Shadow's First Life

Chapter XII

Quiet Years

No really traumatic events occurred after I was ravished. School was typical, my life was otherwise average. I had three years through high school. I had several girlfriends, but of course I liked some more than others. Most of the girls at school were too shallow, too silly and too immature for me to find appealing or worthwhile.

The ones that I liked were often already taken by some other guy. The girls I dated and did not like did not last long in any relationship, as I would not take their crap, since we would date no longer than a week. Some 'adults' never will grow up! If people acted their age, the world would be a much safer place.

Many of my girlfriends loved me simply because I was romantic and thoughtful. Many of them told me that their other boyfriends treated them with little thought or emotion, aside from selfish lust or cockiness; which is rather typical. I learned what kind of girl I would be looking for in a potential spouse. I learned that I had everything I needed to find one and keep her happy.

My freshmen year in high school was scary in some ways. I only knew a few people. I realized as years went on that there would be many people that I would never know. I did not understand why the seniors seemed so aloof, but as I started my junior year, I realized that they have already connected with other people and saw no point in connecting with the newer and younger freshmen.

I did not like some of my teachers, but I got along with most of them. There often are teachers that should not be teachers. Mrs. Keith was such a poor teacher. She taught my math class in ninth grade, and I was bothered in her class by endless assignments and homework and notes. Mark hated her also.

Mark and I helped each other. When I was out for a doctor's appointment, he would share his notes. When he was sick at home, I would help him with homework. Having him on my side made that year much easier.

Teachers I liked enjoyed teaching. They knew how to get the students interested in the lesson, and had fun doing it. Mrs. Brooks was my favorite teacher ever. I had her during my seventh, eighth, and eleventh years in school. She was there to care for me. When I was feeling down, she lifted me up with her enthusiasm. Even she did not know about every time I was assaulted...

Nightmares were and still are a plague. I just tried to ignore them and get on with my life, but they will never, ever go away and leave me. The torment they bring often intensifies or fades, depending on how content I am, or stressed, or lonely, or whatever. I also do not know about the red fur I gained after being grabbed by the alien leader, whether or not it will leave me or how to rid myself of its glaring color.

My nightmares were rather tame for several years after I encountered Adam for the last time. The deploring gloom they are was buried under my happiness and contentment, only to resurface before a certain day...

I considered dying my read streaks black, and was quick to aspire in it. I got my hair dyed, but it stayed black for a matter of months before it turned red at the roots once again. I simply dyed it again. Having my black fur again made me feel more confident; it was helping me forget about the leader I would soon know as Black Doom. But the dye was only a mask. I wish to rid myself of it for good!

I look just like my dad. When I was little, I did not have a bib of white fluff on my chest. My extra fluff sprouted out when I was fourteen, starting small and growing larger. My girlfriends called me "Fuzzy" because they said I am warm and fluffy. Maria said that about Shadow when she met him and I was just one year old.

In spite of all I had experienced, my life was just beginning...