Our shadow's secrets

The feeling of falling back into my body startled me awake. This constant nightmare has become a strange comfort these past few years. Better than reliving the night that I lost everything over and over again.

Opening my eyes carefully to find the alley I spent the night in abandoned and pitch black was just what I needed. Sitting up to do some basic stretches to help my stiff muscles revive after being still for almost 12 hours has been my daily routine for over 10 years now. With blood flowing throughout my entire body I popped my knuckles and neck. Getting up was a little harder due to the cold, must have been Fall or maybe even Winter.

Officially on my feet my right hand found the sunglasses I needed before leaving the alley. While walking to one of the exits I heard very loud heavy footsteps following me. The smell of cigarettes in the air followed by the stench of filth was a mixture of the the person behind me and the alley. Keeping my pace the same while hearing the man get closer until his shadow touched mine was long enough to play this game of cat and mouse.

Turning to face him before he could touch me came as a shock to him. I grabbed his arm before he could take it back, he grunted as my nails dug into his skin. Using a self defense move I learned long ago sent his ass flying across the alley. I may have used a bit too much strength on him, he was only human after all.

Before he had the chance to get up I licked my bloody fingertips while looking straight at him. He watched as my body began to stretch and morph until it looked like his own. The process took less than a minute, he was mumbling incoherently the entire time.

Walking up to him slowly with the same heavy feet that alerted me of him in the first place I bent my knees to be at eye level and said, "Boo". Taking a step back knowing he was going to gun it in the other direction. Watching him flail his arms around and hearing him scream made a smirk creep onto my face.

Walking down the other side of the alley so no body would have a sense of dejavu brought me to the entrance of a dive bar. Once inside everyone's eyes turned to see if trouble had come to their door. Seeing that no one recognized me was a relief. I noticed there were some men playing pool with bets on the table. Walking over to an empty bar stool, I asked for a double Jameson and a tap beer back. Paying with the $20 in my pocket I left a nice tip and watched the match attentively.

From what I could see it looked like those two had been playing a couple of matches. Seeing that the taller man was better than the other one I watched his movement carefully. Even if I was just decent at playing pool the tall man was a pro. I knew I'd have to cheat just a bit to take his winnings. The tall man must've felt my eyes on him, after shooting the 8 ball in and winning the game the other man cursed and walked off. The tall man looked my way and asked, "You any better?" He had a smokers voice, probably a pack a day for a few years, at least. Chugging the glass of beer in two gulps sent a nice buzz through my system. Getting up carefully I said, "Let's find out." Placing the last $5 I had for the night on the pile while the man was setting up the balls in order.

The man let me break first, using the balls shadows ever so slightly gave me two solids in. He didn't react in the slightest, the man really was a pro. It didn't matter due to the fact I was taking his winnings weather he liked it or not. After a few games the man finally accepted defeat begrudgingly. I left with the winnings after seeing him go into the men's room.

Once outside I could feel some electricity in the air, it didn't look or smell like it was going to rain. My nerves were on end knowing that the people who have been hunting me since the night I became a monster were close by. Walking like a drunk to keep suspicious off me just a little longer I went down the brighter part of the alley. Going against my instincts to hide instead of fight I kept my head down and listened for any other footsteps coming my way.

My mind started thinking of worse case scenarios. If the people who have been hunting me since I became what I am are now here then the only way they'll be taking me anywhere is in a body bag. They almost had me a few years ago. That night got bloody very quickly. If this squad has any idea of what I am and what I can do they better turn tail now.

The sound of two pairs of footsteps behind me sent a chill down my spine. Keeping my pace the same as not to bring any attention to myself didn't work. They continued to follow me, even after I slowed my pace just enough for them to pass by if they wanted. Knowing who they were didn't ease my mind at all. I knew this was going to get worse in less than five minutes tops.

Seeing that there was an opening to my right I slowly staggered there before the people behind me could catch up. Barely being out of their sight for a couple of second was all it took. Hiding in the closest shadow caused all the clothes I was wearing to fall to the floor. The people behind me turned out to be two men. Of course I thought to myself. Keeping my eyes on them while moving to the edge of the entrance I saw that they had some peculiar flashlights. No doubt something to incapacitate me with.

When I was finally on the other side of the agents the sound of screeching brakes from both sides of the alleyway alerted me of just how screwed I was. Before anyone could get out of the car I used the shadows to create tendrils with razors at the ends. Attacking the two agents in my line of vision was easy enough. Neither one of them were going to get up ever again.

The van doors opened to a throng of agents ready for combat. The ones that charged at me joined the first two that I already dealt with. The others watched as I killed the first group. They had their flashlights pointed at me in full brightness. Even though I couldn't feel any physical pain I saw the steam leaving my body. Seeing that the light wasn't just affecting my body, it was also affecting the control I had over the shadows. Some of the tendrils were losing their density and sharp edge. Knowing that these men weren't going to take me any other way I used all my strength to channel all tendrils into one. Before pushing the tendril to my heart I used it for one last sweeping motion to keep everyone away. These men aren't going to take me alive. I will not let them use me in any form or way, not even for experiments.

Barely being able to feel the tendril pierce through my body was a new sensation entirely. As my vision started to blur the last thing I saw were the flashlights still pointing at me. What I heard last was someone screaming watch out!