The Shadow Spirit
The path that they were walking was lined with tall and weathered trees that made canopies overhead. Sun-dappled leaves created flickering shadows over the group that was walking below them. Dead leaves crunched under their feet. The cool gusts of wind sent shudders of movement through the branches. From the corner of her eyes Darla saw a faint movement over the raised edges of a tree bark. At first she didn't pay attention, giving it a benefit of doubt that it was just the shadows of the leaves. However, when the shadow slithered out and entwined around the branch, hair rose on her nape.