u/Unjoya

***Had to write a story for my college class and wanted to share it just in case the horror community likes it. Had a 2500-word limit, so this was hard hahaha***

Happy Shadow-bration!

 

I felt the last chill of winter through my pants as I stared at my shadow. I was sitting on my usual park bench, which had been my comfort for years. Might be my last time sitting on this park bench if I choose to move to the city. I often shared this space with another who shared the same realm of tragedy and bitterness, Mrs. Vale, who lost her husband on her birthday years ago in a gas station mugging "gone wrong". The authorities said it was an accident, a teenager "didn't mean to pull the trigger." Sure. Since home became too painful, I sought peace here until Mrs. Vale wriggled her way into my life a year later. She's been good to me, like a grandma.

"Heard you got accepted for that city condo you wanted." She paused, "and a fancy new job offer? My husband and I always talked about Flagstaff being our dream retirement location. It's lovely there and close to Las Vegas. If I were turning 21, that's where I'd be partying: Sin City makes any celebration more fun."

"Like every year you've mentioned before, I'll pass. Even though your sales pitches are getting more creative, you know how I feel about my birthday," I said, annoyed.

"Allan, it's been three years now. Your family would want you to be happy. If not for yourself, honor their memory with a cake at least?" she urged.

…

My birthday has been a dark time for a hot minute now. Grandfather passed away at 61 years young; his kidneys had failed him, and diabetes disqualified him from getting a transplant. I was upset; my Mother and I had nagged at him about his health and poor habits long before they became a problem. So, of course, I did not want to attend the wake in Tucson on the morning of my 18th birthday. My Mother, father, and little brother decided to do a "turn and burn": attend the wake and come back afterward, so we could still have my party at Dave and Busters. I missed their call before they started their return drive, and I still haven't listened to that final voicemail. Misery loves company, right? On the way back home, they were hit by someone who ran a red light. Mom and Dad died at the scene, and my little brother would pass away with me at his bedside later that evening. I said goodbye to everyone I held dear on my birthday. The flashback made my stomach twist. I had my aunt handle all the funeral and court stuff. Luckily, my family's killer teenager didn't get slapped on the wrist; they were from money, so I got paid a handsome settlement, and they got 60 days of community service. Wouldn't want to destroy their life over a mistake, but they can take my baby brother's life at the age of 2! So, no, I do not want to "Party". I lost my ability to see my friends and remaining family as worth my time when they moved on. How could they dare to continue their blissful, happy lives as if this were fair? I wish I could experience genuine happiness again, like when they were still here with me, but my grieving seems eternal.

…

"You can't continue to let darkness eat at you. Why don't you just take a chance, celebrate your birthday, and make it special with a wish on this magic candle?" She teased, then handed me a small red candle with engravings too small to read.

"Allan, this has real magic and, yes, conditions must be met. It will only work for a birthday wish. It is the only wish with enough willpower to come true. I couldn't use it, but maybe you can. All you have to do is light the candle and just picture what you want. Sound like a deal?"

"Deal. Thanks, Mrs. Vale. I leave today. The job starts on Monday, so I need the weekend to settle in. Thank you for everything." I dropped the candle in my pocket. Never took candle instructions before. She's kind, maybe a little crazy. I left her on that bench, surrounded by a nearby family's laughter, numb to the goodbye. As I left, she called out one last detail.

"I mean it, Allan. Be careful when the candle is lit. Any intentions can trigger the magic."

After the chaos of the park and my goodbye to Mrs. Vale, I found myself arriving at my new home. My condo was on the 1st floor, so moving my belongings from the car into the unit wasn't strenuous and didn't require any help. I grew anxious as some of my lighter boxes moved toward me, with a pair of small legs poking out the bottom. Please don't speak to me…

"Hellooooooooo neighbor! My name is Annette! Good meeting you!

"Thanks, but I've got it," I said politely.

"Happy to help!" She placed the boxes in front of my door and zoomed back for more.

I shook my head and smacked my forehead out of frustration. I allowed the woman to continue helping me to avoid prolonging the interaction. She had a higher pile of boxes this time and had not seen me. The next thing I knew, she bumped into me, I tripped over my feet, and we both fell to the ground. We stared at each other for a second before she darted up and rushed to help me off the floor. I saw her eyes land on the small red candle that fell out of my pocket.

"Got me a birthday candle?" she grinned. "My birthday's this weekend, well, sort of. Look, new in town means no plans, right? Perfect. Let's carpool to my Vegas birthday bash. Karaoke, beer, and bad decisions. Good times to be had!"

"Actually, my birthday is tomorrow, and I" She cut me off.

"Has fate sent me a birthday partner? I lost my twin to cancer last year, so this is the best gift ever!"

My heart ached. How does my neighbor celebrate after such a loss? I couldn't decide whether to envy or admire her, but I went anyway.

…

It wasn't long before I agreed to Annette's spontaneous invitation. During the three-hour drive, there she reminisced about her sister and their last days together. I shared the day I lost my family, my park bench, and the unopened voicemail that plagues me. We finally arrived at the Las Vegas casino, The Venetian. It was loud, bright, and alive—everything I avoided. Annette thrived in it, and for a brief moment, I did too. Of course, Annette noticed.

"See?" She nudged me as I was mid-laughter, "You didn't explode."

"Feeling ok for five seconds doesn't erase them or the pain this day brings me," I said, frowning.

Her reply was gentle, "It means they mattered enough to leave something good behind… Happiness doesn't cancel out grief and loss; they can coexist. Just feels wrong at first."

The lights dimmed, and a birthday cake appeared before me. There sat the red candle at the center, already lit.

"You first, Allan," Annette whispered.

I filled my lungs as I prepared to wish I was no longer held captive by my incessant anguish, when I heard a young voice singing "Happy Birthday" with the group. On the other end of someone's video call was a small child, around the age my brother would be if he were still alive. Envy rushed through me as bitterness seeped into my intentions. I wish happiness would stop, and darkness would consume everyone like me. The flame went out, and I could feel a strange breeze entering the room. Shit, Mrs. Vale said, any intention, did that count? The candle had almost nothing left on it, but I pocketed the remnant so the group could put the "5" candle back in the center for Annette.

Before Annette could blow out her candle, the friend who had the cake had gone limp, fallen to the ground, and her head was completely missing, a fountain of red spilled all over the room. A shadow peeled off the wall as if it had weight to it and lunged at the friend who had her sibling on video chat; it had left only her lower half and the hand that held the phone in a pool of bloody meat. The room erupted into chaos. What have I done? They were alive, rising, stretching, and tearing into their own hosts the moment joy flickered across their faces. Laughter snapped into silence, smiles vanished mid-breath.

"Annette," I grabbed her hand, "We need to get out of here now!"

We gasped in the cold air as we reached outside the casino's entrance, Annette snapping, "What was that!"

"I made a wish, well, an intention," I said.

She stared. "The candle? Looked weird, sure. Magic, though?"

“I wished happiness would stop…and darkness devour everyone…”

A couple walked past us, blinded to their surroundings, in love. A small chuckle escaped the woman's mouth, and shortly after, a blood-curdling scream echoed.

"They react to happiness?" she asked.

"Yes"

"Then wish it undone, Allan!" Annette panicked.

More screams filled Las Vegas. Where there had been good times, now there was death. A woman wailed in a bloody pool. Laughter brought more attacks; shadows left little behind.

"Allan, it's spreading," Annette whispered, shocked, "We need to leave here before it spreads past the strip."

"I made my wish already," I paused, "But you didn't."

Annette froze, "It must be a birthday wish? My birthday counts, it must!"

…

As chaos spread outside, Annette and I fled the strip. We drove to a park near the Las Vegas strip. The neon lights barely touched the trees. We found a dim bench. Annette held out her hand, and I placed the almost spent candle in her palm.

I struck a match, but Annette stopped me.

"We need to wait."

"Wait? How long? Why?"

"It's 11:58. My sister was born on the 28th, like you. I came thirty minutes later…the next day."

"If we must wait, we will make sure this wish works."

"Listen to me," I crouched in front of her, "You can't hesitate when you do it. It's not about words but intentions and will. You must mean it! There is not much candle left, so mentally picture it and keep it clear in your mind. "

Annette nodded while her hand quivered, "I have it pictured. Everyone is safe, and the wish is undone. "

12:00 am hit. I lit the candle. It flickered.

Annette whispered," I can do this…" She closed her eyes.

The flame flickered. A silence blanked us both as we wondered if anything had changed. A late-night jogger ran past our bench on the track. Her shadow appeared as she entered the dimly lit area. We waited. Nothing seemed to happen. Her shadow stayed where it belonged, on the floor.

I grabbed her hands and held them tightly. "We did it! You did it!" I could feel a smile begin to creep across my face. I turned to point at our proof of success.

"She is still…." Dread pounded in my throat.

Underneath the next set of lights was a pair of feet in a crimson puddle. I turned to Annette as the candle collapsed on itself.

"No…" She whispered, "I celebrate today." Her voice started to crack.

"Yes, but why didn't it work?" I panicked.

"My sister was born 30 minutes before me, on February 28th, I came after…But not March 1st…" Annette muttered.

"No. You are not a…"

"I am a leap year. And this year, there is no calendar day for the 29th." She cried, "I was ready, I thought, no, I hoped it would work. I mean, it's not like I don't turn 21 today." She debated.

"It is my birthday wish… so I have to end it."

I took out my cellphone and finally pressed play on a voicemail, 3 years old by now, sent before they hit the road. The voicemail began to play aloud.

"Hi baby, we miss you! We are getting ready to head home to our soon-to-be birthday boy… *Toddler babbles fill the background… Your little brother says he loves you too, hahaha."

"My grief and envy caused this all. My intentions." I whimpered.

"What do you mean? You can't be thinking what I think you are trying to do…" She tried to grab my phone.

I stood, avoiding the grab, and closed my eyes. I need to feel it, all of it. I understand now what Annette meant. To feel happiness amidst grief doesn't make loss smaller; it just makes love louder. I could feel tears well up in my eyes and fall down my face. I felt their warmth.

"There has to be another way, Allan. There is no guarantee that this will even work…" Annette's voice was cracking.

"It is about intention. If my intention becomes muted by me feeling the happiness I shunned, there will be no more death or pain... Annette, you were right, and I am happy to have met you. Happy birthday."

Happiness had wriggled its way into my heart. I cannot wait to see you guys again….

"He is gone…." Annette said aloud.

All that was left of her friend was his phone in the middle of a red puddle. She picked it up, walked back to her car, and drove home. The next few days, shadows stayed where they belonged, and the world moved on from the "freak animal attacks" in Las Vegas that night. Allan did it, she thought.

…

3 Years later, Annette sat on Allan's park bench for the 3rd time; she snooped through his phone to get to the location.

Annette spoke aloud to herself, "My actual birthday is tomorrow, Allan. I made it thanks to you." She held a cupcake with a lit birthday candle, her head hung down in deep thought, when an older lady appeared on the bench beside her. Allan, you were like my sister, fighting your own kind of cancer. I really hope you are with your family again and no longer suffering. I really couldn't have wished for a better and more life-impacting friend.

"Do you know what your birthday wish is, my dear?" The older woman said gently with a faint smile.

"Oh, no. This cupcake isn't for me," Annette replied, startled. She continued, "It's for my friend…." When Annette turned to look at the stranger, no one was there. Her eyes spotted something familiar on the park bench next to her. She reached down to pick up a tiny red candle. There was barely legible Latin scratched into the wax: Votum Pro Anima, "A wish for a soul."