Those Who Live in the Shadows

Chapter 4

I traveled back to the human world after my unsuccessful search, to find Camelia. Luckily, she had come back from school and was sitting on her bed, playing with some kind of weird toy. I watched her try to put the little cubes attached together into one big cube, without any success. Wow, that must be hard, for her it must be impossible!

I went behind her and shook her shoulder.

"What is it mom?" she asked, still trying to figure out the cube thingy.

"Hay."

She stayed silent, but twisted the toy in nervousness. Come on! I hated being ignored.

"Why did it come back..." she muttered. "I thought I would be fine since it didn't come at school..."

"Are you talking about me?" I exclaimed. "I wasn't there at your school because I went to ask other Nightmares if they met someone like you, who could sense us. But no. You are unique; you should be happy and at least talk to me!"

She didn't react.

"Seriously? Are you going to stay silent all the time?" Camelia stayed silent. "Now you're just mocking me." Fine. I could wait. I went to her book shelves. There were quite a lot of books in there. I took out one for fun.

"What is this?!" I wasn't full of letters and words; it was blank with weird relief. I replaced the book and took another. This time, it was a normal book. I did not recognize the title: Tiger's Curse. I wasn't really in the mood to read, and I was bored, so I had a genius idea –like all the ideas I have- on how to make her believe me.

I started making a book castle, using the same technique you use to make card castle. It was more difficult, and way more challenging. I got to three "floors" when it fell down with a big BOOM!

"What the-" said Camelia, turning to where my, well, her, books had fallen.

"Damn. Maybe I should have tried with lighter books," I thought out loud. I was happy to make three floors of books, but I was also disappointed because I had hoped to build the castle taller.

"What was that Camelia?!" asked Camelia's mother, arriving in the room. "Are you all right?"

I took a book from the floor and threw it just beside her mom. It made a soft bang as it hit the green painted wall.

"Did you just THREW a book at me?!!" screamed her mother.

"What?" responded the blind girl. "No, of course not! What are you talking about! I was just laying calmly in my bed and-"

"Don't you lie to me Camelia Osborn!"

Hahaha! This was just as going as expected. I just needed to wait a little more.

Then her mom saw the book disaster.

"Oh my god!" she yelled. "What did you do with your books?!"

"Come on, tell her that your imaginary friend did it," I whispered to Camelia in her ear, enlacing her from behind. "After all, I'm just a creation of your mind, as you say." She froze completely.

"Camelia! I am talking to you! I asked you a question! What on Earth did you do to your books!" said her mother, now angry. I put my hand on Camelia's shoulders.

"I told you I was real. Too bad you are the only one to know it."

"Camelia! I am talking to you!"

"Your mother's shirt is blue, with white pants," I continued, "Come on, ask her, if you still doubt."

"Mom, what color are you wearing today?" asked faintly Camelia, fearing the answer.

"What does it have to do with anything?!!"

"Mom... Please, just answer..."

Mrs. Osborn sighed. "Fine! I'm wearing a blue T-shirt with white pants! Happy now?! I expect you to clean up this mess before you go to bed!" she lastly ordered before exiting the room.

I smiled diabolically. No way would an imaginary creation have known something she didn't. Or moved objects all over her room.

"Are...you...still there?" she spoke slowly.

"Yep. Was there, still there and will be there," I declared very seriously.

"So... What's your name then, Mr. Nightmare?"

"Desire. But you can call me Des."