Akashic Compendium

Woman in the Rain

The streets were filled with pedestrians from all walks of life; illuminated by the white lights of the city, the beaten cloak of night became the proof of modern technology.

At first a slow rain fell, then it became a downpour; a merciless torrent. The boy trudged through with his umbrella, though his eyes had only one focus: ahead.

The raindrops became the tears that would slide down the curves of his umbrella and fall to the earth below. It was their final destination.

He reached the corner of the sidewalk and turned before ceasing all movement. And then there she was. He spotted her from his peripherals. A woman that wouldn’t look out of place in a nunnery. By looks alone, she was a few years older than him.

Her luscious red locks fell to her shoulder blades, a mane of vermillion that contrasted against the black and white of her habit. Albert couldn’t quite see her eyes, but perhaps that wasn’t the most important thing.

She did not shiver even as the rain slid down the base of her neck and down her collar. Albert turned his eyes away from her, just in time to see the sign change to a walking man.

He moved with haste towards his destination. The woman matched his pace, though given her focus, perhaps it was a wonder she hadn’t fallen. The boy gave her an aside glance.

The woman took a seat on the bench after they reached the other side. From head to toe she was drenched, and wrapped her arms around her waist. They were almost delicate, Albert reckoned, and familiar.

He saw those eyes of her then, a blazing green in a field of fire, as they peered at him behind damp reddish-brown locks. She smiled and he averted his eyes.

A debate raged inside him, and he remembered the lessons taught to him a long time ago. His feet moved first, and then...”Here,” he said, extending his hand, “I’m used to the rain.”

The woman looked at his hand, reached out, and grasped the center of the umbrella. “Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” He said, and forced a smile. He let go of the umbrella. He received a cool caress from the air, and a damp kiss from the rain. Beside him the woman laughed.

Her smile held a thousand meanings when she turned to him. “Even now...the people haven’t changed.” Albert looked in her direction to see nothing but air.

She was gone without a trace.