The Shadow: Become Who You're Afraid To Be

Summary

Bertrand, an introverted man with a troubled past, moves to a secluded cottage in the Scottish Lowlands seeking peace. However, he is haunted by a mysterious monster in his basement. After fruitless attempts to fight it with various weapons and an elixir for pain, he follows the advice of a wise shopkeeper to communicate with the creature, leading to an unexpected invitation for dialogue.

Takeaways

• 🏡 Bertrand moves to a secluded cottage in the Scottish Lowlands seeking solitude and an escape from his troubled past.
• 👦 Bertrand's childhood was marked by rambunctious behavior and a strict, abusive upbringing that instilled a deep-seated aversion to people.
• 🏭 As an adult, Bertrand's life in the city was filled with exploitation at work and isolation in his personal life, leading to a growing desire for change.
• 🌌 His new home in the countryside offered the peace and quiet he craved, but it was not without its own mysterious disturbances.
• 👂 Bertrand's first night in the cottage was interrupted by unexplained thudding sounds, sparking fear and curiosity.
• 🔦 Upon investigating, Bertrand discovers a hidden hatch in the basement, which unleashes a monstrous entity and shatters his newfound peace.
• 🛡 In response to the apparition, Bertrand repeatedly attempts to confront and defeat the monster using various weapons, all to no avail.
• 💊 He also resorts to a 'Numbing Elixir' to cope with the pain and fear, which only leads to further dependency and disarray in his life.
• 🤔 The shopkeeper suggests that Bertrand consider the monster's wants and needs, proposing dialogue as a potential solution.
• 🗣️ Bertrand finally decides to communicate with the monster, inviting it upstairs for a conversation, signifying a shift from conflict to understanding.
• 🤝 The story concludes with the possibility of coexistence and mutual respect between Bertrand and the monster, emphasizing the power of empathy and communication.

Q & A

Why did Bertrand move to the countryside cottage?

Bertrand moved to the countryside cottage because he didn't like people and often felt exhausted by them. He sought seclusion and peace away from the city and its noise.

What was Bertrand's childhood like?

Bertrand's childhood was marked by rambunctious behavior, curiosity, and a tendency to challenge local boys to fights. He was often in trouble due to his strict and abusive father and a passively complicit mother.

What was Bertrand's experience like at school and church?

Bertrand's experience at school and church was not much better than his home life. He felt that figures like his father were present everywhere, and people were mostly reminders that he needed to conform to others' expectations.

How did Bertrand's life change after secondary school?

After secondary school, Bertrand enrolled in a shipbuilding program and later worked for a major ship manufacturer in the city. However, he faced an awful boss and coworkers who took advantage of him.

Why did Bertrand feel trapped in his neighborhood and city?

Bertrand felt trapped due to the noise and activity of the city, which constantly bothered him. The sounds of the world seemed to bang against his small one-bedroom home, making him feel confined and restless.

What was Bertrand's initial reaction to the mysterious thud he heard in his new home?

Bertrand initially felt a wave of fear and anxiety, which caused him to frantically search his house for the source of the sound. When he found nothing, he attributed the noise to his imagination.

What did Bertrand discover in the basement that led to the appearance of the monster?

Bertrand discovered a small wooden hatch on the ground in the basement. When he opened it, a plume of black smoke and fragments of light emerged, followed by the appearance of the monster.

How did Bertrand attempt to deal with the monster initially?

Bertrand initially attempted to fight the monster using various weapons he purchased from the general store. However, none of his attempts were successful, and the monster seemed unaffected.

What was the effect of the Numbing Elixir on Bertrand?

The Numbing Elixir made Bertrand feel numb, warm, calm, and blissful, disconnecting him from his body and the terror of the monster. However, it also impaired his balance, focus, and aim, making his attempts to fight the monster even less effective.

What advice did the shopkeeper give Bertrand regarding the monster?

The shopkeeper suggested that Bertrand try talking to the monster, empathizing with it, and finding common ground. He advised Bertrand to accept the monster's presence and consider compromising with it.

What was the outcome of Bertrand's decision to communicate with the monster?

When Bertrand decided to communicate with the monster, he invited it upstairs to talk. The monster agreed, indicating a potential shift from conflict to understanding and coexistence.