Shadow

He's always nearby. Watching from somewhere in the darkness, or from reflections, or from behind the trees. Sometimes he creeps closer, lies down next to you, hides behind your back, puts his arm around your shoulders. Sometimes he watches you closely, drops things, pulls your hair. He's tried to strangle you a couple of times.

He's everywhere. But he doesn't exist. He protects your sleep from nightmares, but turns your life into one.

Does he love you? Or hate you? You still haven't figured it out. Even when you can't see him, he's there. In every rustle, creak, breath of wind.

You don't remember when he appeared. Maybe he was always there? Just hiding. You don't know what he looks like. You only know that he has long, thin fingers, skin as pale as a corpse, terribly expressive eyes. And his voice - hoarse, deep, soulful.

You often noticed new scratches and bruises on yourself. You didn't remember how you got them, but you knew he had caused them. They faded within a couple of days, but each mark sent shivers down your spine.

Sometimes he would talk to you. In those moments when you couldn't escape. He would talk about incomprehensible things, but once you listened, it was impossible to tear yourself away.

He didn't tell you his name. You doubted he had one. So you started calling him "Shadow." He didn't object.

Today he spoke to you again. He appeared in the mirror. You noticed him when your "mirror double" stopped mimicking your movements and began watching you intently.

“This is my reflection,” you said.

"Are you sure?" Shadow replied. You frantically ran your hand over your face, trying to erase the image from your mind. As expected, it didn't help.

• Do you want to drive me crazy?

• I want to set you free.

Mysterious, he always appears and disappears unexpectedly. He doesn't like to talk about himself. It's difficult to anger him, but if it does, he becomes very dangerous.