It hadn’t been planned, but it was certainly fortunate that the small café Laney chose to study at before first class was fairly close to the public shelter. She’d been there this morning, as she was every weekday morning, her books spread before her, and a never ending cup of hot coffee in her hand. She picked at a plate of fruit and cottage cheese, more out of the need to appear to be eating than any real hunger.<br/><br/><br/>This had been a morning like any other morning. She left the house early, anxious to get away from the pressure and stress at home. It was easier at the café, they knew her, but didn’t bother her. It was the kind of regulars could gather and trust they would be left alone. The older gentleman in the quilted plaid coat sat on the third stool from the left. He always had French toast and one bacon one sausage. The corner booth at the opposite end of the wall from the corner booth she claimed each morning was occupied by an admittedly attractive man in his thirties. He just stared out the window, his laptop on the table but ignored. Once she had walked by, and Monster jobs was open. “Careers in Engineering”. More than once she tried to summon the courage to tell him she was an engineering student, but it never felt right. She was just too shy.<br/><br/><br/>The only conversation came from the newsman on TV, and the younger pretty waitress. Laney couldn’t help but return her smile each morning, though she never had the courage to speak more than a general greeting and discuss polite pleasantries concerning the weather.<br/><br/><br/>In the middle of the very normal, very everyday routine, something different had happened. The newsman on TV was different, the news was different, and the actions of the people in the café were different.<br/><br/><br/>It was happening.<br/><br/><br/>At first Laney had been frozen, her delicate features frozen in shock, her bright blue eyes wide as she watched the drama unfold. It was incomprehensible. Surely it was a joke, like that old story “War of the Worlds.” But she was a smart girl, and beneath her frozen shock, beneath the hypnotism the news had her under, she knew it was no play, no performance, it was real.<br/><br/><br/>It was the waitress who finally snapped her out of it, urging her to get to the shelter. Laney had hurriedly gathered up her books, textbooks that would probably do her no good, but they had cost too much money to leave behind. Along with her book bag she carried her purse and her dance bag, hooking the long handles of each other her shoulder, the straps crossing her chest and nestling between her breasts.<br/><br/>While the shelter was not far, it was still a fair trek on foot. And there was no hope at getting a cab. Luckily her clothing that day was comfortable, a soft knit mini dress http://www.gypsy05.com/images/products/women/Dresses/2008/5.15-6.30/W080504/P6280125.jpg (http://www.gypsy05.com/images/products/women/Dresses/2008/5.15-6.30/W080504/P6280125.jpg) worn over a pair of simple black leggings. Her over the knee soft leather black boots were flat heeled, her ankle couldn’t take the stress of anything higher, and kept her legs warm. Luckily she was in amazing shape, her ballet dancer’s body conditioned and full of endurance. Where many were gasping and having to rest, she was able to keep moving quickly. Her only hindrance was her heel. But she had worked through the pain before, and her strong will allowed her to work through the pain now.<br/><br/><br/>Laney did not know what to expect, and wrapped her arms around herself tightly. Her long wavy blond hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail, giving her large blue eyes and even larger appearance, especially with the confusion and fear that lived in them now. It had been knowledge to come here, but as to what to expect, she was clueless. She fell into line with the masses, trying to slink her way further up in the line, just wanting to be inside where she expected to find safety.<br/><br/><br/><br/>