Silhouette

Silhouette@ChampionsRPer

" Mom and Dad met in Sydney. That's how they named me.
Dad tells it the best. He always makes that night sound so romantic.
Mom just called it a hookup. But that's when they made me.
Dad said it was love at first sight. Mom kept in touch.
She finds out the news the next month. She calls dad.
Dad's shocked. Thrilled even. Mom, not so much.
She's focused on her career. She wants an abortion.
They meet and talk it out. They decide they have time to think it over.
They go on a few more dates, and begin to fall in love.
A few months later and things are getting serious.
They talk again about whether they want to start a family.
Mom is apprehensive. She still wants to wait.
Dad convinces her a month later when he proposes to her in Paris.
They move in together and begin to settle down.
A few months later and I'm born. "

" The post-partum depression hit Mom hard.
I've overheard them fighting about it before.
Mom said she regretted giving up everything. She called us mistakes.
I still don't know if she really meant it or not. I hope she didn't.
Mom has an episode. She's diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Mom stayed at the hospital for a while. Dad tries to explain it to me.
We'd come and visit when she was having a good day.
Some days we'd have to leave early. "

" I'm 13 years old. I was a late bloomer.
I start hearing voices at night. Again.
When I was younger, I was always afraid of the dark and the monster in the closet.
I told Dad I could hear them. He said it was just my imagination.
There's no monsters in the closet, he'd tell me. Just shadows.
He'd teach me shadow puppets over my nightlight to help me sleep.
He said they'd protect me from the monster. They made me feel brave.
But now, I hear it again. I pretend I can't. "

" I'm 14. They said Mom's getting better and she can come home soon.
I start seeing things in the dark. I wonder if I'm crazy too.
I had a bad day at school. I got my first period in the middle of gym class.
I've never been more embarrassed in my life. I wanted to bleed out and die.
That was the night I got my powers. The night the monster came out of the closet. "

" I don't know how to describe it other than fear itself.
I've had night terrors before, but this one was real.
I scream. Mom was the first to rush into the room.
It attacks her. She doesn't make it...
Dad runs in a moment later.
He catches a glimpse of the monster just as he flips on the light. It vanishes.
We're both in shock. There's blood everywhere.
I don't remember much after that. "

" I'm sitting wrapped in a blanket in the back of an ambulance.
A friendly cop handed me a cup of hot cocoa.
I feel the warmth in my ice cold hands, but I'm still too stunned to drink.
Dad is talking with the police. There's shouting. They think he did it.
They found no evidence though. It was declared a suicide, because of her history.
We both knew that wasn't the truth, but no one would ever believe us.
Dad took some time off work. He said he was looking for answers.
I finally tell him about the voices. I break down crying. I tell him it was all my fault.
He comforts and reassures me. He's always been good at that. I still don't sleep much. "

" We're contacted by a group called MIND Inc. They say the can help.
Dad is cautious, but we don't see any other options.
They run some tests. I hate needles, and their big loud sci-fi machines. But we get an answer.
They called it Umbrakinesis. Shadow-control. I didn't feel in control.
They say they can teach me. So we move to Millennium City. "

" I'm 16, and I'm finally getting better.
I meditate in the dark to overcome my fear.
I use the shadow puppets Dad taught me to control my powers.
I still hear the monster sometimes, but I'm better at blocking it out.
Dad jokes that I might even be a superhero some day.
The news comes out about MIND Inc being a front for PSI.
Dad was right. We were lucky we got away. "

" Now, I'm 17, and I've gotten pretty good with my powers.
I had to register with the ASPRA after PSI was uncovered.
They gave me a psych eval to make sure I wasn't hypnotized or anything.
My therapist was really nice. I still see her every other week.
We talk about mom. About my powers.
I called them a curse. She calls them a gift.
She thinks I can do good with them. I hope so.
I start thinking about superhero names. I doodle costume ideas in my journal.
Dad surprises me with a costume for my birthday.
He said it was for when I turn 18, but he couldn't wait.
We go back to the ASPRA and I register under the alias, Silhouette. "

" Dad got hurt at work. He'll be okay, but he's retiring early. He wants to move back home. I know its been hard for him here. He wants me to come with, but... I can't go back. It still hurts too much. I tell him I'm staying. I'm 21, I'll be fine living on my own now. I'm a superhero, I can take care of myself. I promise to call him every week. I still see my therapist too. "

" I've been custom tailoring stuff I find at thrift stores. I've gotten pretty good at it from patching up my costume. I get a lot of compliments and questions where I got them. So I'm starting an Etsy shop online to help make some extra money. The hero gig is going okay, but it doesn't pay much. Still, I do what I can. "

" My therapist retired a few months ago. I'm not doing okay. She left some recommendations, but none of them have worked out so far. She said I need to get out more. It's still hard. I haven't had an episode since I was 17, but the nightmares are back. I checked myself into a hospital for a bit until they went away again. I'm on meds now, but I'm not sure if they're helping or delaying. Deep down, I know they won't stop until I can face it. The monster. I just need to get stronger. Strong enough to fight it. Or die trying... Either way."