20. B-Side

Prompt: Imaginary

Madeline sat at her car, once more at the feet of the mountain. She sat still. Otherworldly still. Her eyes focusing on absolutely nothing beyond an inconsequential leaf of a snow-coated leaf, even if she didn't know it, while her head lightly tilted to the side.

Something she did know however, was she was not completely still. Her leg bounced like there was no tomorrow. Madeline breathing showcased as the only outward sign she was alive, and even at that, inattentive eyes may let it pass.

They may let pass the fact Madeline was not at one, not two, or three, but countless places at the same time.

Everything she's done and whatnot. Everywhere she's been and wherenot. Where she could have been and where she would have been, had she done this or that different.

Every embarrassing thing she's done, every accomplishment she's achieved. How many times she repressed herself for what others may say. How she devalued her own skills and lost opportunities. That time a girl asked her out on Valentine's Day, only to find out later she had been dared to ask her out, then she became frightened from anyone showing any interest on her.

Those moments and so, so much more.

It was funny though. Among the myriad of memories and feelings, there was one that stood out from the rest. One Madeline was fixated at.

She was at the mountain, and she was at the mountain as well too.

How come someone is at the same place twice at the same time? If it was nothing but natural for people and places to change, it seemed Celeste Mountain was an exception to the rule.

The Celeste mountain in front of Madeline's eyes was not the same mountain she went to two years ago.

A ridiculous statement, most would say, but so would most label what is possible within the confines of the mountain.

Such thought made Madeline…not realize, exactly, but remember, something, more precisely.

Two years ago, she was definitely alone and lonely. Two years ago she was scared.

But now in that moment, as she mind-absently gawked at the mountain, she didn't know how to feel. However lost, however overwhelmed she had first felt at the forsaken city, it had all been her imagination.

Seeing things that were not there. Losing chances that may never return.

No fear plagued her mind, but no adrenaline ran through her veins.

There was only a desire for this run to be different than the one she had when she first came. For it to be all it could have been. All it should have been.

There was only drive.

For the first time in an hour after she parked, Madeline looked at her side, at the co-pilot seat.

There, she found Badeline sitting next to her, but unlike her counterpart. She was so…present. She was alive and living the moment, even if quietly. Whereas Madeline eyes were open, vigilant, yet empty, Badeline's expression mellowed and warmed the silence as she took her stiff wrist still holding on to the wheel and caressed it.

Person and reflection shared a look of embrace. Badeline looked at her like Madeline was all she needed. Madeline softly wrapped her own fingers with those of Badeline, she hoped her own look told her the same.

Madeline let herself rest on her seat as she let Badeline's touch sink on her senses.

For the first time since she parked, her eyes actually focused on something. That being the forsaken city beyond the small driveway and Granny's shack. Among the buildings she could spot a large crane raising between abandoned and unfinished edifications.

Maybe she could check it out on this trip or a future one.

Yes, she pondered to return more than once to the mountain. For this and those other runs to be what the first one should have been.

For a few lingering moments, Madeline made an effort to clear her mind and imagine just that and what it might be.

What it will be. She was certain.

Through the struggle, Madeline managed to form the faintest of smiles at the corner of her lips.

Madeline was not hopeful at all on another return to the mountain.

But maybe curiosity would be enough for now.

She stared one last time to her right at the co-pilot seat. Badeline had disappeared, but Madeline knew she was not alone, nor lonely.

She opened the door of her car and stepped outside onto the snow.