April 17, 2008 The morning sunlight poured through the window, painting the room in golden hues. Carina sat cross-legged on her bed, watching dust motes dance lazily in the air. The fear of last night lingered like a faint shadow in her mind, but the warmth of the sun seemed to push it away. “Come on, Cari,” her mother’s voice called from downstairs. “The sun’s out! Go play before it gets too hot.” Carina hesitated, glancing at the corner of her room. It looked normal now, just a plain, empty space. She took a deep breath, grabbed her little wooden top from the nightstand, and bounded down the stairs. Outside, the field stretched endlessly, a sea of green swaying gently in the breeze. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and wildflowers, and the cicadas hummed their constant tune. Carina kicked off her sneakers and stepped onto the cool, dewy grass. It tickled her feet, drawing a small giggle from her lips. She spun the top on a flat rock near the fence, watching as it wobbled and tipped over. “Not fair,” she muttered, picking it up and trying again. The field seemed quieter today. Usually, the birds would chirp and the rustling grass would blend into a melody of life, but now, the silence felt like it was holding its breath. Carina’s movements slowed, her eyes drifting toward the far edge of the field where the grass grew taller, darker, and wilder. The hum was there again. Faint, almost imperceptible, but definitely there. Carina shook her head, trying to ignore it. She turned her attention to a patch of wildflowers, plucking a handful of yellow and white blossoms. She tied them into a clumsy wreath, imagining herself as a queen in a magical land. “Your Majesty!” she announced to the empty field, curtsying dramatically. The sound of her own voice made her feel a little braver, so she wandered further into the field. The grass grew taller as she walked, brushing against her knees. The hum grew louder too, blending with the breeze until it felt like the field itself was singing. Carina stopped when she reached a small clearing, the ground bare and packed hard as if something had once stood there. She crouched down, tracing a finger over a strange pattern in the dirt—a swirling shape that looked almost like a spiral. “Hello?” she whispered, glancing around. The field didn’t answer, but Carina felt a presence nearby, warm and steady, like a hand resting on her shoulder. That night, Carina lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The hum had followed her back from the field, soft and persistent, like a lullaby just out of reach. She didn’t feel afraid this time, though she didn’t know why. She turned her head toward the corner. The darkness there was thicker than the rest of the room, a shadow that seemed to breathe. “Are you still there?” she asked softly. The hum rose slightly, a low vibration that tickled her ears. “You’re not going to hurt me, are you?” The shadow didn’t move, but the hum softened, almost like it was reassuring her. Carina sat up, clutching her blanket to her chest. “Why are you here? Did you come from the field?” The shadow seemed to pulse, its edges flickering faintly. Carina tilted her head, watching it with wide eyes. She felt silly, like she was talking to a stray dog, but the shadow didn’t feel dangerous—not tonight. “Do you have a name?” she asked. The hum changed, rising and falling in a way that almost sounded like laughter. Carina smiled despite herself. “Okay. If you don’t have a name, I’ll give you one,” she decided. “How about... Shadow?” The corner darkened slightly, as if the figure was nodding. Carina giggled. “That’s silly, huh? Naming you ‘Shadow.’ But I like it.” The hum grew louder, wrapping around her like a warm blanket. Carina lay back down, pulling the covers over her shoulders. She stared at the corner until her eyelids grew heavy and sleep pulled her under. The next day, Carina woke with an unusual sense of calm. The corner of her room was just a corner again, and the sunlight streaming through the window made everything feel normal. She spent the morning exploring the field, her wooden top forgotten in her pocket. She found a patch of mushrooms growing in a circle, their caps a vibrant red speckled with white. She skipped around the circle, laughing as she imagined it was a portal to another world. “Shadow, are you watching?” she called out, glancing over her shoulder. The field was empty, but the hum answered her, faint and steady. Carina climbed onto the old wooden fence and dangled her legs over the side. She looked out at the far edge of the field, where the grass grew wild and tangled. “Do you live out there?” she asked. The hum didn’t answer this time, but Carina felt a tug in her chest, as if something was pulling her toward the wild grass. She slid off the fence and took a hesitant step forward. The grass grew taller as she walked, the air cooler and heavier. The hum surrounded her, louder now, vibrating through the ground and the soles of her feet. She reached the clearing again, the spiral in the dirt more pronounced than before. She crouched down, running her fingers over it. The pattern felt warm, almost alive. “Is this your home?” she asked, glancing around. A breeze rustled the grass, but the hum was her only answer. Carina stood and brushed the dirt off her hands. She turned back toward the house, her footsteps slow. She didn’t want to leave, but the sinking sun painted the sky in shades of orange and pink, and her mother would call her in soon. “Bye, Shadow,” she said softly, her voice carried away by the wind. That night, the shadow returned. Carina wasn’t afraid anymore, though her heart still raced when she saw it in the corner. She sat up in bed, pulling her knees to her chest. “Why do you stay in the corner?” she asked. “You can come closer if you want.” The shadow hesitated, its edges wavering. Slowly, it shifted, spilling across the floor like ink. It stopped halfway to her bed, its form flickering like a candle flame. Carina smiled. “That’s better. You don’t have to be shy.” The hum deepened, resonating through the room. It wasn’t just a sound anymore—it was a feeling, a connection that made Carina’s chest ache with a strange, bittersweet warmth. “Are you lonely?” she asked. The shadow pulsed, its flickering edges growing steadier. “I think I am too,” Carina admitted. She reached out, her small hand trembling as it hovered over the edge of the shadow. For a moment, she thought it might pull away, but instead, it seemed to rise toward her, its dark surface cool and smooth like polished stone. When her fingers brushed it, a shiver ran down her spine. The hum swelled, filling the room with a sound that felt like a song. Carina smiled. “You’re not so scary.” The shadow didn’t respond, but she felt its presence settle around her, warm and protective. For the first time since they had moved to this strange new place, Carina felt like she wasn’t alone. She closed her eyes, the hum lulling her to sleep. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew the shadow wasn’t just a friend. It was something more, something she didn’t fully understand. But for now, that didn’t matter. ****
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