Shadow

I was looking for Master once again. This time outside. That was until I noticed her standing on the roof top of one of the castle towers.

“Master get down from there this instant!” She waved at me like nothing was wrong.

“Hi shadow! I think I figured it out!” Master stumbled a bit almost falling off but stopped herself last second. It was so nerve racking. I almost fainted at the sight.

She wasn’t responding to anger and I wasn’t mad anymore. More worried really. “Okay, that’s grate sweetie. Why don’t you come down and we can talk about it over some warm milk and a slice of cake.” The worry in my voice was far to real.

“You don’t get it! Snowball told me all about it! This place isn’t real! It’s a dream we just have to wake up!” She sounded insane.

“Master! Please get down from there! I swear if your not down by the count of ten I’ll climb up there and drag you down myself! One!… two!” Master wasn’t listening.

In fact she interrupted my count. “Don’t you get it shadow this place is a dream! How do you wake up from dreams?! It’s so simple! Have you ever had one of those dreams where your falling?! You always seem to wake up before you hit the ground! I’ll prove it to you! Just watch!” She started walking towards the edge.

“Master no! This isn’t a dream! It’s not-“ Master jumped head first before I could do anything. I ran forward and jumped into the air. Somehow I was able to run up the side of the building and catch Master. My claws came out of my hands and feet. I was able to slide down the side of the building leaving deep grooves into the stone. Once we hit the ground I fell back and cradled Master in my arms.

“You stupid, stupid child! What is wrong with you!” I was afraid Master would run off and try something even more dangerous so I held her tight. She squirmed in my arms.

“Shadow! Let me go! You ruined it! Now ill have to try again do you know how hard it is to force yourself to jump off a building!” She was upset with me like I’d ruined her joke. That’s it. I gave Master the spanking of her life.

A few days later

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I sat across from master in the lounge. We were playing a game of Uno. She wasn’t having fun. For the past few days we’ve been inseparable. It didn’t matter where she went. Whether it was to her room or the bathroom. I would never leave her side. There was just no way I’d let her out of my sight. Due to the lack of privacy she was upset. I don’t understand why. What seven year old had privacy.

“I don’t wanna play this anymore.” She put the cards down.

“You cant quit just because you’re losing.”

Master crossed her arms. “ That’s not it at all! I’m telling you this is all a dream. None of this is real.” She gestured to the whole room maybe even the whole world.

I sighed. “Okay fine. What makes you say that?” I decided to talk it out. If I can convince her that this world is indeed real then we might be able to move past this.

“You don’t notice anything strange?” What was she on about. Maybe I should have her tested.

I shook head. As far as I knew everything was the same as always. Master looked fed up. This wasn’t her usually happy bubbly self. This was the thirty nine year old that came out every once in a while.

“When is the last time you saw Luca or even anyone else other than us.”

“I.... hmm. What about that maid girl you hired. She….… actually I haven’t seen her around. Oh, now that you mention it where is Luca? She must be hung over again.” Luca seemed to drink an awful lot.

“That maid girl vanished the day she was hired. Luca hasn’t been seen in forever. I haven’t seen anyone in forever. There was that guy that sold me the goldfish but he is no longer around either. It’s like these people just manifest whenever there needs to be plot.” Plot? Like were in a TV show or something?

“That can’t be right what about the people that sell me food and other things.” That’s right! Whenever I go out the streets are full of people.

“Are you sure you saw them. Do you remember their faces? Did you speak to them at all?”

“That was…..” Now that I think about it. I don’t remember what they look like. All I know is that the street was full of people. I must of not been paying attention.

“Master your crazy maybe you need a nap. Come on let’s get you tucked in.” I got to my feet.

“Shadow your not listening!” I gave Master a slap to her exposed thigh. She cried in pain remembering the previous punishments she’s gotten. Nothing like a little PTSD to keep the kids in line.

“Come on I could use a nap to you know. It’ll be more fun together.” I held masters hand and we walked back to my room.

“Shadow your real right?” Master said it so low like she was afraid what I might say.

“Hmmm…. I think so? Of course I’m real.” She didn’t seem convinced.

“That sounds like something a fake person would say.” Was she really doing this?

“Your theory is that fake people only show up for plot right?” She nodded. “Then why am I still here. Have I vanished at any point?” She shook her head.

I felt her grab my hand with both hers. “Don’t leave okay.” Her voice fluttered like that of a whimpering puppy.

I gave her a half hug. Even if I didn’t believe her logic. She believed it. It’s like when my littlest thinks there’s a monster under there bed. I might know its not real but they don’t. “I’m not going anywhere.”