He caught it out of the corner of his eye. At first, he wasn't sure what he was seeing-- a burst of scarlet peeking out between a pair of trash bins. When he crossed the street to get a closer look, he realized it was a red scarf, crumpled and fraying. He had reached out a hand before realizing he was doing so. The instant the fabric made contact with a finger, a shock reverberated through his entire body. And then a feeling of peace washed over him, a sense of grounding, of knowing that you're exactly where you belong. This scarf made someone feel safe. Loved. He lifted it from the ground. As soon as his other hand brushed the silky scarlet material, another stinging sensation snapped along his synapses. A prickle of dread spread outward from his core. This scarf was anything but safe. He shuddered as the darkness closed in around him.
For Weekend Freewrite and Selfie Celebration.