Shadows

Chapter 3: Always watching

        As Christian and I walked into biology class we noticed the teacher wasn't there. Not thinking much about it I walked to my seat in the back. Christian put on his headphones and started blasting his music. I looked around the class, watching all the student rambling on about their lives. Our teacher finally walked in 5 minutes late, mumbling something about his car. I tapped Christians shoulder to let him know the teacher was here. He glanced at me with drowsy eyes and smiled weakly. Our teacher Mr. M shushed the class and sat at his desk. "Class today we have a fantastic opportunity! We have been scheduled to attend the psychology department of the local college. The trip will be in three weeks time, so take a permission slip and pass it back." Christian being Christian popped up at the idea of being able to talk to psychologist. Ever since I told him about my 'condition', he has been determined to make them stop. "Devin do you know what this means?!" he whispered fiercely to me. "That you can finally get your brain checked for damage?" I replied uninterested. I knew that the shadows weren't part of my imagination, yet for some reason every one thought they were a side affect of the incident. "My brain is fine" Christian huffed, "we can talk to someone about the...shadows." He mumbled the last part. As he said the s-word I felt them. "No no no, not here!" I thought to myself. They never show up at school, only when I'm alone at home. I turned my head back the front of the class fast, and sat straight and rigged. 

        School passed by with no other signs of my tormentors. I started my walk home on this chill autumn day. The wind was blowing the leaves into the street and it was silent. Just like it was this morning, which is very abnormal. As I walked down the street, the wind stopped and a car pulled up next to me. Shaun poked his head out the window and flashed me a grin. I glared at him and walked around to the passenger side of the car. "How was your day, sis?" he questioned as he started driving. "I saw them again.." I whispered, staring out the window. His face paled and his knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel. "Devin, why didn't you take your meds?" he said in a low voice. "They don't work! All they do is numb my mind!" I yelled at him, "every since mom and dad died you think that you can fix everything! Well guess what you can't!" He was silent after my outburst. "I know Devin. I just want you to be happy again. You think I enjoy the fact that I had to give up my Yale education? I didn't, but I would do it again if I had to because you are my family. I want you to have a normal life and not blame yourself for what happened to them. It's not your fault and it never was." 

        We were silent after everything. We haven't fought like that since my parent were around. "I love you, you know that?" I replied to him "I'm grateful for everything that you have done for me and I can't ask for a better brother." "I know sis", he looked over and smiled at me. We arrived home and walked up to our door. Shaun unlocked the door and stepped inside. I walked in after him and dropped my bag on the floor. As I followed him into the living room, blackness consumed me and I collapsed.