A Night in October (Part 2)

(Psst...dont forget to read part 1 first!)1

As the rain began to lighten up quite a bit, she glanced anxiously into the darkness for the rain man, but found nothing. The wet glassy streets reflected the streetlights at her, vaguely illuminating the area, and herself. She dragged her hand through her wet locks of hair, pushing it back out of her eyes, and proceeded to ring it out, then inhaled deeply, her lungs filling with the now cleansed night air. 2

She was now far away from her own home, for she had been wondering down the streets for days, lost and alone. She had tried to return home, but something stopped her, and even intrigued her. So she continued to search.3

It wasn’t long before the clouds disappeared and the stars dotted the sky casting a dull glow over the city, despite the distant neon lights flickering and buzzing in the silence. She could see it all from the hill where she stood, a vast landscape of highways and distant less-traveled paths, a cluster of cityscape that seemed to glow, and the glint of moonlight on the cars proceeding along the remote roadways, probably heading home to their loved ones. She closed her eyes and dwelled in the moment, feeling immense comfort in the peaceful environment. The wind swept over her shoulders and through her hair, chilling every exposed area of her body and she shivered, breaking the trance. 4

All of a sudden, she felt a warm hand on her shoulder, and she froze in fear, readily bracing herself for the worst. She closed her eyes tight, but when the worst didn’t come, she opened her eyes and shifted in confusion.5

“Don’t be afraid...I wont hurt you,” came a low, sweet voice.6

She turned to face the stranger, and as she did, she caught his soft mahogany eyes gazing sweetly down at her. She blushed almost instantly, and fought to say hello, but couldn’t get the words out.7

“You look cold, miss. Maybe you should go home? I can take you home if you’d like,” he said, almost like a soft coo.8

Her hazel eyes cautiously ran over him in the vague darkness. He wore a pair of baggy jeans that looked as if he liked them too much, and a long sleeved navy shirt, now black from the rain. Her eyes lingered on his lips, slightly chapped from the cold, and curled in a smile, beaming down at her, and she beamed back before she could stop herself.9

“I’m kind of lost I suppose,” she stated, “I’ve been lost for a couple of days now.” Her eyes traveled up to his short dark hair, then back to his eyes. She blushed again.10

“Lost, hmm?” he frowned in thought for a moment, then smiled once more, “Well I cant have you catching hypothermia. Would you like to come in and have some hot cocoa? I have something dry you can wear while I wash your clothes if you’d like as well. Whatever you need.”11

“Oh, my,” she exclaimed, “That would be great, thank you!!” She paused for a moment, then looked up to him again. “My name is Ari, by the way.”12

“Ari..” he grinned, “I am Joseph.”13