The header image is AI generated.

Tonight in the street below stands a shadow.

It’s just at the edge of the street lamp light. It looks man shaped.

Maybe it is a man.

But in the dark night no features can be seen.

It just stands there.

A winter wind howls about. It’s frigid cold out. I know, I was out in it not ten minutes before.

The shadow doesn’t move. It doesn’t even shiver.

It simply… stands there.

Did it see me come into the apartment building? Was it waiting there, waiting as I came home, came into the warmth.

Has it always been there?

Or is it there for me?

A part of me, braver than I really am, wants to go out there. Not to confront whoever it is, of course. It’s nobody’s business if someone wants to be out freezing. Only to see if there is someone there.

Maybe see if the shadow has a face.

I hope it has a face.

Sitting up here, looking down, I see no features. The shape of a head, that’s all, that’s all.

It seems to be looking up. Staring up.

Maybe at me.

It doesn’t move. It’s not harming any one. It only stands there, stands where I can see, yet can’t see.

It maybe evil. It maybe kind. It may not even be there for me.

Tonight in the street below stands a shadow.