She tilted her head to the left and contemplated the vessel in front of her. It’s sleek, smooth metal was cold to the touch. It had an otherworldly shimmer to it. The color was something she couldn’t quite place. Almost a cross between blue and red, yet not purple. She was mesmerized by it.
The vessel gave off a soft hum as it hovered in the air in front of her, quivering. There was energy in the air she could taste. It smelled like metallic snow. She took an involuntary step forward and reached a tentative hand out toward it. She placed a palm on the shimmering air in front of it and felt it shiver beneath her touch. Her hand stopped, pressed flat against a smooth, rolling surface. She gasped in surprise.
The physical touch triggered something and she felt the energy wash over and through her. A nonexistent breeze lifted her short blond hair and she issued a startled, but happy, squeal. It was as if her entire body was made of electricity and she could sense the vessel on the other side of the energy field. She heard no voice, but she knew that she was being issued an invitation.
She never uttered a word. Her decision was made and instantly the barrier dropped and a panel slid open in the side of the vessel. As she approached the ship, the autumn chill seemed to deepen around her and she pulled her jacket closer and hurried forward.
“Catherine! Wait!” a voice cried as she hurried up the steps toward the glowing warmth of the interior of the vessel.
She turned before entering the doorway and regarded the young man she had once loved. Frightened he had stopped on the other side of the energy field.
“What is this thing? What are doing? Don’t go!”
She hesitated only a moment. With a fond but regretful glance, she turned her back on him like he had turned his back on her. Following her up here tonight was too little, too late. Behind her was only heartache, ahead of her was an entire universe waiting just for her. She chose adventure, she chose herself.
Angela Harrison 
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