The birds chirp. The clock strikes 23. Today is my birthday. A melodic tune plays on the vinyl. Everything seems to be going quite swell, I could get used to this. I scream and panic as the shadows approach me from a never ending hall, but reassure myself saying it’s just my imagination. Nobody hears my calls for help. My family has left me. I’m unsure if they are gone forever or just going away for a bit. The doll on the table dances again. The child in the front looks back at me with the unchanging expression he always gives me. I then suddenly remember, the cake. I must’ve left it in the past with the tarnished memories. I don’t know who I am, or maybe I just haven’t found myself yet. The shadows get closer. The shadows are now very close to me, but they do not hurt me. They just simply examine, as if I’m their experiment in this laboratory we call life. I see something in the shadows. Something I can’t quite understand. It must mean something surely. Oh I see it now. I can’t describe it. It gives me reasons to stay with the shadows for a while, get to know them maybe. The shadows don’t truly know me yet. Maybe I can be someone different with them. My family will never forgive me for what I’ve done, but maybe the shadows are more understanding. They close my throat when I start to say things I shouldn’t. They keep me smiling when I shouldn’t be smiling. They help me cope with the things I’ve done in my earlier days. They make me feel wanted and secure. I guess I’ll stay with the shadows for a bit, what could go wrong? The sun comes up. The shadows fade. I’m cold. I’m alone, but maybe I could get used to this.