• The wall opened up to revile a doorway and a dark room. Shadow stepped aside and held her arm out, telling Kent to go first. Kent entered the room followed by Shadow. She pulled the door shut behind her leaving them in the dark for a moment. The sound of the light clicking on echoed through the room as the bright light flickered on. Kent flinched back from the sudden light, and then looked at his surroundings. They stood in a large room that had bookshelves covering every inch of the walls around them. Each bookcase was full of books, ranging from the oldest text to the newest. In the middle of the room was a cherry wood desk and a old high back chair. Kent took a step toward the bookcases but stopped short.

    “What’s the matter?” Shadow asked.

    Kent turned to face his friend with a surprised look across his face.

    “You did all this?”

    Shadow nodded with a smile on her face. “The hardest part of it all was getting that damn desk in here.”

    Kent laughed and turned back to the book case. Picking up one of the books he ran his hand over the cover, a small smile on his face.

    “Thanks Shadow, you’re the best.”

    Shadow nodded and took a seat in the chair, folding her hands on her stomach.

    “It’s all yours Kent. No one but you and I know about this place.”

    Kent placed the book back on its shelf and turned to Shadow. Her eyes were closed and her face blank, seeming as though she were already asleep.

    “Maybe you should take the day off. Take some time for yourself instead of worrying about everyone else.”

    Shadow shook her head and opened her eyes.

    “No can do, the moment I do so, everything will crash. Everyone counts on me to keep things going. I can’t let them down.”

    She sighed and stood from the chair stretching. Kent watched her as she walked around the desk and toward the hidden door.

    “But what about Shadow?” Kent began. “What about her needs and her wants? You know she needs time just as much as everyone else.”

    Shadow turned back to Kent with a slight smile on her face. “Don’t worry, I have my time as well.” She pushed open the door and stepped out of the room, leaving Kent there by himself.

    Shadow walked down the hall, her long legs crossing over each other with every step. Her hair swayed around her hips with each move she made. Her shirt hung off her shoulders and clung to her slender body. She walked back to the meeting room and stood outside the door for a moment. She lifted her hand to her neck and lightly touched the heart charm that read ‘best’ hanging from the necklace. The charm had been given to her by Kent when they were little. Kent had promised that no matter what happened between them, the necklaces were what kept them together. Shadow smiled slightly before dropping her hands and pulling the door open. The sound of her companions washed over her like a wave of noise. Slowly she pushed her way through the crowd to the front. Standing on the platform she raised her hands to get their attention.

    “Tonight, as we gather the belongings I have a request. If you see any eye glasses grab them. Out friend Toby needs a new pair.”

    Everyone cheered restlessly as Shadow skimmed over her followers. Men, women, teenagers, and even children stood before her cheering. Each person she met and helped was different in every way but one. They had all been screwed over and had been homeless until shadow found them.