away from the deep shadows I fly [open]

Mud sloshed as I made my way towards the hospital. My thoughts were preoccupied with the girl staying in my house. I don't even know her name I realized as rain soaked my umbrella. I hurried along the streets, wanting to spend as little time as possible there in these wet conditions. I picked up a lunch for myself at one of the shops before continuing on my way to work. Once at work, I checked in and went to my station. My thoughts were distracted though, by the mysterious girl I had found that morning in the shed. Who is she? What is she doing in the shed? All these questions went through my head but I couldn't find any answers. This annoyed me a bit and I was so distracted that I didn't notice one of the people I worked with walking over to me. "Ashes, get your head in the game, you almost put the wrong pills into the jar" on of my co-workers said gently. I looked down in dismay at what was in fact the wrong pills for the container I was using. I absentmindedly dumped the contents from the container and restarted my sorting. "Whats on your mind, you seem distracted" My co-worker asked. I was not about to give away that there was a mysterious girl staying at my house so I waved away her concern. "Its nothing, just daydreaming I guess" I mumbled, not looking at her. "I'm not stupid, Ashes, something's bothering you and if you don't want to talk about it thats fine, but try to focus on what you're doing please." she said gently. I nodded and went back to work, putting thoughts of the girl at the back of my mind and concentrating on sorting the medication.

The loud ring of a horn signalled the end of the day and I hurried to check out. Anticipation fluttered in my chest as I hurried along the street, keeping my umbrella over my face to ward off any rain that might attempt to soak me. I opened the door of my little house and was not surprised to find the girl had made herself at home. "I have a lot of questions for you" I warned. "My first is what is your name?" I asked, staring intently at her with my greenish brown eyes.

I was taken aback by the girls harshness. "Alright, if thats what you want I said softly. I watched as the mysterious girl got up and walked towards the door. The rain outside had finally stopped and the sun was beginning to shine. "Good luck" I said as she stepped out into the sunlight. She scowled at me before stalking off. As she went I heard her mutter something under her breath and I wondered if I would see her again. "I hope she finds whatever she's looking for" I said under my breath. At the top of the hill, the girl stopped and looked back at me. "You're welcome back anytime" I called as she disappeared over the crest of the hill. Once she was out of sight, I closed the door and went back inside.

A few days passed before I saw the mysterious girl again. She was in the town square trading with the local merchanfs. I walked over her and waited for her to finish. "Hello again" I said. She turned and looked at me. "Remember me?" I asked. She nodded.