The Life of A Shadow

Rose Bud/Mariah/

For the first three years of Shadow being around Dahlia and I never got used to her random...attacks. She would always pounce on our ankles, knawing on them. All we could do was laugh. I always did my best to take care of her, but there was something there I could never satisfy. So when she turned 6 I got her a white kitten. She named it Rose Bud as soon as she saw it.
I had just got home from working when Dahlia pulled me into the kitchen, "I need to show you something."
I nodded, hoping my trust in Dahlia was strong enough to follow her. And I'm glad it was. We walked into her room and sleeping on the bed was a white kitten without a tail.
"I found it on the street. Some street rat kid was throwing rocks at him. So I figured why not bring it to Shadow, right?"
My eyes lit up, the corners of my mouth rising into a toothy smile, "She could have someone to play with."
I flick Dahlia's dirty blonde hair back as I hug her. She was surprised, since she stumbled back before hugging me.
"Oh, Dahlia, you're a genius!" I softly pecked her cheek. When she moved her hands down her knee length blue dress softly moved, like gentle waves in the ocean. We were both smiling. When I looked into her eyes I saw those waves again, but now there were storms crashing into them.
I must say that she always looked neater than me. I often wore thin, but baggy turtlenecks with high waisted jeans that were always dirty or ripped and a army green jacket Mama gave me. It was the most expensive thing she owned, with the inside lined with a silky material and a rose embroidered on the left breast. We never we interested in teasing our hair, so we often got sideways glances.
I began to lean in, closer and closer to Dahlia's plush lips. I barely brushed against her when I heard, "Mama, I'm hungry."
I turned around and smiled. We moved from the city for her. I worked three jobs to help support her, but it's still not enough. No matter what we're always stuck hiding like mice. Sometimes from the law, sometimes just from other people. Anything to keep her safe.
I would die for my darling.
"Alright, Honey. I'll make you a snack, but it's almost dinner time." I smiled brightly at Shadow and she smiled back. Her fang-like teeth were growing nicely...I think. At this point they're impossible to hide.
I go to the kitchen and quickly whip up something for Shadow. She always got her long, wavy silver hair stuck in her food, so before she are I tied it up in piggytails. She scarfed down the food, nearly as fast as I sat it down.
"Shadow, would you like a friend?" I asked, sitting down in the seat next to her. She had a questioning look on her face, but nodded.
"That's good because-" I start, however Dahlia interrupts,"Meet your new friend, Dear."
Shadow smiles, looking almost just like me. Trust me, I'd know. I spend a lot of time looking in mirrors.
Shadow jumps up and hugs both of us, then looking at the cat for a second.
"Rosebud." She gleamed, taking the cat from Dahlia. The cat- er.... I mean Rose Bud purred loudly.

We're a happy family.
This is the one thing I'll never let anyone take from me.
I'll do whatever it takes to keep them safe.