From the Darkness

Chapter 2

Raelynn stretches awake, wiping the grogginess from her eyes. Sunlight streams through the curtain that is billowing from the breeze blowing through. The rumble of noise from cars driving by and people walking below fills her room.

She reaches across her bed to her nightstand where her phone sits charging. After picking it up and pressing the power button, she sees that she has a text message from an unknown number. She unlocks her phone and opens her messaging app to see.

Hello Raelynn, it's me, Gavriel. I was thinking that maybe we could get together today, maybe meet in the park? Let me know :)

Warmth floods her body and a smile appears on her face as she reads the message. She hits reply and starts to type her answer.

I would love to! How about we meet at the fountain around 1?

She hits send and waits patiently for the reply. While waiting she walks to her closet and picks out some clothes for her possible 'date'. After she has pulled a pair of light-wash jean shorts and a pale yellow colored blouse, she walks back to the stand and takes another peek at her phone to check for a reply. Text Message from Unknown, flashes across the screen. Raelynn smiles as she unlocks her phone once again.

Sounds perfect, should I bring snacks??

Sure! I'll bring a blanket. She types back.

Good plan. See you then!

Raelynn sets down her phone and changes into her clothes in the bathroom.

When she steps out of the bathroom again, Amelia is sitting on her bed eating a bowl of cereal. She looks up from her meal when she notices Raelynn, then looks at her phone for a moment.

"Rae, are you feeling ok? It's only like eleven o'clock. You usually aren't even awake by now after a night out with Paige, let alone dressed! Cute outfit by the way," she says.

"I'm feeling great. I met someone at the club last night and he texted me this morning asking to meet with me." Raelynn blushes slightly, knowing her friend's reaction will be pretty wild.

"O M G!!" Amelia squeals so loud Raelynn almost covers her ears. "You're welcome," she says winking.

"What do you mean?" asks Raelynn

"Well obviously it was my make-over abilities that caught his attention," she answers giving her curly hair a dramatic flip.

Raelynn laughs, "Sure, you can take all the credit for my first date in months I guess."

***

It's not long before Raelynn finds herself making her way down the crowded sidewalks. Everyone else seemed to be taking advantage of the beautiful Saturday just like her. She walks down the streets of the city she has known as home for most of her life. Having grown up in a suburb not far away, trips to the city weren't anything but a common occurrence.

She smiles at shop owners she recognizes but has never taken the time to talk to, and walks past the stores she loves and some she's never set foot into.

She follows the sidewalk to a corner where she waits for the light to tell her she can cross. Once she makes it to the other side of the bustling street, she finds herself at the edge a park, the same one she promised to meet Gavriel at.

She takes a few seconds to do a self-check. After making sure she has the blanket in her bag, that her hair and make-up are acceptable and her clothes don't have any hidden stains, she continues on into the park. She follows the path to the center of the park where the fountain is located.