Jade

chapter 2

The streets were deserted in this part of town. No one was out, i was completely alone. What? If the hospital doesnt want me leaving then they should remember to lock all the doors...and windows. I blew out a slow stream of air and smiled in satifaction as the air turned into fog. The season was slowly turning into autumn, my favorite. The days were usually still hot and humid but the temp. often dropped in the evening hours now.

My now nearly bald scalp was covered with a purple snug tobogan. It had been a gift from Liam. It was my favorite thing i owned, i hoped they'd bury it with me. i looked up at the full moon shining bright. It was the real reason id snuck away for the night. it could be the very last full moon in my life. I wasn't gonna risk missing it. I shoved my shaky hands into the pockets of my sweatshirt, walking across the road to the other side. the light turned green while i was doing so but everyone waited for me.

I smiled and waved at the drivers as i walked past. Their faces were all ranging in so many ways. Color, shape, size. Even the set of their mouths was completly different. Some were drawn tight with impatience, anger, regret, maybe guilt. Some were simply dropping with sadness, depression, maybe exhaustion. And a few here and there were smiles. Real genuine smiles as they tipped their heads to me. As i turned to watch all the cars drive away, i wondered how even the people feeling the same emotion could look so different?

I shrugged, and continued my walk around the corner. I could see the lights of the book store in the distance. The only shop on this street. I smiled, and rushed forward, hurrying my footsteps to get there faster. Anticipating the smell of old worn pages and smoky leather bindings. I shoved against the glass door, grimacing at the weight. It was so heavy. They really should get a lighter door. I stepped inside, unwounding my scarf from around my throat.

"Jade? What are you doing here? Sweetheart, you look frozen!"

The old lady that sat behind the counter rushed over to me, placing her hot hands on my forehead. I smiled at her, attacking her frail body in a bear hug. She hardly seemed to notice how tight i was squeezing her. she was strong as an ox.

"Hey Myrtle! I've missed you!"

She pulled away and looked at me, taking in the sight of me. I clenched my jaw at the pity i saw in her eyes. I didnt need people to feel sorry for me. I was fine today.

"Oh child, you need to get on back now. It aint safe for the likes of ya' out this late!"

I just shook my head no, and gently pushed by her and went on, going through the shelves that i'd been through a hundred times. I could feel her watching me, but after a few minutes i felt her hand on my shoulder, and when i turned to look at her she smiled at me and for the longest time that old lady and i talked about books we'd read, ones we hadn't, and ones we wanted to.

As I walked, i thought about how id never be that old. Id never have the aches and pains of old age. Id never be like Myrtle, but Myrtle was once like me. Young, and in love with the words written on pages.

I thought about Ms. Myrtle all the way back.