Once Upon A Puppet

ICE BREAKERS (part 2)

The snow stopped in the early morning. Maybe it was her imagining the young Mrs. Woods or the warmth of a foreign bed that kept her up. It was comfortable but she couldn't sleep. In the early morning, she pulled aside the curtains and peeked outside. The untouched snow was like a white carpet. The big pine trees with their dark trunks stood as nails in feet deep snow.

She heard a hustle-bustle in the room next to her and slowly the disturbance came closer as in moments it gave a knock at her room's door. Little Benji was all dressed up for outside.

"Come on get ready! The neighborhood boys are gathering in the park for a fight," he said, like a military commander commanding his subordinate.

"Fight?'' Anne raised a brow as she opened her door a little wider for Benji to come in.

"Dont you dare tell me that we are not going to be the first people to destroy the beautiful snow outside?"

"We?" Anne again looked at him.

Benji stood up on a chair near Anne facing her on 'equal' grounds.

"You ask too much question woman." He stared her dead in the eye.

"Look here, Benji, I am not interested in your fights." Anne looked away.

"Its not about interest, Anne!" He said in frustration as if this was the most understandable request.

He put his little fingers against his temples doing a circular motion with them and spoke again.

"You don't have to fight but I beg you to come with me please."

"But why?" Anne repressed a smile that might have appeared because of the cuteness of this little devil.

"Because.... they won't let me play if I have no team." he was embarrassed.

"Who?"'

"My friends are all in pairs and I am the odd one out... you have to come with me, Anne."

"Alright, I'll go" Anne shrugged.

She dressed up all cozy and went out.

"Now... don't make no noise... don't want to wake gran up."

Benji whispered as he slowly turned the doorknob.

"Right," Anne whispered.

Once outside they were greeted by the chilled air which sent shivers through their bodies. There was no one in the street. The untouched snow was beautiful as it was and Benji was ready to wreak havoc.

"Playground is a little way down that street." Benji pointed at a turn.

"I know." Anne followed.

She watched her feet as they sank deep in the snow. She knelt and felt the snow in her bare hands. It felt great so great that a giggle escapes her mouth. It was beautiful. Although she had experienced this before it felt new all over again. Both of them picked up pace as they turned a corner. Once the park was in view, Benji shouted "RACE YOU TO THE PARK!" and dashed away. Even though this caught Anne by surprise she quickly caught up. Benji was super-fast for his age but Anne was able to keep up considering she hasn't been outside in three months.

"You'll lose!" Anne laughed, out of breath.

"Yeah right as if!" and Benji gave himself a final dash.

They were the only souls running in the street at this time and a hooded figure was walking on the sidewalk. The moment she ran past the figure a known feeling and smell hit her. Forcing her to stop and look back. The smell was pleasant and the feeling unknown. It was an amalgam of lots of emotions. The world halted. Every noise stopped. The sound of her heavy breath too was inaudible for her. It was just her and the figure taking slow steps past her. All her joy was again lost to the fog of amnesia. The feeling of being on the verge of knowing had returned. She could run and catch it. But she did against all that. She turned away and walked. The world started moving again. Her breath became audible. The chirping birds and the sound of wind it all returned. This awkwardness was surprising. It was a silly thought.