“Hidden. I heard your call. Do you wish for me to take you now?”
No, this had to be my imagination. My head was always imagining things that I was made to believe existed. Yes, that was
it. I had created this shadow man out of my desperation to wish to not live my life anymore. To be rescued, and to live a
different one.
“It hurts me so deeply that you do not believe me to be real.”
“You can’t be real. No, you’re not. It’s just my mind playing tricks on me.”
In my heart, I wanted to believe he was real, and not just someone I had dreamt of one night. He would be the answer to so
many things if I ever wished to escape.
“I will show you how real I am then.”
Suddenly, his shadow began to envelope the doorway back into my bedroom. His form took shape as he stood there, still
cloaked, hiding his true identity from me. Which still proved nothing to me, it was clearly my mind and the wine playing tricks
on me.
Walking towards him, I had half a mind to walk through him, and as I tried to do that, his fingers wrapped around my wrist
and I dropped the glass, shattering it.
“Does this not feel real?” His voice was almost pleading.
“It’s just my mind,” I answered, trying to pull away, but he only tightened his grip more.
“Do you think I want to be here? Little girl! You keep calling to me!”
His voice took a turn, growing darker as his eyes flashed red, and I began to feel the pain as he held tightly onto my wrist.
This couldn’t be real, surely. The first time we met, I was asleep and the second time, I was disoriented and lost in the woods.
But right now, his warmth against my skin felt as if it were truly there.
“Let go of me,” I begged softly.
“You asked for me to save you, and I am here!” he hissed.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Don’t play dumb with me, princess.”
“I am not! I do not know what you speak of!” I shouted.
He finally let go and stepped out of my way. I raced into my bedroom, fearing that if I walked past him, he would grab me
again and take me somewhere.
Turning back around to see if he was still standing there, I let out a sigh of relief as he disappeared. I felt my heart slow
until his hand snaked around my waist and the other around my throat. He stood behind me and seemed to breathe deeply
against my back.