The Dark Secret

    By Jael Tankoo

    The Dark Secret cover image

    10 Apr, 2024

    a girl sitting at a table with a book in front of her and a lot of books on the shelves, fantasy art, a detailed matte painting, Brad Kunkle, promotional image

    In the attic, the girl discovered an ancient book that shimmered with an unnatural darkness. Intrigued, she began to read, unknowingly invoking a dark spell.

    a girl standing in a library with lots of books on shelves and a window in the background with light coming through, fantasy art, a character portrait, Brad Kunkle, promotional image

    The spell, born from ancient magic, made her pregnant. Fear and shame overwhelmed her, causing her to run away from home, leaving everything behind.

    a man and a girl walking through a forest with a gun in hand and a backpack on their shoulders, neo-primitivism, poster art, Drew Struzan, key art

    Nine months later, her dad found her unconscious in the forest. Shocked and worried, he took her back home, hoping to find answers.

    a couple of people standing in the woods together with backpacks on their shoulders and one man looking at the camera, vancouver school, a poster, Felix-Kelly, promotional image

    Her brother was equally shocked and confused. Yet, they both knew they had to stick together, for they were the only family each other had.

    a nurse holding a little girl in a hospital room with other medical equipment in the background and a woman in scrubs, neoplasticism, a renaissance painting, Eve Ryder, promotional image

    The in-home nurse helped her through the painful process of childbirth. A boy and a girl were born, but the joy was overshadowed by the lingering fear.

    a man and a woman standing in a room with computers and other people in the background, all looking at the camera, computer art, computer graphics, Eddie Mendoza, key art

    The family was now larger, but so were their problems. The ancient spell had brought with it a dark prophecy, one that threatened their very existence.

    a man and two girls in a sci - fi setting with a sci - fi background and a man in a black jacket, antipodeans, cyberpunk art, Eddie Mendoza, key art

    The prophecy spoke of 19 killers that would come after them. The family braced themselves, preparing for the inevitable onslaught.

    a woman and a child in a sci - fi setting with a sci - fi background and a spaceship, antipodeans, concept art, Aleksi Briclot, key art

    Despite their fear, they stood strong, vowing to protect each other at all costs. The girl, now a mother, felt a surge of determination to protect her children.

    a couple of people standing next to each other in front of a giant robot with a woman standing next to them, antipodeans, poster art, Dai Jin, promotional image

    The killers came one after the other, relentless and merciless. The family fought hard, pushing back against the darkness that threatened to engulf them.

    a young girl standing in front of a futuristic city with a sky background and clouds in the background,, space art, a detailed matte painting, Eve Ryder, key art

    Despite the odds, they persevered, proving to be a formidable force. Yet, the fight was far from over, the darkest days were yet to come.

    a group of men in armor standing in a field with guns in hand and a helicopter in the background, antipodeans, poster art, Aleksi Briclot, mars ravelo and greg rutkowski

    The girl, now a warrior, stood at the forefront, her children by her side. They were ready to face whatever came their way, fighting for their right to live.

    a woman in a black jacket and some soldiers in a city street with a vehicle in the background and a man in a gas mask, antipodeans, a detailed matte painting, Eve Ryder, key art

    As they braced themselves for the final battle, they knew not what the future held. But one thing was certain, they would face it together, as a family.