Melody felt fear wash over her. “But, how…”

“Come, Melody, darling.” The voice was strong, almost perfectly normal. “You’re a school teacher. Well, you were a school teacher. Think of me as your opposite. Your shadow, if you will.”

“My… shadow?” As the light behind her became brighter, her other became more defined. She looked like Melody, but was all shades of black and grey.

“Yes. But unlike a normal shadow, I am a part of you, but totally independent.

“Did you know that the atomic bombs that were dropped on Japan permanently burnt some people’s shadows into their surroundings? Just like that nice light behind is burning me into the world of the living. Permanently.” And, with a look of horror on her face, Melody entered the afterlife.

“And after the light is gone, I remain. After the light… Afterlight! What a marvelous name!” She laughed. “And now, Afterlight has some unfinished business with the Hellions.” She moved down the tunnel, back to Perez Park, planning her revenge..