Instant Messaging

[Kira & Lee Norris]

Kira and Deron had recently developed a system which she was finding she had to resort to more and more often. Gifted as her shadows were, she'd found that they could interpret messages from her, and spell them across the wall for him. In this way, they would whisper his words to her, and spell her words to him. Each message brought a thrill to her heart- and every one seemed to make her laugh.
She missed him. It was horrible.
Every second of every hour of every day she missed him. She didn't know why. Something stupid yet wonderful was taking place inside of her; exhilarating and sickening. Wasn't it funny how contradictions could compliment each other so? It's not like the messages even meant something important. But it was just nice to talk to him.
And he seemed to like to talk to her too. Any distraction from his cousins seemed welcome.
A shadow scurried towards her as she lay on the floor beside her bed. It formed his shape, taunting her as it rippled across the floor boards.
"Infatuated child, how much longer shall you have us work?"
Kira jumped. "I'm not."
"You are in love, child. Your shadow will never lie to us. No matter how much you wish to hide, we always find you in the darkness."
"In love?" Kira snorted. "I barely know him!"
"In lust, we see. Love will follow, once you are past that. And until then we must put up with your sweet, lovestruck messages to and fro. How sweet. How delightful. We barf."
Kira frowned, and mimed twisting something between her fists. Immediately, the shadow curled backwards in pain, hissing angrily. "What does he say?"
"We should not tell you," the shadows muttered darkly. "We should not reveal it..."
"Tell me," Kira's hand floated threateningly above them. The shadow quailed, bowed its imitation of Deron's head in a most convincing manner. Suddenly, like magic, a wonderful reputation of Deron's voice floated towards her...
"Wow, you've no idea how weird this is. There are some things I'll never get used to!"
"You've said that five times already!" she laughed.
Muttering darkly, the shadows slunk off, and returned meer seconds later. "Haha! Ok, fair enough. Gee, your shadows are friendly. You know one just gave me the finger?"
Kira closed her eyes in frustration, crushing the shadow beneath her fist. "Ignore them."
"Hard not to."
"Still," she smiled, "try."
"So... exams went ok?"
"Thanks to you."
"Pfft, yeah, you were screwed without me."
"Hey!" she cried, in mock-outrage. "I resent that!"
"Do you?"
"No..." she said before she could stop herself. "Of course not."
There was a pause, and she suddenly felt incredibly awkward as she waited for her shadows to return. What a stupid reply. He was being sarcastic. He wasn't expecting a reply. She shouldn't have replied. Now what?
Suddenly, like a shock, his voice came to her, loud and clear in her ear. "Hmm... not a feminist, eh?"
She laughed uneasily. "Sorry."
"For what?"
"Stupid answer."
"What else would you have said?"
Kira gulped. "I don't know."
"Useful."
"I am."
Another brief pause as her shadows muttered darkly amongst themselves.
"Not really."
Kira frowned. She hadn't expected that reply. It seemed a little... unlike Deron. And that tone... were her shadows making fun of her? She could never really tell...
And if it was him, how was she meant to reply...?
"Heard about the camping trip in Blueberg forest?" she asked suddenly, hoping for a change of topic. "We're going quite far out."
"Cool." Then, "I could come."
Kira frowned, leaning closer to the floor. "How?"
"Breaking and entering."
She laughed a little uncertainly. "You wouldn't get through the forest alive."
"Maybe!" That reply was echoed by his laughter. It was unmistakable. "But you could..."
"Your point being...?" she laughed.
"Well," he continued, and Kira could almost imagine the smile spreading across his face. "You could help me."