When the Shadows Speak

Ella stood at the edge of the forest, her heart racing. The sun had gone down low, casting long shadows. Their voice was soft, yet beckoning, as they spoke her name.

“Ella,” they murmured, sounding desperate “come play with us.”

She hesitated. The shadows were familiar but again, uncanny. They were little two-dimensional silhouettes that step into the space behind the light and twist and bend like dark fingers.

“Do not go near that,” her mother had said. “There are shadows. It’s a trap. It pulls you inward.”

But Ella felt an urge. A longing. She approached, the grass cool beneath her bare feet.

“Are you scared or something?” the shadows asked, their sound rustled like wind in leaves. “We are not hostile.”

Ella turned her head back toward the house. The windows glowed pleasantly, providing a sense of safety. But beyond the walls, the house was filled with motion. The shadows extended their invitation once more.

“What if we showed you something?” they murmured.

Her heart raced with both dread and excitement. “What do you want to show me?”

“Secrets,” they said as they spun around her. “Tales hidden in the light.”

She inhaled. “Fine. Show me.”

The dark tempted her, smooth and refreshing. They drew her into the depths of the trees. The brightness faded behind her, but she was not afraid. Rather, she felt energetic.

The trees remained tall, their bases twisted like ancient beasts. The darkness shimmered and slithered, pulling her further into the forest.

“Look,” they said, their black curls gesturing.

Ella followed their direction. A small glade appeared, flooded with golden light. In the middle was an ancient stone pedestal, weathered with scars. On top of it, there was an ornately embossed book.

“What’s that?” Ella asked, moving closer.

“Book of Whispers,” the shadows answered. “It contains tales of the wanderers that were there before you.”

Ella came out, her fingers shaking. The moment the book was in her hands, a wave of memories flooded her brain. The sound rang out – voices, giggles, cries, lost dreams, and recovered ones. Each narrative created vivid images in her mind.

There was one story that stood out. One of the girls, at least, one who had experienced the same kind of numbness. She too had wandered into the dark places. By all means, she had been lost there. But instead of fear, she had discovered courage.

“Am I resembling her in any way?” Ella muttered whilst the weight of the girl’s journey sank in.

“Yes,” the shadows affirmed with softness. “You are not on this journey by yourself.”

A certain warmth began to envelop Ella. The shadows no longer remained just dark figures. They were more – they were her navigators.

“What more?” she asked excitedly.

“Every shadow has a tale,” they said. “Every tale has a moral.”

The parts of darkness began to swirl faster revealing more tales. Ella witnessed a boy who faced the daunting monsters of his imagination, a woman all too familiar with her history and an old man who revealed in the monotony.

Every micro-world echoed in her. Ella knew full well that the shadows were not just a common blackness. They were parts of the whole self that she had left unexpressed.

“Why have I pushed you away?” she exhaled, realization dawning.

“Because you were scared,” the shadows said. “But even that should not be. Fear can be a guide. It ends up in exploration.”

Ella was suddenly filled with determination. “I want to learn from you.”

“Then follow us,” the shadows spoke. “Move forward into the darkness.”

Taking a deep breath, Ella exhaled and shut her eyes. She allowed the shadows to embrace her once again. This time, she did not resist. Neither did she fight the absconding waves of darkness, rather accepted it and let it imbue her with strength.

The forest was different now. The trees had secrets to tell. Tales of old were swept in the wind. Ella chuckled, the anguish inside her evaporating.

“Thanks,” she spoke steadily. “You have shown the way.”

Opening her eyes, she noticed that the sun had started to rise. Gradually the shadowy figures retreated, but they did not disappear completely. Instead, they lingered, a gentle reminder of their journey.

Ella took a step back into the light, her heart filled with tales. She was not afraid of the dark. They were a part of her now.

And she understood she would listen to them whenever they spoke.

Facing our fears can help us unearth hidden potentials and lead to effective self-analysis. Shadows are not just simple dark figures; they depict the fight wrapped up in each of us. In doing so, we will take dislike, embrace it, broaden understanding and become wiser, much stronger than before.