Falling For Shadows

Mother told me it was just a fright. But the old woman that came to me that night told me words I would never forget. She said that she speaks with the earth sprites and that my name came from their lips. They had chosen me as sacrifice, a fate I would not escape, try as I might. I had made them angry by sharing my luminescence and giving life to that which they did not want in existence. I knew she was speaking of the shadows and feared for a moment that they'd make me into gallows. She assured me that would not be the case but for my contravention a price must be paid. It was decided then that when the sun fell the next night my essence would drain from sight. What was once a vibrate green the shadows would no longer be able to see. Only once the shadows all perished would my presence be allowed without forbearance. As the sun fell the next day my life force left me as I heard the shadows writhe in pain. They were made to suffer but I was to blame and so I dropped my cover and laid myself bare in shame. This was not enough however, and so to remind me of this lesson each year I must relive my transgression.