“Are you all right?”
Tae turned towards Jimin. But he wasn’t there. Where was Jimin? Tae looked back at the crazy crowd forming behind him. These couldn’t possibly be true ARMYs. He’d been running for over a block. He kept going. Jimin must have turned left when he turned right. Great. Now they were each being chased alone through the streets of Paris. How romantic.
The cobblestones beneath his feet were uneven. And hard. His feet were beginning to feel punished. But this black cloud did have a silver lining. He could see the Eiffel Tower ahead of him. He made it his focal point and ran towards it. At least if he was being pursued by an angry crowd, he got to enjoy gazing at one of the world’s wonders while he fled their pursuit.
Was it strange that he was thinking about his camera? Paris, even viewed while running, was beautiful. He wished he could photograph it right now instead of fleeing from a group of possibly perturbed Parisians. He’d take a shot of that tower up ahead. No, he’d photograph it many times from various angles. Then he’d go to the top and capture all of Paris on film.
For a few blissful moments as he continued to run, he forgot the people behind him and simply enjoyed this moment in the City of Lights. In a couple of hours, those luminaries would be lighting up the entire city. Right now, the dying sun’s rays were kissing it with hope. That’s how he knew he’d be all right. So he kept going, his eyes taking in the dainty, little shops nestled into the neighborhoods he was jogging through.
He heard shopkeepers calling to customers and the laughter of tiny children rose above all the clamor of the busy streets. He could smell freshly baked baguettes. This made him think of Jungkook, and he smiled, wishing he could stop and pick up a steaming loaf to share with his friend. It would taste so good dripping with melted butter. He would have to make sure they visited a bakery tomorrow morning. If he could get Jungkook out of bed!
He turned his attention back to the Eiffel Tower. It was stunning. But what Tae really wanted was to see the city from the top of its heights. He loved being outdoors, feeling the wind in his hair and the sun on his face. He relished inhaling the refreshing scents that all four seasons lavished upon his senses.
Summer promised a rich harvest. Its days were full of the aroma of sunshine and freedom. It heralded the cries of children finally liberated from the confines of the stultifying classroom. Its days echoed with their gladness at being released from discipline, form, and function to embrace artistry, beauty, and fun.
Autumn infused the air with the crisp perfume of joy. He’d love it if those days were endless. Cool, clear, the scent of dying leaves in the wind. Yet it wasn’t a sorrowful smell but rather the promise of something better coming around the corner. A period of transition. And its death was beautiful, even clothed in the most brilliant colors: deep burgundy, burnt orange, and sultry gold. Shades of those rich hues blanketed the walking paths at home much like cherry blossoms did in the spring. Only in the fall, the dying leaves made the most delightful crunching sound beneath his feet. He could play in them all day. And often had as a child, piling them up into great mounds before he and his brother and sister jumped into them, squealing with glee, only to have to repeat the whole process again ten minutes later after having exhausted those mountains of dead foliage.
Those decaying leaves would eventually give way to winter, the season they were now approaching. For Tae it gave off the chilly air of deep rest. He smiled as he began to sing Winter Bear. Winter also breathed out the snug warmth of a cozy fire. He could hibernate throughout the whole season if life were different, had he actually been born a baby bear.
Then spring arrived, heralding an even better change. Spring smelled like hope, fresh with new life. All he had to do was open his eyes to see it popping up everywhere in green shoots and verdant leaves. Sometimes even in the vibrant colors of flowers: bright pink, happy orange, glowing yellow, sky blue, and both lavender and royal purple. In certain places they blanketed the earth with their joy at being born. And the perfume of spring was simply delicious! Those same flowers released their fragrances into the gentle sunlight and flowed around him in heavenly scents.
Breathing in the air of every lovely season, Tae found a deep solace. Enjoying the great outdoors reminded him of home, of his harmony’s house, of his blessed childhood.
As Tae looked up momentarily, he recognized that tonight was going to provide Paris with a stunning sunset. Oh, that he had thought to bring his camera! His phone! He could take a picture with his phone! Even as he ran, he checked his pocket to make sure it was still there. Yes. Safe and sound. He would call Jimin when he found a secure resting place.
Tae had run about four blocks when a guy on a motorcycle stopped in the street alongside him.
“Jump on!”
Tae ceased all movement and looked at him in shock.
“I saw the rabid mob chasing you. I’ll get you out of here.” His accent was quite interesting.
“Do you know me?”
“Should I? Look, it doesn’t matter. You need help, so I’m here to help.”
Tae didn’t even have to think. He took the nice guy up on his offer, jumped on the bike behind him, and held on for dear life as they roared away.
