Miniature Mary Janes buckled to white tights, and artistically dusted sneakers swung in perfect arcs, kicking the sky in an offset ripple.
Beyond the motion, Micha’s eyes were fixed on the little necklaces, pendulums that were jerked back just as they came into view. Chains, thongs, ribbons, and cords held a variety of glittering jewels. Some of the artificial gemstones were colored to match a child’s original eye color. Others wore blood-red diamonds, although the last several years saw blue as a popular color among the exceptionally rich, or those who relished their ancestor’s royal status. The faux-diamonds sparkled with life, floating momentarily, before gravity snatched the children and hid the stones from view.
She was so focused she didn’t notice the boy walking up to her. He was like a pair of scissors: long limbs, sharp edges, and awkward to handle. He squatted down, holding out a worm-grimed hand to the transfixed Micha.
By comparison, her eyes took an eternity to refocus, she brushed her curls back from her face, glancing at the pretty gem around his neck.
Time didn’t truly slow; it was an illusion forced by the flash-focus of the boy’s eyes on Micha’s necklace. A simple silver locket, adorned with a little cat charm hung from her mother’s silver chain.
The boy closed his outstretched hand, leveling a finger. “Soulless! Soulless! Soulless!”
Like wasps on a September blackberry, the children descended, jostling, pointing, and chanting in time. “Soulless! Soulless! Soulless! Soulless!”
Just as the taunts threatened to swallow her, she floated into the air. Tucked tightly against her father, Micha couldn’t see the glare he leveled at the idle parents apathy.
On the other side of the park, out of earshot of schoolyard barbs, soulless faded to solace.