The shadow appeared again. "This may seem like a surprise, for you have never been properly trained."

Clutching my side, I spat, "Then, out with it, you slimy slug! Cryptic, inept buffoon!"

"Insults will not aide you," the shadow warned, a hint of aggression in his tone.

"You don't know what it feels like to be stranded from your home with no clue where you are or who you are!" I retorted, fury marking my expression.

A strange tut-tutting sound emitted from the shadow, "Dear girl, it is not who you are: it is what you are."

My insides churned and boiled. How dare this shadow come and boss me around! With an angry grunt, I raised my arms, intending to strike the shadow. The shadow just turned toward me and watched, almost amused. Cursing under my breath, I threw my hands down to my sides. The shadow would be allowed to live, but only for information, I thought to myself.

Nodding, I watched in horror as the shadow twisted around and threw something at the doorway. It was an ice blue knife. The knife streaked across the room, landing on a pile of rocks above the doorway. The rocks shuddered, then plummeted to the ground with a thud. The rocks covered the entrance, making the door look almost invisible.

Before I could stop myself, I quickly blurted, "At least tell me your name!"

The shadow spun around and tilted his head to one side. He coughed and then muttered something unintelligible.

"Sorry, what was that?" I asked with mock concern.

"Ebony. The name's Ebony," he managed to stutter. After that exchange, we both instinctively turned toward the door. I bit my lip to keep from crying.

The deed was done. There was no escape.