Little Green
A tale of a pale-skinned Irish import to Gotham, and a pale-skinned psychopath who doesn't know what to make of her. Or what to do with her for that matter.
Chapter One: In Dublin's Fair City
Cara puffed at the bus window as it pulled up outside the entrance to Dublin's Phoenix Park, her breath captured momentarily on the grimy glass. It was the middle of the afternoon, and she'd finished work an hour ago and wanted to make the most of the uncharacteristically good autumn weather. She had donned her standard running gear, and was ready to take on a section of the beautiful parkland. Hopping off the bus, she walked into the park down its sweeping driveway, towards the grand monument. Which to her, always ended up looking like a giant willy in photographs, but what could you do. Giggling to herself at the thought, she shoved earphones into her ears, and selected a rather eclectic playlist with a concoction of both headbusting metal and EDM tunes.
Soon she relaxed into the run, and the music. For the first time in a long time since losing a stack of weight, she felt good. And, she looked good. And, she liked it. It was a stark contrast to five years ago, that was for sure. With a smile on her face, she realised that her life was finally falling into place, in fact it had fallen into place. Work was great, her health was fantastic and she had a selection of friends and family members that she loved and could count on. She had started writing, and found that she loved that too. A recent article she had written about dating had just been published on a major Irish website, and suddenly she found herself with a swarm of potential suitors. Yes, things were doing just fine she mused to herself, spying one of the parks majestic deer to her left. Pausing for a minute, the deer just eyed her silently, sitting serenely amongst the tall whispery grass. Cara made sure to take a mental photograph of this scene, and tried to remember all the detail she possibly could. She decided this was to mark the point where things in life were… to get good. With far less effort than was required before – the better life she had fought very hard for, the obstacles she had overcome, had all led to this very simple moment in time. Her, standing in Phoenix Park, having had tummy tuck surgery and now a size 8 with a list of men who wanted to date her. Date HER. Yup, it was all going to happen.
It was all going to happen with her looking like a lobster, if she didn't get home and out of the sun. The run was slightly more arduous than usual for this reason, and the thought of an Epsom salt bath spurred her on to finish the 10k course and get herself home. The rush-hour tram ride on the way back to her apartment on the outskirts of the city was packed full of men in suits and ladies in tailored dresses, while she stood out in her running gear. Cara had decided a year prior that she would drop out of the rat race, work part time, and focus on maintaining her health and just exploring what life had to offer. She was now adept at running and swimming, and had started a popular blog on the topic of marathon training. Managing to make an unsexy topic sexy was difficult, but her honesty and humorous approach took care of that. From dealing with the unsightly topic of friction burns, to making runners feet dainty again, no subject was left out.
Returning to her apartment, she walked along the deckway to her front door, admiring the sight of the irrepressible two chimneys at Ringsend and the sea surrounding them. Being atuned to her body, she felt a very mild ache in her abdomen, and made a mental note to do her stretching routine for a second time after dinner. And after a very well deserved chocolate bar.