The Walking Shadows

Chapter 1

"My name is Anna. I'm twenty-six, have a Bachelor in Business, and I'm a door greeter at the mart in the local mall. Yeah, it's needles to say my situation is less than ideal.

Don't get me wrong; I used to have a lot going for me. I was the owner of the toy store in the very same mall. Once the economy crashed my store went with it. My life wasn't too far behind. My friend is the manager of the mart, and gave me a job. It's better than nothing. Still it's nowhere near enough. I had to move back in with my mom. Even with that I'm still in a ton of debt. I can't even find a second job.

Now I just feel strange all the time. It's so weird. I used to always be happy. I played with toys, and got to see smiling kids all day. I loved knowing that I was bringing a small piece of joy to strangers. My job wasn't important, but it was important to me. Now my life feels meaningless. All I do is stand at the door and watch the clock. When it closed all that left was a black whole.

The next victim of the economy was the book store next door. Of course it was my favorite store. I loved to go in, look at books, and talk to the employees. I could tell they really loved what they did. Plus I just love to read. I would saved a lot of money if I weren't the type to buy books all the time. I know I could go to the library, but I enjoyed trading books I buy with friends. We would stay up all night discussing them sometimes. Now that's over because I can't get to new books. Even the library sold a lot of books to try and stay open. I don't think they'll make it.

The same thing happened with the candy store, the juice bar, the coffee shop, and the music store. All that's open are a few clothing stores and an office. Why is an office in a mall? Unless it's the mall office it makes no sense. The worst part is everything fun left. Now everyone is depressed. A lot of people aren't working don't have gas money to go places anymore. The people that do go out just seem... miserable.

Now there is just darkness where there used to be life and joy. I go by and stare at it everyday. It seems to be growing. I swear I see shadows moving around. I know it's impossible, but the darkness feels alive.

I'm sorry to have just unloaded a ton of crazy onto you. You must think I'm a complete nut," I said half laughing. I've just made myself uncomfortable. "I said all this without even getting your name. What can I call you? I guess I'll need to know who to send a bill to for this random therapy from a stranger," I say.

The man turned to me, turned his head sharply toward the dark store we were looking at, looked back at me with an alarmed expression.

"Great," I say to myself inside my mind. "He really does think I'm crazy. I need to learn when to shut up."

"I'm The Doctor," he says. "Come with me." He takes me by the hand and runs before I get a chance to say anything else.