Your Shadow

Not in a land far away, not once upon a time, but today, right now, near you, danger lurks. You have forgotten.

Your shadow, the essence of your existence, is not deep within you but constantly exposed to the world. You know your shadow soaks up the energy around you, feeding or being fed upon.

You feel energized, or you are weakened. You consume, or you are devoured. You hunt or are preyed upon; if all is lost, you must begin again with a nub. You have experienced the nub of a shadow before. Its other name is depression.

You went to work tired and weary. The sunlight cast through your bedroom window had tossed your shadow over your partner while you slept. Gratefully, theirs nibbled on yours with you unaware in your slumber. You forgot to close the blinds while you rested, and you must endure a long day.

In the office meeting, the new sales agent lurks behind you as you sip your coffee, seeking to put you in their shadow. You step away and threaten his. Your boss enters the room, casting his shadow over everyone. You were brilliant and sat in the corner to protect yourself, though your initial intent was to hide due to fatigue.

Your heart races when you drive home as the shadow of the law rides your bumper and stops you for speeding. Their shadow seeks yours, with the sun behind them to consume yours like an interrogation lamp. You are afraid and under attack, but you know the officer wants you to remain at a disadvantage in the car and out of direct light. You raise your hand to shield the glare and block his oppressive shadow.

Once home, your partner, unlearned in these ways, wants to walk the dark streets, past the cemetery, and dance under street lamps. Still, you remember your grandmother taught you that the dead seek your shadow, whereas they have none. The empty shadows of the grave are of the dead that seeks yours. Their ghostly visitations upon the living are empowered by consuming the most decadent shades of the living.

You know people with lives out of balance because their shadow has been lost. Their lives run in circles like a tail-less bird. They have been nubbed. You were nubbed as a child by a bully at school and grew sick with a fever. The doctors knew not the cause, but your grandmother carried you into the sunlight at noon. She stood guard over you, protecting your new shadow from all predators until yours regained strength.

Tonight, you agree to walk but object to the cemetery route. You avoid street lamps where predators lurk like animals to a watering hole. You feel safe until a black cat crosses your path. No greater danger is there, not the great white of the sea or the Bengal tiger of the jungle, to your peace than this. You know, black cats fund their nine lives by stealing human shadows. They are living black holes that will eat your shadow whole, leaving you depleted and nubbed.

You are prepared and toss a pinch of salt over your shoulder in defense. The predatory feline turns and runs away to seek an easier target. Your shadow deepens in the darkness as it loves salt with its flavor of life, healing power, and preservative elements. It would burn the cat's tongue and cause it to lose a life.

Once home, you close the blinds and prepare for tomorrow. Another day comes, but you will be ready. You package your lunch with the plan to spend noon in the sunlight and give your shadow a well-deserved play date. Remembering your grandmother's lessons, you know nothing is more important than keeping your shadow nurtured, protected and happy. You write in your journal, "Tomorrow night, it is time to teach my partner these things if we are to endure. Their shadow seems to grow hungry."

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