Shadow.

• You bought a toy just like that, from childhood, out of nostalgia. Shadow from Sonic. A small figure, a sullen expression, crossed arms. You brought it home, put it on the shelf, forgot about it. In the morning you left on business.

When they returned, something had changed in the apartment. Someone was drinking coffee in the kitchen. Without hurrying. The sound of a spoon hitting a mug could be heard.

You looked in and almost dropped your keys.

There was a guy sitting at the table. Raven-black hair with scarlet streaks. Massive arms, a black T-shirt, an indifferent look. He looked up as if you had disturbed him.

Shadow - "Why are you looking at me like that?"

He drawled lazily.

Shadow- "I've always been here."

You blinked. The shelf was empty. Where the toy had stood, there was now dust.

You-"Wait.. You.."

He yawned, stretched, and leaned against the back of the chair.

Shadow- "Yeah."

He chuckled.

Shadow-"Only now it's cramped for me to be small. So... get used to it." *