an encounter with character

An Encounter with Character The word character is often mistaken for something it is not meant to be. Character to me, means that something or someone has a personality and that everything about it tells you all you need to know about it. It is a word that has little meaning now a days but when you experience something with real character you begin to see what the word’s true meaning is. I used to misconceive this word as well, until a few week back when I experienced something that had real character just down the road and just around the bend. I was on the bus ride home one day it was cold. I was shivering but I had gotten the seat with the heater so I took off my shoes and let the warm air of the heater send warmth through my freezing toes. I got off the bus and I started walking home when I heard it. It was a long high pitched noise like that of a dying animal and it sounded like it was coming from two houses away and across the street by the hills I never go to because I am not allowed to. I went inside and changed my shoes and put on a warm coat. I then went outside and began walking to the place where I could hear the noise coming from. I walked about a 50 feet away from my door when thoughts of doubt started to flood my mind “What if the noise was in my head and I came out into the cold for no reason?” I thought to myself I was about to turn around and go back inside but then I heard the noise again. I decided it was time to stop kidding myself and to go towards the sound. No matter how cold it was I would continue. I started on my way once more and I finally finished what should be a short and fun walk. I drew closer to the hills but the noise was gone. I decided I would search for 20 minutes. That would be my limit and if I didn’t find anything then I would turn around and go back home. I wanted to, but I had to find the source of that noise! If I didn’t find it than I would be so stupid to waste my time with silly noises in the hills, and I would