Close Encounters (3)

Write At The Merge Week 19

(Libby's previous story can be found here.)

Write up to 500 words using the photo prompt 

of cherry blossoms.

Photo Source

Such a beautiful Spring day for a jog with the cherry trees in full bloom and barely a cloud in the sky, Libby thought exiting her workplace. She could watch the bright pink sunset on the second half of her jog. After changing into her exercise clothes at home, she was on her way. Loving when she got into that adrenaline high, it felt like the rest of the world dissolved, her body on auto-pilot, and she could think clearly and deeply. When Libby went into “the zone”, she sometimes wondered who was watching her route ensuring she didn’t trip. She had come to accept she was in safe hands even if not consciously present.

While lost in thought, Libby heard a man’s voice say, “I’ve been waiting for you.” The tone was deep and demanding of respect. She swung her head around to see who had spoken to her. No one was there. 

“Not there,” said the same voice impertinently. 

She shook her head as if to make sure she wasn’t hearing voices.

“I’m in here and you are not crazy,” the voice said emphatically.

Libby stopped dead in her tracks. She knew without a doubt the voice had come from inside her mind. She sat on the bench at the side of the path, head in her hands, remembering the vision she had before of the man in the tuxedo at the top of the beautiful hill. When he had appeared, her thoughts had been interrupted by a phone call so she hadn’t tried to find out who he was; although she often imagined the flowery hill to calm herself when feeling anxious.

She thought she was thinking to herself but really mumbled aloud. “Are YOU the man in the tuxedo?” not believing she was actually asking.

“Indeed, I am.”

Okay, Libby thought. Ask the question you really want to know. “Are you my inner wisdom?"

“What do YOU think?” he replied in the same know-it-all pompous voice.

Words: 330