Shadow of the Night

     “Yeah, yeah,” Shadowfax grumbled, “I’m on it.”

     The Lupe picked up the old faded mop and bucket from the back of the store and started cleaning.

     The Purple Mynci known as Hubert nodded with approval and continued with his line of customers. They were the last ones of the day, and then Shadow was free. Even his dark, shadowy fur couldn’t hide the look of agony and hatred that he had for this job, but he didn’t once open his mouth to complain. It paid well at 650 Neopoints an hour, and he tried to consider himself lucky. Not every pet had a job after all. But it was hard to feel optimistic when one sold hot dogs all day long.

     He knew them all by heart, too. Frozen corn dogs at 2,500 NP a piece, and that wasn’t all. Burnt, veggie, even grape jam, which to him seemed disgusting, was apparently popular. Potatoes were another common item, but after three weeks of free cheese and bean potatoes for lunch, he was fed up with these too.

     A misaimed slam of the mop caused the bucket to spill over and dirty water to splash all over the floor of the shop. “Oh, great,” Shadow mumbled. “More things to clean.” He sighed heavily and wiped his forehead with his purple Duelling Decks headbandana.

     “Everything okay back there?” Hubert called.

     “Fine,” Shadow replied stiffly. Under his breath, he added, “Just peachy.”

     Unconcerned, Hubert went back to selling hot dogs to a very hungry Skeith. By the time the mess was completely cleaned up, the closed sign had already been put out.

     “Thanks for all your help today, Shadow. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

     A genuine smile appeared on Shadow’s face. “You’re welcome, Hubert.” It wasn’t that Shadow didn’t like helping others, because he did. Helping everyone was something his owner had instilled in him from the day she’d brought him home. He just felt there was something missing. Something more he could do. He couldn’t for the life of him figure out what it was, though.

     “Well, here’s your paycheck for the day. 5,500 Neopoints for your hard work.”

     Honesty, too, was another thing Lupana had taught him. “I think you made a mistake, Hubert. I should be getting 5,200.”

     The Mynci just smiled. “I know. I threw in a little extra so you could buy your little brother something at the toy shop.” He winked and made Shadow blush under his dark fur.

     “Thanks for your thoughtfulness,” he replied sarcastically as he grabbed the bag of money out of his paws.

     Hubert laughed and wished him a good day. Shadow hurried away to keep from glaring at his boss. The Lupe couldn’t help it if he got a little nervous around the girl who worked at the toy shop. He headed past the chocolate factory and into the large building with a Kacheek on the front.

     The Red Lupe glanced up as the door opened. She smiled warmly. “Hey, stranger. Sell a lot of hot dogs today?”

     Shadow smiled, but it wasn’t wide enough to show his teeth. If it had, it probably would have resulted in a rather scary expression. “It was insanely busy today. How are things for you, Bethany?”

     She rolled her eyes. “Oh, you know. Toys equal children, either with their parents or owners, and they’ll buy ‘em anything they ask for. Still,” she continued fondly, “children are wonderful. Their innocence is a very endearing quality.”

     Shadow nodded and browsed the nearest shelves of toys, scanning the prices. His paw fiddled nervously with the hunter scarf bandana around his neck.

     Bethany chuckled. “Aren’t you a little old to be playing with toys?”

     “It’s not for me, but for my little brother. You remember him, don’t you? I had to watch him last week, so he came with me to work.”

     Bethany nodded. “Of course! Kumarrian, wasn’t it?”

     “Kumar for short,” he corrected. “Anyways, I’ve got some extra change here for a toy.” He had been walking slowly as he browsed the shelves, but stopped when his eyes rested upon a toy train. Dark red with two different shades of blue, and a price tag of 827 Neopoints. He did have over five thousand with him, but… his siblings and his owner were counting on the funds he brought home. They’d manage, but…

     “What’s wrong?” Bethany asked, interrupting Shadow’s train of thought.

     “It’s nothing,” Shadow said quickly.

     She slid up beside him, very inquisitive about his actions. “Too pricey for you?”

     “Kind of. I have the money, it’s just… well, we need every spare point we can get. I know I’m painted Shadow and all, but that doesn’t mean—“

     “No need to explain it to me. I’ve been there myself. You’ve got a large family.” She pulled off the price tag to examine it. “How much do you have to spare?”

     “300,” he said flatly. It was embarrassing to be a painted pet and not have money for a simple toy.

     Bethany placed her paw on her chin, pretending to be deep in thought, then grinned wildly. “Tell you what, how about you just take it?”

     Shadow’s jaw dropped. “That’s… I mean…” but he shook his head. “I can’t do that to you. I wouldn’t feel right.”

     “I mean it!” she insisted, and to prove her point, she picked up one of the trains and dropped it into his arms. “I wouldn’t want you to disappoint your brother.” He was still staring at her, so she explained further. “I started this shop because I love kids. I’ve no doubt you know what I mean, thanks to Kumar. You know the sparkle you see in his eyes when he’s happy? I live for that. It’s what keeps me going. When they beg their mom or dad or owner for a toy and they get it, they’re the happiest pet in all of Neopia. Just take the train and make your brother happy, too.”

     Shadow was, for once, speechless. There was only one way he would accept this generous offer. “I’ll take it, but only with a promise to you that, once we’re back on our feet again, I’m paying you back.”

     She scoffed and rolled her eyes at his chivalry. “Whatever floats your boat. Just let me know how he likes it, will you?”

     He nodded and assured her that he would do just that. “Thank you, Bethany.”

     She just laughed at him. “Go home already, Shadowfax!”

     *****

     Shadow and his family lived in a small Neohome in Neopia Central. It was older and not as well-maintained as it could be, but they did their best. Currently, their owner was working on getting them a new home in Meridell, which would help them out of the rut they were currently in. For now, though, they were stuck in the worst-looking Neohome on the street.

     Shadow’s pride always got to him when he realised other pets and owners would see him as they walked into that house. There were rumours and stories about the inner conditions, none of which were true. The worst rumours, though, were about his owner, Lupana. How she didn’t even care about her pets and forced them to live in these conditions. Shadow had only ever heard that one once before he stepped in and sharply corrected the gossiping Blumaroo and Shoyru. No matter how badly his pride was affected, he never let it show. Even so, he would not tolerate indecent speech about anyone in his family. He was much too loyal for that.

     All of these thoughts ran through his head as he walked with his head high into the decrepit-looking Neohome.

     Truth be told, it was actually in much better shape inside than out. It was clean and the furniture was nice, if a little unorganised and didn’t all match properly. But it was a start. And with each payment Shadow received, the place got a little nicer.

     All of these thoughts vanished with a single childish squeal of delight.

     “Shaddooww!!”

     A very small yellow ball of fur bounced across the room and leapt into Shadow’s arms. Suddenly, nothing else mattered to the older brother.

     “Hey, Kumar,” he said fondly. “Did you miss me that much?”

     “Uh huh!”

     Shadow laughed. “I missed you, too.” He looked up to meet the laughing faces of his sister Mayagin, a Royal-painted Lupe, their spotted Gelert brother, PatchoSpot, and their owner, Lupana.

     “Also, I have something for you.”

     Kumar’s little tail wagged excitedly. The others raised their eyebrows in surprise. Shadow reached into his backpack and pulled out the train. Little Kumar’s eyes went as wide as dinner plates. “For me?!” he whispered and reached for the item hesitantly.

     “Yes, it’s all yours. Remember that very nice Lupe at the toy store? You need to thank her when you see her again.”

     At the mention of Bethany, Patch chuckled and sent a teasing smile to his brother. Shadow only glared, warning him to shut up.

     “Thank you, Shadow! I love it!” And Kumar was off to his room to play.

     “So,” Patch started in immediately, “Bethany gave you that toy for Kumar?”

     “Yes, she did.”

     Lupana frowned. “Seriously, how much did you spend on it, Shadow? I need to know.”

     “I spent nothing. I was going to pay 300 for it, but she let me have it for free.”

     “So you weren’t kidding?” asked Maya with concern.

     “Of course not,” Shadow insisted. He handed the bag of Neopoints to Lupana. “Hubert even gave me a little extra today.”

     “Wow, he must have been feeling generous,” Lupana replied. “Be sure to thank him for me.”

     “So…” Patch began nervously, “Where does this leave us now?”

     Lupana thought a while, doing some math in her head. “I believe this gives us just enough to cover our expenses and put aside a little in the bank. I’ve had a good day myself, so we’re nearly back to normal again.”

     “Enough for a proper bed?” Shadow asked hopefully.

     “Sorry, not yet. At least not the one you want.”

     “Figures,” he grumbled with a frown.

     “Oh, Shadow,” Maya interrupted, “I need you to watch our shop and gallery tomorrow morning.”

     Shadow glared. “Why?”

     “I need Maya with me when I go to see Professor Milton Clodbottle again at the Habitarium,” Lupana explained. “I’ve made some good money working with him and I’m not about to abandon him when he’s so close to a breakthrough.”

     “What about you, Patch?”

     He shook his head. “I would, but it’s my turn to watch Kumar.”

     So that was why. Well, it wasn’t like he had much of a choice. “Alright, alright. I’ll be there. But right now, I’m off to bed.”

     He pushed through his family members and trudged off to the back of the home.

     “What’s wrong with him?” Maya asked, glancing at Lupana.

     “I dunno. Maybe he’s just upset that he has to work in the store?”

     This didn’t seem to add up to Patch. He’d known Shadow longer than others, and something wasn’t right. “I think I’ll go and talk to him. Maybe I can find out what’s up.”

     Prancing off to the back bedroom, Patch peered inside. This was the room Shadow and Kumar shared for the time being. Half was filled with either baby or colourful kid things and toys, while Shadow’s half of the room was… well, at the moment it was mostly empty aside from a bed and a few essential items, but he’d hoped to find some Meridell or Jeran themed items instead. Right now, he had a Kauvara table, bed and rug to go with a simple beanbag that said, “Jeran Rocks”.

     Kumar was happily playing with his new train and making the appropriate noises to go with it. Shadow was lying on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, apparently oblivious to the noise the young Lupe was making.

     He glared when he saw Patch in the doorway. “Here to pester me about Bethany again?”

     “Normally yes, but I have more pressing matters to discuss with you.” His tone implied that this was indeed serious.

     “What do you want?”

     “Choo choo! Chugga chugga chugga….”

     Patch glanced at Kumar, making sure the pup was not listening in. “What’s eating away at your good mood, brother? I’ve not seen you like this before. Was work really that bad today?”

     Shadow took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Nothing’s wrong.”

     “Yeah, right. C’mon, I’ve known you since we were both pups. Do you really think I’d fall for that when we’re all grown up?”

     Shadow didn’t know what to say. Of course, he couldn’t fool the Gelert who knew him so well, as he said. But how could he possibly understand when he didn’t even understand it himself? “I don’t know what’s wrong, Patch. I just feel… useless.”

     Useless? That didn’t make much sense. Patch hopped up onto the bed next to Shadow. “You’re anything but useless to us. Your job has helped us out a lot. We’ve all been pulling a little extra weight around since we fell into this mess. Besides that, do you know how much Kumar adores you? He looks up to you the way you look up to Jeran of Beldimere!”

     “It’s not the same,” he protested.

     “By Fyora’s magic it isn’t!”

     He knew Patch was right. He just didn’t want to admit it. “I just… don’t feel like I’m doing enough. Something’s missing.”

     Patch smiled. “Did you ever think that maybe it’s just your Lupe loyalty spiraling out of control?”

     Shadow had no answer for that. Even if he did, it probably wasn’t the best thing to say.

     “Shadow, maybe you aren’t a knight, or one of those pets that does a hundred quests for Fyora and the other faeries, but you are part of this family and you’re important to us. Isn’t that enough?”

     Though Shadow replied that it was, he knew in his heart that it wasn’t. Not really. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be feeling this way. Somehow, being the big brother and protector of his family just wasn’t enough anymore. This just confused him even more, for that had been his job since the day Lupana brought Patch home, and informed him he was a big brother, that the pup needed looking after too. He’d faithfully carried out his responsibility all his life until now, and suddenly it wasn’t enough? Why? It just didn’t make sense. And what could he possibly do to change it?

     Patch’s voice once again interrupted him. “I’m sure a good night’s sleep will help you. Just… don’t do anything crazy on us?”

     Shadow finally smiled. “Would I be your brother if I promised something like that?”

     Patch grinned. “Probably not. Come on, supper should be ready soon. Let’s eat.”

To be continued…