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Hey there!

I've got a special gift for you!

From: An anonymous benefactor
Message:


A thousand glittering diamonds floated in the pure blue ocean. At least, that is how it appeared to you with the rays of sunlight shooting across the rippling waters. The salty breeze that now slipped across your skin cooled the warmth of the day. Your smile was relaxed as you stared out over red-shingled buildings at the ocean that flanked the quaint town. The breeze stirred again, stronger this time, and you tugged down the brim of your hat to keep it in place. Pulling away from the coarse stonewall, you began walking down the cobblestone path that had led up to the looking area.

Cool, sweet shadows slipped over you as you walked down the path between two tall buildings. The city had been made on the steep slopes of the land besides the ocean. It was full of buildings that reached up towards the white clouds above. In fact, you had yet to see a building that was not smaller than two stories high. The majority of these buildings were made of light brown stone that matched well with the red, sometimes blue or green, shingled rooftops. The city was a nice one. The bustle of everyday activity kept the streets busy and the tourists that came kept it healthy with business.

As you finally reached the end of the cobblestone path, a great deal of noise greeted you. The sidewalks flowed with people and the air was filled with conversation. Joining those who were making their way down the sidewalks, you walked at an easy pace, enjoying your time here. In the stone streets, a few steam cars rumbled by. Ahead of you, you spied your current destination. The heart of the city, a circular plaza with a large fountain rimmed with white short walls that acted as stone benches. You adjusted your hat again as the wind playfully tugged at it and picked up your pace. Crossing the street, mindful of the train tracks running in the middle, you finally made it to the plaza.

A loud whistle split the air nearby and the huffs of a train drew your attention down the street. A small light blue train passed by you, its white steam forming miniature clouds in the air.

This was one of the reasons why this city was so famous. These small trains ran through most of the main streets of the city. They went up and down the large hills and acted as a public transportation system for the people.

You grinned with amusement as you watched cart after cart, ten total, pass you by as the train slowed down. The carts were opened topped and could hold two people comfortably. You hurried to the small platform as people off loaded from the train after it came to a full stop. At the front, the locomotive engineer waved people onboard.

"Excuse me!" You hailed their attention and they waved back in greeting.

It was an older gent who wore the standard uniform for the locomotive drivers. Light blue overalls with a long sleeve peach shirt and a light blue tall locomotive hat.

"What can I do for you?" He asked loudly to be heard over the rumbling of the engine.

"Does this train run up to Oak Street?" You inquired, lifting your own voice to try and be heard properly. You asked because a resident earlier had told you about a lovely cafÃ& on the corner there. It sounded nice and it also gave you an excuse to ride one of the trains.

The engineer nodded, "Yes we do! Hop on board and you'll be there in a jiff!"

Again you grinned and nodded your thanks as you hurried away to go find a seat in one of the carts. The train had nearly filled up, but a few seats remained. Snagging one, you felt your heart beat speed up with excitement. You could feel the tremor of the engine through the metal cart as you sat down. Ahead, you saw the locomotive engineer pull a chain and the train's whistle shrieked a warning. There was a small jerk forward and the train began to slowly push forward. Steam shot into the air as the engine huffed and it began to build up speed. Soon, it was moving at a good pace down the street and away from the fountain.

The wind from the ride felt good against your skin. Your hat threatened to blow off, but you nimbly stopped it and held it down with a hand. You grinned and could not help by feel as you had when you were a kid; the feeling of excitement for doing something you had never done before.

Smiling, you looked towards the sky were a propeller plane passed overhead with a sign being pulled behind it. It reminded you of the hot air balloons the city was also known for. Maybe you would go for a ride later...Of course, you also had to visit the beach. Perhaps go out on a boat cruise or something of the sort. Your mind wandered as you thought of more things you wanted to do while you were there...

The small jerk as the train slowed down to the next stop surprised you and you gripped the side of the cart with both hands to stop from nearly falling forward. A gust of wind swept over you and snatched your hat from your head. It tumbled away as the wind stole it into the air. Your eyes widened in surprise and you quickly twisted around as you searched for it.

You muttered a small curse as you saw it drifting in the air down the street. The moment the train came to a complete stop, you jumped out of the cart and jogged down the sidewalk, apologizing as you pushed passed the people walking. Fighting through the crowd was like trying to run through water. Slow going. The wind died down and you watched the hat landed on the ground across the street ahead of you. Your relief was short lived however, when the breeze slowly picked up strength once more. You watched in horror as the hat moved along the ground.

"Stop that hat!" You shouted in plea, but you only received odd stares from the people around you.

The wind continued to pick up, causing the hat to move some more. Darting into the street, a car that was just about to move forward from its parking spot honked at you as it suddenly braked to avoid hitting you. You shouted an apology to the angry driver as you jogged to the other side. The hat was only a few yards away now.

But the wind was not on your side. The hat tumbled and rolled down the sidewalk. You were only moments away when the teasing wind howled a sudden gust and picked the hat up into the air once more.

You groaned and stared as it blew into the sky above the street. The passing of cars added to the wind and pushed it even higher into the air. Staying on the sidewalk, you tracked it as best you could. It swept over a two-story building and drifted to the other side. Cutting into an alley, you race over to the next street. This street was thankfully much quieter than the previous. Only a few cars passed by and the sidewalks held only the occasional passerby.

Breath ragged now, you searched the air for your hat and spotted it across the street high up in the air. It drifted near the fourth story window of a building. The blowing wind was finally starting to die down again. Almost gently, the hat floated down to a third story balcony the next building over. You watched as out stretched hands carefully retrieved it from the air. A girl had caught it.

"Excuse me! Miss!" You cried out to her as you waved your arms in an attempt to get her attention.

She heard your voice and looked down towards the street. Her long white hair was partially hidden under a floppy sun hat and her light blue sundress drifted slightly in the breeze.

"The hat there is mine. Could you drop it down to the street, please?" You called up to her.

The girl looked at the hat in her hands, then back to you. "I think it might be better if I just come down and give it to you. The wind is picking up again!" She shouted down to you as another sharp wind nearly blew her own hat off.

You nodded and watched as she disappeared inside. Crossing the street, you made your way to the entrance of the building. A few moments later, the girl opened the door and walked down the two steps that led down to the sidewalk.

Up close, you noticed her eyes were a light blue. So light that you wondered if it was just a trick of the light. In her hands, she gently held your upturned hat. Her lips were smiling in amusement as she held your hat out to you, "You should be more careful. The wind can get pretty strong here."

You chuckled slightly, "Yeah, I noticed that. Thanks for saving it for me. I'm not sure where it might have gone next if you hadn't have snatched it from the air." You took the upturned hat from her with a smile.

The girl laughed, "It was no problem. I'm guessing you are new in town?"

"I just arrived here today." You admitted a little sheepishly.

"Ah, a tourist," the girl teased, "Well, welcome to town!"

"Heh, thanks. And thanks again for the help."

"Your welcome. I know I would hate if I lost my hat, " she tapped her own, "Either way, I won't hold you any longer. I'm sure you have much you want to do today." The girl gave a small wave of farewell as she turned to walk down the street.

A smile lit your own lips as you turned around and walked back towards Oak Street. You put the hat on and immediately froze.

What?

Something thumped onto your head from inside your hat and you blinked in surprise. Taking off your hat, you caught a small box as it began to fall off your head. Looking down, you saw it was a nicely decorated gift box that was held close by a silk bow. Written in elegant calligraphy were the words: A small gift for working so hard to get your hat back~

You turned the box over looking for any other messages. The girl must have put it into your hat before giving it back. You looked down the street for the girl, but she had already disappeared from your view. Gazing back at the present, you slowly began to open it...

--- Phantom Anon

From: An anonymous benefactor
Message: I GOT THIS THING FOR YOU!
I saaw it and thought of you here take it it doesn't mean anything to me I'm not just giving things out I mean I don't follow you well I do but not all the time look!
It's for you
Wear it and think of me
Or don't think of me I guess
I'll be thinking of you
It has my love in it
Please wear it
For me
It's special
Your special
Look I should probably go it's late and I've this thing to do
So do you actually it's the time you usually get in your car isn't it?
Well, see you around then
With love, a creeper named Jimm