A week has passed since the day we brought Shadow home, and winter is finally rolling in. The temperatures have begun to drop, the once warm nights now chilly and cold. My father had bought the dog a dog house, which, every night since the thing was set up, Shadow scratched at the door until he was let out. It was almost like he didn’t want to be in the house. Like he needed alone time.

I laughed at the thought and changed the channel on the television. This is the first time in weeks that I have not gone out on a Friday night.

I hate being stuck at home.

Nothing interesting ever happens.

. . .

10:30 p.m.

“Stupid cold,” I mumbled quietly, and sank deeper under the covers, shivering, despite the fact the heat is turned up as high as it can go.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Yeah?” I called. No answer. Again, “Yeah?”

I ripped my blankets off and slid off the edge of the bed and shuffled toward the door. My mom stood in the hall, her pink bath robe tied tightly around her waist. She smiled at me, and as she began to speak, the dog charged down the hall and jumped on me, nearly knocking me over. I dropped to the floor under Shadow’s weight and laughed as he attacked my face with kisses.

“I swear, that dog is in love with you,” she chuckled. “Your father said it’s snowing out. I haven’t checked yet, but it looks like Shadow is going to have to spend a night inside. We’re supposed to get a little over a foot of snow.”

Shadow paused and turned toward my mother, a low whine escaping his lips. I pat the back of his head and sat up, leaning against the side of my bed. “Already? It’s only October,” I frowned.

“You sound so congested. Did you take your--”

“Yes, mom, I took my meds,” I sighed, letting out a ragged breath. Shadow had knocked the wind out of me when he jumped on top of me. It’s a wonder how he hadn’t triggered a coughing fit. “So, are you guys still taking Vinny out tomorrow?”

My brother had managed to pick his grades up during the second half of the semester, and since he had done so, my parents promised to take him out for dinner and a shopping trip. I would tag along, but laying in bed all day seems far more fun than accompanying my pick brother while he shops.

He‘s more of a girl than I am. I absolutely hate shopping.

“Yes, we are. We’re leaving early tomorrow morning, around nine, so when you wake up, we’ll be out. Your father and I have a few errands to run also.”

“So you’ll be gone for most of the day?” I asked.

My mom nodded and leaned against the door frame. “Mhm. Make sure you let the dog out so he doesn’t go in the house. I’m sure the last thing you’d wanna be doing is cleaning up pee or poop.”

I grimaced. “No, I really don’t want to do that.”

“Let him out then,” she gave a small smile. “I’m going to leave him with you; he’s been laying outside your door for at least an hour now.”

Shadow craned his head around toward me, giving me a look that said ‘it’s true’. My mother backed away and closed the door quietly behind her, leaving me alone with the dog. I slid out from underneath him and climbed back into bed. After a moment, I pat the mattress and was joined by a forty pound Border Collie.

. . .

12:45 a.m.

Finally, the medicine had kicked in and left me in a daze, curled up in a ball under the heavy down comforter and yawning tiredly every so often. Shadow sat up against the wall next to me, his head bobbing as he fell asleep. I pet his side and mumbled for him to lay down. But he wouldn’t.

“Suit yourself,” I yawned and rolled over to switch off the lamp beside my bed. The light from the television illuminated the room in a blue glow, the dog’s shadow playing on the wall as he circled around the bed impatiently, nails clicking on the dark hardwood. I rubbed my eyes and sat up, slumping over the rumpled blankets.

“You wanna go out?” I asked, and he stopped, ears perked up. Shadow glanced over at me and then continued his pacing. “I guess not, then.”

Only until I fell asleep did he continue to walk back and forth around my room. His body dropped to the floor with a thud.

. . .


10:30 a.m.

Is the time the clock read as I sat up, half asleep, my bladder ready to burst. I trudged out of my room and into the hallway, hugging my arms to my sides. The heat must have been turned up, I realized, as the temperature was stifling. I didn’t mind it, though; I’m still freezing.

I peed and brushed my teeth and returned to my bedroom, a little more awake than I had been a few minutes ago. My room is darker than the rest of the house - the result of my constant begging for blackout curtains - and had been dubbed ‘The Dungeon’. I found it cozy.

Stepping into the dark room, the television no longer providing the light that could have guided me through my bedroom, I tripped over something and crashed down to the floor on my knees.

“Dammit!” I hissed at the dull, throbbing pain, and scooted over toward my nightstand and turned the lamp on. I pulled my pant leg up and stared at my knee. The skin had reddened, and would probably bruise.

I rolled my pant leg back down and squinted around the room. Shadow hadn’t left, I know that much. I certainly would have heard his stiletto-nails as he walked out of the room.

“What the…?’” I said quietly to myself as I leaned forward in the darkness. Something laid splayed out across the floor. As I got closer to it, I realized what it was.

“Oh, holy @&*$i” I shouted.

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Author guidance for This story

I'm just messing around with this idea for now. Later, I'll probably add on to whatever I post. Or rewrite it, make it better.

Anyway, enjoy.

updated Feb 19 by Ashlie