Cassandra had never been alone before. Granted, she wasn’t really alone, she was surrounded by the people whom supported her for the first portion of her life. But she felt alone. The life she lived for the past five years was gone. And the love she felt, had gone with it. Like the warmth of summer slowly fades through autumn, so too would the light in her heart. Sadly, Cassandra had tasted but a fraction of the pain and sorrow to come.

On this new journey, she’d taken an unlikely partner. One whom shouldn’t have ever had to experience what was to come, but sadly was forced to. It would follow her through this chapter of her ever expanding novel. Always watching. Always at her side. It would tug at her shirt reminding her of what she’d lost. Like her shadow, it’d be there mimicking her every action. What Cassandra felt, likewise would it. It was her very happiness. Happiness, was her companion. Though she wouldn’t realize it for months, Cassandra’s happiness would have been with her all along. Her happiness was the very source of her motivation…and his.

Christian had experienced loss far more than any young man should have. After the murder of his father early in his life, he closed many doors to his heart. His mother did her best to open those doors, but fate would do it’s best to ensure they stayed closed. By his nineteenth birthday, his mother will have succumbed to the devastation that is cancer. An ugly word to all, but more so to those who’ve lost all they’ve ever loved to it. Despite his mother’s efforts, the doors Christian had closed, would now remain shut. That is, until years later when he found his happiness with her. Unlike her, his happiness didn’t follow him around anymore. His happiness was hers and it held the key to every door he had ever shut.

Similar to Cassandra, Christian would also spend his days with people he had come to love. Friends he knew would be there for him through thick and through thin. Despite the outpouring of love and comfort provided by them, he too would feel alone. A man lost in grief. A man without a shadow… What hurt Christian the most was—it was his decision. He made the call. Christian decided he didn’t want her there anymore, which in turn meant losing his very own happiness. He wasn’t hurting because she left, he was hurting because of what she took with her. Christian learned too late that what she held in her possession was far more important than any differences the two may have had. Far more important than the love they’d lost. Happiness was their whole reason for living.

As the two continued on their journeys through the hell that is separation, they never lost sight, lost focus, on that which was so important to the both of them. Over time, Cassandra eventually realized how significant what she did possess was, but so long as her shadow needed to be hidden from Christian, she’d never find the peace her heart desired. And like two halves of the same coin, one possessed what the other did not. He had found his peace through weeks of torment. Dealing with the loss of his shadow Christian learned how to survive without, but it was just that, surviving. He would feign contentment until it was indiscriminate from truth. His peace kept him sane and he was grateful for it, but just below the surface he still longed for what she had. Happiness.

The last thing on either of their minds was each other. Cassandra didn’t know how badly she needed the peace for her heart. Her very soul cried out for it, but she would disregard its plea because—then the pain was real. She eluded the sting of grief throughout her loss, by hiding behind the comfort of her family and the company of happiness. Conversely, Christian was hit with a freight train of emotion the moment she left. He begged her not to go. He begged her not to take it from him. She let him suffer for days without so much as a call. The pain was unbearable for him and Christian exhausted every resource he had just to make sure his heartbreak didn’t end him. He hurt so deeply, but Christian knew his reason for living was still out there. It would be gone for only a moment and then his heart would be full once more. Once some time had passed and his peace was found, Christian made the call.

Cassandra answered with a shortness that can only be described as cold and heartless. He realized then, exactly where she was. He saw how his crash course was a blessing in disguise. Christian pitied her. Cassandra was forced to draw out the experience by her own unwitting choice. He forgave her immediately because through this pain, they were united. And then, right then, was his chance. He pleaded with her once more. Christian had gone so long without seeing his happiness… She rejected him at first. Cassandra didn’t want to relinquish the power she held, but she knew soon, he’d get to see his happiness one way or another. She agreed to a video call ensuring Christian knew to make it quick. Christian’s heart fluttered with the pure joy and love provided by the idea of seeing his happiness again.

Christian fixed his hair and put on a smile, making sure everything seemed as normal as the day she left. Not a single thing could be out of place for his happiness, he would never let it be known how badly he’d been hurting inside. He cared far too much about his feelings, his happiness’s feelings, to ever let sadness enter its heart. Through all the pain he endured in loss, his heart still bled for his shadow and with a deep breath, started the call.

It rings… Christian’s heart was pounding through his chest and he could feel the tears welling up in his eyes. He fought them back for the sake of his happiness.

It rings again… Christian could see the emotions he felt, vividly, in his mind. Finally, Cassandra answered his call.

One word would be spoken before Christian lost his composure. One solitary word, the sound of which will remain engraved in his memory forever. His happiness spoke, and Christian wept.

“Daddy?”