It was such a strange feeling that had come over him. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. It was like a memory of a dream he'd forgotten. When he looked at this woman's face, he knew her, somewhere deep in the back of his mind. He was sure he'd seen her before. Perhaps they'd gone to school together? But that didn't explain the underlying feeling of desperation that swept over him when he looked into her eyes.
"I'm sorry, but-" His voice seemed to ask of its own free will. His mind was too taken up with trying to puzzle out what was happening for it to control his speech. "Do I know you?" It was as if he had looked into those eyes for the better part of his life, and spent the rest of the time wishing he could. The woman seemed taken aback as well. Her eyes were wide with surprise. She had run into him pretty hard, perhaps that was what had shocked her. 'No,' his mind chimed in, 'it's as if she recognizes you too.' She never looked away from him once there eyes met.
They were both rooted in there spot. Neither moved for what seemed like ages. They couldn't move. As if there where magnets under his skin, he felt his hand reach out for her. He didn't know what to say, so he didn't say anything. He just left it hanging there, in the air between them, waiting for her to take it. He watched as she set her delicate hand in his, and he closed his fingers around it. There was one fresh tear spilling from her eye, running down her cheek as he did so. It was so strange, and unsettling, but he felt as though he might cry as well.
"I-" Her voice choked out of her like a croak. As he lifted her to stand with him. He didn't let go of her hand though. He didn't even try to make himself drop it. They were both acting strange, so maybe she would forgive him this weird, prolonged contact. "I'm fine." It came out as not much more than a whisper. He noticed she didn't drop his either.
Finally, his senses returning to him, he let go of her hand and cleared his throat. "Are you sure? Do you need help? Why were you running so quickly?" As his senses returned, so did his voice and he couldn't stem the flow of questions which poured from him.
"I was looking for y-" She cut herself off, looking away for a second. "I was looking for someone. But it seems I've lost him." She looked back up at him. She was smiling at him, but she was crying. She looked heart broken. Without realizing what he was doing, he reached up and, placing his hand on her cheek, he wiped away her tears with the pad of his thumb.
"Don't cry." He spoke before he could stop himself. What was happening to him? What was the strange power this woman had over him that made him react this way? She looked up at him surprised, but then her eyes turned pleading. He looked at her, taking in her beauty. She was perhaps the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Her eyes were bewitching, and deep. As though they held some secret meaning behind them. Or secret knowledge. He wanted to help her. He had to help her. He couldn't let her go. "You look about ready to faint." He said, dropping his hand from her once more. He smiled at her, as brightly as he could. He had to help her feel better. "You should eat something." He turned around and began to walk away. When he realized she wasn't following him, he turned to face her once more. "Let's go." He said smiling, holding his hand out to her once more.
