While walking hurriedly down the sidewalk, breathing in the crisp, frigid air sent a shock up my nose. The soft wind caused my long hair to tickle my face as it sucked all the feeling out of my fingertips. The sun’s rays hid behind the horizon a while ago, and now white specks began to flutter down onto the lenses of my glasses: The first snow of the year. A sudden urgency nagged at my body despite the closeness of my abode, only two blocks away. I paused in my travels only at the sight of an unfamiliar tall, male figure heading in my direction. His presence caused me to immediately clench my fist. Despite the numbness in my small hands, I still could still feel the pain of the sharp digging of keys between the grooves of my fingers. I continued walking forward still, with more precaution in each step. The other figure, however, walked with great leisure. He only took a couple steps before it came time for me to pass him.

“Beautiful night for a walk, isn’t it?” He chattered eyeing me, holding out his hands to catch some of the fallen crystals. 

Knowing better than to stop, I ignored the man and picked up the pace of my already brisk stroll. I only looked back to see if the stranger chose to follow my path. 

“What a shame, people nowadays.” He muttered behind me, standing in the same spot. “Never taking in the beauty of the moment!”