Radically Happy

Continued from Hello, Punishment.

I am walking to My Father’s house with Judge and Frank. Neither of them speak, but I am singing a little song to myself. Suddenly, as we are passing an alleyway, a voice speaks out of the shadows.

Voice: I wouldn’t walk that way if I were you.

Both Frank and Judge immediately shift into protector mode. They close ranks around me.

Frank: I wish I’d kept my guns.

Judge: I shouldn’t have left my helmet.

Kid: It’s okay. I don’t think he’s going to attack us.

Voice: That’s right. I’m actually trying to help you.

Judge: Don’t trust him, kid.

Voice: sounding hurt Now Judge, is that any way to treat an old friend?

Frank: Old friend, eh? Why don’t you come out where we can recognize you?

Voice: Oh, I am always here, in the Shadow. It is the nature of my power that you can always hear, but never see, me.

Judge: whispering I don’t like this, kid. Let us get you out of here.

Voice: Yes, by all means. Go back to where you came from. That is safer for all of us.

Kid: But I am going back to My Father’s house.

Voice: hesitant You… can go back if you like. But these two cannot go with you.

Frank: That won’t be safe for him!

Voice: Then he must go back with you. That is the only way we can can be safe.

Frank and Judge start to argue, but the Kid holds up a hand and they instantly quiet.

Kid: I don’t think we’ve met before. Can you tell me your name?

Voice: reluctantly You may call me… Shadow.

Kid: Pleased to meet you, Shadow. I must say, I am quite touched that you are so concerned about our safety.

Shadow: Er, thank you. Not everyone is so understanding.

Kid: But… can you tell us any more about the danger we face, and the source of your information.

Shadow is silent for a long moment, and the two adults start to wonder if he has run off. But the Kid does not seem the least concerned or impatient.

Shadow: I once… was like you. But I ventured too close to the Place of the Skull, and it began to unmake me. I let out a cry of warning, and only that cry escaped. Now shuddering all that is left of me is that cry, which I use to warn others so they escape my fate.

Kid: nods sadly I can see that you speak truth, and that you are sincerely using all that you have left to share your truth with others.

Shadow: sniffling Thank you.

Kid: sighing But you seem to be forgetting something.

Shadow: How could I possibly forget something as awful as what happened to me?

Kid: shaking his head The opposite. The trauma of what you experienced makes it hard for you to remember what I said, at least long enough to understand what it means.

Frank: What did you say!

Judge: remembering Your Father’s house… it is in the same direction as the Place of the Skull?

Kid: More. It IS the Place of the Skull.

Frank: So he lies! viciously He is trying to trick us.

Kid: sternly No. He spoke the truth.

Judge: Then how…

Kid: shaking his head The only way to My Father’s house is through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

The Kid turns to the Shadow.

Kid: You are right that the path will unmake you. But that is a fate no man can escape. Sooner or later we must all walk that dark path.

Shadow: But then how can you call it your home?

Kid: crying out Don’t you see? It is all of our homes. All of us were born there, and must return. It isn’t merely the end. It is also our beginning.

He gestures to Frank and Judge to join him. Then reaches a hand out to Shadow.

Kid: The reason you lost yourself is that you were alone. It was a noble and difficult task you chose to save others from your fate. But now, I’m asking something even more difficult: that you embrace your fate… with us.

Shadow: But… my power… my very existence….

Kid: gently …is but a pale Shadow of what awaits you on the other side. IF you are willing to walk this road with us.

Shadow: You two… I can see that you’ve lived in the shadows as long as I have. Do you… believe him?

Judge: quietly With all my heart, I do.

Frank: I don’t know if I even have a heart left. But I know your shadow is no darker than the blackness of my soul, yet this child found light in there somehow. And for that voice cracking I would follow him to the gates of hell itself.

The Shadow is silent for a long moment. Then….

Shadow: Very well. My darkness is now yours to command.

The Kid takes their hands, forming a circle with Frank and Judge.

Kid: Shadow, we invite you and your darkness into our midst. No fear. No shame. No regret. Just welcome.

Slowly, the darkness flows out of the alley into the center of their circle. For a moment, it seems as if the darkness will swallow them up. But at the last moment, a light springs up from the heart of the child. There is a blinding flash…

And everything changes!

To be continued.