The Shadow
A short story by Nancy Goldberg Hilton

There was a shadow cast upon the earth.

One day, as I was walking, I noticed my shadow.  It was grey in color and was spread on to the ground upon which I walked.  But then, I noticed another shadow.  This shadow was dark and talked with a human voice.  How deceptive, for the human looked normal except for his shadow which was black and seemed to be absorbed into the ground it covered. 

As this man and his dark shadow approached, I stopped.  I just watched him as he neared.  The dark shadow seemed to increase in size and started to cover his face as well.  His features were dark.  He had a wide grin and deep-set eyes.

I said a prayer and asked for protection through my faith in Jesus Christ. 

As the man approached, I stood still, for there was no place to run.  He sauntered up and his grin grew wider than his face and his eyes sank deep within his skull.

Then he suddenly stopped as if struck by something unknown.  He stared at me as his shadow disappeared and all that was left was a single beam of light.  The man fainted and then woke up.

“What happened?”  He asked, “I was all ready to murder you and now I am helpless before you.”

I stood straight in his path and asked him his name. 

He said it was Lucifer. 

I said, “Well no wonder you lost your strength.” 

“My name is Faith.”
© Nancy Hilton 2011
All Rights Reserved