I chased and chased the sounds, but every time I did... The sounds... They would start coming from a different direction! Suddenly when I closed my eyes I opened them to reveal that I was now... in darkness. "Crud." I slowly backed up, I felt a sudden pain, I began screaming. Collapsing to the ground I lied there for a while, my screaming stopped but the pain continued on, and on, slowly coming to an end. The darkness felt cold and a feeling of melancholy came over me. Slowly, these thoughts in my head, jumbled up and made me feel deep despair. "Is this who we are?" A voice stood behind me, "Is this who you are? A loner in the dark? Did you forget what I always told you?" I couldn't move, my body gone numb, I laid on the floor, tears sliding down my face. "Shadow. Do I have to make myself clear? You aren't the monster they say you are. You're better than this, you know that people around you love and care for you; but, you're still feeling like nothing? Shadow, keep the promise bestowed upon you. Let all your days be well." A light began to shine in the middle of this darkness, a hope, something better than sulking in the bitterness. "Now stand! You know what you're supposed to do! So do it! I believe in you. They all believe in you. And if your mind ever tries to tell you 'that is not so' ever again, call me, Shadow." Once I finally stood up, my eyes met with... M- Maria..? She was completely blue, slightly pale, her hair in a high bun, her dress covering her feet, draping all the way behind her. "Maria... I-" "No. Just go. I believe in you." Maria smiled, "I'll see you later." "What..?" Right before I could take a single step, I woke up in the emergency room, a couple surgeons leaning over me. They all murmured, while they slowly stepped back. My vision had a soft blur to it. I lied there, one of the surgeons walked over and helped me sit up straight. Sitting upwards felt like a difficult task, I felt like I was on the verge of collapsing. And get this.. I blacked out. Again. Of course... "You..? What're you doing here, of all places? Aren't you 'important'..?" "E- Eclipse?!" I shouted, but his voice sounded close to me... Why does he look like he's so far away? "Oh? So NOW you want to be apart of the black arms?" Eclipse scoffed, "NOW? After all you've done to us? Our father is disappointed. Well not in me of course.." "I will never be one of you! I don't even wish!" I screamed, my lungs felt like they were gonna pop. All of a sudden I was in a mirror maze, everywhere I tried to run, I’d slam my face into a sheet of glass… “No! No!” I stretched my arms out. I can hear Eclipses aggravating laughter, “You are so funny! My own baby brother can’t choose between family… or nothing!” All of a sudden the floor collapsed and I was falling, I heard a deep male voice shout, “Fire!” As I was screaming, the wind in my ears made everything sound like nothing at all. Once I hit the ground, I was in the dark again… That empty room. But a door. An exit? What? Why should I ask. I gotta run! Somehow, my air shoes began to break apart, every step I took, a piece would snap off. “What?!” I slipped on my sock and bashed my head on the floor, “No! No wait!” I continued running as the door slowly slid shut, pushing the ground beneath my feet I continued on and on. The door shut once I made it… “Is this it..?” I put my hand on the door, “No handle? What type of…” I let out a long exhausted sigh, covering my face with my palms… I pulled my face away from my hands… small puddles… Turning my back towards the door that once was.. I slid down to the floor and sat there. Loud exhale… How long am I going to be in here? It’s dark. And… It’s just so hard to see anything down here. I should keep… pushing. No? “Back so soon..? I thought I’d see you later.” Maria stood there. Still glowing. “I… I’m… sorry.” I covered my face again. “Why?” Maria stepped forward and came down to my level, “Why are you apologizing?” “I messed up.” “Shadow. Again, you aren’t the monster people say you are! You’re still a baby, you’re still learning.” Maria lifted my head, her cold hand on my chin. “I… wait. ‘Baby’..? I’m literally in my 50’s…” “You’re still the four year old I remember. You always told me ‘I am a teen too’..” She looked away for a little bit, “You’re still my baby brother, and I’ll do whatever I can to protect you.” Maria patted my head, “Even if you think you’re ‘mature’ or even ‘a big kid’.” “But I am mature!” I shouted, “I am very mature.” “Wow… you are so. So, so, so mature, Mr. Shadow.” Maria gave me a smirk. I rolled my eyes, “But truly, I am!” “You still watch toddler shows.” Maria crossed her arms. “…I can explain.” Maria laughed, “Either way. You aren’t who they say you are... I just want you to remember. I'm always here for you." When I blinked, I was back in that Forrest... I heard singing... That voice. That voice is familiar.
