Shadows

Chapter 7 - Terror

As I sit here on my brother's floor, I just stare at these pictures that he has drawn. This figure, this thing, it looks exactly like the shadow I had seen yesterday before I left for school. Who is it? How does Aaron know what it is? Is this what he has been so afraid of the past week? Why hadn't I said or done something sooner? I was so worried about pushing Aaron away I should have been focused on what was bothering him and if it was in some way life threatening.

For about an hour straight there is nothing but silence that fills Aaron's room. What do I say? What do I do? I finally snap back to reality, I still haven't told Lisa the story behind this "Thing". Maybe she can help me figure out what to do next, or maybe she will just think that me and my family are crazy. Either way I have to tell her and either way she can maybe help.

"Lisa"

"Yeah?"

"These pictures, they resemble something, I still don't know what that something is but I've seen it, this "Thing" before and I've just never told anyone"

"Why? Is, whatever this is, bad? It looks hideous and scary. I don't even know what to think."

"The last time I saw this, he was standing in front of my house. I never said anything because I thought that I was just seeing things. I never would have thought that my brother had seen it to..."

"Steph, has Aaron ever once hinted that he seen something like this?"

"No. Yesterday he was acting weird and I tried to get info out of him as to what was on his mind but he wouldn't talk to me. He acted like it was some big secret and it just really scared me."

"Has he still not told you what is bothering him?"

"No I didn't want to pry to much because I didn't want to upset him. I was going to let him come to me, but now that I see these...I really regret that decision..."

"Steph, don't blame yourself. You could have never seen this coming, things like this just happen."

"I know that but I feel like maybe if I would have continued to pry with questions, I could have changed the outcome just a bit. I wanna find out what this is and why my brother knows what it is."

"We will. If this is what has taken your mom and brother then we will find a way of tracking it down and getting them back, as soon as possible."

"That's also easier said than done. Who are we gonna go to? Who do you ask about things like this!? Definitely isn't gonna be the police, I show them this picture and tell them my end of the story they are gonna look at me and laugh."

"Well I'm sure there is someone who can help us."

"Lisa! You don't understand if I take these picture's and show them to someone, no one is going to believe me. These are a child's drawing's who would believe this type of story based on a child's drawings!! Not a single person!"

Lisa didn't say much more she just sat there staring at me. Speechless she stood up and tried to leave the room.

"Lisa... Wait. I was in the wrong to yell at you. I'm sorry. I understand you are only trying to help and I am just extremely stressed, scared and exhausted. I'm trying not to lose hope because this is my family and I need them back in my life. Right about now I will take any option to try and find them."

"It's fine, I understand that you are scared, and worried. You love them and I would be the same way if it happened to my family. You don't need to apologize to me. I just wanna help."

"Well I will do anything that seem's possible, if you would like to try and find someone who might be able to give us info on these drawings then fine let's go."

"OK, Well first thing in the morning we will do so. Let's finish out the night here, in hopes that maybe they will show up. If they do then we have no reason to ask someone for help."

"I agree, I want to be here if there is any hope of them showing up."

"Why don't we get out of this room and head down to get something to eat, It's about that time and I am sure you are hungry"

"Yeah all of this stress is making me very hungry. Maybe after I eat I should maybe take a nap. Would you be able to keep an eye on things while I nap and let me know if you see anything?"

"Definitely, but first, food."

"Agreed! Food sounds wonderful!"

We begin to head down the stairs and before I left Aaron's room, I took one last look at the pictures scattered on the floor and closed the door behind me. Wherever Aaron is right now I hope that he is with mom and they are both safe. I want them to come home. I want all of this to just please be a really bad dream. Hopefully tomorrow will be better for me, but I guess we'll see.

I will find out who has done this to my family, and I will find out who this shadow figure is and if it is a real person, I will make sure that they pay for what they have done. I just wish I could reverse the time to change how these events have played out, maybe they would still be here with me. For now I just need some food and some rest and when I wake, maybe I will feel a little better.