Two Wolves, One Shadow

by Chris Smith

That night James had the best sleep that he could ever remember. He knew he had slept well because this was the first time in a long while that he hadn’t been woken by some howling sounds outside the house, or been shaken awake by a nightmare. He felt completely refreshed and energetic. He jumped out of bed, dressed quickly and got all his stuff ready for school without fuss. With the enthusiasm of his first day at school, James reached the table for breakfast before his dad. His mum’s face said it all.

  ‘I can’t remember the last time I saw you so eager to get to school. Is something happening today?’

  ‘No, just the normal stuff.’

  James thought back over the events of the previous night as he scoffed down a large breakfast of cereal. He wondered if it had really happened. It was possible, he realised, that his journey into the shadow underworld was nothing but a dream. If so, it had been an incredible dream. Maybe I really do have a problem with my imagination, James thought. Maybe everyone is right to call me a weirdo.

  After breakfast, James went to the bathroom to do his teeth. While he was brushing, he studied the mirror in the hope of seeing Grandpa or his shadow, or any other indication that the experience had been real. He searched for the darkness that indicated the entrance into the shadow world, but it proved a fruitless exercise. He found no signs of the underworld in the mirror, and on examining his eyes, could see no hint of any fractures or cracks in them at all. They looked to be normal, except for the lights dancing in them. Twisting his head from side to side and at different angles, he decided that it was just the reflection of the bathroom lights playing tricks on him. Eventually, James decided that everything he’d experienced in the shadow underworld must have been a dream; it was the most plausible explanation. After all, to believe that he had actually fallen into a mirror was absurd, he reasoned. Besides, his eyes were perfect and his hands unblemished, there was no scab on his leg, nor scars to be seen anywhere. In fact, he looked and felt great.

  Collecting his bag from the hall, James got ready to leave for school with a newfound attitude. The morning so far had been different to any other. His mum and dad hadn’t bothered him with their usual relentless enquiries after his wellbeing. It was great not to have to deal with their sympathetic smiles. James felt calm as well, and there was no sign of any whispering in his ear. That was the best bit because he could think clearly. It was the same calm he had felt when wearing the helmet in his dream. Today is going to be different, he thought. Today is going to be great, he decided.

  ‘Bye Mum.’ James kissed his mother on the cheek. She looked astonished. James grinned, just catching her reply as he headed out the door.

  ‘Bye love, see you tonight.’

  James couldn’t help but smile as he trod the uneventful walk to school. His cheerful face attracted surprised glances from some of the other children, but James didn’t notice. He felt happy, and Pete and his cronies were far from his mind. Instead, he kept thinking about the dream. He felt strong, calm, in control of his mind, courageous, kind and free, all the things he’d experienced the previous night. And, best of all, he had a sense of optimism about his ability to work out his problems. He felt that his life was destined to improve. James decided that today was the start of something new; it was time for change. He remembered an old saying that Grandpa had often repeated: when you’re at the bottom, the only way is up. That dream last night had been good for him; it had given him the energy and strength he needed to begin anew. James felt happy and nothing could disturb his newfound peace and strength. At least, that’s what he thought.