My Shadow - A Short Story

By: I. Krakowiak

​Dear diary,
 
If someone is reading this, well, I’d say call help, but I guess it’s too late now. Something happened today. Something I never imagined was possible. Just after school ended, under the intense July sun, I was strolling through the ruins of Watsmith street -an abandoned thoroughfare that had become my swiftest route. One foot in front of the other and singing the same tune as always, I started my journey home, when I noticed something rather disturbing. My shadow was not mirroring my calm steps, but twisting and turning, as if it were trying to stretch itself. I watched in horror, with utmost certainty this was not, in fact, usual.
 
 The shadow seemed to walk away from me, and being as curious as I am, I followed it; unknowingly making the biggest mistake of my life. As I got closer and closer to reaching it, the shadow sped up its pace, to the point where it was running, and I was running after it. The movement was surprisingly not random at all, as if the once-normal shadow was trying to get somewhere. By this point, I was completely lost, my eyes were held captive by this extraordinary situation before me.
 
Suddenly, the shadow came to a complete stop, and I realized I was at the end of an alley, completely isolated from any human activity. The shadow turned around to face me, and grinned. I had no idea that shadows could grin, but this one could. The grin was evil and full of hatred. This time, I was the one to start running, but the shadow was fast. Once the shadow caught up to me, it penetrated my soul, pushing me out of it.
 
It was over, the shadow now had my body, and I am now the shadow glued to the floor. Therefore, for safety reasons, please remain in well-lit areas at all times.