Shadowplay Sarah checked the letter in her hand once again. 1137 Hartley, she muttered to herself. 1137.

She glanced up at the building in front of her, braking lightly so she could read the address. Looking over at the package sitting in the passenger seat like a sleeping wolverine, she drew her sweater more tightly around herself with one hand and squinted at the building again, irritated. It had taken her long enough to find Hartley, anyway; couldnt they have made the address easier to locate? Sarah shivered. Though it was only May, the night was colder than shed expected. She checked her watch- 10:43 - and then the door in front of her. A lone crow perched on the streetlight in front of the building. It was an old theater, the sign on the marquee reading Closed for Renovations. It was also 1137. Several thoughts flashed through Sarahs head: drug cartel. Mafia headquarters. Prostitution ring. She shivered again, more with trepidation than with fear. Sarah suddenly found that she didnt want to get out of the car. The shadows lay strangely around the door, and it stood next to the type of alley in which disreputable characters were generally thought to lurk. Several mangy, dark, catlike shapes slipped through the passageway, knocking the lid off a garbage can as they left. The streetlight flickered as they passed it, and the crow cawed loudly. The whole night was just plain eerie. Sarah shut her eyes tightly, then snatched the package off the seat, getting out of the car and walking quickly to the door. She stood there a moment, trying to find her courage. Then, to get it over with, she raised her hand to the door and knocked twice. The already-strange shadows shifted. Sarah spun on her heel, tense, and thought about running to her car. But a trio of cats had reappeared, arranging themselves nonchalantly between her and her car, and she moved away from them until her back pressed against the rickety door. Dont be silly, theyre only cats. Sarah took a deep breath and leaned forwards. One of the cats bridled, hissing, and the crow on the streetlight flapped its wings once, settling ominously, staring Sarah down with one eye. The streetlamp dimmed. Another of the cats stood and began to stalk towards her, it was coming for her, it was nearly at her feet and she opened her mouth, in horror, to scream The door gave way behind her and an arm snaked around her as she fell backwards, squeaking, her scream muffled by the hand over her mouth. She was dragged backwards into complete darkness. Not one word, her captor breathed in her ear. It was a man, his voice disguised with the whisper, and he pulled her up against himself, twisting her arm behind her. Dont move. Do you understand me? Sarah was gasping in fear, and the person laughed unpleasantly. Dont worry, he told her. Right now, Im the least of your problems. Stay here. Can you do that? Sarah forced out one quick nod, and the man

let her go. She stumbled forwards until she ran into what felt like a box, and she sat on it quickly, turning the package over and over and biting her lip to keep quiet. The man opened the door again. He wasnt much taller than her, Sarah thought inanely as she watched him, his form somehow outlined against the darkness. Holding one cupped hand to his mouth, he whispered something Sarah couldnt hear. An unearthly light flared in his hand, and the cats hissed in chorus, writhing away from it. Sarah shielded her eyes. You see that? he said softly, his voice dangerous, and it took Sarah a moment to realize he was talking to the shadows. I banish you here, now. Yes, I can do that. Go. Go far away. Begone! With his last word he let the light fall, and Sarah heard a high, strange keening. She shut her eyes, shrinking back from the awful noise. When she looked back, the man still stood inn the doorway. The cats were gone; the crow had disappeared. The streetlight glowed brightly. Sarah sat up and clutched the package tightly in her lap. The man turned, shutting the door behind him. There was a pop, and electric lights lit on either side of the room. It was sparse, containing nothing but a few crates like the one Sarah found she was sitting on, a table, and a ratty purple couch. The man placed one hand flat on the closed door and said something else, quietly; the door glowed briefly with that same white light, which faded rapidly into a dim shimmer. Pulling over another crate, he sat facing Sarah. Propping his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands, he stared intently at her. He had dark, dark eyes, so dark Sarah couldnt make out the color, and short brown hair. Sarahs hair flopped into her face, but when she tried to sit up and brush it back, she found that she could not move. She began to panic, struggling to shift herself even an inch. The man reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear, gently, like a lover would. Sarah flinched, trying to get away from his touch. No, you cant move, he told her softly. His voice still dripped cyanide, as it had when hed banished the shadows. You can talk, though. And right now you are going to tell me truthfully who you are, or I swear I will kill you. Sarah swallowed hard, and found that her mouth did work, after all. My name is Sarah, she managed. The man shot up in his seat, and his concentration was broken. Sarah fell backwards, released. Youre Sarah? Sarah frowned. Had that beenmagic? She nodded, puzzled and scared. His eyes narrowed and he glared at her. Where is it? You didnt open it, did you? Of course not, Sarah snapped, holding the package up to show him the intact wrapping. The effect was astonishing. The man went still, completely still. He studied the package, then sighed in relief, which annoyed Sarah. Give it to me, he demanded.

Sarah started to hand it to him. The image of him standing in the doorway, cruel light blazing over the shadows, suddenly came into her mind, and she stopped and pulled the box back towards herself. Such power she could feel it now, she realized, like ripples from a thrown pebble, ripples that emanated from him. She gulpedher mouth had gone dryto try to keep her voice from shaking. No. It came out as a squeak, and Sarah cringed and tried again. No, I wont. He pulled his hand away, taken aback, and studied her for a moment. You realize you dont have a choice, right? Sarah shook her head, gripping the package tightly. She was almost too scared to be angry. Your life and theirs will be forfeit. Sarah took a deep breath. I dont know what kind of joke you think this is, and Id like nothing better than to give this back to you and go home. But when you threaten my friends, and you threaten my students, and you threaten meI want no part in this, do you understand me? The man shook his head violently and looked as though he would speak. Sarah glared at him, holding up a hand. Wait. If you think I am going to have anything else to do with you, you are mistaken. That weird light. The anger in his eyes, the venom in his voice. Sarah shivered. Unless you tell me right now what this is and what its for, she continued, her voice shaking, youre not getting it from me. I could just take it from you. You probably could. I wouldnt be able to stop you. But you would have taken it already if you wanted it that badly. Whose voice was this that she was speaking in? It wasnt fooling her; she would have been surprised to find that it was fooling him. She was nowhere near this clever, this brave. There was a silence for a moment. Then he sighed and admitted, Youre right. Now that you have thethe package, it cant be taken from you by force. Youd have to give it to me of your own will Hah. Sarah grinned, folding her hands over the package to hide their trembling. So. Im waiting. Or would you rather just kill me, because I didnt follow my instructions exactly? Im not going to kill you! Marli above, do you ever let anyone else get a word in edgewise? Sarah paused, quieted.

Thank you, he said, and paused, obviously waiting for her to speak. Sarah clenched her hand into a fist to keep from slapping him. We dont want to hurt you, Sarah, he told her, barely keeping his patience, his voice slightly patronizing. It sounded like a memorized speech. We need your help. But without your help, our enemies will kill everyone ever involved with us. And that means you, and anyone you are or ever have been involved with. Were on your side, Sarah. This is for your own good. Suddenly he shook his head, impatient. No. This is taking too long. Reflexively, he glanced back over his shoulder, and when he turned back to Sarah his face was white and drawn. I need the package. Now. Sarah looked behind him. With alarm, she saw that the door no longer shimmered with light. The room began to darken as a shadow crept over it, a shadow that wasnt his or hers. She jumped up, knocking the crate over, and he held out his hand. Just then they both heard a sound like a scratching or a gentle knocking at the door. Hells, he hissed. Give me there isnt enough time. Get back, he said curtly. What? Move! Why? Dont argue! he shouted, shoving her backwards. She hit the table and collapsed over it, frantically turning herself around. Hed flung the door open. Outside it was midnightdark. The cats were back, more of them, hissing and advancing on the door; their shadows grew up the walls, darker and taller than normal shadows should have been. Grab my hand, said the man, not turning around. Come on! Sarah darted forwards, grabbing his hand, clutching the package with the other. You have the box? he asked. Sarah nodded, then realized he couldnt see her. Yes. All right. Were going to have to run. He held out his other hand and shouted a word that jarred Sarah, shook the ground under her and made her head hurt. A huge burst of light hurt her eyes and scorched her face. Her first instinct was to clap her hands over her ears, but he was pulling her forwards. The creatures turned to shadow as the man dragged Sarah through them. She twisted her head so she wouldnt have to look at them, but they were everywhere, and Sarah fought back gasps of horror as she ran. It cant get you, the man yelled, turning his head so she could hear him. Come on, were almost there! They almost ran into the car in the unnatural darkness. The man was slamming the door behind him by the time Sarah fell onto the passenger seat, nearly crying. The shadows seemed to stay away from the car, but she could feel their relentless pressure, that aura of weirdness, beating against the windows. We should be safe here, the man said. He

thought a moment, then held out his hand and concentrated. A tiny ball of bluish light formed on his palm, and he placed it on the dashboard and flicked it at the windshield. As it rolled into the glass, it disappeared. It looked to Sarah as if the car had absorbed it. Now were safe. The man slumped back in his seat, rubbing the side of his face with one hand. Gods. Was that close? Sarah dared to ask, and he nodded. Sarah glanced out the window. The inky tendrils were subsiding now, leaving the car in an island of plain asphalt. The man began to laugh, wearily. Darkness prowls abroad, indeed, he said, chuckling. And the light is fading, Sarah said, remembering the letter. The mans head jerked up, and he stared at her. You know that? So do you. Of course I do, itsof course I do. Sarah bit her lip. I think I believe you now. He looked at her for a long moment. There arent many people who would let themselves be dragged through something like that. You can feel it, cant you? Sarah nodded, shivered. I thought so. He sighed, then took a car key out of his pocket. Buckle up. Sarah complied. Where are we going? Were going to talk to someone who can explain this to you better than I can, because you deserve an explanation. Sarah looked over at him as he started the car. Thanks. Dont thank me, he said, then paused. Youre welcome.