The Shadow

The Shadow moved towards me, its growling stomach wanting to be filled.
I was trapped.
Behind me, the crumbling wall of the alley was covered in fading graffiti, the side walls held barred and broken windows with rivers of paint flowing over them.

I tried to swallow my racing heart, but it only lodged itself in my throat. Reaching behind myself blindly, I stretched out my arms, trying to find the wall while my eyes were still locked with that of the Shadow. I jumped when I heard a loud crunch under my foot, the Shadow still growing closer yet.

Looking down, I lifted my foot and saw the crushed remains of a rat skeleton under my heel.

My head shot up to see the Shadow pause, just yards away. I heard it give an un-human shriek as it saw me clutching at the wall, trying to do the impossible and climb over it.

“I finded yous,” it said, pointing a chubby finger at me.

I screamed loudly, trying to find something along the trash-lined alley to hit it with, but I only saw a Barney stuffed animal and a plastic GI Joe.

Suddenly, the Shadow launched itself at me. I felt the cold arms wrap around my waist, repeatedly saying “Gotchya! Gotchya!”

I winced as the thing buried its face into my stomach. Squeezing my eyes shut, I pinched my arm hard, hoping it was all a dream. Pain streaked up my arm, confirming my worst fears; this wasn’t a dream.

The Shadow let go of me, and warmth flowed down into my legs. I opened my eyes, and immediately wished I hadn’t. The Shadow stood before me, his eyes drilling into mine.

The dark alley changed into the well-lighted kitchen, the rat skeleton into a broken plastic toy car.

“Nows itz my tuwn to hide, kays?” he said.

I nodded numbly, and then slid down onto a tiny stool while he hid. All around me, food was splattered on the walls, the cabinets, the table, everywhere. The very nice table and very nice cabinets. And the kid; he was covered in apple sauce and ketchup.

And the parents would be home in a half-hour.

Oh god.

I dropped my head into my hands.

I am so screwed.

I jolted from my temporary throne when I heard a key in the lock of the side door. Breathless, I held the door open, blushing at their shocked faces.

“W-well, you’re home early.”