She stood a little away from the entrance of the hospital, near the railing. Too quiet, Too still.
People passed by her as if she didn't exist at all.
I think she is lost.
I couldn't stop my feet from walking up to her.
Maybe it was the way her fingers were trembling slightly.
...Or maybe I just happened to recognize that kind of fear..
" you're going to wear a hole into the ground if you keep staring at it likethat"
Did I said that out loud? probably yes.
She flinched.
For a second, I forgot what I was going to say.
Slowly, but surely..
Her gaze met mine
Her Hazel eyes were....strange. Not in a bad way. Just... different...
"....Sorry, I guess. ". I scratched the back of my neck. "Thatsoundedless weirdin myhead."
She looked at me with utter curiosity, then shook her head with a slight smile appearing on her face.
" No....It's really fine. I tend to do that when I am in a pinch.."
Her voice was soft. so careful..
Silence made its way between us again and the atmosphere became quite stuffy.
"soo.., first time here?" I asked.
" Is it that obvious?"
"A little, I think.. People who come here a lot don't look even scared now. Believe me, I have seen it multiple times..... and You seemed out of the picture." I think I shrugged when I said that.
Damn it..
"That's a bit sad." she said.
"Oh, don't you worry. You' get used to it."
What the hell did I even said right now?
She pulls her head upwards to see me eye to eye.
She is actually looking properly at my face, as if to understand something deeper.
"Do you perhaps, come here often?' she asked with her innocent doll eyes
"More than I'd like. "
I didn't elaborate further. And she didn't asked.
Another silence was upon us.
But this time, It felt a lot lighter.
" What's your name?"
God, the words just spilled out of my mouth. I think I should probably get go-
"It's Aerielle Dower. Not a name you hear often...." she said shyly.
"No, it's quite a unique name, If I must say. " I confessed while brushing the back of my head.
I think I am smiling.
I can't help but feel comfortable around her, even though we're just strangers...
Strangers?
That....that doesn't sound right in my hea-
" I have been told that many times. Then, go ahead, You can give me a nickname if that helps in any way. By the way, what's yours? your name?"
I don't answer her question. I am too busy studying her...?
HUH??
No. catch a breath,Vantir. You're just a little anxious and too stupid to think and this is your first time feeling like this... ???
Anxious? ME? What the hell? She's just some random girl you happened to meet and now you can't even complete a conversation you starte-
" Are you okay? You look pale"
" Ah, sorry.... I spaced out a little....
she sure has a tendency to interrupt someone when they are talking to themselves.
It's Vantir lynx. I'll call you Aria, if you're alright with it..."
Aria looks at me with her eyes wide.. and then..
She bursts out laughing?
" That's a fancy name you got there, don't you Van?
Van, huh? Pretty sweet a nickname for someone who's a good for nothi-
I wasn't able to complete the sentence.
Something felt awfully wrong...
Time stopped.
Air.
There was a shift in air.
I didn't think.
I moved. Ran, even.
My footsteps are desperate and fast, as if to protect the only light from from being devoured by total darkness.
My eyes moved past her.
Only to find a man running towards her in a hospital gown.?
His movement were....wrong. Too frantic and too sharp.
His eyes? Empty. Like a total pitch of the dark, eerie night sky.
Wait...
I recognise those eyes..
Those eyes that cried themselves dried.
Those eyes that begged and screamed for help until nothing was left. Not even their bodies could hold it out anymore...
Is that you...
Mother?