You’ve just woken up from a night out drinking in a private bedroom in a mansion you’ve never seen before. There is a brief note on the nightstand beside you. It reads: “Please be good to yourself today. -Dylan”

I have no recollection of anything before this moment. And yet, somehow I know exactly who Dylan is. I click the remote to the television on the wall like it’s second nature and smile slightly as the familiar glow of the morning news illuminates the room. The news anchor’s expression is sharp, his demeanor passive, and his words were as smooth as butter. Everything about the man just screams professionalism. “Good morning, and welcome to The Morning News. I’m your host, Mr. Jonathan Peters.” I keep forgetting he’s not real. “First off, we have a message from our sponsor, Moon Pharmaceuticals.” Mr. Peters spoke as if he had a choice in the matter. “We’re sure you’ve heard the phrase by now. If you haven’t, we appreciate you taking the time to listen to this brief message.” For a moment, the video on the TV went black. Then, a cheerful tune played. A very familiar tune. A young girl sang. “When the darkness comes you can close your eyes, and dream of tomorrow. Don’t you know that’s what they’re for? You can close your eyes and dream of tomorrow. When the darkness comes, you can close your eyes and dream of tomorrow. Don’t you know that the light can save you? “When the darkness comes you can close your eyes, and dream of tomorrow. Don’t you know that’s what they’re for? You can close your eyes and dream of tomorrow. When the darkness comes, you can close your eyes and dream of tomorrow. Don’t you know that the light can save you?” When it was over, the screen went black again before displaying the words “Moon Light - When you’re at your darkest hour, remember that the light can save you.” I’ve never heard such bullshit in my life, but, strangely, I found myself comforted. I must have been watching the television for a while because when I snapped out of my daze, I saw a breakdown of the news I’d missed while zoning out. *Three people were hospitalized in the 8th district. Police say they were attacked by shadow creatures on their way home from a bar.* *One man was arrested in the 2nd district for the murder of his two children. He claims he did it to save them from being consumed by their shadow and that he’s ready to receive his punishment.* *One woman was arrested in the 4th district for possession of an illegal drug. Police have named it as Shadow Killer.* I saw the name of the woman on the screen. It was me. I smiled slightly at the memory the name evoked. I remember Dylan telling me a story about a girl he knew who was a Shadow Killer. She was like him, a shadow human. But not like him. She wasn’t cute with her black hair and black eyes. She was beautiful with her black hair and black eyes. She was a shadow woman, and she was dangerous. She killed shadows for a living, and the police were after her. Dylan knew the police wouldn’t get her, but he was worried about her anyway. Dylan was worried about me, too. He said I was a shadow human as well, which is why I had to be careful. The people were afraid of us. They didn’t understand us, so they hated us. He said he would protect me from them, and I believed him. Dylan was strong and smart. He wasn’t afraid of anything. Dylan kept me safe. I loved him. I found myself grinning at the memory of his smile. I’m not in trouble, though. I’m safe now. I’m in Dylan’s mansion. I must have been out with him last night or something. Maybe we had too much to drink and he thought it would be better if I stayed the night. The thought of him sent me out of bed to search for him. I found a white silk robe hanging in the closet and put it on over the revealing lingerie I was in. I opened the door and found myself in a long hallway. There was a wide stone staircase at the end of the hall that led to the first floor. I walked down the steps, wondering what part of the mansion Dylan was in. I thought maybe he was in the kitchen, but I couldn’t smell food cooking. Even so, I decided to check just in case. I walked through the hall and passed the living room. I didn’t see Dylan. I opened the large wooden door to the kitchen, and I saw a small, thin figure sitting in one of the chairs at the large island in the middle of the room. It was Dylan. I rushed towards him and climbed into his lap. He looked back at me and smiled widely. His sharp white teeth glinted in the morning sun. He had messy, jet black hair and piercing black eyes. His pale skin seemed to shimmer in the light. “Good morning, beautiful,” he said before kissing me briefly on the lips. “Good morning,” I replied, grinning. “I see you didn’t make breakfast this morning.” “I wasn’t feeling up to it,” He replied. “But you can make something if you want. I left money on the counter.” “I think I’ll just have fruit. Do you want some?” “Yes, please. Thank you.” I hopped down from his lap and made my way to the counter in front of him. I grabbed the bowl of fruit sitting there and began picking grapes and throwing them into Dylan’s open mouth. Every time he ate one, he smiled. I smiled too, grinning widely as I realized I couldn’t remember my own name. I knew Dylan’s name, though. It was all that mattered. I would never ask him for my name, I thought. I would rather die than ask. “What’s wrong?” Dylan asked, raising an eyebrow. “You look troubled.” “I’m fine,” I replied, deciding not to tell him about my memory loss. “What were we doing last night?” “Nothing. We just watched TV in the living room and talked. You didn’t drink very much. Why don’t you remember?” “I don’t know. What’s the weather like outside today?” “Partly cloudy. Why?” Dylan and I always talked about the weather before I went out. He told me that the human mind is capable of anything when the skies are gloomy. That’s why we have to be careful. Shadows don’t like gloomy weather. Sometimes, when the weather is gloomy, the shadows like to try and trick us. Dylan told me I’m safe with him. He would protect me for as long as he could. I hopped back into his lap. “Dylan, are you okay? You don’t seem like yourself.” “You’ve never seen my true self,” He replied. “Eat your breakfast.” I took a piece of fruit from the bowl and bit down into it, still smiling at Dylan. I’m not hungry, but I’m eating anyway. I don’t know why I’m doing it. I know I’m doing it because he told me to. When I finished my meager breakfast, I left the bowl on the counter and returned to Dylan’s lap. I wrapped my arms around him and laid my head on his chest. He caressed my arms gently. “Your heart is beating kind of slow,” Dylan noted. “Probably from the Moon Light. How much did I take?” “You didn’t take any, Anna.” I looked up at him confused. He wasn’t looking at me. “Alright,” I replied. “Anna…” Dylan started. “Yes,” I interrupted. “I have to step out for a while.” “Okay,” I replied. “…Anna?” “Yes,” I repeated. “Anna.” “Yes.” “Anna.” “Yes.” “Anna.” “Yes, Dylan.” I smiled slightly when his lips brushed against mine. He heard what he was looking for, then. Dylan stood up, me still in his arms, and I wrapped my legs around him. “Be good today, okay?” I giggled slightly. I already had been. “Yes.” He kissed me deeply before carrying me to the living room. He sat me down on the large couch in the middle of the room. “Want to watch something, huh?” He asked. “Yes.” “Alright. What would you like?” “I don’t know.” “Okay. I’ll put on The Morning News.” I smiled widely. I love watching TV with Dylan. He’s so intelligent and always knows everything about the things we’re watching. I watched as he grinned and walked towards the door leading outside. I watched as he left. I sat back and watched my favorite show. I sat in silence as they displayed the “Moon Light” commercial. “Thank you.” “Welcome home.”

You’ve just woken up from a night out drinking in a private bedroom in a mansion you’ve never seen before. There is a brief note on the nightstand beside you. It reads: “Please be good to yourself today. -Dylan”

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