"Where'd you come from?" he asked, in surprise, taking a few steps back.
"Shadow," she purred.
"I didn't see you."
"I didn't want to be seen."
"What do you want?"
"Oh, I want a lot of things," she snickered.
"Well, good luck," he said, trying to edge his way around her.
"You don't have to be afraid of me."
"Why would I be afraid of you?" he asked, his voice a little higher than usual. "I'm just in a hurry, so please get out of my way."
"Jack, you have all the time in the world," she said, grabbing his arm.
She was surprisingly strong and when he tried to look into her eyes all he saw were tiny bursts of light.
"Let go of me," he said, trying to pull away from her.
"Should I be hurt that you don't remember me?"
"Remember you? I've never seen you before in my entire life. And how do you know my name?"
"When you were nine years old, some boys were beating you up after school."
"That was a long time ago," he said, uncomfortably.
"Every night you asked for someone to help you."
"So?"
"I helped you."
"That was you?" he asked, softly.
"It was and you told me that I could have one wish, because I saved you."
"Did I say that?"
She held up a sliver cube and he listened to his ten-year old self thanking her for helping him and promising to grant her one wish, at anytime during his lifetime, in payment.
"You're here for your wish?"
"I am. Those boys never bothered you again, did they?"
He shook his head. "No one ever bothered me again."
"I made sure of that," she said. "Now, I understand that you were a frightened child when you made your promise, but it was binding, nonetheless."
"I understand."
"Good," she said, sliding her hand to his.
"Tell me what you want."
"By the way, I enjoyed watching over you when you were young."
"I didn't know you did that," he admitted.
"It wasn't part of our deal. I just thought you were something special and I wanted you to be safe."
"Thank you."
"Now, I want you to come with me," she said, tightening her grip on his hand.
"Come with you where?" he asked, his heart starting to flutter.
"Shadow, of course, where else?"
"No, I don't think that's a good idea at all," he said.
"We need your help and the pay is excellent."
"You want me to do a job for you?"
"Yes, that's exactly what I want you to do."
"So, you won't keep me there?"
"Why would I keep you there?"
He shrugged. "No idea, but that's what happens in books. The person who goes with a fairy or some otherworldly being, is never seen again."
"Well, that's not going to happen to you."
"What do you want me to do?"
"There's a war going on in Shadow. I want you to mediate."
"Mediate between the two sides?"
"Three sides, and yes."
"But I don't know anything about your laws or..."
"That's exactly why you are needed. No preconceived ideas."
"How long to I have to stay?"
"As long as it takes I guess, and if things work out, we'll keep you on retainer."
"You know I'm human, right?"
She laughed. "I've known you most of your life, so yes, I know you're human."
"Will I be safe?"
"Yes."
"Promise?" he asked, smiling.
"Absolutely, just don't go into any forests alone and don't talk to the birds."
He frowned at her and said, "The birds?"
"I'll be with you the whole time, so don't worry."
"I like birds."
"You won't like these birds."
"I have a case in court today."
"It's been postponed."
"You got my case postponed?" he asked, in amazement.
"I know the judge. He had nightmares when he was five."
"So, I'm not an isolated case?"
"No. I hope that doesn't disappoint you."
"It does not," he said. "I know that judge and he's fair and has a good heart."
"He better, or I'll kick his ass," she snorted.
"What are you?"
"I'm a shadow, made of smoke, need and desire."
"What's it like in Shadow?"
"It's a lot like here but those who are part of it, appear and disappear at will. We Shadow Walk, which means we can duck into a shadow and be anywhere we like, when we step out."
"Are all shadows, no matter how small, part of Shadow?"
"They are. Now, if you're ready," she said, pulling him toward a shadow....
