This story is an experiment of sorts. I have created several versions and have presented three of them here. One was posted several days ago as Shyness is its own reward. Another will be posted tomorrow.
I hope you enjoy them. As always comments are welcome.
She recognized him from his wanted poster at once. Was it truly fate that he chose this spot to practice his craft? She couldn't allow herself to believe in that sort of misfortune, but she had to take advantage of it when it delivered such a fine target.
Moving to the edge of the shadow, just barely allowing the street lamps glow to illuminate her face, she caught his attention.
“Ah, what’s a beautiful woman such as yourself doing lurking in the shadows? “Step out so that we may have a better look.” He said with a smile. The small crowd that had gathered at the promise of a card trick turned to look at the target of his attention.
She inched forward, glancing down in a show of shyness. As she moved forward through the crowd, he said “Tell all of us, Jessica, what do you want most out of life? Are you longing for riches, Jessica? Or, do you seek adventure?”
Her smile was warm, disarming, as she said in a voice barely audible above the whispers of the crowd, “I definitely seek adventure, good sir.”
“Splendid. Then won’t you join us in an adventurous game of chance?” Holding out his hand to her, she tenderly took it and inched closer.
She allowed a tremble to run through her body and caught her breath. Her kind, deep blue eyes almost imperceptibly widened as she felt the crowd move in closer around them. As she approached his side, he took in a long slow and deep whiff of her fragrance that reminded him of sweet Camellias. Her hair, as thick and luxuriously black as the darkest of shadows, gently played on a light ocean breeze.
They stared at each other for a moment causing him to forget his next lines. Her touch was as light as that of a ladybug landing on his fingers. Reality returned at the sound of a cough from the crowd reminding him of where he was and he said “So, tell us, lovely lady of your dreams.” His voice barely audible despite the microphone he held in his left hand.
A low soft tune began from deep inside of her, telling of her dreams and far away peaceful valleys. The crowd, now mesmerized, stood still, straining to hear every note. The haunting words that escaped her throat were as sweet as honey that flowed from a jar. He swallowed deeply, hypnotized by the unbelievable sweetness of her voice, daring not to breathe for fear that the spell would be broken.
Her words were unlike anything he had ever heard yet somehow he understood every syllable, every inflection. He dropped to one knee, his attention held as if by a bond that refused to be broken. The crowd moved as one, closer toward her in order that they not miss a single note. She held their attention completely as each word floated through the crowd like water in a gently soothing stream.
As the hushed crowd listened a feeling of utter peace began to travel through the crowd. A sense that the entire world was at peace and no harm would ever come to any of them. All was as it should be and slowly relaxation soon turned to sleep. His eyes began to slowly close and he struggled to keep them open, but the weight was just too much and soon he, as well as everyone else, were sound asleep, remaining in whatever position they stood or sat in.
Her voice slowly quieted. Her slow deliberate movements taking her back across the clearing towards where she had come from. Stepping through the crowd not disturbing them, she made her way to her secret place hidden behind the crowd.
Her defense had once again come through for her. She was secure in knowing no one would remember ever having seen her. And this was as she liked it. Now to lure the police to her capture without getting involved. He would pay for his crime. As long as it is a man she would have no problem there either.
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