Monday, March 1, 2004

It looked as if they were going to be safe. The parking lot was just ahead of them. The ground was shaking less, and the loud sounds of the collapsing building were fading. Theo did not have to run very fast, and besides he did not want to lose Ms. Greanwyloe. He had questions for her, and he was not going anywhere else until he asked them.
All morning things had been happening that taken by themselves were not all that strange, but now as the excitement in him was waning, and he was for the first time really focused on the here and now, he could practically feel the ominousness of this day. Like a thick blanket it closed in on him. Not a lot of things just a few; class seemed easier, people had been nicer, a girl he had always been interested in spoke to him, and there was the old man. Why did the old man seem so different? What was it that kept bugging him about seeing the old man this morning? Then he remembered the last thing the old man had said, “You will want to see me when I get back”. Did the old man have a feeling this was going to happen? Did he know?
“Theo, do you see Mr. Fouglin?” Ms. Greanwyloe was asking him as they reached the parking lot.
“No I don’t, but I thought he was headed this way.” he answered.
The two of them stopped running near a line of sporty trucks and utility vehicles. Theo was looking side to side for the man that had come down the stairs with them. He must be the one she was asking about. Then he realized Ms. Greanwyloe was out of breath, she was holding her side as well. “Are you al right?” He asked.
“I thought I would never be able to keep up with you,” she said between breaths. “I run every Saturday, but you,” she breathed deeply, “I’ve never seen any one move like that for so long.”
Theo wasn’t sure what she meant, but then he noticed she was looking back the way they had come and when he turned his head he saw that they were not on the East side of the Parking lot, but the West side. He had run across the entire campus parking lot and it was at least half a mile.
“I don’t understand.” He said. “What’s going on? I was only running for a couple of seconds. And how did you make that door move? What was that just now?” The questions came spilling out of him, but it was obvious that Ms. Greanwyloe was too tired to answer him. He looked out into the distance at the city behind the University. Most of the buildings were still standing, but there were flames and clouds of dust. He suddenly remembered Mika and wanted to go back and find her. He hoped she had gotten out before the shaking started. “We have to go back and check on the others,” he said calmly.
“We will,” she answered him still catching her breath. “I just want to make sure Bob is alright. We must have passed him in the parking lot somewhere. He drives a blue station wagon. Lets look for him first. Oh and just so you know, I don’t want you to be alarmed or anything, but I am a witch. Been one for years. I don’t practice the art very often, kind of fallen out of favor with most people. You know most of the people I learned from have gone into movies, and foreign aid programs, but it’s good to know I can still do a simple animation spell.
Theo looked around for the door. It was making long circular passes overhead turning this way and that, and generally creeping him out altogether.

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