Just a Shadow?

Freeing the Shadow

"What do you mean,'I'm your shadow'?!" Annabelle said, still through her head.

"Don't threat child. I'm not going to hurt you. Other shadows will. The evil ones." The voice said.

"Wait, what? I'm so confused! Good shadows? Bad shadows?" She looked at her mother, then her friend, then her friends mom. They all seemed calm, but still a little worried.

"Wanna put a movie on for you and Crystal?" Asked Anna's mom. She just stared at her blankly. Then when she was focused again, answered her.

"Sure, thnx mom..."

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Later on in the day, they all got to Anna's grandparents house. Of course, her grandma greeted her with full delight. "Hello Annabelle! How is my almost-eight-year-old doing?" She was smiling from ear to ear.

"I'm doing-" Anna's voice was cut off again.

"She's doing fine mom. I need to talk to you about something. Look at her hands..." A worried face swept over her.

"Oh my... It's happening? How?" Mary sighed.

"I don't know." Anna just looked at Crystal.

"Psst!" She whispered. Then Annabelle grabbed her friends hand and took her to her grandparents room.

"What?" Crystal said with annoyance.

"Shhh." Whispered Anna. "I need to find out what they're handing from me." Anna saw a window, which had sunlight.

"Hey, voice person," Anna said aloud. "Would you be able to speak out loud?" There was a pause. It got quiet.

"Yes, yes I can." The voice said. Crystal jumped after hearing the voice.

"WHATS WAS THAT?!" She screamed.

"Shhhh! Scolded Anna. "Sorry... I got scared."

Just then, Mary came in the room. "Are you guys ok?" Annabelle's mother said with concern.

"Yea, we're ok mommy. I just scared her." Anna lied.

"Ok, just making sure you guys are ok." Then her mom walked out he room.

"Whew," breathed Anna. "That was close." She walked to the door where her mom came in. "Hey shadow, can u rome around where ever you want?" She said aloud.

"Yes I can. But I would need your help." Anna looked puzzled. Then she looked at her friend. She seemed puzzled, too. "My help? How?"

The voice/shadow spoke,"Go to your window." Anna looked at the window above the bed. "Ok?" Annabelle replied. She walked to the window where the sun was shining.

"Ok, just stand there, and stay there for 10 seconds." The voice commanded, still calm and in a nice voice. Anna stood there for 10 seconds. She waited for the next step. "Now walk forward Annabelle." The voice said. She walked forward. "Annabelle, now look at your hands." The voice said happily. Anna looked down. There wasn't black on her hands anymore.

What? Anna thought.

"There was no worry about the black on your hands. And I can still hear you with just you speaking in your head." Annabelle was glad she looked normal now. But she didn't feel normal.

The shadow started moving on its own. It looked like a teenager. "Ahh, that feels better being free. And don't worry, you will still have your shadow." The shadow walked towards Annabelle and put his hand on her shoulder. "Thank you Anna. And don't worry, I'll still be here and around you. Protecting you and you family when I can." Anna jumped with excitement. Then stopped.

"Wait. How would you hide?" The shadow chuckled.

"Your a very clever 7 year old Annabelle." Annabelle smiled. "Thank you Shadow." The shadow laughed again.

"No need to call me 'Shadow'. Just call me Matthew."

Crystal chimed in. "I like that name. Ma-tth-ew." She said slowly.

"You are both very adorable." Said Matthew. "And you asked me how I would hide from others?" Matthew asked.

"Yea... How would you?" She asked again.

"I would blend in with other shadows around me. Or I can just go in you shadow. I won't get trapped again though."

Crystal smiled. "That's good."