Answer:
C. Scary darkness
Explanation:
Gloom brings a sentiment of melancolia and darkness. Combined with frightening, we have a very unique description. We something must be shadowy and frightening to fit. We have darkness which can substitute gloom in one of its definitions, and scary which certainly substitutes frightening quite well.
I would think anyone would feel stronger having a rifle on them. But do you have a passage for this or something to be sure?
hyphen, italics, apostrophe and I think that all I think
The answer will be channel.