Discovering Shadows (Completed)

Fate

The lady is still looking at me even though I'm hiding the best I can. My small body is shaking so bad that the shelf beside me is rocking and shaking as I huddle against it. The lady is frowning now. The expression is strange like her face has never made it before so it doesn't know what to do. She moves towards the window moving away from the man for the first time. She looks really upset. I hope she isn't mad. I want her to be happy like the princess in the movie. The man looks at her confused and says something to her. She just shakes her and shoots a mean look at The Headmistress before pointing at me.

For the first time my body goes from hot, sweaty and nervous to ice cold. Like that time last winter when the hot water ran out and I had to take a freezing cold bath. Having their attention on me felt worse than that night. Worse than my fingers and toes burning, worse than my ears hurting. I look around the room quickly trying to find Mark but he isn't here today. It's Tuesday so he left with the delivery man again early this morning to earn The Headmistress some money so he can stay here. That's why I came to the front room. I'm not allowed too but I did not want to be alone today. It's my birthday. The day that man brought me here two years ago. The day I turn 5. Mark woke me early and told me he had to go but he would bring me back something special. I'm scared he won't be back. So, I didn't want to be by myself not today.

The Headmistress does not look happy. She looks furious at seeing me. I know I'm not supposed to be here when strangers are here. I know she tried to hide me. I just don't understand why. She begins shaking her head and moves to block the door. The man and lady do not like this. They don't like what she is saying or that she is blocking the door. All the chaos in that room is strange. I'm not sure what's happening. I have never seen the loud shouting, the wide arm movements, the pointing, heads shaking, the angry faces are not familiar to me. It must be familiar to some of the kids in the front room because most of them froze to look at the window before running out of the room. Some kids hide in the closet, some behind the couch, some under the tables and one even hides in the old toy box in the corner of the room.

I am the only one who doesn't run from the room or hide away. I am still watching the window. I watch as the man grabs The Headmistress and pulls her away from the door just enough for the lady to pass her and get out the door. I watch as he pushes her away from him and she falls. I don't feel bad for her not even a little bit. But I can't look away even when I see something out the side of my eyes in the shadows. I just sit here watching and wishing that Mark was here with me. That he was here for peace. But he isn't. He isn't here to see the man and woman or see what happened to The Headmistress. He isn't here to tell me what is happening.