Lady Of Shadows

The Legend 1

At night she rocks her to sleep, holding her in her arms gently. Her love overwhelms her and soon the guilt follows. Tears run down her face, her heart breaking in two. They call her the Lady Of Shadows, for she comes only at the darkest hour. The time when she becomes just another mortal, another mere soul amongst the world. They say this is her most purest form, the most loving creature she becomes. As if a lion turned into a kitten.2

At the crack of daylight she transforms back into the horrid beast she is best known for. Something inside her snaps and she no longer is full of love and compassion. They say it is like a vampire in blood lust, that she can feel, but the hunger takes over.3

Legend says, that if you close your eyes and listen closely, you can still hear the cries of pain. The torture she inflicted upon her daughter. The muffled pleas to stop the hurt, the screams that went unanswered. 4

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Part One: Eye of deception 7


"Do you think I'd look good in this...or this?"8

I eye the dresses, not quite sure what to say. The flowered one looks older styled and elegant, but the other is gold and shimmers in the light. 9

"Come on..choose!" The brunette girl rolls her eyes. "Never mind I'll just wear this one. Here put this on."10

I'm used to this, the way Stacy always puts so much effort into what she wears. And when you see her in the hallway at school, clinging to her boyfriend - the joc's - arm, you can tell. She's never not looked beautiful. "A Goddess!", our history teacher yells as she walks in the room.11

Exasperated I take the dress and slip it on, keeping my back in her direction. The fabric slides over my head and fits perfectly. Excited I walk over to the mirror. The blue material makes me look less dead and more like an actual living being. Maybe even adding a few years to my 10 year old look.12

"Oooh, I like that!" Stacy grabs my arms from behind to get a closer view. "The color goes with your blue eyes and makes them pop!"13

She's right and I grin to tell her so, feeling happy for once. My smile fades though when I see my arm in the mirror. Fear sets in and I think of a way to fake sick. Never being a great actress though, I go with the second plan.14

"I don't like it."15

"What? What are you talking about, it looks great!"16

"Please...I just don't like the flowers." 17

"Do you know how long it took to find this dress!"18

I could tell she was offended now, her eyes swelled up like a mad mans and her face turned a dark crimson.19

"I'm sorry Stacy!"20

"No shit! Why can't you wear it! Can you at least tell me that?"21

I pull the material up more trying to hide myself. The fabric stretches as I do. 22

"What the hell! You're going to rip it! What are you hiding?" She grabs me and pushes me into the dresser, the metal picture frame she made in grade school crashes to the ground. And just as I reach for it she grabs the sleeve of my dress and pulls it down.23

"What... What is this?" Her voice fades as she stares in wonder at the round bruise on my arm. "Is this why you can't wear it?"24

I shriek and push her off me. The door flings open as I try to get out of her pink preppy room and away from her classical music. As I run down the stairs the steps squeak and make a song of their own.25


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The leaves crunch as I speedwalk over the grass. Having lost my breathe a while ago I give in to the urge to stop. Panting I lean over and put my hands on my knees.27

"Don't trust her!" 28

I scream not sure where the voice is coming from. I look around searching for the source.29

"The man in the white will give you aid."30

He's leaning over the fence, his foul breath making me gag. His shirt is torn and dirty and his pants have holes in them. He lives across the street from us and I know him well. The people who live in this town call him Crazy Mr. Filips.31

He points to his head, his balding white head gleaming in the sun. "I know him! He will help you!"32

I run away from his house, leaving him leaning over his fence talking to himself, and sprint to my door.33

"Mom! I'm home!" I close the door to the house and lock it behind me as he goes back to sit in the shade of his maple tree.34

"Mom!"35

Though I know she's probably not home I run up the stairs and knock on her door anyway, wanting her to tell me everything will be okay. No one answers and I feel disappointed. I decide to go in, waiting on her bed for her.36

As I cross the threshold I look around her room. Nothing much has changed since I was little and crawled in bed with her. The window is still old and rusty, the carpet the color of snow, and her bed is still as soft and comfy as ever.