Timeless

Alex

I ran like something was after me and the trees around me blurred.

I should've been at a dual birthday celebration today, but that was cancelled two years ago.

Heading for the field, I leapt over fallen trunks and rocks. Thorny vines and bushes almost moved away as I charged through them.

This was freedom.

Finally, I was able to just be me.

When a chill went down my back and my instincts screamed a warning, I slowed and stopped.

Crouched low, I surveyed the area around me till I spotted a shape. All I could be sure of was that it was big and dark, but I wasn't afraid. Warily, I stood up.

The shape disappeared before I could decide what to do.

After a few minutes, I decided it was safe enough and continued on to the field. It was only noon after all.

A few hours in the field, running and exploring, I decided it was likely time to head home. My parents would be wondering where I was before long.

I didn't see anything on the way back other than a few red foxes playing and hunting. To make the journey longer, I walked.

***

Arriving back at the house, my mom was standing on the back porch in a pink tank top and black short shorts, her auburn hair was pulled back into its usual pony tail. She wasn't alone on the porch, either.

My dad stood there with his short salt and pepper hair covered with a hat, sleeveless button-up shirt and jean shorts.

Starting up the hill to the house, I guessed at what they were arguing about: me and Devon.

My mom looked over and yelled, "Alex. Get your ass in the house and do the dishes. We will have company soon."

Yeah, that was normal.

Instead of walking up the stairs, I decided to go around the house, possibly because I did not like the stairs and partly because they had gone back to arguing. I could make out bits about how today should be happy and fun, not stressful.

Too late for that, I thought.

The kitchen was a mess. I knew I had cleaned it before I left, making sure to pick up the trash and wipe up any spills. Now there was no sign of my diligence.

After straightening everything, again, I washed the dishes, which seemed to have tripled from the last time I had seen them. Once that was finished, I did the rest of my chores so that there was nothing they could complain at me about.

Finishing the last thing, I sensed the visitors. Looking outside, I watched as a light blue car pulled into the driveway.

Groaning internally, I watched as I realized who was in the car. My parents finally stopped arguing and were readying themselves to let the visitors inside.

The woman that climbed out of the car was my irritating aunt. She walked around the car in her light blue t-shirt and blue jeans with her curly hair down around her shoulders.

After she came i to the house and I, unsuccessfully attempted to escape, I received a very much unwanted hug. "You've grown so much!" Yep, she acted as if this was a normal visit. I hadn't seen her in four years.

Thankfully, her husband wasn't a hugger.

*****

A few painful hours later, my aunt left and I finally got to escape to my room. Lying on my bed instead of reading the books sitting on my shelf, I rested and tried to rid myself of the feeling her visits always left me with.