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I turned on some music as soon as I walked into the apartment. I couldn’t deal with silence, so I always had music or the TV or a podcast or something going when I was by myself. Natalie had introduced me to some of my favorites about various mysteries and infamous crimes.
I let my pink hair down and combed through it with my fingers. The color was fading, so I’d have to touch it up in another few days. I did go to the salon to get the main bleach job done, but it was too expensive to keep going back every time the bubblegum pink color faded a little.
Leave it to me to choose a high-maintenance color.
I was only in the apartment for a few minutes before I was totally bored, and it was too early to go over to Linley’s. I mean, I could, since I had a key, but then I’d still be alone.
So I put my hair back up in a bun and headed out the door to take a little walk.
The building was on the edge of several acres of public woods, and there were several nature trails that were well-maintained that wound through the trees and along the coast. A nature walk would be perfect right now.
I headed across the parking lot and stepped onto the well-worn path.
When I’d lived in Boston, one thing I had missed was this. Sure, there were parks and nature trails in the city, but they were so noisy and crowded and maintained. I loved the unkempt wildness of these parts of Castleton. I could close my eyes and only hear the sounds of the birds and the wind through the leaves. It was almost meditative.
Sure, I passed the occasional hiker, or family taking a walk, or trail runner. When I’d first moved here, I kept my eyes on the ground, even when people said hello or waved at me.
Now, I knew most of the people I passed and we exchanged friendly greetings. Sometimes there would be small talk, but usually it was quick.
This particular trail hugged the coast, and I could see the ocean sparkling distantly through the trees.
I sighed, breathing in the fresh air.
A jogger approached me and I prepared my smile, but then they came closer, and I realized who it was.
Her hair was pulled back from her face into a tiny little ponytail, and she wore only a cropped tank and black leggings. Her running shoes looked well-loved.
I saw the moment she recognized me. I mean, my hair was pretty distinct.
Her pace faltered and then slowed as she moved into a slower jog.
She looked like a fucking gazelle or something. Clearly, this was not her first run.
How had I never seen her out here before?
I kept my pace, but then we approached each other, and I had to decide what to do.
I settled on a little wave and a head nod and she nodded back, and then went past me.
Part of me was disappointed that she didn’t say anything, but whatever. She was probably focused on her workout and didn’t want any interruptions, like pink-haired one-night stands.
I listened as her footfalls started to get further away, but then I could tell she was coming back.
My heart fluttered once in my chest, like a butterfly testing its wings.
I kept walking, pretending I didn’t hear her.
She swerved around me and ended up blocking my path. She wasn’t even sweaty or panting.
“Hey,” she said as we both stood there with about three feet separating us.
“Hey,” I said.
She opened her mouth as if she was going to say something else, but then closed it and looked off into the woods.
“So, it’s weird seeing you here,” she finally said.
“Uh, yeah. How long have you been here?”
