Shadow Beings

53. Moonlight

I woke to the presence of silence, jerking my head up. With a sigh my head fell back onto the bed and I pressed the pillow against my forehead.

I had always been a delicate sleeper, especially when it came to sound. I wouldn't have woken up if someone had turned on the lights unless they were too bright. If I fall asleep in silence, the smallest sound, even soft music - especially if I've heard it before - is enough to wake me up. If I fall asleep listening to music nothing, nothing wakes me up better than silence.

I rubbed my eyes in an attempt to dissipate the drowsiness, though my aura still felt heavy. I wasn't really sleepy, but I didn't feel like sitting up or doing anything. 

Exhaustion or laziness? Why do such feelings affect a shadow being, anyway?

The black clock in my room showed that it was five hours past noon. I blinked my eyes several times, forcing myself to move as I had to head to dinner. Besides, Jay and I needed to have our final discussion with the team. He said he'd rest after we were done, but I doubt he ever stopped working. He's responsible enough to take care of himself, but he works and worries about us constantly.

After catching up with my last-minute sleep, I stood up and headed to wash my face. My legs still felt slightly weak, but the dull presence of the fever was now gone. Only exhaustion remained, but I was sure that wouldn't stay for long either.

Returning to my room, I chugged water from a metal glass, refilling it at least five times.

Clink. Swirling.  The sound of the clear liquid hitting a sonorous solid. Abundant over this planet. Precious to life.

I was suddenly aware of a poking sensation hitting my neck, sending an uncomfortable tingle through my skin. I grabbed my hair and yanked it in annoyance, walked up to the drawer and picked the comb hastily along with a black band. Without looking into a mirror, I combed my hair as neatly as I could, holding the weak locks with the band.

A ponytail is not so bad, I thought, standing still for a moment as I finally looked into the mirror. How do I see myself? How do we exist? What are these bodies?

Short hair is still better, I shrugged, putting the comb back into the drawer. Without paying much attention to my surroundings, I opened the door and walked into a tall, fit man, my head hitting his shoulder.

"Sorry!" I apologised, tensed by my clumsiness, but I relaxed once I recognised who it was. "Oh. It's just you."

Galen frowned, rubbing his shoulder in an exaggerated manner. "What do you mean, 'it's just you'? You applied quite a force there, young lady."

I grinned, shaking my head. "Weakling. You just accepted that my force was great."

A small smile slipped onto his face. "Take care, it should be in your control. I don't want to deal with your madness again, little raven."

I scowled at the odd smile he made as he suppressed his laughter. I stepped aside immediately and walked away from him, stomping my way towards the dining room.

"I'm just kidding!" Galen said defensively, laughing as he caught up with me. An angered expression sat on my face but it faltered, unable to contain my laughter. Galen reached to mess up my hair and realised the change of style soon enough. 

Without mass, applying a force. Beings of the physical universe or what? What behaviour did we follow?

I looked at him through the corner of my eyes, grinning subtly. He smiled and pulled the pony, swinging it sideways.

"Hey!" I protested. "Stop that!"

He put on a thoughtful look, not stopping his little action. "Hmm. Maybe in a minute."