Chapter 29

• 5 years ago
• The radio had been announcing the rainstorm of the decade all day, but eternity had been under the bridge since breakfast, hugging her knees. It was boring but infinitely preferable to high school. After a time she was startled out of her daydream, it was too dark. If she was late her maternal grandmother would start asking questions. Aching with cold he rose to stand, hunched like an old woman. With one glance she breathed a sigh of relief, it wasn't late; black clouds rolled like the midnight ocean in every direction. The air was so humid she could taste it and already the cars had their headlamps on. Eternity dusted off her jeans and hitched her backpack higher. This couldn't be a long-term plan, she knew that, but every which way was fear: fear of angry-faced teachers, kids who bullied. When the heavens broke she stopped her walking, standing statue-like in the rain. Her long black hair stuck to her face and back, her clothes wet through in seconds.
• Suddenly she someone voice calling her