Unknown

         As the music slowly grew into a crescendo a sigh escaped her lips as she shuddered. The music moving through her brought a peace over the thoughts in her head. Looking from her crossed legs to the orchestra playing on the stage she listened to the melody as it moved around her. Eyes drifting from the orchestra now danced around the concert hall seeking something unknown. From her advantage point high in the back of the hall she could see all that went on around her looking for what could have alerted her.

        Sharp eyes shaped by a soft face narrowed to spring around the room matching the beat of the song. She sat up from her slouched position leaning forward to rest her elbow on her now uncrossed knee. Long straight hair flowed over her shoulders to frame her face as she did so. Having had enough she disappeared from her seat with nothing more than a wisp of black in her stead. A moment later she reappeared two steps away from the door to leave the hall so to ease her nerves.

        She hadn't cared if someone had seen her spontaneously appear, most all of the audience was focused entirely on the band performing. However she knew if somehow someone actually recorded her by accident she wouldn't show up on their camera. It's just something that has always fascinated her when she disappears and reappears. Always believing that the darkness had something with the way the camera couldn't capture her whether in a photo or a video.

        From her appearance one would never suspect the recent events that had taken place in her life. Of course neither would she have thought something so ugly could have marred her as it had. No one can see those scars, invisible to all but herself. Feel them as no one else could. They covered her skin like paint strokes beautiful though alien.

        Walking away from the door her cowboy boots ticking rhythmically against the ground. She passed other families and small children and even a janitor on her way through the halls. Her thoughts swirled around in her head as though they were a raging sea swelling and crashing over and over again. Though what had happened had been a month ago she had not dealt with the emotions that would have capsized her if let loose. Never before had something shaken her so rough and violently.

        She stopped mid stride trying to turn her thoughts to what was going on around her. Wrapping her arms around herself for a moment she exhaled a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding. After collecting herself she continued on her way not knowing where she was headed. Reaching the larger hall full of glass windows to peer outside she paused glimpsing herself in the tall window reflection.

        Surveying herself from the tips of her light brown cowboy boots, up her jean clad legs, further to her white long sleeve shirt where crossed arms covered her chest. Still following that path she reached her round face and its soft features to the slight furrow in her brow that showed her anxiety. She noted the way her dark hair, though half dyed pink, flowed around her as though it had a mind of its own. She caught a peek at two men tailing her when she walked out the door.

        A hint of a smile ghosted over her lips and she thought 'I am stronger than those pitiful thoughts and those idiots don't even know how to hide'. Just like that her whole demeanor changed her arms uncrossed and hands rested against her hips while her spine straightened and a full fledged smile bloomed over her lips. She turned from the window in which she had been looking to walk out the door just to her left. The two men followed slowly after her, keeping their distance.

        The cold air felt refreshing as the young woman took a step outside even with the small bite to the wind her adrenaline began to pump through her. Though she still couldn't shake the feeling she'd had inside, it had lessened considerably. She had taken a few strides when her phone began to ring from her back pocket. Slightly put out she looked to see an unknown caller, but answered anyway. She glanced back and saw the men and stopped to see if they would get any closer, but they stopped as well. For a few seconds there was silence between her and the caller as though they were unsure of whom they called.

        Patiently she waited for the voice on the other side then she heard some shuffling, a cough and then a male voice. A singular good evening was uttered uneasily, his voice sounded tired and rough as though from yelling too much. Again she waited calmly to see if the man would speak again or if she needed to say something to help him along. She kept a watchful eye on the two stooges as they fumbled to act casual. The man on the phone groaned softly before he proceeded.

        "I was told by some associates of yours that if I needed anything I should contact this number?" He sounded unsure and it came out as more of a question than a statement. One side of her mouth curled into a smile as she wondered which 'associates' he was referring to. Wondering if it had been the same that sent the buffoons behind her.

        "And who might this be?" Her question came out in a teasing manner though the sigh the man released seemed to bring him relief.

        "I am not allowed to release that information until I can have a face to face meeting with you." He'd spoken that with such authority it appeared he had forgotten his nervousness. Now curiosity crept through her as she weighed her options. On one hand she had nothing better to do and on the other she needed a distraction to get her mind off things. The third option was dealing with the guys who were now slowly coming closer to her. Focusing back on the man on the phone she made up her mind.

        "I can meet you now if you'd like or whenever would be a good time for you." She stated matter-of-factly. The cold wind had now gotten biting the longer she stood there, but her adrenaline had been coursing through her veins making it seem like a small prick. The man had gone quiet as though weighing his own options and to her it seemed as though he was almost going to back out.

        However she heard an inhale of breath as he came to his decision. "Now would be fine." She beamed at the phone when she'd heard that, but wondered where they would meet and if she could shake these guys off her trail. It took the gentleman a second to realize this as well. When he did he rattled off an address and what time he would be able to get there. Confused she asked why she couldn't just come to where he was at the moment which was met with a noise of acknowledgement. Letting her know he hadn't thought of that. She moved a little away from the men as they neared her, she heard one of them mumble something about 'just take her'.

A tired sigh escaped from his side of the phone. "Fine you can just come here."

        She cut him off before he could rattle off another address. "I need you to describe in detail where you are so I can get there." Rolling her eyes she'd wondered just what all these 'associates' had told him about her. She turned around and looked at these guys faces, but now they had masks on.

        "Um... Alright well I'm on the fifth floor of a government facility in my corner office on the left side of the building. The elevator is in the middle of the office floor and the receptionist is directly in front of it, the office is mainly windows and a grey carpet. There are cubicles behind the reception desk and elevator with four cubicles grouped together to make pathways."

        While he'd been talking she couldn't help but wish he'd get through talking faster so she could get away from these creeps. They'd started to move closer to her, she could only guess to grab her or something worse, but she didn't move. When she realized he was finished explaining the layout of the office she began to visualize it. Then she smiled at the two buffoons and stepped backwards and just like before, all that was left was a wisp of black where she had been standing. Leaving the men confused and befuddled about what had just happened.