Dissociation in a Downpour
In the deep breath of darkness, a world is partially lit by the dim gloss of a tired old street lamp. For a second darkness clears, as the brightness of daylight arrives on the grill of a black street car. It speeds by and turns a corner, allowing night to return... but not for long. The first car is followed by a pack of five or six more. Mostly black with some dark greens and blues strewn among them. As they tear around the corner trying to keep up with their leader, one of the slower beasts idly leaves the pack. It slows down quickly and comes to a complete halt only upon gently exchanging blows with the face of a curb-side building. They seem to be old friends.
Anna appears beside me, another witness to the events unfolding out on the racetrack. I should be surprised to find her here, since she is also the driver of the vehicle now casually conversing with the red brickwork out on the track. I'm not surprised at all. Earlier I had somehow convinced her to join the race despite the knowledge we both had of how terrible she would be at it. She tries to hand me an Xbox 360 Wireless Game-pad, demanding that I complete the race for her. I refuse citing that the race is already over.
As though by my ruling the pack crosses the finish line, coming to a halt amidst a cloud of black dirt. The outstanding final lap is forgotten by all, the counter on the scoreboard flips from 7/8 to 7/7, nonchalant and innocent as ever. Anna and I hover over to the finish line. I playfully suggest that she guess which one of the cars contain me. Yes, apparently I am in there, too.
The race is over and the field trip chaperon attempts to rustle us all back into the school bus. Her haste is heightened by the sudden, fierce downpour of rain. Haste counts for very little now, though - it will not save us from this. We were all thoroughly soaked from the first instant the pure water caught us above ground. Anna makes her way for the bus as instructed. I grab her by the hand and tug, spinning her into an embrace. I would rather stay out here and enjoy the rain. I lean over to kiss her, but she pulls away, shy under the impatient gaze of our field-trip watchdog.
Anna appears beside me, another witness to the events unfolding out on the racetrack. I should be surprised to find her here, since she is also the driver of the vehicle now casually conversing with the red brickwork out on the track. I'm not surprised at all. Earlier I had somehow convinced her to join the race despite the knowledge we both had of how terrible she would be at it. She tries to hand me an Xbox 360 Wireless Game-pad, demanding that I complete the race for her. I refuse citing that the race is already over.
As though by my ruling the pack crosses the finish line, coming to a halt amidst a cloud of black dirt. The outstanding final lap is forgotten by all, the counter on the scoreboard flips from 7/8 to 7/7, nonchalant and innocent as ever. Anna and I hover over to the finish line. I playfully suggest that she guess which one of the cars contain me. Yes, apparently I am in there, too.
The race is over and the field trip chaperon attempts to rustle us all back into the school bus. Her haste is heightened by the sudden, fierce downpour of rain. Haste counts for very little now, though - it will not save us from this. We were all thoroughly soaked from the first instant the pure water caught us above ground. Anna makes her way for the bus as instructed. I grab her by the hand and tug, spinning her into an embrace. I would rather stay out here and enjoy the rain. I lean over to kiss her, but she pulls away, shy under the impatient gaze of our field-trip watchdog.