I was thrown to and from as a wave of fourteen year-olds rushed past me in a hurry. The last school event was being held at Turntop High, about a mile away from my high school. The creaking school buses were being loaded with students wishing to visit the event. It seemed like everyone was attending, and I really could not blame them. My high school is not famous, nor is it good. I was only there because I have to be, otherwise I would gladly ditch Creeker High.

Ever since I started here something inside me had changed, and it made me...a bit off. Shadows lurked in broad daylight and pale figures stood in full classrooms. But it isn't just at the school; it is everywhere I go. Occasionally, one shadow will raise his arm and clunk it against his chest. I usually found some random object to direct my interest and when I looked up again, the figure was gone. Many have mistaken my alarm for fright, but I always told them to imagine walking around seeing random figures pounding their chests as you walk by. Then, imagine that you are the only one who can see them and no one else pays any mind to them.

My eyes glazed over as I remember the countless times I witnessed a shadow. As I remembered the major breaking point in my life. All noise around me ceased to exist.

I remember walking with my friend Zephani to Mr. Wickfer's class. Our soft, leather boots clunked down the hallway. Children hustled to get to their class. The air smelled like axle grease, and the smooth tile gave way to a wooden exterior when we reached the ancient classroom. Decrepit books lined the shelves and moaning chairs filled the void. Giggling, we just barely rushed to our seats when I turned toward Mr. Wickfer's desk. My books fell to the floor with a thunk. Many people around me got agitated and started mumbling to themselves, but I didn't care.

All I cared about was the shadow that leaned against Mr. Wickfer's sleek, metallic desk. The shadow was just a black, buzzing figure, yet the shadow's face was blurred;as was the rest of his body, and the only clear object to be found on his body was a small, gleaming badge. I watched, mouth agape, as the shadow twisted its head around, turned back, and shoved the shimmering badge into where his mouth would be. I had expected it to disappear, but to my surprise, it just turned a very nasty shade of gray. The miraculous shine was gone, replaced by a dark, transparent surface. I gasped, and whipped around to tell Zephani. Once I pointed to the shadow, she shook her head in exasperation.

"Stop joking, Harley," Zephani remarked coldly.

"Wha--? T--T--This is no lie, I swear! Can't you see him?" I asked, bewildered.

"Pff. You've been saying that ever since we started at Creeker High. I can't deal with it anymore! Honestly, I don't even know why we are friends!" Zephani hissed.

I sighed. It was quite clear why she was acting this way: every time I saw one of these creatures, I told her. And I've seen thousands upon thousands of these. At sleepovers, at the grocery store, even in the bathroom. But what interested me was that there were these strange creatures in the world. That everyone else couldn't see these odd sights, but I miraculously could. I was broken. I felt left out and beaten to the very core. And Zephani was the only thing keeping me from it. Now, Zephani would never talk to me again.

My mind snapped as all my senses were restored. I had not had such a vivid memory like that since-- since...a long time. It appeared that I had fallen to the ground when I started reliving that painful memory. People had trodden on my hands and had run all over me. I slowly eased myself up off the ground and noticed that no one was bustling about anymore. The crisp sidewalk was hollow, empty. It was devoid of students and I was left to stand alone. A cold breeze cut through my skin and I chattered my teeth. Isolated, I stood on that sidewalk with tears flowing from my eyes knowing that no matter what, it would always be this way.