A Shadow Has Fallen

It is 1862, twenty years since the assassination of Queen Victoria and the Great Fire of Westminster. The British Empire is crumbling and an organisation, known simply as Shadow, seeks to take control by unleashing terror on the streets of London. The only people who can stop them are the Foundation, led by the mysterious Major-General - but, the Major-General is missing...

A Shadow Has Fallen is the first installment in the monthly adventures of The Crimson Mask.

Word Count = 4923

Here is a review...

" I thought it was great work. Really action-packed and tense. I'm really keen to read more and learn who is coming after them all and why they are in so much danger. My attention was held from the start and I'd happily part with some cash to buy it when it's finished."

Here is the Trailer for Episode One...

...We all sat in silence, anxiously waiting for the final member of our group to arrive…

...Vincent’s arms tightened around my waist as we sped through the city streets. The roads were clear of traffic so I accelerated, ignoring signals and speed limits. The cobbles were slick with rain and the bright, white light from the roadside arc lamps reflected in the puddles that lined the road...

...Where was he? Why wasn’t he with us? Only something serious would have prevented him attending tonight's meeting…

I leant towards Vincent and through his cigarette smoke I watched as two large men in long, dark hooded coats approached the inn. They spoke briefly to the doormen and then, before we had chance to react, knives were drawn and throats were cut...

"...But it would appear that someone else has already discovered my work. You are all family to me and I love you all dearly but a shadow has fallen and I am afraid that I have placed you all in grave danger..."

...A ball of flame erupted through the inn’s window showering the street in glass, stone and the bodies of those who had still been inside...

“...The Blackwing Angels,” Vincent continued. “...are a special division of the Brigade, concerned with protecting our Empire’s secrets and discovering the secrets of others...”

...I looked up as the dust cleared to see a dark figure emerging from the wreckage. He stepped forward, untouched by the flames, clouds of smoke and steam swirling around him. How could anyone have survived..?

...The Pod slowly inched forward along the guide rails before suddenly dropping down the shaft. The metal cage rotated around us as the shaft twisted and turned but thanks to the heavy counterweight in the Pod’s base and the lubricated bearings in the cage we remained upright...

...as I watched the flames tear through the building my mother appeared at the bedroom window, her screams cutting through the roar of the fire. Helpless I watched as she disappeared, reappearing a few moments later with my baby brother in her arms...

“...This is yours,” said Cecelia as she passed the mask to me. “Try it on.”

Slowly I placed the mask over my head and Cecelia pulled the straps tight behind my ears. I could hardly see anything through the eyepieces and it was difficult to breathe...

...As the first Shade advanced I instinctively ducked underneath his swinging arm. Surprised by the speed of my own reactions I kicked out, connected with his knee and knocked him off balance. The second took a swing at me. I sidestepped his fist but with my eyesight still affected by the mask I was unaware of the weapon he was holding. The blow caught me just above the left eye and I fell to my knees...

...I pulled Vincent back to the shelter of the doorway and covered his body with my jacket. I knew the Brigade would soon be on the scene with their hospital trucks and fire wagons so I sat and waited, tears of shock and grief rolling down my face...

“...We need him alive,” whispered one of the Shades.

“I’m not sure that we do,” he replied as he tightened his grip around my throat, lifting me off of the floor...