Sick Mind

Chapter Four

Cold air usually alters my mood when I'm breathing, but this time I don't know if I liked it. I had only been walking for a few hours, but it felt like an eternity. The cold, winter air filled my lungs with an overwhelming chill. Small molecules of water began to fall from the dark sky, which was strangely beautiful. I stood in the middle of the road with Taco by my side and for once in my life, I could think of nothing... I could only feel. I felt so much sadness and anger, I just wanted to cry and not being able to... made me feel empty, I felt cursed. I looked up into the clouds and just took a breath. I watched as the smoke from my breath ascended magically into the heavens. I looked down at Taco, who seemed to feel what I felt as well, and I just smiled. Even though all of these emotion felt so heavy, somehow I felt... free. Thunder rolled in the distance and the rain became showers. I lifted my hands in the air and began to laugh. That's when I heard it. 

"No!"

I distinctly heard the word "no" in the back of my mind. It was so loud, it brought me to my knees. Taco, alarmed, began whimpering and tugging on my shirt. I struggled to my feet and Taco grabbed a stick in his mouth(for me to hold) to guide me to safety...what a good dog. He managed to bring me to an apartment complex, where I sat on a bench in the lobby. I was hoping to rest unnoticed, but of course, a young woman walked in. She didn't pay me much attention at first and she had one foot in the elevator when,

"Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine...just catching my breath."

"Well, you don't look very 'fine'. Why don't you come up to my room and I'll get you cleaned up.

"That's very kind, and I appreciate it, really. I just don't want to cause you any trouble."

"Oh, come on, don't be modest. It's not like you have anywhere else to go anyway.

I smiled at her and agreed. When we were in the room, she made me some tea and began, what looked like her daily routine when she would unwind after a long day. I watched her and began to see her in a new light. She had dark orange hair and soft brown eyes. Her voice was kind and patient... something I hadn't heard in a while. Her apartment was tidy and also decorated with different kinds of plants. Taco even seemed to be comfortable in her presence. He curled up between our feet as she sat down. Before she said anything she just smiled at me. It was so gentle, I couldn't help but smile back. 

"So, tell me, why where you out of breath, sopping wet, in the apartment lobby?"

"It's a long story."

"I have all the time in the world."