Golden Shadows

Wow, an actual fictional story by me... It's very, uh, different... Tell me what ya think..

~~~

Insults were thrown at me, and I countered them thoughtfully.

Finally, he lost his patience and made his way toward me.

Step. Step. Step.

Trip.

Face to floor.

The crowd laughs, mocking him.

He stands, confused. Wondering.

But I know.

His golden opportunity lost, he slips away in shame, the crowd dissolving with his every step.

~~~

That night, in my room, lit only by my bedside lamp.

I watch my shadow creep along the wall.

"You didn't have to do that," I tell it softly.

Words felt instead of spoken. /I didn't want things to get worse./

"...Thank you." I know not why I thank it. Why I sat there, talking to my shadow.

/I must protect you./ More a statement than a reply.

"...Why? You have never told me - why?"

/...You... are important. Special./

"Me, special?"

/You are the light. Without you, I would not exist. And if you were to leave.../

"You would vanish."

/I would be lost, stranded in a meaningless place. No reason or purpose./

Thoughts. Where were shadows born? What is this 'meaningless place?'

/Do you understand?/

"I... think so."

/Now you see. You see why I cannot leave you, why I am always here - guiding you, protecting you. You ARE me./

"I..."

/You sleep - now. You need your rest. I am not banished by the light or absorbed by the dark - merely hidden. As long as you are here, I am here. And as long as I am here, you are safe./

~~~

What did you think?