How This Came Together
In Hunting Shadows, Caleb and his squad are dispatched into the dense forests beyond the settlement, chasing whispers of shapeshifters that have filled the colony with fear. What begins as a tracking mission becomes a deadly game of reflection and deceit. Where even your own face might turn against you. In this world, shadows aren’t always cast by light.
As the squad follows a trail through the fractured woods, the unseen grows ever nearer. Every step deepens the uncertainty, forcing them to wonder if they are the hunters or the hunted. The forest conceals truths that shift as easily as flesh, and survival means facing the most dangerous reflection of all.
Music Pairing
Still Got Something was a fun and challenging song to finish. This blues composition hums beneath the narration like a restrained heartbeat. While nearly silent during the reading, it lingers in the background, its rhythm echoing Caleb’s tension and the fragile calm before the shapeshifters strike.
Behind the Scenes
Fresh off the heels of the previous story, I needed a vehicle to capitalize on the unraveling of the alliance. I also wanted to showcase the depth of the human spirit. Even when we are terrified, when something needs to be done, there are those who will abandon everything to achieve that goal. Here, Caleb’s encounter is one of those moments where identity, trust, and survival blur into something far darker.
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Hunting Shadows
Reaching out, Caleb brushed the damaged branch with his fingers. He kneeled and scrutinized the ground, finding more disturbed undergrowth. He pulled out his radio and switched channels. “Engrim, where are you?”
“About a click or two east of you. Have you found any signs of shapeshifters?”
Caleb moved a branch out of the way and studied the markings. “I may have, and I’d like a second opinion.”
“Isn’t Keldon leading a unit out here?” Engrim asked.
Caleb clicked his tongue, rising to examine the damaged branch. He turned to his squad, raising a finger to his lips. “He headed south the moment we departed the settlement. If we wait to get his thoughts, whatever left these marks will be long gone and out of reach.”
“Fine, we’re on our way.”
Caleb tore his gaze from the tracks and scanned the foliage. “Something passed through here, and it’s proving difficult to determine whether the trail was accidental or deliberate. Everyone, fall in on me. Keep your heads on a swivel and be alert. I don’t want to frighten off whatever is watching us.”
Mika tapped Caleb’s shoulder as she cleared her throat. “Are we spreading out?”
“Yes, though stay in sight.” Caleb leveled his rifle above the agitated foliage. “It shouldn’t take Engrim’s team long to get here.”
Mika spun away from Caleb and stared into the forest’s dense shadows. “And what information can you glean from the tracks?”
Caleb followed the markings. “I’m not sure. Whatever came through barely disturbed the ground but snapped several of the twigs.”
Namen’s rifle tracked towards the branches above while he drifted closer to Caleb. “Couldn’t multiple creatures have left the disparate marks?”
“Maybe, but it’s unusual for two different creatures to pass each other like this in short order.” Caleb pivoted as his gaze followed the exposed tracks. “No, I’d be willing to bet one creature made both sets.”
Mika waved her weapon between the trails. “Those markings can’t be from the same beast. They’re too different. What kind of creature would leave both stealthy and obvious tracks?”
With a wry chuckle, Caleb circled the markings. “No idea. Despite how unsettling these are, I’ll consider them to be a plus.”
Mika gripped Caleb’s shoulder and rocked him. “Excuse me?”
“The newness of these tracks makes me uneasy.” Caleb rose, rubbing his chin as he turned to her, flashing a smile. “But that’s a positive thing.”
“How’s that a good thing?!” Namen turned as he shifted his rifle toward a tree, his finger tapping the trigger guard. “What could possess you to consider that a pleasant surprise?”
Caleb straightened and stepped away from the tracks. “We may have found what Tarian wants.”
Namen huffed as he pinched his brow. “I wouldn’t classify that as delightful.”
“More like an extra dose of grim news,” Mika concurred, whipping the rifle towards an empty patch of forest. “Considering we’ve been ordered to capture a shapeshifter alive.”
“And we’re toting experimental weapons for that purpose.” Silas checked his weapon and resumed searching the surroundings. “Yeah, I’ll agree with Mika. This isn’t pleasant news.”
“Where are you all!”
“Who’s that?” Caleb whipped about. “Engrim’s team couldn’t have gotten here already.”
“Where are you guys?”
Caleb’s weapon whirled toward the unknown voice. “Engrim, is that you?”
A shadowy figure emerged from the dense shadows and approached them. “Lower that rifle, Caleb.”
“Hold your fire until we know what it is.” Caleb tilted his head as he peered along his sights. After a steadying breath, he trained his weapon on the oncoming individual. “Who are you?”
The clutching shadow released the mysterious figure as it continued to approach Caleb and his team.
“Identify yourself!” Caleb inched toward the intruder, steadying his weapon.
“Caleb, I told you to lower that weapon!” The stranger stepped forward, thrusting his hand toward the rifle pointing at him.
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