IGNITE

aimlessly

Why is it so cold? My eyes flash open. I bolt up and I quickly grasp my head. "Ouch!" My head was throbbing. I carefully touch the knot on my head. I wince at the pain. I slowly try to stand up and sticks poke my legs and arms.

I stumble out of the prickly Bush and spot my missing slipper. I slip it back on as I brush off the dirt and leaves from my clothes and hair.

I looked around the area where I stood. It was nothing but trees, bushes, leaves and a worn down trail. A park?

I walk down the curving path hoping that it lead me somewhere. Ahead I hear someone panting. I freeze as the person emerges from around the trail jogging with pods in his ears. My heart starts to be a lil faster. A person!

I yell out to the stranger that almost passed me. He turns his head to look at me.

He takes out one of his pods, "Yeah?" he ask a bit out of breath.

"Oh I'm- hi... who are you?" I ask awkwardly.
"Why do you ask?" He looks at me confused as he scans my appearance. I see his eyes falter on the knot potruding from my head.

"Uh I'm L-laura...um I was wondering if there was a market or a Motel nearby here?" I say as I push my hair to the side to cover the knot.

"Uh yeah I think there's a market nearby...but I'm not really sure if there's a nearby Motel from here." says the guy. "Which way do I go...to get out.." I ask pointing back and forth in front and behind me. He points behind him, the direction I was headed.

He continues to stare at me weirdly, "I'm sure you can find someone that can help in at the front of the park." I nod my head.

"Thanks"

As I almost begin my way down the trail he stops me.

"Did something happened to you?" He points between my head and my beat up clothes. He seemed weirdly concerned. I look at myself and stutter. " I- um f-fell..."

From the expression he was giving he didnt seem to really believe me.
"Do you live around here?" He asks
I fumbled a lil with my fingers "uh no not really..." Well what could I say I didn't even know where I was at the moment.

He squinted his eyes at me. He kept scanning me as if he was trying to figure out who I was.

I started to grow uncomfortable as the silence grew longer. "Uh s-sir thank you for the help." I say as I turn ans walk back the way I was headed.
Hearing that he didn't say anything I look back to see him staring at me still. My heart jumped and I snapped my head back around. I picked up my speed till I eventually started to run. Finally I reached the back of the park.

There where lots of people. Some were swinging their kids as others stood around and chatted with their adult friends as they watched the children laugh and play.