Fear Can Only Be Found at Night ((Open))

~Hadlee Winnows~


"Character, like a photograph, develops in darkness." ~ Yousuf Karsh

Over. Under. Over. Under. Over. Hadlee’s eyes widened in concentration as she worked on her latest project. There was actually nothing to it, just a simple plain weave. But all of her projects were important to the young adult, the one who was still trying to make a living doing what she did best. Fingers worked expertly as it wove the threads into a simple square of cloth. So important. Must finish. Hadlee could only think about the long hours she had already put in. With her regular job, Hadlee found it even more difficult to balance her time to fulfill the side projects she had taken up in order to survive. Survive…how easy it was to once laugh at the idea of struggling to survive.

A careful hand brushed some of the loose hairs that had managed to find their way into Hadlee’s face. As the hand rounded its way back, lightly tracing her cheekbones, Hadlee was aware of the tough feeling her skin gave off, the protruding cheekbone that had bothered her for the past 5 years. A long sigh quickly followed as she knew the reason why she had gone through this condition for an extremely long time. She had gone to her parents multiple times but she was always turned away. It was only recently, when she started her job, that they began to start talking to her again.

Her older sister was no better. The successful woman didn’t even understand the concept of weaving. She managed to make her way through by using her business skills. A light scoff followed Hadlee’s thought on her sister. She would never understand the art and beauty of weaving. Then again, she would also never understand what it was like to live paycheck by paycheck.

Must. Finish. Those two words constantly rang through Hadlee’s mind as it wrapped around other matters as well. Her attention was slipping, something she could not afford. Not for this. As if on cue, her mind threw on the off switch and all could hear was the repeating sequence of “over” and “under”. It was the only way she could keep moving. Too many projects still in the line-up, too many opportunities to get her head above the water. If only there was some magical way to get it all completed. Hadlee was aware that the Jacquard loom was always available, but after her accident, she only used it for work purposes. Plus, those who requested her works preferred the material to be handmade. Had she more time, Hadlee might have even spun the threads herself.

A wave of relief washed over as Hadlee finished with the last knot. She still had time to deliver it to the person who had requested it…if she could remember who it was. With a slight panic, Hadlee shuffled through the papers on her small desk, trying to find out who had requested that square. When at last she recovered the crumpled sheet, she stormed out of her place as soon as she could. Have to find him. Must give him this. Can’t stop or else I’ll only lose time. Several strands of hair flew out of the secure ponytail that had been whipped up hours ago. Hadlee was in such a hurry, she neglected every one of those strands as the wind pushed them into her face, into her eyes.

Time was always on her mind. Hours she had left at the dreary workplace. Minutes before a deadline was over. Days before her next human contact. Years she had left to live. All of time was connected in Hadlee’s life, worry for every single aspect. Case point, the current fleeting feeling she was going through. If I miss this, it will be the end of me, the end of anything I can do. Oh where is that place?! With the delicate cloth still in her hands, Hadlee found herself in the middle of a dark and empty square. It was not the main square, but it was still rather large and confusing. She had never made much time to explore her district or simply the area around which she lived. She only knew of the paths that she had to know, the ones that she went through day by day. Everything else was just merely there. Daytime was easier for her as she made mental landmarks throughout the town but at a dark time like then, Hadlee had no hope.

Houses continued to pass by as Hadlee wondered how much more lost she could possibly be. With a few turns, Hadlee slumped down with dejection. She curled up the little square, staring at it. What was she supposed to do now? Wait until morning? No, if she did that, she could never continue on her other projects until she finished this one. Deep in thought, Hadlee neglected to notice a dark shadow pass by her. Her mind was too deep in concentration, almost as if she was back in that room again. Her fingers started playing with the square, giving them something to do. Her left foot started to make a soft tapping sound, her anxiety as clear as the day sky. If only it was the daytime, maybe I wouldn’t be in this mess.

A loud sound caught Hadlee’s attention, causing her to jump. With a quick scramble, she pushed herself up against the wall she had been sitting against. ”Who…who is it? Her voice cracked from not speaking for so many hours. They were still hoarse as she had not bothered to drink any liquid while she finished up her days-worth project. The fear was obvious in her voice as her feet turned inward, her hands beginning to shake. Pushing herself up against the wall even more, Hadlee closed her eyes and hoped, hoped that whoever or whatever it had been would simply pass by her, that they had not heard what she managed to squeak out.