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They ran, chasing each other. Their small bodies cut through the brisk autumn air, leaves of red, yellow, and orange falling all around them as the raced through the New York park. He could hear their feet hitting the ground with every crunch of dying grass.
He watched as her brown curls flew out from behind her, then in her face as she looked back at him, giggling as she ran. He giggled back, chasing her more. Her giggling was infectious.
Soon, she tripped over her feet and landed in a pile of leaves. He joined her in the pile of the dead leaves. He looked into her dark brown, doe-like eyes that reflected innocence as they bored into his blue ones. They lay there, staring until she hopped up to start their game again. Her light blue dress was wrinkled and it had some dirt on it, but she didn't seem to care. His clothes were wrinkled, too, but he didn't care either. He just liked the way she smiled.
"Your turn!" She giggled, not giving him time to object that it was just his turn as she took off again.
And he took off after her, until his limbs got too tangled and he tripped. Looking up from the ground, he could see her turn around in confusion, and when she spotted him, she raced over. Her tiny fingers intertwined with his as she pulled him up. Her doe eyes looked him up and down, silently asking if he was okay. He nodded.
Then a woman's voice called over to the two children. She made a gesture towards the young girl. The girl bade him goodbye then took off for the woman before he could even say it back.
He looked over towards the woman as his playmate ran towards her. She was swollen in the stomach. Her hair was a shade or two lighter than the girl's. When she took the woman's hand, she turned back and waved at the boy. He waved back.
"What's your name?" He asked quietly, never having got the chance.
He stood, feeling slightly defeated, but still smiling. He watched as the two disappeared until his own mother called for him. And, like her, he ran for it.
