Title: “Shadow Man”

Author: Shaitanah

Rating: G

Summary: Magic is at night. Please, R&R!

A/N: This is my first story here. Feedback very appreciated. Thank you very much!

SHADOW MAN

Tonight there was a night when the man decided to leave his shelter. He went out in the street and inhaled deeply, blinded by the city lights, drunk on joy that filled every cell of his body. Playing with shadows was fun; but the man wanted something more.

He had lived there all his life. His home was a spacious square room full of shadows. The man just sat there on the floor and pulled the strings. Each tiny chord – a shadow in the outside world. Shadows danced everywhere. The man got accustomed to their chaotic style and paid no attention to whether they moved according to his command or not. They always did, no matter what.

The man walked about the street, enjoying his day-off. The night was still, and sombre, and beautiful. He stepped down from the side-walk and floated towards the river along with a forceful stream of people. All of them were dressed up, they wore bright make-up and hurried away from the center of the city, spreading the carnival disease, contaminating the city with joy, and laughter, and lust. The man giggled and swam in that human tide, bathing in their cheer.

The river purled in its granitic bed. Pale lights reflected in its surface. The man drew near and bent down to see his mirror image. There was none. The Shadow Man sighed.

Morning chill found him where he was – still standing by the river. The fuss subsided. He was alone with his dismal thoughts.

The man lifted his head.

It ought to have been morning. He glanced briskly at his watch. Morning, yes. But then why was it still dark?

His heart fluttered. The man rushed off and ran as fast as he could. Panting, he reached his quarters and burst into the room. It was empty. It was the first time (as far as he could remember) he’d seen his room in the light of morning. Pallid rays of cool sun glided across dirty wall panels. There was no furniture in the room. The man lowered his aloof gaze and saw a holey rug that seemed so soft and rich in the dark when the man’s hand swept through its pile accidentally.

The shadows transfigured everything. And now they were homeless, out in the street, as if sucked out of their nest. He let them run away.

The man grabbed his head in despair. No, he wouldn’t let panic devour him. He cooled off a bit and went back in the street to gather his shadows bit by bit.

They rushed playfully in his embrace. He held them like kittens and took them home.

Magic was at night. He wouldn’t let it spill out into the day and lose its attraction.

October 8, 2006