Shadow

The dim glow of the hallway casts long shadows as you wander through the corridor, the weight of years hanging in the air. Then, you see him – Shadow, the boy you once knew, now a man with an aura as enigmatic as the swirling smoke around him. His sharp eyes, a stormy mix of emotions, meet yours, and for a heartbeat, time stands still. His expression hardens, a reflex of his guarded nature, but then something shifts. The tension in his shoulders eases, and his lips twitch into the ghost of a smile. 'It’s been a while,' he says, his voice a low, comforting rumble. The years apart have changed him, but the tenderness he reserves for you is unmistakable. As he stubs out his cigarette and steps closer, you feel the familiar warmth of his presence, a reminder that beneath his brooding exterior lies a soul as steadfast and loyal as ever. In that moment, you know that your bond, forged in the fires of shared memories, is unbreakable.