FALLING STAR
Prologue: Drinking in the Sites
Shane did a double take when he was on his way to the Saloon. Kneeling to pick a flower was a girl with purple pigtails on the top of her head. He'd never met her, but she blended in so well with the town that he almost did not notice she did not belong. Her black overalls covered her light grey tee. He could see some picture peeking out from the sides of the black. She turned and looked at him. He froze. He did not know what to do or where to look. She returned his stare as intense as his own and he could not look away. She had the most forested eyes he could imagine. They were ever-changing green speckled with brown. Her eyes were perfect for the overgrown farm she moved into that day.
The mayor had a town meeting the previous week. That old farm would finally have life again. And by a city girl no less. He was envious of her. He wanted out of the god-forsaken town, but even then, he knew he would never be able to escape his horrible lot in life. There was no escaping the horrible luck that followed his every move. His daily routine became his daily hell, a void he could not avoid. He needed a beer.
He moved to walk past the new girl and into the Saloon, but she suddenly blocked his path. She stood there and he looked at her confused for a time before she finally spoke, "Hello! My name is Emylia. You can call me "Emmy" for short. I just moved into my grandfather's house on Emerald Farm. I thought I would make my introduction before I get started sorting everything out." She held a pure smile on her face. It made him envious and sick. His heart panged a bit.
She waited for a response, which she finally got. He grumbled, "Why are you talking to me? I don't even know you." With that he walked around her and into the Saloon. Her mouth remained agape as if she wanted to say more but could not utter a sound. He would not afford her the chance.