• In the Crowd



    The snow began to fall lightly to the ground. Weary, golden eyes gazed up at the white wonders. They closed, a moment of bliss slowly filling the young woman's body. The ocean of bodies rushed past her, getting their gifts and overly large presents to their apartments or homes so they could be opened the next day. But not Annabelle. Annabelle rested her wounded body against the wall in an ally. She was all alone on Christmas Eve.

    Annabelle had a home, yes, but no family. She lived alone. She didn't know anyone. She didn't want to. Hell, she never really cared. But only because, no one cared about her. She sighed and took a long drag of her cigarette. Breathing the smoke into the cold air, as if it was her own breath.

    She glanced at the passing people. She saw a little boy and little girl happily singing carols and skipping in the snow beside their mother and father. It was so peaceful and . . . happy. A twinge of pain tugged at her heart. She took another quick drag, trying to calm her nerves.

    * * * * *

    Hours passed by and the bustling sidewalks had decreased in number to a few passing strangers every now and then. Her cigarette finally gave out. "Damn," she muttered, thrusting her hand in her coat pockets, trying to find her cigarettes and lighter. Finally finding both, she stuck the cig in between her lips and lit the tip, taking a drag.

    As quick as she had found it, the cigarette was whipped away from her mouth. "Hey! Who the hell-" She stopped mid-sentence to look up at the angry looking stranger. Glowering green eyes stared at her while shaggy black hair fell in front of the pale skinned face. He was handsome. But he had stolen her calming drug. "Give me back my cig, you little punk!"

    "No! Smoking is bad for you!" he replied. Annabelle's eyes widened. It was a shocking reply. It was a . . . caring reply. Silence fell between them for a moment, until Annabelle's face switched back into anger.

    "I don't care. Just give me back my -"

    "Well I care!" Annabelle's eyes went wide again. Care. He cared about her? For some reason, the smallest spark lit in her heart for the first time in her life. Unknowingly, tears streamed down her face. The young man noticed this and smiled softly. He held out a hand to her. She stared at it, not knowing what to do.

    "Come on. You're all alone. No one should be alone on Christmas Eve," he said softly. Annabelle stared at the hand a bit longer then smiled, taking his hand. They left together down the street and around the corner into the night.


    "From that day on, Annabelle was never alone again.