Believing

Dawn streaked the rose kissed sky, tinting the wooly undersides of clouds a steaming pink. 1

Tall elm, oak, and rowan trees stood firm, towering high over stunted ash and the odd pine that wove its way among its deciduous cousins. 2

Vines crept over trunks, curling long tendrils around cracking bark and sticky sap. 3

Here and there, shafts of shimmering light broke through heavy foliage, to shine on the carpet of withered leaves that littered the forest. 4

Sweet bird song, the hum of insects, an odd rustle from a squirrel in the trees, whispered endlessly in the claming peace of the fall. 5

Cool wind danced by, its merry jig chilling as it brushed my face, causing my cheeks to stain red at the frozen kiss. 6

I shivered, rearranging the fawn scarf about my neck, so the excess fabric tumbled over my shoulders. 7

Pale amber skin, soft golden eyes flecked with shades of brown, medium brunet hair tied in an ungainly bun, I hurried past the trees that reared like great beasts against the morning sky. 8

The sun had moved higher, bleaching the world with its brightness and lighting the gloom around me. 9

"Thunk, Thunk. Th-thunk." 10

My boots beat a rhythm, rising and falling as I sped onward. 11

I paused momentarily to straiten my jacket and push and offending strand of hair from my face. 12

"Whew!!"13

I sighed lustily, stuffing my hands into the wide pockets of my jeans, disregarding the fact I was wearing a pair of thick, black gloves. 14

Fall was my favorite season. 15

From the crisp, fresh air to the flushing colors that burst forth from fading green, it had always remained in my favor as the most appealing season.16

I began to her the tell-tale sound of other feet, scuffling through the fallen leaves, that crunched harshly under the weight of the walker. 17

Peering through the morning haze that shimmered before my eyes, I spotted him. 18

It was the strangest of moments, awkward indeed, when he turned his face in my direction, causing me to meet the glowing eyes. 19

They were unimaginably beautiful, large, clear aquamarine jewels that gleamed like a thousand sapphires. 20

His face was kindly and gentle, I recognized it instantly. 21

Smiling from ear to ear, I raised a gloved hand and waved. 22

He waved back, and walked swiftly over, a thin smile across his lips. 23

He wore a black leather coat, jeans, and a pair of worn, dusty sneakers. 24

The sneakers squished comically as he came up, and I had to suppress a giggle of amusement. 25

"Matt!" I said, a silly grin curling over my lips as I met him half way. 26

Matt Davis was one of my closest friends, a tall young man that never failed to make me smile. 27

He took my hand, returning my greeting. 28

"Jen! Its good to see you."29

I nodded enthusiastically, eyes alight. 30

"Matt, I didn't know you lived out this way?" 31

He shrugged, looking back over his shoulder. 32

"Yah, I just moved in. I didn't know you lived out here. What a coincidence!" 33

I shoved him playfully. 34

"Ha, and just my luck! You had to move out near me didn't you? I see enough of you at work!" 35

Matt bowed formally, gesturing to the forest around us. 36

"Ah, but I must assist the good maiden, Jennifer, to her work place. Who knows what kind of magical beasts and dangerous ghouls live within the forest that surrounds you? I must protect thee, fair damsel."37

I shook my head, allowing him to lead me away. 38

"Matt, you big faker!! This is just a normal forest, there's no creatures here besides deer, rabbits, and squirrels, maybe a coyote or two. Stop with your teasing!" 39

Matt winked at me, waving his hands about as he indicated the woods. 40

"Jen, listen." He began. 41

"Yes?" I brushed a beetle from my sleeve, looking up at the handsome face of my comrade. 42

He was staring ahead, a slight mist shrouding the blue of his eyes. 43

"Remember what I tell you, remember this, Jen."44

I nodded, feeling what he was about to say would be something of great importance.45

"Magic, myth, strange creatures like dragons and unicorns, they can exist. If you believe, then they will be so. I believe that such things are around us, but only those who truly feel the want, the urge, the love, for such creatures, can bring them forward to us. You must never forget that, alright Jen? Promise, that even if I'd die today, you'll never forget my words."46

I swallowed, an ominous twinge belting my stomach. 47

I doubled over for a second, and he bent down and scoped me up. "Are you all right?" 48

I nodded, whispering, "I'm fine, fine...Matt?"49

"Hmm?"50

I pressed my face against his chest. 51

He hugged me, looking down into my eyes. 52

"Matt, I promise, that I'll never forget...but don't..."53

I stopped speaking, feeling my eyes become laden, tired. 54

"Yes?" Matt's voice came from afar. 55

"Don't...say...die..." I fell asleep, suddenly overcome by the soft tide of slumber. 56

I was aware of Matt's powerful arms holding me as he headed off to work, allowing me to rest as he trudged off, into the morning. 57

Lost in the warm blankets of sleep, I felt no uneasy feelings, just the strength of Matt's arms and a slight curiosity, as a quiet older voice trembled in my dream draped mind, "Oh, the irony of truth!"58

59

"Jen! Jen!!"60

I looked up, confused. 61

Justin Michel pocked his head inside my cubicle. 62

One of my many neighbors at work, Justin often dropped by to visit. 63

He smiled. 64

"Hey. Getting dark. You should be heading home, soon."65

I glanced out my window. 66

Black shadows danced about in the streets, the forest behind showing over the roofs of houses and stores.67

I sighed, and set a folder to one side of my desk. 68

Swiveling around in my chair, I stood up and joined Justin in the hall. 69

"Want me to take you home? I'm going out that way. It wouldn't be a problem."70

I shook my head, grabbing my scarf and twirling it about my neck. 71

"I'm fine. Matt promised to take me home, anyway." 72

Justin glanced at me, surprised. 73

"Matt? Is he here? I haven't seen him all day." 74

I froze, startled by the statement.75

"Matt's not here?"76

Justin shrugged. 77

"I'm not sure. I haven't seen him since this morning." 78

I began to feel the sick feeling again, as I had that morning. Pain lanced through me, fearful tears ran freely from my eyes. 79

Once more, I doubled up as fright over came me. I could hear Justin, he kneeled beside me, worry and concern in his voice as he called to me. 80

"Jen! Are you ok? Should I call a doctor?!" 81

I struggled up until I was standing on my shaking legs, tears running like bitter rivers over my reddened cheeks. 82

"Justin!" I gasped, feebly grabbing his arm. "Justin, something's wrong, I don't feel right. I feel like something bed is going to happen!"83

Justin nodded, he understood. 84

"Right. What should we do?" He asked clamly.85

I dashed past him, bolting for the half-open door ahead of me. "We must find Matt! Come with me!"86

I darted through the doors, not bothering to turn and see if Justin was following. 87

I could hear his feet pounding along behind me. 88

People scattered, pressing themselves against the walls as we flew on, leaping from step to step. 89

I was vaguely aware of Justin yelling to them. 90

"Everyone, out of the way! Its an emergency! Out of the way!" 91

Someone trust open the door at the bottom of the stairwell, I shot through it and into the night, pausing in the cool darkness to get my bearings. 92

Justin came hurtling after me, nodding politely to the person holding the door. 93

"Thank you, and please, stay inside, everyone, something is wrong, and we don't need you in the way!" 94

The door shut behind him as he raced breathlessly over. 95

"Jen!" He called, pulling to a halt beside me. 96

I swallowed hard. 97

He followed my gaze.98

It wasn't hard to distinguish the limp form laying in the parking lot. 99

I walked slowly over, as if in a trance. 100

Matt lay dead before me, his hand still wrapped about the handle of his brief case, which had a large hole through it. 101

Justin came over, he knelt beside Matt's body, touching the case. 102

"Gun." He said weakly. 103

I already knew. 104

There were three wounds, one shot through his back, an empty hole in my heart, and least importantly, a dead briefcase. 105

Justin stood up and put his arm around me, the other arm disappeared into his pocket, digging about for his cell phone. 106

"Shh, Jen. Its alright. I'm going to call the police, now. Look away." 107

I obeyed, closing my eyes against the grisly picture before me. 108

I listened to Justin, talking to the police.109

"Yes, a murder. There's a man here, he was shot. We just came from work, and were headed home, when we came across him. Please, hurry. He was a friend of ours."110

There was no mistaking the sorrow in Justin's voice, and it was then I remembered that very morning, what Matt had said...111

"Magic, myth, strange creatures like dragons and unicorns, they can exist. If you believe, then they will be so. I believe that such things are around us, but only those who truly feel the want, the urge, the love, for such creatures, can bring them forward to us. You must never forget that, alright Jen? Promise, that even if I'd die today, you'll never forget my words."112

If I die today...113

I fell against Justin, hot tears washing down my face. 114

He held me close, trying hard to comfort me. 115

The others from our building had ventured out, they surrounded us, and it was clear they had witnessed the whole thing. 116

Some cried, others shook their heads, dumbfounded by the ruthless murder. 117

I cried harder then any of them, though the twinges of fear had left me. 118

I heard the sound of the police cars, the exclamations of questioned workers, the buzz of people talking. 119

My heart thudded in my chest, and I blocked out the whole of the world around me, letting myself cry until the depth of sleep stole over me, letting the sorrow brake its tide and wash me away. 120

'I remember, Matt.' I thought, 'I'll always remember.'121