A Flash of Focus

Sitting in the library, Brit watched the flames blazing in the fireplace. The flames danced and the wood crackled. Brit simply watched but her mind was not carefree as it often was when she watched flames. She was troubled. Outside, she heard a shout and her mind focused on that. Then there was a light that clicked on and she focused on that. Then someone came to the library, another spoke. Each distraction became her primary focus for a moment only to be placed by another. Closing her eyes and placing her hands over her ears, she rocked slightly on the pillow in the library. Distractions had always been a way of life. They never caused her concern before because they had been normal then there had been a change.

For the past few days, her mind had been clear. Her thoughts flowed easily and strung together without effort. She was able to hear and comprehend full conversations. The gun shots and screams did not tear her from what people were saying. She did not find herself in locations only to wonder why she had gone there until something else reminded her. It felt good to have a quiet, sequential and organized mind. Until her mind had spent two full days with sentient clarity, she never realized that it was cluttered with distractions before. While enjoying her new clarity, she realized that few were distracted like she had always been. It was the first time she did not feel like others

Brit had never had trouble focusing around Ethan. When he was near, she now realized distractions were less but she also realized that her mind was continually centered on him. Even when other thoughts intruded, in the back of her mind, her focus and thoughts remained on Ethan. His nearness was calming and he had the ability to always engage her mind. She thought of the games he played with her that strengthened her body and kept her from becoming so easily confused. Ethan had many ways to keep her focus. But for the past few days, even when Ethan was not near, Brit enjoyed a clear mind.

It was not just her focus that was improved. Her sight seemed better. She could hear clearly. Colors were brighter. She was sure that she could even run faster. Everything was simply enhanced. Then, as quickly as she realized the changes, they started to disappear. At first, she noticed her crayons seemed duller. She colored harder and tried to use brighter selections. Nothing seemed to work and the pages that seemed vibrant the day before grew less while she gazed upon the page.

Staring at the flames, she noticed periodically that her thoughts were slipping left and right. To all of the distractions of the room and street, she noticed every small thing but only fleetingly, and one thought was quickly replaced by the next. She grew frustrated and struggled to maintain her focus on the flames, but distraction after distraction interfered. Her clear, organized thoughts were slipping away as quickly as water would through her fingers. She could feel it. Ethan found her there in the library and settled next to her. He gave her his usual triad of kisses. “Ethan?”

“Yes, Brit?” It took her several minutes to simply explain to him what was happening. Running his fingers through her hair, he pulled her nearer. Touching the circlet on her head and adjusting her dress, he knew what she was feeling. He knew that the effect of his blood was fading within her and cuddled her to him saying, “It’s normal. Don’t worry about it.” And her thoughts shifted from the flames to him.