The shadow

Now I've never been accused of having the best memory in the world, if you ask me what I had for breakfast this morning i would more than likely draw a blank. I don't remember my first birthday not even my first steps but I do remember the first night I saw the shadow. I had just turned 6 and my family had just moved into our new home. From appearance it was the ideal house it looked to be very spacious. I was sold on the yard alone as I imagined myself running through the back yard and all the adventures I'd have. On the inside it was more homely "Nothing that a woman's touch can't fix" said my dad as he kisses my mom on the top of her head. She smiles, while they are looking around and chatting about decor and stuff a 6 year old just really don't care about I decided to explore the inside of the house. I walked over to the steps that led to the second floor I assumed that's where all the bedrooms were located as I hadn't seen any downstairs. I look at my parents once again they are still in deep discussion about paint curtains and drapes? "What are drapes?" I thought to myself as I started up the steps. When I reached the top I looked around taking in my surroundings, to my left there were 2 bedrooms and a bathroom and a linen closet I think I didn't bother to check. To my right was one bedroom no doubt the one my parents would sleep in. I began to explore the side I was sure I would be staying on. I walked into the first room it was small I couldn't imagine how I'd fit all my stuff so I decided to check out the next room. I walked in and I immediately notice the change in temperature I mean it's the end of July beginning of August hottest part of the year the other room hadn't been this cold I thought. I looked around and this room had everything! It had enough space for all my stuff a huge window that overlooked the backyard. I was so excited that I didn't even realize I had yelled out til both my parents were standing right beside me asking me what's wrong. I looked at them " I LOVE THIS ROOM CAN IT BE MINE DADDY PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!" He laughs clearly amused by my excitement "Yes sweetheart this can be your room" I hug both my parents with excitement. So around 8 that night we had just finished dinner we ordered pizza since mom and dad never got to finish unpacking the stuff for the kitchen... well basically all the stuff from downstairs, because after they had confirmed that it was my room I pitched a fit until they set it up. I was so in love with it and couldn't wait til I went to bed. I rushed through dinner practically pulled my mom upstairs for bath time and for the first time in my life (or at least that's what they said) I declined a bed time story and a tuck in. As my parents walk out of my room after we've said our prayers and good nights I lie there in my own room... I'm not sleeping between mom and dad I don't have to wake them up when I have to go the bathroom. I lay there relishing in my new found freedom, and I'll tell ya today had to have been longer than I thought because before I knew it I was asleep. I awoke at 3:15 or close to it I didn't have a clock in my room it was just routine. I sat up rubbing my eyes. I looked up the glare the moon made through my window that shined off my floor and walls was so beautiful. I was so amazed that I didn't see the shadowy figure stand directly in the corner. I got up to go the bathroom whole time thinking of how much of a big girl I was sleeping on my own, no bedtime story, going to the bathroom alone. I was on cloud 9 until I got back in my room. I lay back down but as I do something catches my eyes. Standing directly in the gleam of light coming from the window is a shadow, I don't know if it's a man or woman I can't tell all I can see is the outline. Fear curls in my stomach as I blink just to make sure I'm not seeing things. With every blink it seemed the shadow was moving closer to me to the point it was now at the foot of my bed. I sat in a ball at the top of my bed too afraid to move. It eventually crossed my mind that it could be my parents trying to scare me and see if I was really a big girl. I yelled at the figure this isn't funny dad! Nothing absolutely silent... Mom will you stop you're scaring me I pleaded. Still nothing.... I sat quietly for what seems like forever eyes locked on the shadow in front of me. Suddenly with no warning at all no growl no nothing the shadow lunged towards me I closed my eyes and screamed as loud as I could. My dad was the first to reach me, my eyes were closed I was crying and screaming so loud I could hardly hear my dads panicked tone as he tried to calm me and find out what happened. Finally I calmed down long enough to choke out a shaky voice "t-th-there's ssssomeoone iiinn m-my-my room" dad I said and immediately started crying again my dad began to frantically look around he checked the windows they were locked, checked under the bed, in the closet. Nothing, my dad comes back to me "what did he look like sweetie " I blink through tears  "I don't know it just looked like a shadow" "A shadow" I shake my head yes I point at the spot I first saw it " it came from right there and moved to the foot of my bed " my dad stands up and walks in the direction I pointed in I can not only hear the sigh of relief but see it his muscles relax in his back. "It's okay sweetie you just had a bad dream" he steps to the side to reveal a coat rack with a jacket on it. It kinda resembled what I had saw but I still couldn't shake the feeling so I decided to explain. " It wasn't the coat rack dad I didn't see the shadow when I got up to go the the bathroom!" I shouted as I threw the covers back. I immediately feel cool air on my lower region I look down at the same time as my dad did. "See it was just a bad dream you dreamed it just like you dreamed going to the bathroom. It's okay it's a new house it a new adjustment I'm so proud of you for being a big girl and trying to brave you're first night alone." He hugs me to him. I feel safe finally but not because of his explanation but because his presence seemed to drive the shadow away. " how about we get you in some clean dry clothes and you sleep in the room with me and mommy?" I agreed faster than he could get the question out because the truth is no matter how much I liked my room I knew I wouldn't feel safe in this room tonight. I spent the rest of the night with them the next day I had a fit until we moved my stuff into the other room. I still saw the shadow after that night, whenever the door would mysteriously be cracked and I'd peep in when curiosity would get the better of me,  almost every time it be standing in the same spot I last saw it. I told my dad one other time but he gave me the whole imagination run around so I decided to keep it to myself.... Man I couldn't wait to make it to college at least I'd finally be away from the shadow.