It's been a week since I was at the Rodger's. School has been going normally, Maria is still being talked about like a legend (though she denies it) and I still only hang out with Kaylie and Daniel.
I'm still confused about what happened when I was at their house. I've asked Kaylie about it, but she keeps saying 'It's for Danny to talk about.' And when I ask Daniel, he gets nervous and says it was nothing. I've decided to just let it go.
"Tonight guys. We're goin' to the Shadow World tonight."
"Really?" Daniel and Kaylie looked at me with a mix of shock and wonder from the other side of the lunch table. I nod in affirmation. "But... why?" Danny asks. "Unfinished business," I answer simply.
After a few seconds of confused looks, I try to explain further. "There can't just be just one of those shadow things. I don't want Maria to get hurt again."
There's an understanding silence.
"Well," Kaylie trails off, "Let's do this."

•••••

We walk up the steps to the front door. I open it and lead the way indoors. My dad looks back at us from the couch, "Hey guys." Kaylie and Daniel set their bags down on the bench in the entryway. "Hi Mr. Stephens."
We dash up the stairs and stop in the hall, Maria standing in our way.
"What are you doing?" She asks in an innocent voice. The one she uses to get what she wants.
"Umm. We were gonna play video games in my room," I gesture to the door. Her face splits into a wide grin. "Can I play?" Still using that voice.
"There aren't enough controllers, sorry."
Maria frowns, looking at the floor. She lifts her head eventually. "You're going there aren't you? The Shadow World?" I nod solemnly.
She rushes up and wraps her skinny arms around my waist, "Please be safe."
I whisper, "Okay."
We walk into my room. I sit on the bed with a sigh. Daniel crosses the room to sit in the beanbag chair by the TV, Kaylie cross-legged on the rug.
"What's the game plan?"
"Try not to die I guess," I sigh. I see Danny's scared face out of the corner of my eye and give a small smile.
"Okay. Great plan," Kaylie says sarcastically, "How will we do this then?"
"Same way I did it last time. Only this time I'll do stuff instead of bug you guys." I end with a breathy laugh.
I

scoot off the bed and onto the floor. Daniel pulls the beanbag closer to us. I close my eyes and focus, slowly being enveloped in darkness.
I open my eyes into the fade realm of the Shadow World. I stand and do a 360° of the room.
It's my room with Kaylie and Daniel where I left them staring, at the place I was just sitting.
I leave the room and glance up and down the short hallway. I spot the painting at the end of the hall, tilted slightly to the right.
I walk slowly toward it, leveling the frame once I reach it. I take a step back and examine my work.
Some primal instinct tells me I'm being watched. My body freezes in place. Slowly, I turn.
Nothing.
Down the staircase and through the arch to the livingroom. Dad on the couch, watching TV. I look below the TV -- which hangs on the wall above the fireplace-- and see the mantle is dented. Either I never noticed it or something else is happening.
Through the door -- that stood ajar -- and to the kitchen. I prepare for anything 'off'.
Sure enough, the silverware drawer is open. Not just open, but raided. The silverware lay sped out on the countertop, organized in strait lines: knives, forks, spoons, all in their own row.
I hear footsteps behind me and turn to see my dad. He grabs a beer and heads back to the living room. He didn't even register the non-mess, let alone me. I begin to think this stuff is only in the Shadow World.
I walk through the back door. Literally through; I don't seem to have a physical body in this world.
That's when I see the blood.