Context is King

Rachel barrelled through the garden, chasing a smooth pink and white ball across the toy dotted landscape as it bounced across the grass towards the fence along the back of the plot.

Ariel sighed, settling back into her chair as her friends tyke whooped and giggled as she charged through the otherwise serene afternoon. “Carla, she’s getting so big!” She said softly, shifting in her seat.

Carla stretched her arms high above her head as she began to stand. “I know!” She shifted and glanced at her daughter squatting down, looking at a lady bug perched upon a white orchid. “It’s happening too fast.”

Ariel nodded, resting her head on the heel of her hand. “Gosh, I think the last time I saw her was in the maternity ward.” She watched as the delicate flower shifted as Rachel pulled on the stem, pulling the little bug closer to her face. “Has it really been three years?” She said softly.

“Three and a half, but who’s counting.” Carla plucked Ariel's goblet from the table between their chairs. “Want another?” Ariel nodded, and shifted forward in the seat. “Rachel, I have to run inside for a moment. Be good for Aunt Ariel, okay?”

The toddler flashed a gummy, toothy grin and shook her head angrily. “NO!” She pouted before waddling off as the ladybug flitted to another flower a short distance away.

With a shrug, Carla flashed her friend a resigned smile. “She’ll be fine, I’ll be back in a sec.” Ariel nodded and scooted down in the seat as she stared skyward. She could hear the kitchen door slide open, then close again. A few starlings tilted through the sky, chasing one another. A magpie chittered in a nearby tree, a plane trailed vapor high above the little neighbourhood.

A green light darted across the sky, moving erratically. Ariel blinked, following it as it wafted through her vision. It shimmered, twisted, and flared not unlike a flame's ember. Looking around, the young ebony haired woman saw nothing. Rachel seemed oblivious, sprinting across the sandbox and into a low red shed Carla and her partner had placed in the garden for their daughter.

Ariel watched as the emerald shine landed on the arm of Carla’s chair. To her surprise, the shine didn’t fade, didn’t scorch the arm, it merely began to shimmer in place before fading away.

Blinking in confusion, she heard a thud in the shed. “Owie...” A soft little voice carried across the garden. Rising to her feet, she crept towards the little playhouse carrying her stark red purse with her.

“Rachel, sweetie?” She sang, poking her head into the little shed. “You okay?”

The toddler was sitting on the floor, looking at her index finger. She looked at the actress, before clambering out, pushing Ariel away. She pointed to the door, gesturing to a sign posted to the entryway. “Mummy says no big people!”

Ariel gently tugged Rachel forward, taking a look at the little pudgy digit. A narrow dark line was visible in the pale pink finger, a thin dollop of red seeped out from beside the tiny sliver.

Carefully, she pinched the dark line with her manicured nails. Gently tugging, she slipped it free. The tall woman cooed at the tiny tot, gently squeezing the fingertip with her thumb and forefinger. “Shh shh, it’s just a sliver. A little pressure and you’ll be right as rain.”

Rachel sniffled, and yanked her hand free after a minute. Shoving it into her mouth, she stomped back in to the shed and plopped onto her butt with her back to the door. Rachel folded one arm into an armpit and pouted furiously.

Ariel stood in the entrance, before rubbing the small of her back and straightening up. Turning around she held her purse to her chest, rubbing her temple with her index and middle fingers.

“Ugh, I wish she was more comfortable with me.” She whispered softly. A flash of movement caused her to jump, green light filled her vision.

“Easily done!” Came a loud ethereal voice. It seemed to surround her, despite the soft tone Ariel felt a chill wash down her spine. Ariel felt a sharp pain strike her in the chest, like an arc of static electricity jumping from one point to another.

The strike dissipated, radiating across her body. Her tummy felt weightless as she fidgeted in place. The garden began to shift and change, Ariel struggled to parse what she was seeing. Her surroundings were warping and changing as they seemed to expand around her.

Twisting in place, she watched as the shed began to tower over her. “There we go!” Whirling back, she found herself staring at a strange glowing figure. It was vaguely anthropoidal, faceless, green and tan in color. “You’re all set.”

Before she could respond, the figure seemed to blink out of existence. Ariel stood in the garden, her breathing began to surge while sweat drained along the orbit of her eyes. “What… What just happened?”

A loud screeching drew her attention to the home. Carla was stepping back out into the once tiny garden, clutching two glasses in one hand. Ariel could hear Rachel whimpering in the playplace. Neither had noticed anything amiss, and Ariel felt her now tiny toes brushing against sharp coarse grass. She slumped to the ground, Carla’s shocked voice fading into a muddled mess as Ariel felt her neck craning upwards to meet her now titanic friend’s worried eyes.