Lekhny post -29-Aug-202 jack nice

Frequently among one's daily travels are others often overlooked by the dizzying pace of modernization. I recall, however, an incident in my own life when the most peculiar of happenings occurred. The day it took placed upon had been the most average among many. I had ventured to town, be it by the cheapest means available, by bus. I had bought some cleaning supplies for my bathroom, shared by four other individuals, for I lived in a dormitory back then. Still, with my meager savings, I indulged myself with few snacks that I planned to nibble upon when writing my daily quandaries in the early hours of the morning. By my stomach's accord, I also purchased a juicy Reuben sandwich from a local Shoppe; as was its namesake. It had been down pouring since the morning, a common occurrence this far north by the ocean in California. It was not till late in the afternoon that I went, the rain making me reluctant to go earlier. By the time I had gotten what I needed and had eaten dinner that early evening had fallen. Fearing I would miss the few and fleeting last buses back to campus, I jogged hurriedly from the Shoppe to the nearest bus stop, leaving a generous tip on my way out. Nearly out of breath by the rabbit like sprint and queerly lightheaded, I noticed how eerily quiet and dark everything had become. The ever flowing traffic and people seemed vacant as the dim buzz of the overhead lights seemed to be my only company. As I journey closer to the benches, it became clear that I was not alone. Illuminated the overhead lights was the outlined the form of a slender man, thinner then my own scarecrow-like physic, who leaned against the glass frame of the bus stop with a hand in his pocket while the other held a cigarette he was smoking. Not being one for the smell of burning or tobacco, I simply strolled by him taking a seat on the farther bench so I would not suffer inhaling in more second handily than need be. Soon after, I could hear his shoe rubbing against the asphalt, most likely putting out the cigarette before I could hear him coughing violently. Out of curiosity, I looked out to see if he was alright only to be greeted by his prodding footsteps as he approached the benches. Quickly I drew my head back hoping it would be unnoticed as by my surprise he stood before me in the bleak light scenery. It was here I noticed the strangeness of his appearance, as he had been cloaked by the shadows prior. Physically; his skin was a strange pale whiteness that seemed chalk-like in comparison and his eyes were a glowing green that looked as if they could burn by their gaze. Of his attire; he wore a flowing black overcoat that seemed tattered by the weather and a matching black fedora. Under it, he appeared to be wearing a full dark purple suite that blended in color with the overcoat. Contrasting that was the snow white undershirt; bright red rose nestled near his suit jacket's peaked lapel, and milk white coverings of his dress shoes. One could speculate that he looked either like someone from the 1920's-1940's pulp fiction gangster or a theater performer. He stared at me for what must have been a good five minutes before he came close and sat down next to me. When he sat, I could see another strangeness about him which was his mouth being covered by a medical mask. Of any normality, his hair was jet black like my own and his height was only great by mine by six or seven inches. By his looks, I gathered he was only older then myself by one or two years. There was nothing but silence as I sat there, with growing apprehension for this stranger and his eccentric atmosphere he had about himself. I was nearly at the seams of distress before he began talking, at first starting with a soft rasping whisper to normal speech. 'Hey there, Kid. Sorry to rouse you if you don't feel like talkin' but I'd be a curious sorta fellow so figures to ask ya where you'd be headin' tonight?' His voice was a unique one, having both slang and dialect merge into a gruff yet guttural tone that was slightly comical. I informed him that I was heading back to my d