Beyond The Sky

7

That evening I decided to head out to the city. It's kind of scary out there by myself, but I believe in myself. I think I'll be okay out here. I've got a few hours before my curfew, which is really when it gets bad, so I'm not going to die out here. At least, I hope not. I took this time to... well, think. Think of all the possibilities of where my soulmate is, what I'm excited to see in color, all that. I spend so much time just wandering around without a real destination that I don't realize I'm not where I wanted to be. I don't even know where I am. I start to panic a bit, looking around for anybody to help me get back in the right direction. I know I have my phone with me, but in the midst of all this panic, I didn't think about it.

I started waving and yelling, hoping someone will find me and/or help me. This is a very secluded section of downtown. I'm not even sure how I ended up here...

I hear rustling from a nearby alley. "Hello?" I say, curious as to who's there.

I see a shadow. My first instinct is to run, but my conscience is telling me to stay.

So I do. It's very unlike me to do so, but... My fight or flight isn't doing much to help me out here.

I look into the alley, noticing the sun is setting. Slowly, but it is. I have an hour left out here until I'm really gonna have to start panicking.

"Is someone there?"

My eyes darted around every corner in that alley, but all I saw were different types of animals: squirrels, stray cats, you name it. It was all there.

I sense a figure behind me. I tense, turning my head around to see a tall boy with dark-colored hair. "Um, hi." I say as I completely turn around.

"Hello," the boy says, his voice smooth.

"Um... Do I know you?" He seems really mysterious to me.

"I don't think we've met," he starts, "But it seems like you could use some help. You from around here?"

I look him in the eyes. "I'm from the next town over. I'm... a little lost."

"I see. Well, I know this area pretty well, even for it being as lonely as it is. Would you want me to help you get back to the main road so you can head home?"
"That'd be nice... Thank you so much, um..."
"Arlo."

"Thank you, Arlo. I'm Serena, by the way."
"You've got a pretty name, Serena. I like it."
I feel myself blush. "Thank you again. I like your name, too. I've never heard it before." I didn't notice it at first, but I'm seeing a lot of the fall colors start to come to light. Wait. What?!

"Hey... Serena." Arlo looks at me, saying my name so fluidly off his tongue.

"Hm?"

"Are you... starting to see color, too?"

I look up. "Just a little."

I cannot believe I just said that! I'm seeing in color!

"It's very faint though," I finish.

"Hmm... That's, well, very odd." He looks at me. "I can see in full color compared to your semi-color."

"Well, what do I look like then?" I ask, curious to know what my appearance is. I've never seen it and I never bothered to ask my mother what it was when I was younger. I figured it would be better for me to find out what I looked like when the time was right. I don't question the fact that he knows for sure I'm his soulmate.

He ponders this. "You've got a unique sense of style. But I'm sure you knew that. Your hair is a really nice auburn color that matches with your shiny hazel eyes, and a quite fair complexion." I smile. "You... You at least think I'm... good-looking, right?"

"I do. You're very pretty, Serena."

"I'm sure you're quite handsome yourself. I mean, you are. But I can't see all of you yet. Meaning... Color-wise."

"I can see you blushing."
I cover my face before it starts to completely go hot. "I know, I know, I can feel it."

"Tell me about yourself, Serena. It's odd that I barely know you yet it feels like we've known each other for 100 years."

"Stop that. Sure, I'll tell you about me. Then, it's your turn."