Essence of the Owl

The cold air swept up my jacket like an icicle running across my skin. It caused goosebumps to appear upon my forearms, and a shiver to run down my spine. I had stood there for hours, unaware of how long it had been, as the sun began to dim. I feared mom had forgotten me again. Left me to my wit's end, to try to find a way home. She'd been drinking, and that meant a long walk home. It unnerved me the thought, of passing all those streets, afraid of walking home was the truth. It was like a fear I'd contemplated on several days. Over and overthinking, what if... well that what if had become a reality that day. At six pm, the chime upon the clock tower chimed into my senses. I could feel my knees shake, and a silent tear trickle down my cheek. It had been all those things mom had said, that had got me so riled up. It had to be a joke right. No one was really going to kidnap me. No one was really going to pull over- and yank me into the car. But mom had said so many had it happen to them.

Disheveled I had to start walking now. We lived a cross-town, across town meant Market street, then a long walk past a teeir of old farms. But the roads were dank and quiet. Unkept many of them, I feared the moment I passed Market street and began walking the old farm road. Market street was like any old market street in America. You know the wedding shops, and small eateries that many liked to go to. I remember we grabbed a sandwich dad and me from Sandys Cafe one morning. We were going on a hike, a hike I was so truly afraid of going on. But had a blast nonetheless. Today the street was busy slightly. Near Sandys Cafe, there was a horde of people waiting to go in. The food there was a portion of nice comfort food. Almost like the stuff your grandmother cooks you on a cold day. I couldn't wait to get home, my stomach started to gurgle and growl with the thought of the old baked goods we had an array of stuff in our cupboard. It was then I suddenly remembered the stash of gummy bears I had in my pocket from lunch. Quickly I grasped the bag from my pocket and began to munch on the squishy gummy bears that I had been told were not good for the teeth, but I ate them anyway.

Crossing from the crowd near Sandy's was an old Hardware store. I had been in there only once when Mom wanted lightbulbs. Old man Jim that runs the shop was so old he didn't even know when he passed gas, near a customer. That was where he gained the name Gassy JIMBO. Well, I didn't call him that. But I had heard many of my friends refer to him that way. Passing the next few stores were just some old Places where you would do your taxes or the bank at the end of the street. I picked up my pace. Knowing that the next road was an old farm road, I almost wished I didn't have to go that way. But it was the only easy way home. Just as I reached the street I felt my insides turn upside down. I wanted to throw up from nerves now. Stuffing the wrapper of the now-empty gummy bear package back into my pocket. As another cold chill hit me. Placing one foot in front of the other. I began down the old farm road. Wasn't really much of a road at all, simply dank and dark, with no pavement. I could hear the noise of the rustling of the cornfields beside me now. And my nerves peeked up I could feel a rush of cold against my neck causing the hairs to rise. Picking up my pace, it felt like someone was watching me from deep within the thicket of Corn, and my eyes fixed on the stalks blew mysteriously through the wind. And my heart was now beginning to pound. I was on a heightened stance, the fear passed through me, and I pictured a monster growing tired of my company. He'd stalk through the thickets of corn, and grasp me. My Imagination was going wild now. So wild I was shivering as I passed the Cornfield, another cornfield with an old barn sat nearby. I stared meticulously at it, My dark amber hues shifting from one creaking sound to the other. when suddenly a Hoot came out so loud I thought it was something else. It was then I screamed and caught sight of an owl watching me. The beautiful white feather appeared out like a ghost in the night, and my heart began to beat rapidly as I studied it carefully To those bright yellow eyes that continued to cause a chill upon my shoulder. It was then a car came up out of nowhere beside me and I screamed. Hearing my mother yell. "Dana, what the hell are you doing?" I rushed so fast to get into the car, pulling at the handle as I opened the door and jumped inside. Safe, I was still breathing hard, but staring back at the owl as it flew from the barn its gorgeous feathers shifted softly in the air and caught my breath. Watching it fly free, I settled back into my seat, laughing at myself on how silly I got over just a barn owl.