Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 18:45:22 -0800 (PST) From: Author James <authorjames2002@yahoo.com> Subject: The Shadow Chapter 16 Tonight Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction. I do not know the sexual orientation of any of the celebrities who will be appearing in the story. WARNING: The character does not have a happy life and will not have very many happy events in his life. If this kind of stuff bothers you, I do not recommend reading. Otherwise, enjoy. The Shadow created by Street and Smith, Walter B. Gibson. Copyright Advance Magazine Publishing Inc. Author's email address: authorjames2002@yahoo.com Chapter 16 Tonight The Shadow couldn't believe that Jacob was pressing the issue to go out for dinner. Jacob seemed to sincerely care about the Shadow, even though he didn't actually know he was the Shadow. Unlike Nick Carter, who was enthralled by the mystery and danger of a mask and the dark, Jacob appeared to like him for who he was as a person. At least, he wanted to get to know him as a person. All of this attention made the Shadow nervous. Any attention he received in the past was negative. Any positive attention made him extremely uncomfortable. Jacob promised it was just to get to know him. Nothing would be pressed and it would all be relaxed. Reluctantly, the Shadow, or rather the man without the mask, agreed. "I'll pick you at 8:00, okay?" Jacob asked. "I'll be here," he answered. "All right. I'll pick you up here at eight o'clock." He nodded and watched Jacob as he walked out the door leaving him alone in the shadows of the auditorium. That evening, the Shadow arrived at the auditorium early and walked around outside. He wore some khaki pants and a black dress shirt. His nerves wracked his body with uneasiness at what was to come. He was very uncomfortable. A black car pulled up and the window rolled down. "Hey," Jacob said from the driver's side. "Get in." With a shaking hand, he reached out and grabbed the door handle. He opened it and climbed in. "Hi," Jacob said. "You look nice." "Th-thanks. S-s-so do you." "Is something wrong?" Jacob asked. "You don't sound okay." "Just nervous, that's all." "Haven't you ever been on a date?" "No," he replied. "I can't imagine why. You seem like such a nice guy." In his mind, the Shadow went over how horrible he looked. 'Can't he see I'm not that attractive? Maybe he's blind or something.' "Where are we going?" the youth asked. "You'll see," he answered. They climbed into the car and Jacob drove them to Central Park. Once there, they parked and the young man saw a horse and carriage waiting. "Come on," Jacob said with a smile. Jacob took him by the hand and led him to the carriage. Jacob then let him in first before climbing in. "Why are you doing this?" he asked Jacob. "What do you mean?" "Why do you seem so interested in me? I know I'm not the most attractive person on the planet. Usually guys like you want attractive guys, not butt-ugly guys like me." "You have many attractive qualities about you. I like your eyes, your lips. You are very attractive. And you have many qualities about you as a person. You are kind and compassionate, for example." 'I still don't see what the big deal is about me,' the Shadow thought. 'But he seems really desperate to get to know me. Maybe I should relax and see what happens.' The carriage ride went on with Jacob talking about his past and asking questions about his date's. He, however, was not so quick to answer. And when he did answer, it was often vague and unrevealing. This did not deter Jacob. Jacob was so sure he finally found someone real. And he couldn't explain why he felt the way he did. He just knew it was right. Jacob: Tonight, tonight It all began tonight I saw you and the world went away The Shadow was surprised at Jacob singing to him. Of course, what happened next surprised him even more. He sang with Jacob: Shadow: Tonight, tonight There's only you tonight What you are, what you do, what you say Both: Today, all day I had the feeling A miracle would happen I know now I was right For here you are And what was just a world is a star Tonight Jacob: Tonight, tonight The world is full of light With suns and moons all over the place Shadow:Tonight, tonight The world is wild and bright Going mad Shooting sparks into space Today, the world was just an address A place for me to live in No better than all right But here you are And what was just a world is a star Tonight The carriage slowed and Jacob finished the song, "Good night, good night. Sleep well, and when you dream, dream of me. Tonight." The two climbed out and went to the car. "Where are we off to now?" "Dinner," Jacob replied as he opened the door for the youth. Once he was inside, Jacob closed the door, went around to the other side, and got in himself. In a short amount of time, Jacob pulled the car into a parking lot and the two climbed out. "This place has really good food," Jacob said. "I hope you like Italian." The two entered and, after a brief conversation with the head waiter, they were taken to a secluded booth. Jacob ordered some red wine while they mulled over the menu. "You never answered me," Jacob said. "Do you like Italian?" "Italian is good," the Shadow replied with a slight reluctance about him. "You really aren't getting into this. You need to lighten up, relax, and enjoy yourself." 'I'm nothing to enjoy,' the Shadow thought. The server came and took their order, and then disappeared leaving the two alone again. "Have you been on many dates?" he asked Jacob. "Yeah, a few." "And?" "And they ended. The first part of the dating was great. I'd meet someone, usually at a gay club, and we'd do some stuff. We'd have sex and then, when I got to know them, realized they were shallow and superficial. They only wanted to be with me because of my looks and money. "Also, they didn't have much depth to them. They were mostly surface, not thinking about what they wanted to do or be. Not having any lasting plans or inner thoughts on anything. Life, for them, was one big playground. I mean, sure, that's okay for a while, but sometimes you just have to grow up." "I know what you mean," the Shadow thought. He grew up a long time ago. Out of the corner of his eye, the Shadow saw something that took his breath away, and not in a good way. Several people that he knew while growing up had come into the restaurant to eat. And with them was the one person he never wanted to see again. The person he raped. "What's wrong?" Jacob asked as he turned around. "Do you know those people?" "I wish I didn't," he stated. "Why not?" "Bad past. Nothing happy came from it." "I'm sorry. Would you like to eat somewhere else?" The Shadow nodded. Jacob raised his hand and the waiter came around. "Could we get our food to go?" The waiter nodded and disappeared into the back. The youth noticed the tall, lanky young man in the group looking in their direction. The youth quickly turned to hide his face. "What's wrong?" Jacob asked. "One of them looked over this way." "Is it so wrong for them to see you?" The youth nodded. "This isn't about you having low self-esteem about your looks, is it?" "No. His name is Rob, he was my best friend." "Don't you want to say 'Hi' to him?" "I'm nothing like I used to be to them. There isn't any reason for them to see me or me them." The group moved on having been seated and the Shadow felt like he could breathe again. "Whatever it is that happened between you and your best friend, I'm sure he would be willing to forgive you if you talked about it with him." To Be Continued...