Hiraeth | The Outsiders

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I always wonder why birds stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on earth. Then I ask myself the same question.
-Harun Yahya

-~*~-

She never had the intention to stay in one place too long. However, there was something about the sound of Tulsa, Oklahoma that made her buy that train ticket herself - it sounded absolutely dull. 

The train car was silent, with only there mere vibrations of the track lightly shaking her to keep her from dozing away. Not that she could, anyway. She was too paranoid for her own good, and having a sleeping disorder wasn't something to take lightly. For only two hours of sleep from the past forty-eight hours, her body was jittery, but she played it off in her mind as being the cot she sat on. 

Bags under her feet as her boots swung up and down together, then alternating, then criss-crossing, she leaned against the trim of the small pane of glass letting the golden dusk seep into her eyes, her hair a curtain to protect her as she examined the few trees and many fields of corn and wheat passing by, with the exception of any landing docks and cars on the partially paved roads, many which consisted of fine sand and gritty gravel from years of brutal force and erosion.

It wouldn't be too much longer - the fields transformed into small towns, the population thickening and the density of buildings tightening. Her breath hitched as she almost allowed herself to cave into a brief slumber, straightening up and setting her dangling feet onto the solid floor, avoiding her duffel bag. The dirt caking the bottom kept her preoccupied for the remainder of the time left, letting the underside of her nails become dark from the transfer. The weight on her shoulders started to become lighter, as did the weight of her boots upon the poor excuse of an attempt to polish and clean her favorite lace-ups.

A loud blow of a whistle alerted her to stand up, stretching with her arms in the air, brushing the light fixture above. It was about time; anxiety ate her up. Into her pocket, her hand grasped just what she needed, throwing the wrapper into the trash can as she filed out with the others, feeling the heat and fresh air on her skin like a blow dryer. 

Hopping off the final step of the train onto the wooden landing dock, she slung her large duffel bag around her shoulders before stalking away. A new cherry lolly pop in her mouth, she continued to bite at it gently in her mouth as to savor it, but to get the small pieces. She avoided biting or licking the stick so the paper didn't become soggy and disgusting to ruin the treat.

Looking around her as she exited the train station, she raised a brow. This place really wasn't all that bad after all, huh? She figured that she could hang around for a little while to get more money. People dodged her relaxed form left and right, in front and behind, making her heart race as she avoided being picked out from the crowd, keeping her head low and blending in with groups as though she belonged in their pack.

Taking to the streets, people stared as she walked by, as though they never saw a woman in their life. Most just glanced away again, uncaring, while few looked even the slightest bit curious. Keeping her eyes forward, she ignored all of it. New businesses were centered in a bustling city square, men in suits accompanied by business pals or dashing and dainty women. However, there were portions and corners that were ominous, full of foreclosures and doomed shops. Even with all this, the sky could be seen, as skyscrapers were not very common in the area just yet. The colors lit up the reflections of shop windows and glinted off cars and buses. It was beautiful, sunsets - they all were.

Approaching a calmer side of town, she found it somewhat dead compared to the center city, neighborhoods covering the expanse of land outside. A familiar sign caught her eye, mostly because the neon flickered upon being triggered by a timer, despite plenty of light left. The bags under her eyes, the tired walk, and the headache prompted her to spend a little bit for a little something to cheer her up.