Merciful Shadow

Data

I leaned back in my chair as I swiftly typed in the last of the data for a child who was just about to be transferred here. We got at least one new kid a week and they got adopted at a much slower rate. Its inevitable that we will run out of space in the foster home at some point. I'm not sure where the kids would go after that. I assumed it would be the council's decision, not ours since in this situation we're kind of powerless.

Reeling my mind back in, I glanced at the clock, reminding me that it was time to finish up and go home. I saved the file and logged off before leaving. The sun was setting, the sky radiating a soft, warm glow. It was only 3:37 pm, so it seemed too early for the sun to be setting but then again, it was winter.

The walk home wasn't long; about 15 minutes if I walked slowly, which I often did. I liked walking slowly because it gave me a chance to admire my surroundings. The bright leaves, the sparkling lake. Honestly, the world is really beautiful when people aren't around. People corrupt everything eventually.

I stopped and propped myself against a wall, taking in the surroundings while tracing my fingers against the cold rough surface of the wall. The wind whistled and swirled around me, whispering softly.

'its getting late', 'shouldn't you go home?' 'what if you get caught?'

I shook my head briefly, and asked myself, the wind or the voices in my head? After thinking for a good few minutes, I realised there was no point in pondering over it. It was all just empty thoughts and empty words after all. I continued down the path, slowly while thinking deeply.

Everything is kind of pointless isn't it? I don't think there's many people who sincerely care for one another and wish for their wellbeing. They're all fake, liars and careless, this is why you shouldn't trust them. They never try their hardest to get things done... just like with her...

I dug my nails into my palms, snapping myself away from my thoughts as I arrived at my apartment, it stood tall, illuminated through windows of happy families. Back here again. I knew my apartment would never be happy and full of life; I lived alone and preferred the night.

I arrived at my apartment, to find a small box on the ground. I crouched down to pick it up and noticed the small, neatly written note slip and swayed gently to the floor. I read it in a quiet voice.

"hello Delta. I hope you're doing well. I assumed you wont have eaten much so i cooked you some food! It should still be warm and I hope you enjoy! I really admire you, you're so strong and kind. I want to be more like you. Anyway have a good night make sure to get some rest! Ill bring you more for tomorrow -A"

I didn't understand why they left me food all the time; I didn't even know who they were. However I did appreciate it a lot. The food always tasted good and it meant I didn't have to cook.

The food was good. It was filling and meant I wouldn't have to bother eating again that day. I took the note that was left, and place it in the small box next to Annabelle's. "A"'s was full of notes that they wrote to me, long and short, some simply asking my name and if I liked the food, if there was anything I would want to eat, thanking me (although I didn't know what for). Annabelle's was much larger, with the rock she gave me when we were kids, a photo of her, all the drawings and everything she ever gave me. A cloud of sadness washed over me, my chest gained a sinking feeling and I felt my eyes begin to water. I blinked harshly and continued onwards.

I walked to the window and waited for the signal. My informant was coming again today. As always, zhe said he would place the letter under the great tree right outside the apartments, neither of us knew much about each other, we're always cautious about our identities. Whenever it was necessary to meet up, it was usually dark and both of us wore some sort of face covering just to be safe. He told me zhe would help me, and he has so far.

Suddenly my phone pinged, I looked out the window to see a boy with black hair running from the tree out the gate, he wore a black hoodie with a red shirt. I didn't like zhim, something seemed off about him, always did. But he provided me with much needed information so I put up with zhim for a while.

'I should go get the letter' I say to myself as a left apartment once again.

In the elevator, there was a small girl with long, light brown hair flowing gently down their back. They had bright green eyes, that shimmered like emeralds and a bright smile. she waved at me excitedly, and I awkwardly waved back. I noticed a crown placed upon her head, the light reflecting off it giving a strange nostalgic and familiar feel that, frustratingly, I couldn't quite place.

The harsh cold air of the winter night shocked me a bit as I walked out the main entrance, but it was refreshing. I trudged over to the tree steadily, scanning the ground for the small piece of paper. It was too dark to see much but inevitably, the white surface of the paper caught my eye and I lowered myself to the ground. After pocketing the note, I decided to walk away from the apartment to avoid suspicion. A walk would be nice anyway, as I had nothing to do in my room.

About 15 minutes pass of walking aimlessly around the village and I decided to turn back. Surprisingly, I caught a glance at a reflective orb in a nearby bush. Confused, I went over to investigate and a small black cat emerged from the shrubbery. It looked young, only a kitten.

"Are cats this young even allowed out of the house?" I thought to myself.

The cat seemed friendly enough, eager to get my attention. I pet it's head softly and continued to walk away.

Once I had arrived back home for the second time today, I took the note out of my pocket and inspected it.

Toby Boyd
9 yrs old
Diagnosed advanced heart disease
Expected to live 8 more weeks at most
56 silver Birch Lane, Edwardshire

The writing was messy and it looked rushed. It was difficult to read at first but I eventually deciphered it and copied it up onto a fresher piece of paper, which I folded neatly and put in my inside pocket. Edwardshire sounded familiar so I decided to Google it briefly. I discovered that it had sounded familiar due to it being only 20 minutes away, on foot, from the apartment block. In fact I'd been there before, to buy food and other essentials. I hadn't needed to go there recently as "A" had been providing me with plenty of food.

I began typing up a small plan for how I was going to free Toby, and only stopped when I caught a glimpse of the clock. 1:28am. I sighed and closed my laptop before removing my glasses and placing them in their case. I made my way over to my room, which was only one room over as I lived in a relatively small apartment. My eyes carried an unbearable heaviness so it didn't take me long to drift off to sleep.