The Shadow

As the thoughts consumed him, Robert fell to his knees. His shadow, who had followed him all this way, detached from him and rose up as a mirror image of himself. The shadow began goading the weary man, telling him to go back to the wayhouse. He reasoned that it was warm and cozy there. They could live there removed from reality for the rest of time. Robert, angry at the shadow, lashed out and tried to strike it. However, his fist slipped through. He realized that violence was not the answer; compassion was. He realized this shadow was and always would be a part of himself. There was no magic pill or panacea that would remove it. There was no cure for what afflicted Robert. When he accepted that, truly accepted it, a light grew from within the shadow. The blinding rays overpowered the darkness, and for the first time, Robert truly saw himself. All of his flaws and all of the good parts of him were laid bare. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he could live with himself, could even love himself.