SHADOW

It was gloomy that day. I have just had another fight with my parents again. Ever since last year, our fights and misunderstandings had been happening more frequently. I was heartbroken everytime I yelled at my parents, yet I couldn’t control myself. I was guilty for treating my parents like this. I never meant to make them upset. I know I am an ungrateful and rebellious child, and I am not proud of it. I wished I could be the perfect girl like my sister, but I knew I couldn’t. Everything I did and spoke never seemed to please them. I am nothing beside my sister, only a shadow. Nobody cared or noticed a shadow.

My feet were heavy as I slowly climbed the stairs leading to the rooftop. When I reached there, I headed to my favourite place and sat down. I took out my cigarette and lit one. Holding the cigarette in my fingers expertly, I placed it on my lips and took a slow drag. I loved this place. Everytime I had a fight with my parents, I will come here and smoke, thinking about all that had happened. This is my sanctuary.

“Hey,” I heard a low, familiar voice.

I looked up and stared into the face of my friend, Mike. Mike also happened to be my neighbour, so I was not surprised to see him here. He always came after me when I had a fight with my parents. He was a good friend.

“Sit down,” I said, flicking the remaining cigarette off my fingers. He took his seat next to me as I watched the cigarette butt bounced off harmlessly on the hard cement. The light on the butt shone bright red at me, but I made no attempt to put it out.

“Bad day?” he asked.

“Same old, same old,” I replied dully, staring up at the sky. The sky was darker than ever now, with black clouds shielding the bright sunlight. Sooner or later, a heavy rain is going to pour. How ironic it is that the weather seemed to match my mood.

Mike took out his cigarette from his pocket and began smoking. I watched as the smoke swirled slowly up the sky. He turned to me, and one corner of his mouth lifted up. He pat my hand in a consoling way.

“It will be okay,” he assured me.

I wanted to believe him, but I knew things are not how it used to be. My parents have already given up on me. I am hopeless, they said. The simple words cut me deeply. I blinked back my tears.

Turning to him, I asked, “You have anything that will make me forget everything?”

He looked at me, surprised. “Yes,” he said hesitantly, “but that thing is strong.”

“I don’t care,” I declared. “Anything to forget this miserable life.”

Mike looked unsure. Slowly, he took out a packet of cigarettes. I stared at him questioningly. He offered one to me. I frowned at him.

“Cigarettes?” I asked. “But…”

He shook his head. “These are not ordinary cigarettes. This is laced with PCP. I just got it this morning. Haven’t tried it myself.”

I stared at it. Carefully, I took one from the packet and lit it. I took a long drag.

“Nothing,” I told Mike.

He looked almost relieved. He shrugged, saying, “Maybe it’s nothing after all.”

I shrugged. I finished the cigarette just as soft drops of water began to fall. I looked up at the sky. It was drizzling.

Suddenly, I felt weightless and light. It was as if my body was filled with helium. My body was so light that I felt that I could just float towards the dark sky any minute now. I felt strangely happy and peaceful, as if nothing mattered in this world.

“Anna?” I heard a soft, distant voice called. “Anna? Are you okay?” I couldn’t recognize the voice, but it echoed loudly in my head. I turned to the voice and found Mike looking concernly at me. I smiled at him, but the smile froze on my face when Mike’s face suddenly split into two, revealing an ugly, hideous face. Fierce red eyes were staring at me hungrily, as if they wanted to taste my flesh and blood. I gave out a soft whimper, backing away from the monster.

The monster reached for me with its large hand. His long fingers closed around my wrist, sinking its razor-sharp claws into my flesh. I screamed in pain, trying desperately to free myself from the monster.

“Let go!” I heard a voice shouted frantically, only to realise it was my own.

“I’m going to get your parents,” I heard someone said. Then, miracously, the monster let go. I stumbled backwards before regaining my balance. By the time I regained my balance, the monster was already retreating.

I was surprised and relieved. But the nightmare was not over yet. To my horror, the monster came back with two of its companions, each one as ugly and horrifying as it. They all approached me, baring their sharp, yellow fangs.

“Anna? Are you okay? Come back here, honey, we won’t harm you,” I heard a familiar voice said. I knew that voice, but I couldn’t place a name on it.

The monsters moved even closer to me. I was terrified. I was already backed up against the railing, I have nowhere to run. Yet, the monsters were still closing in. My eyes flashed wildly, looking for an escape route.

“I won’t let you have me,” I said loudly, before turning. I put my leg over the railing and grinned triumphly at them before I jumped. I felt rushes and the cold air wrapping around my body, but I was at ease. I felt no fear at all.

Before I knew it, my body made contact with the hard ground. The impact sent a painful jolt all through my body, causing me to gasp. I could feel blood trickled down my forehead, forming a crimson pool around the back of my head and soaking my hair. My heartbeat slowed down considerably. The last thing I saw before I closed my eyes was the dark grey sky that was starting to clear with the beautiful sunlight peeking out from between the clouds. Then, I could feel the pain no longer and everything became a stretch of black.