Shadow

Shadow pushed attention away from himself as he crawled out from the closet, squinting against the late afternoon sunlight that streamed in through the uncurtained windows. At home, they had thick, black curtains covering all of the windows. Shadow had grown used to moving through comfortable, muted darkness, and had almost forgotten what it felt like to have light forced on him like this.

He kept his head low as he crossed the room, bare feet quiet on the floor, and slipped into the bathroom.

The bathroom was better. The small window let in only a thin bar of light that didn't reach the corners. He went to the toilet, brushed his teeth, and stood for a moment in the comfortable dimness, letting the tension in his shoulders ease, before making himself leave.

When Shadow stepped back out, he found Finch sitting at the kitchen table, looking at something on his phone. Finch was facing directly towards him and definitely would have seen him if not for Shadow’s gentle mental encouragement to keep his attention focussed on the screen in front of him. It was easy. Finch was already half-absorbed. Shadow just nudged that absorption a little deeper.

Adin had stuck the list of house rules to the fridge last night with a magnet shaped like a little ice cream cone.

1. No parties.

2. No guests without prior permission from Adin and Finch. Appointments with plumbers, electricians, etc. to be made by Adin.

3. No TV shows with audible live audiences (sports, game shows, etc.) in communal spaces.

4. Do not ask about anyone’s life before coming to this world without permission.

5. Groceries are ordered Friday mornings. Add anything you want to the shopping list before then.

6. Bins go out on Tuesday.

He glanced back at Finch, who was still absorbed in his phone, thumb scrolling idly, and then slipped out through the back door without making a sound.