The Darkness

I’m thinking of starting a novel, but I could really use some help brainstorming ideas and themes. Here’s a quick summary of what I have in mind. If you have any suggestions on how to take this story further, I’d love to hear them! It’s going to be a sci-fi adventure about a professor who’s on a quest to uncover the secrets of the universe. But guess what? He’s not alone! A dark force is trying to show him what the universe really means, and it’s not going to be easy. He’ll have to face an ancient battle to learn the lessons he needs to find the answers he’s been searching for.

A hidden world exists within our own, controlling our every move without our knowledge. Peter Edwards, a university professor, stumbles upon this alternate universe on accident during one of his late-night studies in his lab. While attempting to prove the universe is merely a cosmic accident, he senses a powerful force speaking to him.

Late nights in his lab, conducting experiments and researching, led to Peter experiencing unsettling feelings. As he leaves, he catches glimpses of movement where no one should be. Shadows seem to shift and follow him. The hairs on the back of his neck stand up as if he's under intense scrutiny. There seemed to be a whole realm out there that disagreed with his entire existence.

As the novel develops, Peter finds himself being sucked into another reality that only he can see. Where everyone sees a shadow or a statue, Peter sees the force behind life. The stone soldiers give him a salute as he passes it on the street. A lion’s roar causes his research paper to scatter to the floor when he finally thinks he is making progress. His research was being fought. His whole life seemed to be in a spiral.

Peter confides in his wife about what is happening at work, but she is convinced he is going mad. She is terrified and begs Peter to go see a counselor and get some help. However, Peter is a stubborn man and does not wish to seek out help. His curiosity gets the best of him, and he is forced to investigate what these visions mean. Could there be something to what he is hearing and seeing? Is there more to life than his research and studies?

One night as he got lost in his work, forgetting about the date he had promised his wife he heard the voices tell him he must fight. They were slowly getting louder and louder. They were becoming more and more real. They told him that his life and his wife's life depended on him winning this battle. There is a pen lying on his desk that begins to shake. Peter stares intensely at it waiting for what would come next. At that moment he realizes there is no longer a pen on his desk but an ancient Roman sword. There is a crowd forming chanting for his death. The world is spinning and Peter doesn't have a clue of what he is to do. He has entered the alternate reality where it seems he must fight or die. The world he knew seemed to slowly melt away. This whole world wants to see him dead. The chants grew louder and louder.

This is where the truth becomes clear to Peter. He must overcome his pride and his thinking that he has all the answers. He must humble himself to admit that this reality that he had denied was real and he was going to have to fight. This battle will turn Peter into the man he was supposed to be. But this will just be the beginning of a long journey for Peter and his family.