Not my Shadow

I’m at the club with coworkers celebrating my birthday. I’m enjoying the comradery with these people I see everyday. Talk of work creeps into many of our conversations, in part because it’s the common denominator in our relationship with each other, but mostly because it’s hard not to think about work.

The current question on everyone’s mind is going to be answered soon enough, probably on Monday. Of the ten people at the table only one will get the big promotion.

Knowing it is a lie I raise my glass up and say, “No matter who wins we will all remain friends. To us!” I make sure my glass clinks with everyone's glass.

Tracy adds, “To our birthday girl. The woman saying goodbye to her twenties forever! Lily, here's to you! Happy birthday and here’s to many more!” Just as I am leaning in I think I see a person glaring at me. Cloaked in darkness, the form stands motionless. “Did anyone else see that?”

Everyone turns to look before saying, “See what? I don’t see anything.”

"Right there!" I indicate the area of interest but I must have blinked because the dark shadow is no longer there. “I must be drunker than I thought as I don't see it either. ”

Suddenly Tracy announces, “It’s 12:01 so you are officially one of us!” She pauses for too long before she adds, “You are no longer a kid of twenty something years. Happy beginning to your life as an old person, because baby you are now officially over the hill!” Tracy laughs as she toasts, but do I see a hint of something in her eye? A look of hatred perhaps? No, that can’t be true. Tracy doesn’t know anything that would make her hate me. I must be drunk. Maybe I should go home. Maybe I will after I have just one more drink.

Ok, I have three more drinks and I stay until they kick us out. Some big guy is hollering, “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.” I get into the Uber after saying goodbye to my friends. I set my purse next to me and attempt to stop seeing double. That takes a lot of concentration on my part. “Oh no, now my stomach is flipping. I really do not want to get sick in this nice car. Please let me keep from getting sick, please! I promise I’ll be a better person if you just let me make it home with everything currently inside my stomach staying inside my stomach.”

Well lucky for me that quick little request works. The driver pulls up in front of my apartment building. I open the door and there ya go. The contents of my stomach land on the curb. No harm done. Except when I look at the driver I swear his face is distorted. Not in a good way either. Well is there really a face that is distorted in a good way? I don’t think so. His eyes are glowing. I’m going to assume I blinked because suddenly his eyes look the way they should. His face has lost the look of distortion as well.

A bit shaken, I thank him and stumble up the steps. I live in a decent neighborhood so I try to be as quiet as a church mouse when I approach the door. Ok, now that I’m here I’m going to need my badge to swipe in. Where is it? I push my hand deeper into the depths of my purse. Yes, it really is a purse and not a suitcase as Tracy says every single time she sees it.

As I dig and dig I think yes of course I need a big purse to carry all my important stuff in. Oh wait, I think I found my badge. Nope, it's my pepper spray. I keep digging until I hear steps behind me. I am unable to move knowing I just had the pepper spray in my hand but I don’t now. I am unable to rotate my position because my body and my brain both turn against me.

The sound stops and I know life is over. I’m either going to die of fright or this person is going to kill me. I’m sure of it. Since my body has given up the will to obey I stand there wishing I were anywhere else. Why hadn’t I gone home with Dave? Other than the fact that he hasn’t exactly asked me to, I have no idea why I didn’t. He is so attractive and if I had I might be glad I had that toothbrush in my suitcase, I mean in my purse.

I muster up the ability to move. I whip around and stare at… nothing. There is nothing there. How can that be? I not only heard something I felt a presence. Someone was there and now they are not. Before I can change my mind I ask, “Who’s there?”

Of course there is no answer. With more determination I shove my hand down and into the depths of my oversized purse. I am rewarded as I finally wrap my fingers around my badge. I have never been happier in my life! Who knew a badge could bring on such strong emotions. Quickly I swipe, open the door and enter. I listen for the click as the door closes and locks behind me. I let out a breath and step purposefully toward the elevator.

As I push the up arrow I feel the hairs on my neck stand up. There is someone here. I’m positive, even though I don’t usually run into other tenants at whatever stupid time it is right now. I’d check but to do that I’d have to be able to move. “Who’s there?” I say without turning my head.

Again no one answers. The door to the elevator opens. No one is inside. I will my body to move. Eventually it obeys and I manage to take a step forward and lift my arm to stop the elevator door from closing without me. I step in and push the close door button, about a million times, and finally the door starts to slowly close. Before it shuts all the way I know I see it again. It’s the same dark shadow that was in the bar. It turns to look at me with a face that is too distorted to be human.

Shaking I wait in the box that is taking me up and away from the dark thing. I finally arrive at floor seven. The door opens. And I actually thank God that no one was inside! Me, the sworn atheist. Well deep down I think I do believe, I just don’t always want to believe. Tonight I’m so grateful I consider going to church on Sunday.

Nothing else happens to me the rest of that night or the next day. Sunday arrives with no incident. I forget all about my promise to be a better person and obviously I don’t go to church. I decide there is no dark shadow because that is what I want to believe.

Monday I dress up for the job I want, not the job I have. I look in the mirror at the woman looking back. My hair is swept into a nice neat bun making me look a little more mature than I am. My suit fits my body like a glove showing off my curves but in a demure, professional way. Satisfied I set down my lipstick and pick up my oddly oversized purse.

Upon arrival I am immediately called into a meeting. My boss, who just happens to be the owner, smiles at me. “Good morning Dave.” I say trying not to flirt. Next to my boss is an HR person who’s name has slipped my mind. I attempt to cover my ignorance by smiling, sticking my hand out and saying a generic, “Good morning.”

She takes my hand without offering her name. Dave, yes that Dave, the one I wanted to be with Friday night, smiles as he says, “Kathy is here to help us with all the necessary paperwork.” Did he just wink at me? He did, but I’m sure it is just a wink of conspiracy or teamwork on the name thing. Right?

“Paperwork?” I don't want to jump to any false conclusions.

“Oh, I got a bit ahead of myself. I've been so impressed with your work since you started here. I was thrilled you put your name in the hat to be the next vice president. Let me be the first to congratulate you on earning this title and all it entails. All you have to do is say yes and then fill out a mountain of paperwork.” He laughs at his own joke before adding, “I’m only exaggerating a little about the amount of forms you need to read, initial and sign, if you accept the terms.”

“Yes! It would be an honor to accept. Of course I accept!”

Dave smiles and stands to shake my hand as he says, “Welcome aboard.” Then he leaves me alone with Kathy. The rest is blah, blah, blah and then read, initial here, sign here over and repeat on what I'd say was more than one hundred pages. I am distracted with my own thoughts as I read, initial and sign. “I got the job!”

As I look up from signing a form I swear Kathy’s eyes are glowing a deep orange color. I stare in horror. She sees my expression and says, “Are you alright? Is there something you need?”

I close my eyes and look again. Kathy’s eyes are brown, not orange and definitely not glowing. How can I recover from this misstep? I say, “I’m fine. I just got so caught up in everything I had a moment of panic. But really I’m fine.”

She gives me a funny “knowing” look. For a split second I can’t help but wonder what she is thinking. She comments, “Jason left us so abruptly, as you know.” She looks directly at me before she adds, “Of course it isn’t exactly his fault, but still he left us in a bind. I’m hoping you are ready to start today.”

“Oh, yes! I am ready!”

She lets out a sigh. I think it is a sigh of relief. She says, “Of course you know where your new office is… Oh wait, you didn't sign this page." She hands me the page to sign as she continues, "Your badge will allow you access to everything you need. Your things will be brought up to your new office right away.” She hesitates before she says, “I’m so glad you are joining us.” I decide not to wonder what that means. I’m sure she just means joining top management or something.

Just that easily the life I have worked so hard for, the life I deserve starts now. On my way out of HR I pass by Tracy and I feel the cold. Why is she freezing me out? She has nothing against me does she? She can’t possibly know about anything that would cause her to hate me. I bet she is just a little jealous I got the job. We’ve been friends for eight years now. Long enough that I believe she will get over this jealousy.

“Good morning Tracy. How are you?”

Tracy looks at me without any hatred in her eyes. I must be imagining things. “Congratualtions Lily! I’m so happy for you! We’ll have to hook up soon to celebrate. Unless of course you can’t make time for us little people.” She giggles, taking the edge out of her comment.

I politely laugh along. “There will always be time for you!”

A month passes with me working all the time. I look at the text from Tracy. I’m ready to tell her no but I decide why not? I haven’t made time for chats over lunch or even more than a quick nod if I happen to see her at the elevator. I text, “I’d love to join you. I’ll be there at 7:00. See you later!” She sends me a smiley face.

I don’t really want to go, but I promise myself I don’t have to stay. One drink then I’ll make my excuses and get out of there.

As usual I’m the last one in the office, so when I hear a noise I jump so high I’m pretty sure I barely miss banging my head on the ceiling. I laugh as I say, “Who’s still here on a Friday night?”

There is no answer but I feel someone is here. I step cautiously out of my office and I see a dark figure heading to the elevator. Before my body can freeze up I find myself walking towards the darkness. Suddenly I feel compelled to follow. However as I get to the elevator there is no one there.

I opt for the stairs thinking I’ll get to the bottom of this tonight. I scurry down the steps and finally reach the bottom. I listen to the silence but I feel the presence so I say again, “Who’s there?”

I’m about ready to give up when I see the dark thing in the elevator. I know I should leave. If I don’t leave I’ll never make it to the bar on time. I’ve seen my share of scary movies so I know the last thing I should be doing is exactly the thing I’m doing.

I hit the elevator button hoping to catch the dark thing. Slowly the door opens but of course nothing is inside. I hear a whisper. I should turn and run while I can but instead I do what every horror movie star would do. I step into the elevator, thinking I can step back out but the doors close too fast. I didn’t hit any floor button but the elevator is taking me up. Up where? I don’t know. Just up.

I try hitting the 4 button before we get to the fourth floor. It won’t light up so I try hitting 5, 6 and 7. We fly past the seventh floor. I had no idea the elevator could go past seven but obviously it can.

The doors open and I just can’t believe what I see. There’s a table with ten chairs around it. It looks just like the table at the bar! How can that be? Oh, I must be dreaming! Tracy turns to look at me but her face is distorted. She is the creepiest thing I have ever seen. She says, “Hello Lily. I’m so glad you made it! We are all here. We are all celebrating! Come sit down.”

I can’t stop myself. Instead of running away I’m walking to the table. I look at Dave as I say, “Help me.” He turns and I no longer think Tracy’s face is the creepiest thing I have ever seen. Dave’s face is covered in white powder and his mouth is black. His teeth are fangs but his eyes are what leave me gasping. They are demonic with a glowing glob of orange ooze that is shooting streams of lava. Gone are the sexy eyes that catapulted my libido. His eyes are now the scariest eyes I have ever seen. “Hello darling. Welcome home. We have been waiting.”

“What is all this?” I see the uber driver who reaches for me with bony hands. “You don’t remember me? Think, it should come to you. Without me you wouldn’t be here! You stole my job!”

I look at him and realize he is the one who told me about the opening in this company. He thought we were friends when he asked me to help him get this job. Instead of helping him I stole the job. But I’ve worked so hard since then, so I say, “I didn’t mean to hurt you, I just knew I would be so happy here.”

I looked at the others and realize I had at one time or another stomped on each and every one of them. Oh this isn’t good. They all look so creepy!

“Dave, please I have real feelings for you! I didn’t really know Tracy yet. I’m so sorry Tracy! I didn’t think you knew.”

Tracy’s laugh is so high pitched I thought my ear drums would explode. She spit out her hatred, “You thought you could sleep with my boyfriend, but he’s mine! He will always be mine!”

Dave laughs as he says, “You stupid girl thinking you could sleep your way to the top. Well you did now didn’t you? And just look where it got you. You will get what you deserve.”

Except for the glowing eyes everyone looks so eerily dark. I mutter, “What really happened to Jason?” I don’t want to know the answer, I am stalling for time. "How is this happening?”

The HR lady who’s name just won’t stick says, “Remember the papers you signed. I told you to read them but you didn’t did you?” She holds up that one last paper that I see now she merely pretended to almost forget. She points to the small print just below my signature. I read it and gasp. It says that I agree to sell my soul.

She beams with her orange ectoplasmic eyes before she continues. “Jason? Oh he’s not dead. Show her.”

A man cloaked in black turns and says, “Hello, yes it’s me. I’m here because of you! I know it was you who pushed me off the roof. Don’t lie.” His eyes were shooting out rays of orange plasma even more than Dave's.

I run until there is nowhere to go. They were coming for me. Jason laughs as he says, “Don’t worry, I’ve got you now.”