The Anomaly

Survival In The Wild

Samantha landed in front of the store and quickly drew her wings back in. She cracked open the door and peeked inside. Despite the door being glass and easily see-through. Samantha once again had her eyes open in wonder. So many colors! So many different things! Most of her food came packaged when she was in the facility so she recognized the packaging of food items. Samantha burst into the store and began walking through aisle after aisle looking at the bright and colorful packaging. 

Samantha had never heard of half of these items but she wanted to try every single last one. Her growling stomach wasn't opposed to the idea. She began grabbing random things until her hands were full, yet she still walked through aisle after aisle looking for more stuff she could maybe carry.

"Hey, what are you doing in here!" Someone came around the corner with a broom. Samantha ran as the man chased after her with the broom, dropping all of her items at once. Samantha bolted from the store as the man stood outside the store shaking his hand angrily at her. Samantha was already out of breath and now more hungry from running. 

Another breeze rolled through and cut clean through her and made her shiver even more.

"You need clothes, we can find food again later Samantha," Rava explained. Although Samantha's stomach protested, she couldn't deny being warm would help.

Rava directed her around until they found a clothes store. Samantha enters the store and once again is marveled by the variety of the world around her.

"You seem to know a lot about this city." Samantha points out. He guided her around to the two places she needed to be. Although the first trip didn't exactly work out well.

"Spirits attach to a host until the host perishes. I have attached to many in my time." Rava says in her ears. That would explain how he knows so much about cities. Also how he knew how to escape the facility. It likely wasn't his first time and probably not his last. 

"How long did it take you to attach to me from the last person?" Samantha asks as she inspects a pair of pants by sniffing it.

"About four months. Although it usually takes me more than a year for others. Most times I run into infants that have already been attached to." Rava sounds oddly nostalgic recanting the tale.

Samantha's eyes light up as she moves further back into the store. Her eyes are locked on a light blue hoodie with a large flower on the front and back. The center of the flower is yellow, with an array of colors on the surrounding petals. Rava sighs in disbelief at her choice.

"Well, at least it'll keep you warm. Try it on, see if it fits." Rava directs her. Samantha slips the hoodie on and smiles brightly. 

"Well, now you need pants. Go over to the left side of the store." Rava says he seems more tense now. However, Samantha complies and begins inspecting the section of pants. Rava hopes he doesn't have to see her pick another brightly colored article of clothing. Since they share a connected thought, Samantha is critically aware of this. 

Samantha chose a black pair of sweats that she described as smooth and comfortable. She tries them on and they droop down past her feet so she finds a smaller pair. These ones are tight and don't reach her ankles. She eventually does find the perfect pair.

"Okay, now leave," Rava orders her.

"Leave? Just walk out?" Samantha asks slightly skeptical. 

"Unless you have money to pay for this stuff." Rava now sounds annoyed.

"So I'm not supposed to take this stuff." Samantha deduces.