Shadows

Swaying in the breeze, to and fro, the wheat belt secludes me from the outside world. It hides me from the Shadows that take over every evening. I hold my breath as I hear a faint hissing indicating that they are near. They've taken the rest of my family. Although I do miss them, I absolutely do not want to join them. Those who return from being captured by the Shadows are never the same, they forget you and others as if you don't exist. I can feel the darkness coming; its a heavy feeling taking you under as if you are drowning. I can hear my heart throbbing against my ribcage, threatening to break out of my chest. I hug my knees tighter and close my eyes shut hoping they will overlook me.

The sun dances across my face. I know the Shadows have long gone but I'm still to scared to move, even after the many encounters with these...things. My legs had little feeling but I coaxed myself into standing. Feeling like a newly born calf testing out their new legs, I stumbled towards the town I was heading towards before I saw the Shadows. It was small with a few shops acting as main street, and a few houses clustered off away from the "Town".

I walk into a general store, I know it's not right to steal but my stomach tells me otherwise. I walk around just looking for now. I pick off a few grapes from a bunch, slip a small roll into my loose jumper. I think about ripping a juice box out of a pack and quickly drink it behind an aisle...I'd better not. I shove my hands in my jumper pockets and walk up to the lady at the counter and ask if they sold any flashlights. In a time like this of course there wasn't. I thanked her and walked out with my stolen goods.

The town seemed deserted, I couldn't see anybody at all. I strolled down the dirt road towards the houses, the sun beating down on the back of my neck. It felt good to be able to feel the sun after feeling the extreme cold that came with the Shadows. Dirt kicked up into the air as I shuffle closer towards the houses. I reached into my jumper and pulled out the grapes I had pinched. I popped one into my dry mouth. It was so sweet and juicy. I had the insane urge to shove the rest in my mouth, but I refrained myself.

As I walked past a house I saw a full pint of milk sitting on a porch. I can't remember the last time I had tasted milk. I cautiously walked up to the gate, swung it open. I made sure no one was about, I walked up the pathway, up to the porch. The milk was in my hands when I heard a clearing of the throat. I looked up and saw a young man, clean shaven and dressed nicely. I froze in fear. So many thoughts ran through my head. What is he going to do? Will he let the Shadows get me? Will he yell and threaten me? The man got a hold of my jumper and roughly pulled me inside his house. He sat me down at a table and sat across from me.

What felt like a long time we just sat there in silence...waiting for the other to speak. I had to ask. "Are you gonna give me to the Shadows?" I asked. I had come so far hoping for a place that had no Shadows at all, I couldn't have my mind erased now. I must've come off really scared, the man's furrowed brows unknitted. "No, I just want to know why did you try to steal my milk?" I pulled out my roll and grapes, hoping he understood that this was all I had. "I was thirsty" I muttered. I ripped some of the roll and ate it.

I looked down at myself. My jumper was dusty and worn down. My shorts, like my jumper, was many sizes too big and was fraying at the hem. I looked feral. I couldn't help but cry, I had fled the city wandered from suburb to country and dodged the Shadows only to be caught out by a young man because I was thirsty. I was angry, tired and stressing out. I wasn't even sure what this man would do. He had stood up and as if magically made a plate appear with three sandwiches and a tall glass of milk in front of me. I had never seen so much food set before me. For some time I stared at the plate, overwhelmed at the stack of sandwiches. Looking up to thank him, he had disappeared. Momentarily I forgot about my surroundings and attempted to demolish the food.

The young man seemingly manifested out of thin air with a set of clothes in his hands and a towel. I feel as if this is all a dream, it is completely surreal. A stranger has found me attempting to steal his milk, provided me with an actual meal and now clean clothes. I silently stand, walk over to him looking at my feet, I didn't dare look him in the eye. He showed me towards the bathroom. Before closing the door I stared at this young man. I had never seen him before in my life yet I feel as if I've known this guy forever. The man leans in and closes the door, leaving me with a horrible hunch.

I now have successfully washed the months worth of dirt and grime off, along with three layers of my skin. Trying to find out how these suspenders work is a task worthy of itself. I walk out towards the kitchen and try to figure out the suspenders. After fiddling around with it I find that the button on the elastics are supposed to go onto the holes in the pants waistband. The young man had walked in and swiftly taken the suspender end out of my hand and attached it to my pants. I had the perfect opportunity to ask the exploding question. I turned and faced the man. "What's your name?" I tried to make it sound casual but my voice betrayed me. "Miles," he said "Miles Othel." I froze in fear and happiness. Miles gave me a questioning look. He didn't know, he doesn't remember.

This man is my father...and he doesn't remember me.