Kapitel 4: The Hideout

Leo

The shadow has been popping up more often, it's getting more and more insistent on me, but I know I shouldn't listen to it and as long as the door doesn't close at night everything will be fine. To avoid this, I go out into the garden to play from the morning until the sun is hidden, to go home and have dinner with mom and dad, besides that they would never let me sleep in the garden. For some reason in the shade, he doesn't like to leave the house or maybe he can't get out, even in the garden I guess he's waiting for night to fall and into my room, to annoy me as usual.

Lately, the shadow comes into my room and talks to me when I'm about to fall asleep sometimes I fall asleep and other times he chats with him for a while. Tonight will be no exception, we'll probably have another long talk.

At nightfall...

—Leo —he calls the child the shadow.

—What happens? —the child replies in a dry tone.

—I'm lonely, why don't you come play with me, that would make me very happy —the shadow says cheekily.

—I'm tired let me sleep —the child replies coldly.

—Will you play with me tomorrow? —Asks the shadow insistently.

—I don't know —the child replies evasively.

—Please —the shadow pleads.

—I don't want to! —Leo shouts and covers his head with the blanket.

—I know a lot of Leo games; with me, you'll never get bored —says the shadow with a smile between his teeth.

—I'd rather play with my mom —Leo replies evasively.

—Your mom, the same one who hasn't listened to you lately —the shadow replies.

—She's only been busy lately, plus I can still play with Dad —Leo says.

—Isn't he the same one who leaves early and arrives when you're asleep? —He asks the shadow between laughter.

—Anyway, I won't play with you —he says before he fell asleep.

The next day I did my daily routine, go out on the patio and play all day in this sunlight. The holidays will be over soon, which means it's my chance to spend less time at home with extended hours I can convince Mom to go swimming after school and stay in a study group, to go back alone to sleep. Besides, tomorrow they're probably going to find me a school near home or their work.

Later...

Tonight, mom and dad are going out to a party at night for their work, which I'm going to stay with the nanny, and being honest isn't the best night for a 6-year-old.

—I'll make it up to you, honey —her mom says sweetly and kisses her on the forehead.

—Do you have to go," I'll be left alone —Leo says with tender eyes.

—You won't be alone, Leo, the babysitter will stay with you —her mom replies calmly.

—It won't be the same, I want to play with you," Leo replies, wanting to throw a tantrum.

—I read to be good, we have to go —Mom says before closing the door.

All I had left was to escort Mom and Dad to the door, as I said goodbye by moving my hand from the entrance to the house and watching the car away. The babysitter came to keep me company and immediately started playing board games, we used karaoke, ordered pizza for dinner, and finally watched movies until I fell asleep in the living room.

When I woke up, I was lying on the floor of a strange, dark room, too different from mine, I'd never been in a place like this before. I looked up and cut down my eyes as I gradually saw many shadows around me watching me, very similar to that shadow that appeared in my bedroom.

—Welcome Leo —says the brazen shadow.

—... —'s speechless.

—Oh, come on don't be shy Leo, say hello to our friends. We were all very anxious for you to arrive —says the shadow between laughter.

—Where am I? —Leo asks something confused.

—You're in our Leo world —says the shadow.

—How did I get here, that's not possible —Leo says, something scared.

—Someone closed your room door, right at 3:00 a.m. —the shadow says as he pretends to see the time on his wrist.

—That's impossible! Everyone knew I didn't want the door locked —Leo shouts.

—Apparently, someone doesn't respect that, I wonder who it was? —Several shadows laugh at once.

—I want to go home, right now! —Leo shouts defiantly.

—That won't happen, Leo, first we have to play a game and then we'll see if you can go back —says the shadow in a mocking tone.

—Which game will we play? —Ask the child something worried.

—What do you think of the hide-and-seek? —Ask the shadow.

—The hide-and-seek? —Leo asks something confused.

—That's right, we'll play hide-and-seek, very simple, won't we? We look for you and you hide —several shadows laugh at once.

—What if they find me? —Leo asks with a lump in his throat.

—I think you'd rather not find out, but I'll tell you what Leo will tell you if that happens, you'll wish you hadn't lost the game. Well, the game starts, you have 50 seconds to hide before we go looking for you, hide well and don't make any noise, although no matter how much you want, we'll find you —several shadows laugh at once.

—He runs out quickly.