Mistwood - 4

Early the next morning, Emily hustles through the parking lot of Mistwood Community College. She struggles to carry her bag, purse, car keys and a pumpkin spiced coffee as she scurries to her class. The wind whips in gusts as the autumn leaves swirl around the parking lot. There’s a group of young women standing by a bench under a large maple tree outside of the library that notice Emily as she fumbles with her things.

“Hey Em! Come ‘ere. I wanna show you those heels I was telling you about.” One of the girls says as she waves over to Emily.

“I can’t. I’m already late for class.” Emily replies as she scurries past the girls.

“Are you coming to my party tomorrow night?” The girl asks Emily. Emily looks over at the girls, but continues to scurry along.

“Yeah Brit. I’ll be there.” Emily replies as the sound of her sneakers scuffle through the crisp leaves.

Emily feels a shiver go up her spine as the looming outline of Mistwood forest rests in the background while an eerie morning fog creeps onto the campus. She pauses for a moment, then shakes her head to snap herself out of her daze as she opens the door to the technology building on campus and quickly walks inside.