the consistent metaphor

The darkness blanketed the ground immediately in front of him shading the small greens sprouting from the cracks. It imprisoned the patch of land within it from the sunlight illuminating the surroundings and only enlarged to capture more territory as time went on.

The boy watched his shifting shadow move while he remained still. It was like he had no control over the pervading gloom and instead was restricted as a spectator of its movements. The dark kept crawling across the cement sidewalk, slowly consuming the various cracks and chips as well as the plant life and its critters. Nothing could outrun it.

Suddenly the boy's gaze shifted as he felt the warmth of the sun on his back. Despite the cold weather with its sting of wind, the sun's rays were enough to sustain the boy's core body temperature. The heat radiated throughout his body, calming and comforting him.

I really love the illustration of a shadow because as dark and dynamic as it might be and despite the lack of input I have in its course, there is peace knowing that it is always the sun that is controlling its path.