Shadow's First Life

Chapter I

New Joys

A.N. The first two chapters are from a former scientist that woked aboard the ARK. Chapter Three will be the earliest events in Shadow's memory. Shadow has a genetic father, also named Shadow, from who he was cloned and genetically enhanced.

14 August, 1954. Ever since I first noticed that Maria was unhappy, I constantly searched for a reason for her gloom. After I asked Gerald about her, he seemed caught by surprise. He replied that he never noticed her feeling sad. "She was so overjoyed to see me and join the colony. I could never guess she was upset." The man rubbed his chin in thought as his glasses reflected the depths of his mind to the outside world.

"Oh." He paused upon a conclusion. "I am always busy with this project and have only a little time to see her. Not only am I busy, but John is involved in the project on his own. He spends time with her, but..." He trailed off in his thoughts. I sighed and decided to tell him not to worry about it. I regret asking him in the first place...

After a little more examination I found that, as Gerald had wondered, Maria was lonely. Even when I took more time from my life to see her more, and although it helped her, she was still unhappy.

Everything in her soul changed when she first saw Shadow...

Before Shadow was born, his heart was a burning ember. I knew that he must have been a person, for he had a signature before birth in the first place. Animals -and I know a simple clone of a human is no different- do not have any real energy that they emit before being born.

The moment Shadow gasped for his first breath of life, his burning ember of a heart blazed with incredible heat. In comparison to most people I have ever known, whether an old life wasting away, or one that is only a moment old, Shadow is easily far more pure than all of them. The blazing inferno of his heart burned so brightly and steadily, not faltering or flickering at all, that it would completely put to shame everyone that felt its heat. Nearly everyone else has a heart that flickers; a heart that appears lifeless compared to Shadow.

Yet, it is not perfect. In order for one to be human one must fall short of perfection and commit mistakes. The tiny child has his own flaw, but the flaw is absurdly minuscule. Shadow is the closest to perfect any human being will ever be. He clearly has a pure heart.

26 August, 1954. Maria's parents are taking care of Shadow. Shadow has transformed from an ugly infant into a tiny, cute bundle of black fur. He is developing well. He has a calm personality and is easygoing. At least, that is what Maria's parents told me...

12 September, 1954. John and his wife are very busy today. The two of them worried about what to do for Shadow, so I insisted to care for him until they return. My son quickly realized who Shadow is; he told me himself that the tiny boy emits a pleasant feeling of purity. I am holding the baby this instant as I write.

Shadow is a very gentle and loving child. He always enjoys being held and cuddled, but I am not sure if it is because of him as a person or just because of his age. He has beautiful eyes; the crimson rubies that watch me with joy are gentle and soft, yet they burn hot with intense emotions, constantly adjusting as a window into his very feelings.

Shadow started to jabber at me and he placed his tiny hands on his mouth. I guessed correctly that he was hungry and fed him. He clearly must be bright to figure out how to show hunger without crying, and he is only two months old. He is the cutest little thing I have ever seen in my life!

His heart has a very profound resemblance to 'Fuzzy.' Both are modest, both are gentle, both are soft.

At times I consider the effects genetics have over personality, but genes do not have a direct affect on the heart itself. There are three things that determine a person: the person's body, the person's family and experiences, and the person's own heart.

29 September, 1954. Maria is spending an extensive amount of her time with Shadow. She plays with him, cuddles him, tickles him, and showers him with attention. One thing I always look forward to is whenever I see the two together; they are pure, simple innocence. Days of stress and anxiety literally melt away into peace when I see them. It is a simple thing in life that is worth so much.

I talked to Erich about Fuzzy for a while earlier today. Shadow, the adult Shadow, will be visiting the ARK tomorrow. I really like Shadow. He is not selfish. While others are obsessed over their urges and desires, he listens to others around him. Shadow is a good person. Not only is he kind, he also is decent and noble in character. Shadow is my model of excellence.

30 September, 1954. Fuzzy has decided to check the ARK periodically to see his baby twin. I decided to introduce him to my son, who looked forward to meeting him. I asked Gerald about Shadow yesterday after both he and I were rewarded a long weekend.

"Professor, when Shadow is here, will you allow him to meet with Maria? I have the feeling she would enjoy seeing him face to face," I commented as Gerald placed one of his numerous notebooks on an organized shelf.

After considering my suggestion, Gerald grinned as he glanced at me. "She would love to see Shadow's father. What harm could that do?"

Maria first saw Shadow in the living room of her home. Maria was overjoyed to see the mature Shadow. She immediately clung onto him and hugged him, causing the poor guy to jump in surprise. Looking down curiously, Shadow gently picked the girl off her own two feet and smiled.

"Who might this little angel be?" he asked. "I am Maria! I am glad to see you lots!" Maria sang out. Shadow chuckled at her innocent greeting. Maria shyly looked away from the person whose strong arms securely held her. "What is wrong, Maria?" Shadow softly asked. Maria reluctantly looked to him and asked quietly, "Are you daddy of baby? Baby has same name you do, and pretty fur like you, too." Fuzzy nodded. Maria nuzzled her face against his tuft of fur.
"Shadow, you are so..." Maria's statement trailed off as she felt his fur. Shadow watched the girl, awaiting an answer as the girl savored his warmth. "You are super soft and warm! You cuddly!" Maria squealed. Shadow blushed as he glanced at Maria's parents and grandpa, who were laughing heartily. Shadow placed the girl back on the ground. Maria's mother went to get the baby. The tiny child was shown to Shadow, causing Shadow to smile warmly with pride.

Baby Shadow cooed as his father reached to hold him. As he was being held, the tiny boy started to cry, causing Shadow to frown in fear. Shadow's eyes filled with worry as his own miniature self simply cried louder and louder.

Christina turned to John with an idea in her eyes. "Honey, did you feed Shadow?" John looked at her skeptically, trying to hear her over the crying. "I did. He drank the entire bottle only a few minutes ago," he replied. "Did you remember to pat his back?" Christina arched an eyebrow at her husband. John grinned sheepishly and uttered, "No."

Shadow caught on and started to tap his hand against his own baby, propping the kid against his shoulder. The baby's eyes closed as a gurgling noise resonated in his belly, followed by a faint burp. Shadow laughed at the sight, and I joined him. Soon everyone was laughing, even the baby.

After regaining his breath, the adult placed the child against his chest and gently held him there. The baby giggled and reached a tiny hand up to touch the man's face, the youngster rubbing his dad's cheek lovingly.

Baby Shadow yawned and fell asleep right on the downy pillow of his father's chest. The adult cradled the boy in his arms, holding him softly.

A smile spread across Shadow's face as he hugged the child. That was the perfect moment. I sacrificed two frames of film as I activated the shutter of a camera I was carrying, forever capturing the priceless sight in that moment within a photograph...