Rivynn couldn't understand why she and her brother, Rain, were kept chained away from everyone else. They were told it was to keep them safe from the shadows... But what if that was a lie?
~~~~~~
Rain hadn't told her... but the shadows were real...
Rain whimpered, huddled under his blankets. Despite the warm evening, he shivered from fever. His sister still kept peering expectantly at the village as the sun began to set. "You should go to bed," he murmured. "It's getting dark..."
In the distance, dark clouds were encroaching on the horizon and the scent of rain drifted on the breeze winding its way through the trees.
"But Ruben said he would be right back..." she said concerned.
"Maybe he got sick again," he offered reassuringly.
This seemed a reasonable answer to her, and she reluctantly crawled up into her bed, the kitten purring happily with her company.
"What about Star?" He ventured. They still hadn't decided on a name for the little thing.
"Star..." She pondered for a moment, but he could already tell she liked it.
Peering over the edge of her bed, she beamed, "I like it!"
He smiled back. "Me too."
"Do you want Star to sleep with you tonight?" She asked abruptly.
He gulped. He wanted the comfort very much, but he was afraid the shadows would hurt it if it was near him...
"I think Star would be happier to sleep with you tonight," he said quietly.
"Ok," she said. "Star will sleep with me tonight and with you tomorrow?"
"Ok," he answered but he was terrified to close his eyes tonight... and even more tired...
"Rain, aren't you going to light the candle?" She asked, but he could stay awake no longer. "Rain?"
---------------------------
A crack of thunder jarred him awake. Outside, the wind howled, hurling torrents of rain upon the earth.
He hugged his blankets tighter. Brother Ruben had repaired the roof, but there was still a gaping hole in the wall where the door should be. The only dry places were their beds and the table in the other corner. Still feverish he was about to close his eyes again when a flash of lightning revealed a dark shadow hovering right outside the door. Instantly its silvery eyes met his. This time the shadow was so close he was certain it was going to come inside. He waited, trembling, but it did not make a move, just watched him - patiently.
"What do you want?" he whispered when it didn't leave, but he could already sense its desire.
'It's time, little shadowling...' it replied quietly.
Rain shook his head.
"I'm not leaving Rivynn."
'Do you want her to leave you?'
"No!" he shouted. "Leave her alone!"
She stirred at his outburst but was kept asleep by the lull of the storm.
Tears started to streak down his face as he realized that no matter how badly he wanted to stay, he would not be able to for much longer.
As if sensing his little heart was beginning to yield to the call, the shadow slowly crossed the threshold and drifted closer until it was right beside his bed.
For the first time, he noticed that the shadow was not shapeless but had the vague form of some strange creature. Cautiously, he reached out to touch its muzzle... Fascinated despite his fear, he could feel it under his hand like water. Only, it wasn't wet or cold or warm or anything, just a presence.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
'I know your secret...' it spoke again.
He frowned. He had no secret.
'That is why I've come for you... instead of devouring you.'
His heart froze.
'The others thought you were weak, but you are very strong.'
"I don't understand."
'I've watched you all your life. Your sister was frail when she was born, but you wanted her to live. And because of your desire, she did. You gave her a little of your strength every day, even though you did not know you were doing so - at first. But eventually you began to understand that only one of you could live...'
"She's my only sister..." he choked, wishing with all his heart he didn't have to leave her. All their few years, they had only really had each other.
'But you made your choice.'
"I want one more day," he demanded abruptly, pulling his hand away.
This seemed to surprise the shadow. 'But you are so tired...'
"I said, I want one more day with my sister," he repeated.
For a moment, those silvery eyes peered into his fierce pale ones.
'Very well,' it relented at last. 'It seems you will muster the endurance for just one more day...'
"Thank y..."
'But tomorrow night, you will come with me, my little shadowling,' it interrupted sternly.
He didn't know what that meant exactly but at least he had one more day...
'You should sleep now. You will need all your strength...'
