The world is ever changing. You can either go with the world, or against it. But either or people will still shun you for it. Dads famous words. If he was still around, God I miss him.

Oh sorry, I didn't introduce myself. My name is Richard, or Rick for short. I grew up in the nice little town of Perdido Beach. With lots of friendly people and many smiling faces. Well, there were lots of smiling faces until the FAYZ happened.

Fallout Alley Youth Zone, its supposed to be a funny acronym. Howard had made it up, of course. He was always joking around with the rest of us. So it wasn't a surprise that he had thought of it.

But strange things have been happening in the FAYZ. Animal mutations, the Gaiaphage, and also weird mutant powers.

Some kids had developed these powers. The ability to run as fast as a speed train. Or control gravity by just moving their hands.

Or the ability to control the Shadow world.

Yes out of all the great abilities kids were acquiring. Mine had to be one of the weirdest.

It all happened so sudden. I was angry at one of my friends. So I stormed into my room. Then where my room was supposed to be was a desolate black wasteland.

I was scared, fuck was I ever. But I still kept on walking. Hoping I would wake up from some kind of spontaneous dream.

Or nightmare.

Then I saw it. About the size of a labrador. A black creature that had tendrils coming out of its neck. A hideous sight yes. But it looked at me and started to bow. Bow! As if I was its king.

Soon enough more came out from hiding. And started to hail me. I can't explain my emotions at the time. Afraid, happy, confused.

Then it spoke. The main creature that had starting bowing to me first started speaking to me. "Hail to the shadow king, and our new master!" He shouted out raising his arms. There had been about 100 of them now and they all started cheering.

Cheering for their master, cheering for me.

I never had a lot of friends when I was younger. I mostly stayed in my room playing video games or watching movies.

But oh no. This isn't no Neverland or Middle Earth. This was real.