What Lurks In The Shadows

Chapter 1

When I got home from work that night, I didn't know that my whole world would change. For better or worse is still to be determined.

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I slumped onto my bed at around eleven o'clock at night. I was beat. As I dragged my feet to my closet to change into my pajamas. As soon as I hit my hear on my pillow, I was out like a light. I was sleeping sound when I awoke with a start. I jumped out of underwear nearly. Nervously, I looked around to see what had woken me up. I couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. So, naturally, I laid back down. Then I heard it again. That weird popping noise.  I turned on my lamp and looked around again. I couldn't find what was making it. Leaning forward, I tried to look more closely. Then I saw him. Or was it a "him"? To me, he looked like a shadow. Nothing more.

I said, "Who's there?" But nothing. Maybe I was dreaming. Or the stress of work was getting to me. Whatever the reason, I felt uncomfortable. As I lay to go back to sleep, I reached to turn my lamp off. But something stopped me. It wasn't fear, but more like curiosity.  I sat up again and said, "I don't know if you are real or even what you are, but can you go away?"

This time he answered. "I am very much real Jordan. And no. I cannot go away." My mouth hung open in exasperation. Did this shadow just speak?

Slowly, I ask "H-how do you know my name?"

"I know what I need to know to protect you."

"Protect me? From what?" Now I was very confused. What the hell do I need to be protected from?

"The Shadows." I couldn't see his face, but I knew that he meant business.

"Aren't you a shadow? Should I be scared of you?"

"Perhaps. But I will do you no harm. I am here to protect you."

"So I heard." I frown. "Can I at least have the name of my 'protector'?"

"Zheam." That's it? No last name? What a strange day this turned out to be.

"Zheam. Can I just call you Z? It's much easier to say."

"If you must. Now, please go back to sleep. They can sense your fear"

"But I'm not afraid. And don't I get to see your face?" Now I'm interested.

"With due time, Jordan. But now you must sleep." And with that, he came closer to me, held out his hand and blew something onto my face. I tried to protest but before I knew it, I was out cold. I woke up the next morning, dazed and confused. Had it been a dream? Surely it had to be. But as I got up to get ready for my Saturday, I found myself looking around for Z. In every shadow and in every crease. I needed to know more about what I was in danger of. Who was after me? The Shadows? What the hell was happening?