I was late. I’d been out shopping with friends and had promised my mom that I would be home early (for a change). But somehow the lines were longer than expected and then someone suggested a movie and then a snack—well you get the idea. This is why I was cutting through the park on my way home instead of taking the other way around. It isn’t that I don’t like the park, but somehow it always slows me up as I pause to daydream and wonder about the people I see.
I love people watching. Take for example that young couple under that tree—her dark eyes so intent as she looked into his, her shoulder length brown hair brushing his cheek as she bends to touch his arm. I’m curious—she appears to be wrapping it in a bandage—a scrape perhaps? I can hear him chuckle but I cant see his face—his hair blocks it from my angle. Gosh he’s got long hair—I’d kill to have those luxuriant waves—not that I dislike my own blond tresses—but well, those waves were sure nice.
I realized suddenly than now only was I staring but that I had stopped in the shadows and watched them like some kind of sicko—how rude! Flushing, I grabbed my shopping bag and headed quietly down the path. As soon as I felt that I was some distance away, I sprinted—Mom would be furious—late again!
I had reached home when something nagging at my memory finally managed to bring itself to my attention—the girl had been wearing pajamas. She didn’t look the type to make fashion statements. What if something was really wrong!
I looked back in the direction of the park. I wasn’t sure, but was there some sort of flash of light in the distance? I felt an odd tingle, like something was seriously wrong. But then, a voice seemed to say this wasn’t my fight—not yet. How odd.
I felt a soft bump against my ankle. “Artemis!” I exclaimed. My white kitty jumped to my shoulder where he say nuzzling my ear. Looking again at the odd flashes in the sky, I shrugged and went inside.