Exodus of the Greenman

Page 7

Waking up was like swimming up from the bottom of a deep lake. When she finally broke the surface of the water and took her first breath of consciousness she found that she was still in the park. She had been sleeping under an apple tree covered with Silas’s long trench coat. She was covered with apple blossoms. She dismissed the fact that she had never seen an apple tree in the park and as far as she knew apple trees didn’t bloom in December.

Everything seemed sharp and clear in the bright winter sun. Things looked different to her, more alive and somehow more beautiful.

She ran to the fountain where she knew that she would find Jenny. She had so much to tell her.

“Hey little girl, what’s the rush?!” Jenny called at the sound of Carrie’s pounding feet. Carrie grabbed hold of Jenny and held on. Jenny stoked her hair and held her close.

“What is it? Did that piece of garbage hurt you again?”

“Yes, but for the last time.” There were so many things to sort out and to tell Jenny that she didn’t know where to begin. She knew Jenny wouldn’t believe all of it, but she knew she would understand.

Jenny drew back and ran her hand up Carrie’s face to brush a stray lock of hair out of her eyes.

“What’s with the contacts?”

Carrie was puzzled.

“Christ, they look so real. Where’d you get them?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Silly girl, I’ve known you long enough to know what color your eyes are. So, stop screwing around and tell me why you got the contacts.”

Carrie looked into the water in the fountain and saw a pair of bright green eyes staring back at her.