Cloud Sketch

The green grass swayed side by side in perfect harmony with the wind as Anastasia took her usual walk that she took every day. She could always fly but she liked knowing that she could do both. She loved that she had this routine of her walk; this was a blessing considering that she has moved five times because of her mother’s job. Being a pilot meant sacrificing your life entirely, never being there for your loved ones. Anastasia never knew what country her mother was In. Heck, she may be in Brazil for all that Anastasia cared. Her mother came home once or twice a week to get some new clothes and to check in. Sometimes, Anastasia didn’t see her mother for months and that was normal. Sometimes, Anastasia thought if something happened to her mother, she wouldn’t know about it for at least a week, maybe even a month. That scared her, but it wasn’t something that she couldn’t handle. She’s been living alone since she was ten years old, used to the loneliness that accompanied living alone.

Anastasia reflectively turned the corner, seeing her house up the street. Suddenly, a wrong feeling stretched down her spine. She stopped in her tracks, and quickly looked around her. Nothing was out of the ordinary with the little plump green bushes that were the exact same size and shape surrounded Miss Becky’s fence. A couple with their child were taking a walk like her across the street. She scrunched up her face in concentration knowing that something is off. Her gut was never off. She learned that in the past far too many times.

Anastasia kept on walking but slowed her stride. Suddenly, at the corner of her eye, she saw a flicker of red in between Ms. Becky’s bushes. She quickly hid behind a trash can as she deliberated what she should do. Should she go after this flicker of red, not knowing where it’ll lead her? Should she just let it go? It was probably nothing and didn’t even concern. But something pricked at the back of her mind to go after it. After five seconds of deliberation, curiosity got better of her as she jogged to keep up with the flicker of red.