someone says to my right, but my eyes are shut. “Please step away.” The timbre of that voice is commanding, authoritative. My eyes open slowly as I take in the tactile wave around me. I hear a low curse, and that warm presence moves. I feel cold, bereft as a beefy man in a navy uniform crouches next to me and smiles. His clear blue eyes scan the street. I hear car doors open and close, sirens cut off. The silence is deafening, a deep well to get lost in. All around me, people's legs appear, like clothed tree trunks. I'm in the middle of a people forest and it makes a slightly hysterical giggle erupt from my mouth. That's when I realize I'm higher than a kite. All the while, the man in blue has been talking to me quietly in soothing tones. My eyes sort of spin before focusing on his. I lift my hand to try and touch him, and I hiss in pain. A moment of panic tries to rise up in my throat because it's my good hand.
