Time Tracks

Time Tracks Chapter One, When Destiny Calls

Chapter One - When Destiny Calls

Sophia Miller pulled her long blonde hair back into a ponytail before slipping into her favorite jacket, the beautiful robin red anorak that her fiance Daniel had given to her for her birthday. Sprinting out into the cool autumn air, Sophia did not even mind that the dew on the grass was seeping through her tennis shoes, she was just in too good a mood today to be bothered by such things. She tried keeping her pace fast and checked her wristwatch knowing that Daniel did not like when she was late. It was already 7:45 a.m. and she and Daniel had agreed to meet at Asbury Park at 8:00 a.m. sharp that morning. There was suddenly a deeper chill forming in the air and Sophia gratefully buried her hands in the roomy anorak's deep pockets for warmth. She glanced longingly at the coffee shop on the corner wishing she could stop in, but she knew she had to hurry. Her little hometown of Fairfield was quiet at that time of day with only an occassional car driving by and even fewer pedestrians. Sighing with relief, Sophia reached Asbury Park with five minutes to spare and running now at a slight jog, she crossed the familiar threshold of the park's archway entrance.

The birch trees had already shed much of their leaves, autumn was Sophia's favorite season and she smiled at the crunching sound they made under her feet as she jogged. The leaves left on the trees were still vibrant with hues of honeyed yellows, bright reds, and greens, but the distinct bite in the air was unmistakingly heralding in the soon arrival of winter. Sophia spotted Daniel immediately, he was waiting for her at the park's pavilion. She waved at him excitedly noting that instead of the cheerful blue knit cap and scarf that he usually wore, he had on a black cap and a long black scarf. For some reason Sophia did not like the color change and as she got closer to him she frowned, not liking the look on his face at all. The day seemed to be taking an unexpected upsetting turn and so Sophia needing a minute to adjust, slowed her pace and began chewing at her bottom lip, an unwanted habit she had developed during her more stressful college days. She finally reached the picnic table where Daniel was sitting and became even more alarmed as he hung his head at the sight of her, and instead of the usual bright smile he had always greeted her with, he looked tight-lipped and closed off. Feeling quite anxious and ill at ease now, Sophia sat tensely at the picnic table opposite Daniel suddenly wishing she could just get up and run away. Instead she just sat there nervously wringing her hands in her lap waiting for him to speak...