04.28
They have been following me for a while now. I picked them up again a few blocks back and I dont think they realize ive been aware of their presence. Its difficult to make them out at this time of night. Im only able to catch a glimpse as they pass under the street lamps, but its mostly a feeling I get that they are near. I can feel them back there, across the street, watching me. Seeing that the lamp on the next corner happens to be broken, I decide to turn down the alley in an attempt to lose them in the dark. I look back for a second, nothing there, just empty sidewalk. Halfway down I finally see them turn in behind me, silhouetted against the hazy glow of the working lamp across the street. Dark suits, dark trench coats, dark fedoras masking their faces in shadow. They continue at an unnervingly casual pace, no hurry at all, still far behind me, though gaining ground. I keep walking, not feeling a need to run yet. I know they are after me, for what exactly im not sure. I only know to keep moving down the alley, an alley with no back doors, driveways, trash bins, trash, fire escapes or anything else one would expect to find. There is nothing but wet brick walls, rain gutters like bulging veins and areas of chain link fence, some waist high, some much taller, overgrown with leafy vines. Two ways in and out. I just want to get to the other side.
This part of town isnt the most desirable area. As such, it lends itself well to the dealers, junkies, pimps, prostitutes and the like. I see a couple of the girls working at the other end of the alley leading to the street. One of the girls in particular, is standing, or was standing, going about her nightly business. Seeing me nearing her corner, we exchange glances and she starts to walk over, closing the distance between me and the way out. Close enough now for her to see my face clearly, its obvious to her that im not looking for a date. She might have even realized it probably wasn’t a good idea to be near me as she starts to walk away, but I don’t know if she noticed the men following behind. It had been only seconds since I saw them turn down the alley and they had already caught up with me. They are within arms reach now and they make their move.
The unfortunate girl steps away too late, into the thrust of a blade meant for me. Her screams are silent as she gasps for breath, knife deep in her lower back. The pain must be incredible. The other man moves to attack now, but his slight distraction from the girl gave me a few seconds to prepare. He swipes with his own knife and misses as I slip in before he can recover. I catch him on the spot right under his jaw, causing him to fall over unconscious. I turn back to the other man, recovering his weapon from the girls back, throwing her to the side like litter to bleed on the ground. He looks at me and sees something. Something changes, he stands there frozen, knife in hand, making no move to attack or retreat. Im looking right at him now, where his eyes should be, but there is no face, only the shadow under the hat. I keep my eyes fixated on him as I kneel down to check on the girl. It is taking all of my composure and discipline to keep from falling on him, finding his neck somewhere in the shadow and choking the life out of him. All I can do is think of the girl lying there, needing to help her. She is helpless, bleeding to death and in a great deal of pain. I am angry at him because he did it, angry at myself because it was meant for me.
The man starts to back away taking only two steps before I respond. “Go call for an ambulance and then wait” I tell him. He steps away, off in the direction of a pay phone as I try to comfort the girl best I can. She lying there half in the alley, half in the street. I lean closer and tell her that its going to be okay, help is on the way. I wrap my arms around her, keeping her from moving around too much, keeping her secure, keeping her warm. She has lost a considerable amount of blood and her face is getting pale. I look down to her and know that she is dying. She doesn’t say a word, either unable or unwilling. She doesn’t have to. I can see it in her eyes. Only minutes pass as the man returns, knife no longer in hand, sirens already heard in the distance. I tell him again to stay and wait for the police. He just stands there, silent like before, motionless.
The ambulance is only blocks away now, lights flashing on the buildings around the corner. There is no one left around, only the failed assassin, myself and the girl next to me. Still holding her, it looks like she is trying to speak now. I can only see her lips, trembling as if trying to whisper something. Looking into her eyes again I see she is ready to leave. The last breath leaves from her just as the paramedics arrive. They kneel down next to me, taking over, doing their jobs. They try to bring her back but she is already gone.
She is gone and I walk away.
2010.04.28