Inside, Adeline headed straight to her room and flopped backward onto the soft bed. Her eyes drifted toward the vanity at the corner—neatly arranged cosmetics and a single framed family portrait. Her father sat on an ornate chair, curled mustache and cane in hand. Her mother stood behind him in an evening dress, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder. Behind her, an elderly woman with frizzy white hair and a perpetually sour expression leaned in with a hunched back.
Her older sister, prim and proper, sat on their father's lap with her long brown hair tied neatly. And the little one—the baby sister—was tugging at their father's trousers, trying to climb onto his lap too, adorable as ever.
"Walk into the past…" Adeline murmured, turning her head toward the wall.The sunlight behind her cast a shadow on the Victorian wallpaper.But the shadow no longer resembled her—its hair was long and flowing.
"Delleen…"The shadow spoke, staring at her through the wall.
"I'm grown up now, Anne. I can take care of myself," Adeline whispered to her sister's silhouette.
"So proud of you. So that means… you're going to forget us, right?"The shadow sat down, head lowered sadly.
"I could never forget where I came from…"Adeline's voice trembled as she sniffed back tears.
"Then show me." The shadow shifted—transforming into the old woman with the frizzy hair. Her voice boomed sharply through the room.
Adeline stood up on her toes, setting her posture. The shadow-grandmother unfurled her wings like a black swan and rose onto her toes as well. Seeing this, Adeline inhaled deeply. She lifted her left leg and spun—her ballet form graceful and bright. The shadow spun with her, as though the two were locked in a duel for supremacy.
Darkness filled the room, morphing it into a black theater stage.
The gentle bedroom light vanished, replaced by the brilliant glow of stage lamps.
"Show me which house you come from."A spotlight fell onto Adeline as she lifted her chin.
"I won't lose to you ever again, Granny!"Adeline gathered her courage, lifted her leg, spread her arms, letting her shadow watch.
A pale-blue moon descended behind her as the backdrop to the darkened stage.
"I'd like to see," the old woman cackled, "just how long my granddaughter can stand. Ah-heh-heh."