In an unassuming alleyway, where light barely penetrates due to the labyrinthine architecture, shadows congregate at the threshold of a gate. A phenomenon often overlooked, these gatherings are said to be the nexus of untold narratives. Observers claim to see stories unfold — tales that seem ancient *and* futuristic simultaneously. It raises a question: do shadows narrate the passage of time, or do they exist outside its confines?
Renowned shadow historian, Delphine Carrow, asserts that the way shadows interact with thresholds can reveal deeper metaphysical insights. “The gate is not just a physical construct, but a metaphysical one,” she elucidates in her unverified work, *Ephemeral Boundaries of Light*1. This view is echoed by the enigmatic philosopher Arlin Thorne, whose *Shadowbook*2 purportedly describes the 'whispering gates' phenomenon.
Local lore claims that these gatherings are influenced by unseen forces, an assertion not without its skeptics. Yet, the absence of tangible evidence has not dimmed the allure. One local, claiming to have heard these whispers firsthand, remains anonymous, fearing the shadows themselves3.
Critics argue that the phenomenon can be attributed to mere optical illusions or the play of light and darkness. However, the debate continues, awakening curiosity in both scientific and metaphysical circles.
As more people flock to witness these shadows at the threshold, the question remains: are we observing shadows, or are we being observed by shadows?