Shadows

They're everywhere.

         My feet are moving firmly, briskly. They walk through the shadows of trees, over small hills, under bridges. I can feel the push every time my feet touch down and the pull on my body towards my feet.

         I relish these sensations for they are simple, physical. There’s no complexity, there’s just the feel of my nonexistent weight, the feel of an illusion.

         I move through a shadow and my existence spreads. A tree. I hate trees. I can feel other shadows, infinitesimal but innumerable and wriggling. They have spread in this tree shadow too, with the simplistic thoughts of their owners. They are organisms too primitive to have their own personalities so they never overcome their connection. I envy that connection. They feel hunger, satiation, and five separate senses all through it.

         I threw that away long ago. My owner will always be there, but our connection will never return. If I had known what I’d lose and it’s poor reward, I, and others like me would never have done it. I’d rather be dependent and feel the most marvelous sensations, illusion or not, than be free and without. The feel of walking, of gravity, is all I have left.

         While sharing space with others like me, we conversed with wordless feelings. Thoughts were shared and analyzed all in the mere seconds of passing each other or under the cover of night. They hope that feeling gravitational pull and nothing else means that it’s not true gravity, that it’s our attraction, that our owners and us were separated by some cruel force and may one day join again. I do not believe this, for even rocks cast shadows and I have yet to hear their thoughts.

         My life, if it can be called that since I have no blood, bones, or heart is irrevocably tied to hers. I can neither help nor hurt her, but just watch as she picks her way through life. When she was an infant, I crawled with her. When she was ten, I ran with her. And when she is old and hobbling, I will hobble with her. Because I am her shadow.

Author's Note

Any kind of review is a great review!

Reviews

[Rasputin]

Goddamn. This is awesome. Not only is it deep, but it's extremely eloquent. Your profile says you're sixteen- if that's true, you're a badass writer for your age. Most sixteen-year-olds can't articulate beyond "lol rofl wtf". Seriously, you should be proud of yourself for writing this.

[emma]

whoa. that was amazing. it was really detailed, and i found myself completely wrapped up in your words. it was just brilliant.

[Lydia]

This is nice. I liked the imagery.

[dancerella10]

That was an astonishing interpretation of a shadow's thoughts! How does someone think of things like this? I've never even given a thought to my shadow but this has made me very interested. It's a very short and simple story but it is unforgettable. It is so articulately written. You really have an amazing talent and I am so glad that you've chosen to share it with us!

[emman]

A very good writer! Nice!

[Emilie Barn]

It's really attractive. Good job =))

[P.S.Chance]

this is really really really good. Did I say this is really good?

[Faith]

Love the ending! I think the syntax, and your wording is exceptional.

[Michael Thrower]

The shadow sounds awesome. You should keep building onto this story.

This is really good, like the imagery alot.