In The Shadows

The Man In The Shadows

          ¨Mom, when did you get that tattoo?¨ I asked my mom, ¨It's not a tattoo.¨ She responded, sounding annoyed, ¨Then what is it?¨ I wondered what she meant, what else could it be? ¨Don't worry about it.¨ She said, dropping her stuff and walking to the kitchen. I wondered if I maybe upset her so I apologized, ¨I'm sorry if I upset you mom, I was just curious but I should've minded my business.¨ She looked over and quickly looked away, ¨It's fine child now please go to your room and finish tidying up.¨ I Shook my head to say ok and continued upstairs.

          All the lights were out and it looked darker than usual, but I figured it was just from the curtains being closed so I just kept walking. I should've turned back, I should've known there was something happening.. But of course, I was oblivious. As I got to my door, I slowly entered my room but there was something weird in the corner, it almost looked like someone standing there. I've been a bit paranoid lately so I turned the light on thinking it would go away. It didn't. Because of the curtains and my weak lights, he was still in a shadow. I wanted to say something but I was frozen, too afraid to speak.. I went back out of the door and I heard a mumble come from the shadow, don't ask me why I was stupid enough to go back in. I could blame it on shock but I was honestly just curious and afraid, ¨What?- Are you actually there? What are you doing here?¨ I asked, my voice trembling, ¨Why so many questions? You don't recognize me..?¨His face was still cloaked in shadow, but it didn't matter. I would recognize that gravely voice anywhere, ¨What? Is that- No, there's no way it's you..¨ I could start to form a face within the shadow but I already knew who it was.. ¨Again with the questions¨ He said, ¨It's me child. Didn't you miss your father?¨ I held my breath as he proved my thoughts right. I could see him with his hand in his pocket slowly coming out of the shadow.

          As he moved out of the shadow, I could see he was holding something. I was afraid and I didn't really want to find out what he was holding so I quickly ran downstairs, trying to find my mom. I finally found her, sitting in the office so I tried to catch my breath to tell her what happened, ¨Mom! He- he's here, In my room!!¨ I stuttered as I tried telling her what happened, ¨What? Ok, Calm down. Breath.¨ She tried to calm me down, ¨Now, tell me what happened-¨ She paused as I saw her eyes grow wide. She was looking behind me and she looked scared.. Really scared, ¨.. Hold that thought, why don't you go outside, yeah? Maybe you- need some fresh air..¨ She gave me a look as if to say I should hurry so I ran out, still trying to listen in on what was happening, ¨What are you doing in my house. You have no right to be here, You must be crazy to think you could just show up like-¨ She paused as she noticed what he was holding. ¨Listen, Our daughter is standing outside right now and I know you care about us so please, Put that away and we can talk.¨ She stumbled on her words as he just stared with a manic look, ¨Talk? Ohh, I see. Now that your life is on the line, you want to talk?!?¨ He started to take a step toward her still holding an object which could now be identified as a.. Pencil?- I thought about the stuff he's been through and I figured he was having another ¨episode¨ that's what we called his breakdowns. We knew he couldn't help the way he was acting because as soon as he snaps back to normal he just breaks down in tears. We weren't quite sure what was wrong with him, just that he was ill and not in a good head space. Me and my mom both cared about him very much and he was a good person, but he is also dangerous. I looked back in the window, where I had been watching them to make sure they were okay and I noticed my mom with her hands up, it looked like she was going toward him. Maybe she was trying to calm him down, she was quite the expert when it came to getting him back to normal. I think It was working. I could see his eyes change and his hand lowering with the pencil. He started to shake and I could tell he was out of it, I opened the door and looked at my mom to get the "ok" to come inside and she did. She took the pencil out of his hand and put it on the table, "What happened? How did you even get in here?" He looked down at her and his eyes started to water but he tried to keep his composure, ¨I don't even know, I remember being at home and.. now I'm here? I can't explain.." He looked over at me and started tearing up more, he was having trouble keeping it in, "I'm sorry I scared you both, I didn't mean for this to happen, Im truly sorry.¨ After that, I was still sometimes scared of him, but my mom explained what happened and what I should do. Hopefully, it doesn't happen again but if it does, We will be able to help him.

The end.

Thank you for reading! I know this was super short, but this is my first story I've decided to post. If people like this, I was thinking of making a second part to this story. Tell me what you think in the comments and I will see you later!