Arcana

Transition

Piper sighed. She knew this movie wouldn't be spectacular or anything, but still, really? The actors were stiffer than planks of wood, the script was incredulously dull, and the editing was appalling. Why had she agreed to come see this, again? She glanced to the side. Bryan, the guy who'd asked her out in the first place, was trying not-so-subtly to pass off his attempt at getting his arm around her shoulder as stretching. She rolled her eyes. She hadn't been on many dates, but this guy certainly didn't rank high among them.

Finally, after what felt like eternity, the credits rolled. The lights in the theater returned, and people began to shuffle slowly out of their seats. Grateful, Piper got up, and made to leave.

Bryan followed behind her. "Wow. What a movie, eh?"

Piper nodded. Maybe if you'd never seen a movie before. She bit back the sarcastic remark. "Yeah. It was okay, I guess."

"So," Bryan began, as they walked out of the theater with the crowd of other patrons, "did you want to...do something else?"

Piper resisted giving him a dry look. He probably meant well, but she couldn't deny that he was really, really boring. He seemed nice, but she couldn't see them going on another date without her bailing out early.

"I'm a bit tired, actually." She said. "I don't know if I'm up for doing anything else tonight." Maybe he'd get the hint.

They walked into the lobby, where the scent of popcorn permeated the air and flashing lights overwhelmed you from every direction. Despite her reply being mostly to get rid of him, Piper actually was feeling fairly tired. Besides, she felt bad leaving Lola, her beagle, at home alone for long periods of time. Plus, it was pretty late out. She picked up her pace, aiming for the exit.

"Well, we could—" Bryan hurried after her. "We could just...go back to my place, if you're cool with it."

Piper froze, blush creeping into her cheeks. Was he doing what she thought he was doing? Not on a first date, no thanks. She shoved the doors open, walking into the chilly fall air. Bryan kept following. Did she really have to spell it out for him?

She groaned, and turned on her heel, facing Bryan suddenly and making him stop. "Listen, Bryan. I don—"

A suddenly flaring of light caught her eye. Piper spun her head around, and caught sight of...light? A figure, seemingly made of light, disappeared behind the alleyway just beside the little theater. What...? Piper stared incredulously.

"Uh...Piper?" Bryan said, following her gaze uncertainly.

She flinched. Damn. Still had to deal with this guy. "Sorry. I'm not interested in going out with you. Have a good night!"

A perverse curiosity was piqued inside of Piper. Gladly leaving Bryan behind, she hurried off, sidestepping people as she made for the alleyway. The little crevice in between two buildings was slightly out of the way, and fairly small, making it not really noticeable. Indeed, Piper had been to this theater many a time before, but never had really registered this alleyway's existence.

But...what had that light been? It hadn't been like normal light, which had a source—the sun, or a flashlight. This light seemed to almost come from nowhere, and somehow had form, that of a person. Light didn't do that! But...what else could it have been? The more questions entered Piper's head, the more she wanted to know the answers. Eagerly she headed into the alleyway, ignoring the part of her brain telling her that venturing into an alleyway at night was a bad idea.