Shadowland in October Country Collection

Exit from Eden (Revison 7)

Her footsteps crunched the gravel.

She thought, "There are still no sidewalks, amazing how small the houses really are, almost as if trying not to be noticed. They seemed bigger back then, when our house was a home - of sorts."

In the field around the corner, train cars stood waiting, overshadowed by the ancient water tower, brown with corrosion - a place of exploration, memories laced with summer heat, brows of sweat, perfumed blend, creosote and field flower, hide and seek, chase catch and kiss through the milkweed, boyfriends and then, safety when mother sent her out of the house in a panic."He's been drinking again, go quick, come back when the lights go out. It won't be long now. "

Down the street- the corner store, where she would buy single cigarettes on the sly and gum with her birthday money. And on high, steeples, two of them, having lost their mystery long ago, erect, biding their time.

The lonely wail of an engine echoed off the water down by the plant -crying out to her, resonating within, to a time of innocence, magic, hope, and the ever yearning for a prince to take her away.

She quickened her pace down Main Street, glancing at her own reflection in the ice-cream shop window.
" More dimension to the curves, not bad for my age, but true enough though, youth is definitely wasted on the young, and wisdom just a convenient crutch for the aged."

Movement approached from the side.
"Quick! Keep the head down! Next street left, to the water and the taxi stand! Run!"
Escape routes never to be forgotten, well-ingrained, uncoiled themselves.

"Keep them looking - but not too closely, keep them paying and let their eyes move on." That was what he always said. They're just pictures and the money will help us get to where we need to be."

"So much for the long discarded 'Prince of optimism and deceit' and those bloody pictures. I don't even look like that anymore. Yet even now, they haunt me through the Net."

The twin shadows reached out beyond the train cars. Bells tolled the hour. Mist spread it's wing lightly over the field, sheltering precious memories beneath from the onset of the dark. Essence of dried leaves and the hint of frost idled upon the breeze.

She sighed, not looking back.
"And home? Just an idea of someone else's happiness lies submerged somewhere deep within; best not think about it. Keep going; come back when the lights go out, shouldn't be too long."


L.McConnell
Sunday
October 19.2008