Four Days to Nightfall by Nan Smith
The dark streak appeared out of nowhere. It headed straight for
Metropolis. Anyone looking at the sky would have screamed in fear thinking
that a meteor was about to hit. But no one was looking. The streak headed
straight for downtown Metropolis and came to earth in an alleyway across
from the Daily Planet newspaper. There was no earth-shattering impact or
any other indication that anything unusual had taken place. Nothing except
for the young man who walked out of the alley a few seconds later. He
straightened his tie and looked at the hubbub on the city streets around
him. It was different than anywhere he had ever been -- and he had been to
Paris, London, Beijing, Tokyo and most other major and minor cities in the
world -- but somehow this one was different. He knew why and he sighed.
Yes. He sighed. A long, deep sigh. If only he knew how to find *her*.
She was the reason that he had come here, to Metropolis. He didn't even
know if she still lived here. It had been over ten years. Even if he
could find her, would she remember him? Probably not. Why would she? She
had been beautiful and she, no doubt, had many suitors in the last ten
years. She was probably married, maybe even with a child or two by now. He
ran his hand over his tie, a normal gesture to anyone else, but he was
really feeling for the small circle hidden there. He did it almost
unconsciously; he had been doing it for so long. The feel of it there
brought back the memories that he treasured.
Jose
