lizziebelle

I was up before dawn this morning, possibly due to indigestion. The world was eerily quiet; I don't think we realize how much ambient noise there is until it is gone. No traffic, no electronic hum, not even birdsong. I thought for a panicked moment that I had gone deaf, not realizing at first that I could hear myself breathing. The ping of the heater snapped me out of it, and I breathed an audible sigh of relief.

I peeked out from behind the window shade, where a mist had settled over the world in a blanket of softness. The light was just beginning to emerge from its slumber, and I felt an irresistible urge to go out into that fairyland and see what was stirring. I wrapped myself in layers, donned my boots & cloak, and headed outside.

It wasn't as cold as I expected, and I found that the stillness wasn't confined to just my apartment. Not even a breeze was stirring the trees as I wandered along the street, blowing plumes of fog into the morning air. Not a single car went by as I walked farther and farther; not a single bird called out.

Glancing at the sleeping houses as I passed them by, I caught sight of a cat sitting on a stoop. It was the first evidence I'd seen of another living creature, so I crouched down and called it to me. It remained aloof, as cats do, then got up and walked across the yard toward a clump of trees. I followed it, curious to see what would interest a cat. It turned to look at me, as if to make sure I was following, then disappeared into the copse.

I looked around, suddenly nervous that someone would mind me walking across their yard, then headed into the trees. I heard a voice, I wasn't sure if it was aloud or in my head, saying Are you sure you want to go in there? I hesitated for a second, then ducked under some branches and entered.

Suddenly, the world shifted. It was lighter, and warmer, and there was sound everywhere. I looked for the cat, searching for a touchstone in a fit of vertigo. I leaned against a tree, and found the cat to be sitting nearby, with a look of satisfaction on its face. If you've ever known one, you know there is nothing that can look so satisfied as a cat. I half expected it to speak, saying something along the lines of "I told you so!" Alas, it was not so forthcoming.

A pair of squirrels, one black and one grey, chased each other up and down one of the trees, chattering. The cat glanced at them, looking for a moment like it might join the chase, then resumed its disinterested stance, flicking its tail. Again, I expected it to speak, saying something about it not being worth the trouble, but it remained mute.

I wished that I had brought my camera with me, or even my Moleskine. I gathered all my bravery and took a look around. The clearing was larger than I expected from the size of the copse, adding to the sense of vertigo. There were still apples clinging to one of the trees, but remembering my fairy tales, I declined to pick one. The birds I heard were unfamiliar, but I couldn't see any of them. I could hear them flitting around the branches, but I couldn't quite catch sight of any of them.

The cat got up and walked out of the clearing, through a different opening in the trees. Again remembering my fairy tales, I decided that perhaps it would not be such a good idea to follow; who knew where I would end up? Taking a last look around, I exited at the same opening through which I had entered, and found myself once again in the yard from which I had come.

I heard a dog barking in the distance, and realized that it was much lighter than when I had gone in just moments before. Cars were passing by, and the sounds of children playing and televisions blaring drifted through the air. It was suddenly very cold, so I hurried toward home, noticing that the mist was also gone. A light snow was falling, coating the sidewalks and cars in white. I glanced back at the little copse, surprised again at how small it looked. The cat was coming around the corner, with a look that seemed to say What were you worried about?

So now I sit here, sipping hot cocoa as my feet thaw, contemplating the morning's events. Was it all a dream? Or did I step into the otherworld, just for a moment?

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