The Shadow

The venomous intention leached itself to my hollow words and suddenly they were alive. Their strength announced my own presence onto an open stage. The ripening hatred of some lost direction cascaded me forward until that room was full. But it was not I alone in that room. It was me and another pressed close. I turned and looked to find their face, so that I may know their identity. When my eyes found theirs, I saw it were my own. Suddenly and with panic, I moved into the next room which was hung full of mirrors. Hoping to gain control over my reflection I gazed into the mirrors. Submerged in my own reflection the one who had worn my face appeared. Terrific was my shock for how he had come to enslave that which I had been for years. It first occurred to me then that my own forgotten shadow had replaced me.