The Secret

Shadow broke into an easy run, matching paces with Natalie.

Holly didn't have the heart to glare back, so just looked honestly apologetic.
She walked slowly after Shadow.

Natalie ran faster, and climbed up a tree.

Shadow followed, crouching on a branch in a very assassin-like way.
"I thought you would have remembered that I can climb trees."

"IN AN F***ING BAD MOOD IS WHAT I AM!" yelled Natalie angrily.

"And why be that?" Shadow asked, unfazed by the shouting.

From below, Holly looked up and listened.
"Don' be up there too long ... I get scared on me own." she muttered.

"Because I feel so depressed right now..." said Natalie, crying like a poof who has been told that...well...crying like a poof...'nough said.

Shadow tilted her head to one side, inviting her to go on.

"Why am I so useless...in every situation..." sighed Natalie.

"You are not." Shadow assured her friend.

"I am..." said Natalie.

"You. Are. Not." Shadow growled.

"Then why do I feel like there is no point in my life?" Natalie asked.

"Because you have established no point." Shadow said.

"That's not very nice!" Holly yelled up, shocked.

"Shut up Holly." Shadow spat.

"No YOU shut up!" Holly shouted back.

Shadow dropped down from the tree, eyes blazing, shoulders squred, challenging Holly.

Holly took out her wand.
"Don't make me ..."

"Bring it on." Shadow replied, narrowing her eyes and summoning her magic to form a black aura around her.

"I'm not fighting you, I don't wanna hurt you." Holly said stiffly, "I was just saying ..."

"You don't want to hurt me?" Shadow said, and rolled her eyes. She had heard the same excuse about two hours ago, and she had kicked that guy's butt.

"Course not. We're buds" Holly said, rolling her own eyes, "Of course I don't like being under estimated...."

Shadow rolled her eyes again and turned to stride off, her magic starting to fade slowly.