knew that the monsters lurking
amongst these parts would be more than ready to feast upon my flesh. I’ve seen its eyes. Bright
blue with a tiny black pupil that reflects nothing but evil. It’s been watching me since the sun
disappeared. Truthfully, I’m afraid.

The fire from my lantern flickers, indicating that the creature is getting closer. I can’t see its
shape. The darkness outside acts as a cloak covering it so that if I may survive, I won’t be able to
identify it. Although, survival is not a part of my plan. My life has been nothing more than
alcohol abuse and cradling of emotional pain. My arms are fatigued from carrying it all. This
creature offers me mercy. Rain spatters onto the windowpane violently; the sound of it comforts
me. Again, I must say, I am ready to die. I’m writing this letter with the blood that drips from the
tip of my first finger, its scarlet coloring is symbolic of the pain I have suffered in my life.

The creature’s blue eyes are watching me from the window, beckoning me to come outside so
that it can finally taste my flesh and bones. I shall not make it easy for it. If it wants to eat me it
must carry the burden of coming inside; the door is unlocked, all it needs to do is push it open...
But for some reason, it only stares. Does it see something that human eyes cannot? The tiny table
I am writing on continues to wobble from its weak legs. Any minute now the light from the lantern will die and I will be in nothing but complete and peaceful darkness. Thunder just roared. Its vibrations have sent shivers down the thin four walls that form this shack, shattering what will
be my last bottle of booze. A sharp c-shaped glass sits in front of me. What will my family think
when they find this letter? If you happen to find it, please tell them that I only tried to get better,
but the ball of insidious and sinful desire was much too strong for me. Resistance was futile. My
thoughts were too loud, and I lost control of my mind.

My heart is racing. The light just died. I sit in total darkness, staring in the direction I think the
door is in. It just squeaked open. I’m writing as fast as I can so that you can tell my family my
final words. I...can’t focus. The creature’s footsteps are loud. Is it two legged? Four? Tears are
sliding down my face, and I’m not sure if what I’m writing on these pages will be legible. I can
see its blue eyes, they’re in front of me. Its breath brushed across my face; it was viscous and hot
and rotten. Its pupils—now dilated—are glancing down at what I think is the table.

“Pick up the shard of glass.” It ordered me. Its voice sounded far away and close at the same-
time.

Thunder roared once more. My hand fumbling as I picked up the c-shaped glass, sobbing,
thinking, why does it want me to do this? Why not just eat me or tear me apart?

“Now press it against your throat and slide it across quickly.” Its voice deep and commanding, cutting through the raging thunder.

My hand trembled as I pressed the sharp point of the glass against the left-side of my neck. The
pain of my skin splitting was hot and sharp and flaring. My breathing slowed. I felt warm blood
cascading onto the webbings of my fingers. Tear drops fell from my chin onto the table. The
creature gave a dry cackle.

Lightning flickered. Its blue beam flashed into the entire room, and I finally saw the monster. It
was me. The monster watching me in the darkness outside had been the evil within me, waiting
for me to become weak and submitting, stalking me like a lion until I was vulnerable. I grinned
at the revelation. Then I slid the glass all the way across, slipping into the complete and peaceful
darkness.

Kalan is a horror writer who enjoys reading Clive Barker and Ira Levin. He is a Junior at California State University, Northridge. His favorite book is Rosemary’s Baby. Instagram @kalandelrey