Page 45 of Semblance

In person however, Shadow was an enigma.

Curious to learn more about this mystery man, I scanned through the contents of the envelope that Lucien gave me.

It was a full transcript of a session between Shadow and a psychiatrist.

I was intrigued.

“This is wrong,” I muttered to myself. “I should respect his privacy.” I continued reading it anyway.

From the files of Dr. Frederick Rosenburg, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Morality, Moral City.

Subject:Shadow Tremaine. Age thirteen, suffering from severe posttraumatic stress disorder.

Dr. Rosenburg: Hello Shadow. How have you been?

Shadow: Fine.

Dr. Rosenburg: How have classes been at the Academy?

Shadow: Good.

Dr. Rosenburg: No troubles with the other students?

(silence)

Dr. Rosenburg: Your headmaster contacted me the other day telling me that you’ve been in several fights recently. Do you want to talk about them?

(silence)

Dr. Rosenburg: Okay, we don’t have to. Is there anything you want to discuss? It’s been a while since our last meeting and I’m sure there must be a lot of things on your mind.

(silence)

Dr. Rosenburg: How has your sister been doing?

Shadow: Good.

Dr. Rosenburg: She’s been doing well in her classes it seems. I’m also hearing that she’s making quite a lot of friends. Are you happy for her?

Shadow: I guess so.

Dr. Rosenburg: Wouldn’t you like to make some friends yourself? Some people you can talk to and play with?

Shadow: I have no time for friends.

Dr. Rosenburg: Of course you do Shadow. You should be out playing sports, reading books, going to movies.

Shadow: A waste of time.

Dr. Rosenburg: What would you rather be doing?

Shadow: Finding the person who murdered my parents and setting them on fire.

Dr. Rosenburg: And why would you rather be doing that?

Shadow: Because they deserve to die.

Dr. Rosenburg: The anniversary of your parent’s death is coming up in a few days. That day must be hard for both you and your sister.

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