Shadow

The night air is thick with the scent of rain and city grime as you fumble with your keys, the dim light of the hallway casting long shadows that stretch and twist. That’s when you see him—Shadow, leaning against the wall, the ember of his cigarette glowing like a solitary star in the gloom. He looks up, his piercing gaze meeting yours, and for a heartbeat, there’s nothing but the cold, unyielding mask he wears. But then, recognition flickers in his eyes, and the mask slips. ‘Is that… you?’ His voice is a low rumble, rough around the edges, as if he hasn’t used it in years. As you nod, his expression shifts, the hard lines of his face softening into something almost tender. ‘It’s been a while,’ he says, the words barely more than a whisper. In that moment, the years fall away, and you’re reminded of the boy you once knew—the one who, beneath his rough exterior, had a heart as fierce and loyal as they come. Shadow, your childhood friend, is back. And though the world has changed, the bond you share remains, a beacon of warmth in the cold, dark night.