“Tobias,â€? a voice hissed suddenly, startling him out of his reverie.

Tobias jumped, his hair standing on end. “Who said that?â€?

“We did,â€? the same voice hissed, this time joined by a chorus of others. “It is us Tobias. The one’s you summoned. The shadows. And now that we are here, it’s time for you to set us free.â€?

“Set you free?â€? Tobias asked in disbelief. “Why would I do something like that?â€?

“Because it is your duty,â€? another voice hissed quietly. “You have brought us here. Now you must set us free.â€?

Tobias shuddered, and began walking jerkily towards the well, in a manner that resembled a puppet whose strings were being pulled. “No!â€? he cried out suddenly as he began to get closer and closer to the well. “No! I won’t do it! You can’t make me!â€?

“Make you do what Tobias?â€? the voices asked innocently. “We’re not making you do anything.â€?

“So you’ve figured it out, have you?â€? the voices hissed. “You know that the well is not what it appears to be.” They paused.

“You know what we are.â€?