Poker face-Lady Gaga. Love this song. 3

Chloe's POV.

Larisa stood by my side. She flew her hands up. Light shone out of them and it was aimed towards the shadow. The shadow...screamed? It flicked around everywhere but Larisa stood her ground and it flew off. I fell down and rolled onto my back, taking deep breaths.

"Are you okay, child?" Larisa asked.

I nodded, not having my voice back yet.

"I von't be able to do that everytime to shadov comes. Only in special cases. Call if you need me."

I felt her leave. I closed my eyes, still taking deep breaths. I felt someone hold my hand.

"Chloe?" Derek asked.

Again I nodded without opening my eyes.

"Peter, could you get Chloe some water, please," Aunt Lauren asked.

I could hear Peter move away. When I opened my eyes, Derek's face was above mine. He was a mixture of reliefed, worried and pissed. I sat up and leant my back again the wall. Derek sat beside me, never letting go of my hand. Peter handed me a glass of water. I nodded a thanks then downed the whole glass.

"Are you okay?" I looked up at Tori. She was standing besides Amber and Megan. She looked scared.

"B-Better," I gasped out. "S-shadow...c-cut...o-off, my...a-air,"

"What is it?" Peter asked.

"We don't know," Derek answered for me. "Chloe can just see a black shadow. Not a face or anything. We have no clue who-or what-it is."

"Oh..." was all Peter said.

"What are we going to do about it?" Tori demanded.

"What do you mean?" Simon asked.

"Oh come on! Big Bad Scary Black Shadow strikes again and we do nothing? How about summoning it?"

"It's just tried to kill Chloe. Again. And you think if she summons it, asks it to talk, it's be friendly and stay for a cup of tea?" Simon shot back.

"I didn't say talk to it," Tori snapped. "I said doing something about it. Loser."

"Oh yeah? Like what?"

"Finding out who it is," Tori looked at me. "If you summon it, you've brought it over on your terms, which means you can send it back right? And it might not be able to do anything to Chloe while she has control over it."

I rested my head back against the wall. Everyone was waiting for an answer. I took another breath. Truth was I did want to know about this shadow, and why it was trying to kill me. But it terrified me. Scared the living day lights out and me. And I never want to see it again.

"L-Let me think," I whispered.

Everyone nodded. Amber pulled Megan out the room. Probably too much for her little ears. Peter, Tori and Simon sat around the table talking and Aunt Luaren and Kit went to do their own thing.

I rested my head on Derek's shoulder.

"Chloe?"

"Hmm?"

"What made the shadow go away?" Derek asked.

"Larisa came. She made it g-go away, b-but she said s-she wouldn't be able t-to d-do it everytime," I told him.

"We do need to find out who this is."

"I know," I sighed. "I-I'm just...It scares me."

"S'alright," his arm went around my shoulders. "Think about what Tori said, okay?"

"Okay," I rubbed my arms.

After having my temperature checked, drinking and eating something, Aunt Lauren made me get some rest. Derek agreed. I curled into a ball on my bed. I couldn't sleep and I know why. I was afraid if I closed my eyes the shadow would come.

"Can't sleep with your eyes open, darlin'," Eric said. He was hovering beside my pillow.

"I-I don't want to sleep."

"Well, from what I've heard, you need to," he grinned. "Don't worry though."

"Why shouldn't I worry?" I asked.

"'Cause Liz and I have promised to lovely Larisa we'd watch over you," he winked. "We're watchin' out for the dark shadow. You can sleep and we'll protect you, darlin'"

"Wh-where is Liz?"

"She's outside the room," he whispered. "She watchin' the outside of the room, and I the inside."

"Oh. Can't you change sides?" I asked.

His face dropped but again, his eyes mocking. "Ain't I enough, doll? I thought you'd be pleased to have a charmin' man like me," he stuck out his chest.

I giggled into my pillow.

"There we are," he smiled. "Got a laugh. Now, close 'em lovey blues and get some sleep. Got a job to be doin'"

"Th-thank you, Eric," I said.

"Thank Larisa," he told me. "She's one cool gal. Let's see," he held up five fingers. "Get Chloe to laugh. Check," A finger went down. "Liz is outside," Another finger went down. "I'm Inside. Check." Another finger. "Told Chloe about arangements. Check," Another finger. "Get Chloe to sleep...Not yet. You gotta sleep, darlin', s'only way I am gettin' this finger down." He pointed his little finger at me.

I giggled again but closed my eyes. I felt safe. And with that I drifted off to sleep.

I love Eric. :D Who do YOU think the shadow is? Let me know by...REVIEWING! -Clare.