Collide

                                                                                                           

Rows and rows of white townhouses were like steps beneath the hanging quarter moon and dotted stars. Dorman Knott elbowed through people in suits, cashiers with name tags pinned to their shirts, and others in blue jeans, hard hats, and boots. He weaved his way around parents who clung to children’s hands with the odd child in a baseball cap. Why the child wore a baseball cap, he didn’t know. After all, there wasn’t any sun on the streets as the town clock banged eight beats. The children were most likely going to the School of Ebony Shells—or some other school that started at nine o’clock in the evening. The parents would then be off to work.

“Dorman! Old man, how are you this night?” John Neck clapped his back, and whether it was the smack or his voice, Dorman gulped in the air as if he’d had the wind knocked out of him.

“Fine, fine.”

“It’s a beautiful night, don’t ya think?” John Neck’s muscles bulged under his tight leather jacket. His lips curled into a grin, and his yellow teeth stuck out. Neck’s breath had a hint of tobacco, coffee, and garlic. “Remember those days? Running after school to the arcade? And sometimes we would play paintball before sunrise? Good times, don’t ya think?”

 “Yes, good times.” Dorman sighed. “Well, mostly . . .” There was that one time when a car careened down the road—the white-haired woman with the cane never had a chance.

“It’s been good chatting with you, but I need to push off. Work and all that . . .”

Neck grabbed Dorman’s elbow and pulled him close. “Dorman, I need Rachel Sooter’s address. If you give it to me, you wouldn’t need to go to your shitty job. I might even be able to put in a request for a shift change?”

“I’ve never heard that name before in my life . . . and I like where I work, and when I work.”

Neck, let go of Dorman, and stuck his hands on his hips. His chest ballooned up. It reminded Dorman of the Zeppelin from history books.  

Firestarter. Highly explosive. Deadly.

“Listen . . .” Neck placed a hand on Dorman’s collarbone, and he sank under John’s hand. “I need her address.”

Dorman straightened. “And I’ve told you, I don’t know who you’re talking about.”

“Fine,” Neck said as he slapped Dorman on the back. He walked backward down the checkered sidewalk. “If you can’t help me, you can’t help me.” Neck shrugged. “But if you’re lying to me, I’ll find out.”

John Neck was far enough away that Dorman could only make out the shine of his eyes and the outline of his build. “I’m not lying.”

John snapped his fingers. “Then you’ve got nothing to worry about!”

***

Dorman stood over his desk and pressed the button on his phone. “Marcus, send in Rachel Sooter.”

“Yes, right away, Dr. Knott.”

The door opened, and Rachel stood in the doorway and dabbed a tissue to her nose. “Rachel, please, come in . . .” Dr. Knott walked across the room and ushered Rachel to the couch. Marcus closed his door.

“Dr. Knott . . . I can’t do this anymore. I’ve never been happy—and now with my report—” Dr. Knott slid into his chair and opened his book. “The head of the Committee said I should never have been put in charge of the research because I was biased . . .”

“Do you believe that?”

“A little.” Her voice quivered.

“But the Twilight Economic Development Committee funded your research.” Dr. Knott flipped back a couple of pages in his book. “You told me that your findings’ showed depression was higher with the cohort that worked at night and with the children who attended school in the evening and early morning hours . . .” he turned a couple of pages forward, “and costs of policing had tripled with more accidents, robberies, and petty thefts . . . and an outreach report showed homelessness on the rise.” Dr. Knott reclined in his chair. “I know those weren’t the results the Committee wanted. But the data was pulled from other sources. So, tell me, how your work is biased?”

“Because of me . . . I must have somehow skewed the results.”

“You told me the junior researchers conducted the interviews when required. The other data, you stated, was gathered from pre-existing hospital, police, and outreach worker reports.”

“The head of the Committee said I had acknowledged at the start of the report that I struggled with living and working at night. So, right there—it proves the report is flawed.”

Dr. Knott shifted in his chair. “Yes, but you’re supposed to reveal any pre-existing biases when you write a report. We all have them.”

“I know. But Rutherford Little said our numbers were too small, and I deliberately hunted for data that showed the day/night split economy was too costly to maintain. He said I dismissed any evidence that showed the model was profitable for the city.”

Dr. Knott clicked his pen. “Again, you told me much of the data was gathered from hospital and police reports. Also, you said junior researchers gathered data from businesses, and the information was submitted anonymously—from my perspective, you did everything you could to ensure the integrity of the data.”

“Yes, but . . .” Dr. Knott stared at Rachel, his pen poised to add to his notebook. Rachel cleared her throat. “They won’t release it to the public.”

“They spent several million dollars on it. The public will demand something for money spent at taxpayers’ expense.”

“They said they’ll claim the report was never finished.”

“Is the report finished?”

“Yes! One hundred percent! Sorry, but I hate being accused of not completing a project.”

“Let’s say the report is flawed . . .” Rachel’s eyes widened. Dr. Knott lifted his hand and shook his head, “I’m not saying it is. But I think the report needs to be released and the findings shared with the public. Let the people decide. And that way, more studies can be done, if needed.”

“There’s been a reporter who contacted me about it—they wanted to know the status. I didn’t tell them anything.”

“Rutherford Little—who is he?”

“He’s the head of the Committee.”

“So, maybe let a few other members of the Committee know the report is done.”

“Shouldn’t I give the report to Rutherford Little to distribute?”

“He didn’t pay for it out of his own pocket. Taxpayers did.”

Rachel nodded. “Dr. Knott?” She glanced up. “I never asked you, but between the two of us, what do you think of the split economy?”

“It doesn’t matter what I think. What matters is you and your well-being. And you don’t strike me as someone who would set out to fabricate report findings—under any circumstances.”

“No, of course not. I stated my biases in the opening remarks. Then, I outlined the testing methods used to compensate for biases—both my own and those of my team. I brought in researchers who struggle with the evening shift. And those who enjoy the late and early morning hours. Both types of researchers reviewed the data. I tried to be transparent.”

Dr. Knott sat in his chair—still.

“Is there something the matter?”

“No, of course not.” He checked his watch. “It looks like our time’s up.” He sighed. “So, I’ll see you next week?”

Rachel stood up and clasped her purse and coat. “Dr. Knott, are you okay? You look a little pale?”

Dr. Knott glanced at his leather couch, his lamps with the yellow light that glowed in the room. Books were stacked on shelves, lightly coated with dust. “Rachel, how many people do you have on your team?”

“About twenty? Why?”

“I had a man approach me tonight. He knew your name and wanted your address. He threatened me . . .”

Rachel covered her mouth. “Am I at risk?”

“I don’t know—I hope not. He didn’t get your name or any information from me. But tonight, when you mentioned Rutherford Little saw the report and how he’s trying to bury it—I had thought the whole Committee saw it—well, it occurred to me the man I’ve spoken with, and Little may be connected.” Dr. Knott tapped his pen on his notebook. “Given that you’ve been working with the same team over the last few years, it seems unlikely any of them are responsible for sending the man my way.”  

“How do you know the man you saw tonight?”

“A friend from school. I’ve said a quick ‘Hello’ when I’ve seen him around over the years. But that’s been about it. Until tonight . . .” Dorman ran his fingers through his thin hair. “I suggest you send it to the other Committee members as soon as possible. I wan to notify the police, if it’s okay? I would need to give them your information.”

“Yes, that’s fine.” Rachel’s lower lip trembled. “I’ve placed you in danger.”

Dr. Knott stood and clutched his notebook to his chest. “Our conversations are not the most dangerous ones I’ve had.” He walked over and rested his hand on the doorknob. “And it’s ridiculous. They’re going after you when someone else could have pulled the same numbers. And for what? Is it easier to recruit criminals with more people out at night? Does Rutherford Little have stock in light bulbs?” Rachel smiled. “I’ll call the police and ensure they have the details of the man who made the threats. You need to distribute your findings to the other committee members tonight. Once it’s out there, there’s not much anyone can do about it.”

“I’ll send it tonight. And also, to the Reporter . . .”

“Good. And please, make sure you’re not alone after work.”

***

The sun broke at the horizon as Dorman closed his office door, turned the key, and locked it. He glanced at Marcus’ empty desk and the dimly lit pot lights that cast light on the empty chairs in the waiting room. Dr. Knott craned his neck and caught some shadow on a wall. “Hello?” He shook his head and rubbed his face. “My mind’s playing tricks on me.”

He opened the door to the stairs, stepped down one step, and then another. When he rounded the corner, he looked at the number on the door—only six flights to go, and he would cross the road to the parking lot, and he’d be in his car, and then it was a short drive home. 

He clutched his briefcase in one hand as his coat hugged his knees with each step. There were five flights to go. Dorman quickened his pace, his heart thudded, and his breath became laboured. He was almost there. One more flight and he—

“Hello, Dorman,” John Neck said. He leaned against the door with the red exit sign above. “I told you not to lie to me, didn’t I?”

Dorman wiped the sweat that trickled down his brow. “What are you talking about?” he said, annoyed.

“Rachel Sooter—I had a couple of my guys follow her to your office. But then we never saw her leave . . . we lost her.”

Dorman doesn’t know how Marcus did it. The man’s a bit of an enigma and rarely talks about his military experience. Clearly, though, after he told Marcus to make sure Rachel left the building without being seen, he’d done it.

Dorman sighed. “You can’t stop the report from being released. You know that. It was a publicly funded report.”

John’s lips curled into a sneer. “I don’t understand it. When we were kids, we loved going to school at night and running free after class. Why the hell would you want the report to be released? The night economy is good for your business, isn’t it?”

“Business isn’t bad. But it’s not just about me. It’s about how the city is doing overall . . .”

“You’re going to make me do something I don’t want to do.”

“Do what you must.”

Neck poked Dorman in the chest. “You’re an idiot!” He spun around and shoved Dorman. He swayed. John stretched out his hands. “Why?”

Dorman laughed, quietly. “The data is out there. It’s everywhere. We know this experiment hasn’t worked. We’ve known it for years. Anyone paying attention and reading the papers knows it’s failed.”

Dorman saw the calloused, thick hand form a fist, and then it came down hard across his jaw and knocked him to the ground. Somehow, he still clutched his briefcase. So, when the Zeppelin’s foot was up and aimed at his head, he lifted his case, swung it hard, and Neck fell backward against the wall and slumped to the floor.  

Neck wiped the trickle of blood that dripped along the side of his ear. “You fucker!” he roared.

“Huh?” Dorman lifted the brown case and stared at it. John grunted. “Shit!” Dorman hissed. He scrambled to his feet, swung the door open, and raced into the hallway. Dorman’s heart pounded as bullets punched through walls, ricocheted off the copier, and a glass window shattered. Then, silence was everywhere except for the clicking of bullets that Neck reloaded into his gun. Dorman tried to move his feet, but for some reason, they wouldn’t budge. It was as if he’d fallen into quicksand, and he was anchored to this bullet-holed, riddled brown building. The gun was raised again at him. “Fight or flight,” he whispered and shook his head. He threw the door open as a bang rang out, and a bullet punctured the door.

Dorman, on the street now, saw some pedestrians, wide-eyed and crouched close to the ground. Others, further away, stood still. Other people skittered away in a zig-zag as they looked over their shoulders.    

A woman, hands over her head and face contorted, asked, “Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” Dorman hurried down the sidewalk and to the parking lot across the road.

“Dorman, it’s time to go to sleep . . .” Neck shouted. John’s gun was aimed at him. Someone screamed. Other people scattered nearby, like orange-red leaves in the fall after the wind has blown them from a tree.

Dorman raised his chin. His normally slumped forward shoulders straightened. “Do what you must.” He watched Neck as he pulled back the trigger—

It was another scream Dorman heard first. John turned his attention from Dorman, and a garbage can lid banged against the Zeppelin’s head. Neck collapsed to the ground and shook his head. Marcus, in a plaid t-shirt and a toque, pushed Neck into the sidewalk and held him down. Rachel stood close to the wall of a nearby building out of view. Several other people piled onto the Zeppelin’s hands and legs.   

“Get off of me!” Neck roared.

“Shut up!” Dorman shouted. He held John’s gun now and pointed it at his old school friend. Sirens sounded. Red lights flashed from cruisers.

“You wouldn’t?”

“Under the right circumstances, anyone would. Now, stay down.”

Ruins

A raven sits on top

the crumbling stone

 and as I pass, I wonder,

was the hearth beneath?

Built two centuries back, it’s tucked in with pine trees, wild rosebushes, and weeds. Only half of the roof remains, the inside houses dandelions, field mice, ants, and a sapling. Who was there? What did they do? How did it happen the house fell into ruins? When the steps began to creak, and the joints swayed with the wind, or a thunderous clap brought with it a northeasterly breeze that blew the roof off where there was no need for a chimney sweep—did they walk away and leave the house to decay? But that’s tragic and may not have been the case. There may have been another choice I sometimes forget—maybe they stayed? Windows gone and exposed, hope crumbles, and yet—the foundation holds.

When Heroes Die

He strolled with a scar on his 
chest and a shine in his eyes 
and kept his sword close
as foes followed nearby.    

Blue-bruised skin told the tale
of treachery. Still, he laughed 
a laugh to convince passersby 
he was supremely fine. 

He rebuilt fences, 
and defended the defenseless 
who lived under the crush 
of gold-lined fingers. 

His pace slowed and his hand 
held the helm of his weapon.  
But he rubbed his knuckles
when the fight was at an end. 

Air swept up his capri blue cape, 
and it swirled as he sat on his steed.
He was worn yet
stood by his solemn oath.  

It happened the way it does . . . 
a spirit dragon called his name. 
And he answered—
and the light went out again.

FIFTEEN YEARS

No card, call, on my birthday. No, From Us, To Him labels on gold wrapped paper that cover boxes. At night, dizzying lights spin like a mirror ball against snow bloated trees and pin hole stars. No world events—did you hear what’s happened? What about that? Solar and wind and electric cars? How do they run?

Yes, time had passed, and I babbled on about you. Then, no, no—

In a chair, I tell your story, the clouds of smoke, you’re fourty-plus year habit. It crept up like a hand over a crypt that poked me in the eye and made my cheek twitch. It’s been fifteen years—what the hell is the matter? I blink the tears, take a breath, and straighten in my chair. No, no, yes, I’m fine. Yes, yes, I’m fine . . . this is the rhythm of time . . .

The Bachelor’s House

Just in time for Halloween, a little witch and ghost story…

***

I place a hand on the stone, and I see snow on the roof while a girl with a bow in her hair runs on the hardwood floor. In the dining room, a family is gathered at a set table with candles, and there’s the scent of oregano, roast beef, potatoes, and fresh bread everywhere.

Imagination is a beautiful thing, filling up a cold house with warm memories that may never have been. 

Turning the handle, the door creaks, and I peer inside. A fireplace from a nearby room sheds some light into the hallway. Yellow-stained curtains are hung, and there are light switches, a coat hook, and nothing else. There’s warmth, but it escapes through the open door. So, I close the door.   

“Elizabeth,” Helen says in a red dress with a two-foot train—the same one she wore last time I was here. The fire in the hearth hisses as she passes, and dampness drips from somewhere. Helen leans in, touches my elbows, and kisses me on the cheek. “Are you ready to start?”

“Yes,” I say, hanging my coat and purse on the coat hook. Before I leave, I remember I need my hard hat and dig into my handbag to find it. Helen places a hand on my elbow as we walk through the hallway. I look up the stairs and into several rooms and ask, “Where’s Paul?”

“I’m here,” he says, leaning against a doorway. Paul wears brown trousers and a white shirt. His thumbs are hooked under his suspenders.

“I will wait here,” Helen says.

I nod. “Are you still coming with me?” I ask.

“Yes,” he says, straightening.     

I turn the knob on the door to the basement. There’s no railing, so I place my hand along the brick to guide me and carefully take a step down the stairs. Paul’s cool breath is in the back of my neck and stays there until I reach the bottom step. 

***

Tucking my hair under my hat, I flip the switch on. Light spreads out, and a rat runs across my boots and squeezes into a hole.

I stare at the beams with webs where spiders cling to them and touch one spider called Eve, who apologizes that she wasn’t here the last time I visited. Eve tells me about dishes that were thrown, a child who couldn’t sleep without a light on, and how a waiter ran out of the house one night and never returned. Eve’s eight legs tap the beam, and she says, “The man who built this house, he drank gin nearly every night. Poor thing, he was in love. But he never told anyone. Not even his best friend . . .”

I see. 

Paul slouches nearby and looks around, bored. Ghosts can’t speak Spider, thank goodness. 

I nod to Eve, and she returns to her artwork. “Where are you?” I say. My fingers fumble over the switch on my hat, and it clicks.

“You still can’t see them?”

“Like I told you the last time—I’m a witch exorcist, not a clairvoyant.” Paul shakes his head. “Hey, you’re a ghost that can’t get rid of a ghost.” Paul doesn’t say anything.

Annoyed, I take the cap off and move the knob to another setting. Sure, it’s great that I can see in the dark. But I need to see everything.

I flick the switch with my finger and shake my head. Witches aren’t allowed to use their magic to pay for their day-to-day living expenses. It’s part of the rules. So, I’ve got a nine-to-five job to pay for rent and such, but I have to work these jobs to pay for Mom and Dad’s costs in Trolls Thumping Residence.

“What?” Paul asks.

“Nothing,” I whisper. The knob clicks. “Ha! Now we’re in business!” I cheer. I place the hat on my head and tighten the chin strap. And now I see everything.

***

Stepping forward, five large snake-lizards are wrapped around the beams.

Paul leans forward, bumping into me. His hand slips through my back and comes out of my stomach.

“Gross,” I say. Some ghosts are good at making themselves flesh-like. Paul is not.  

Weaving through the room, the snake-lizards hiss as we pass by them. I’ve seen these creatures before—they belong to light and shadow and can kill the flesh and devour souls. I suspect Paul might know this, too, based on his raspy breathing.

There’s a flash. I scan the room, looking around the snakes-lizards and the—

“Oh no,” I hiss. Air rushes around as I fly up, hit the wall, slide down, and fall to the dirt floor. “Ow,” I mutter. 

Paul shakes and looks around. Then running toward me, he stumbles. Paul hits the ground, and a snake-lizard unravels itself from a beam like lightning strikes and hisses. It snaps when it’s within reach of Paul. “No,” Paul says. The snake-lizard’s head rises, and Paul and the creature stare at each other.     

I’m eye to eye with a snake-lizard, too. “Did you get the memo? I’m a witch exorcist. I can destroy you.”

The snake’s head bobs back. His black eyes blink. I’m sure I see his head tilt, and then, he vanishes.     

“Paul!” There are heels on the stairs, and a translucent red hem appears.

“Stay there!” I yell.

Helen crouches down and covers her mouth. “Oh, Paul!” she cries.

“I love you, Helen. I always will.” Paul’s voice is steady, and his eyes are misty. But he keeps both eyes on the snake-lizard.  

I smack my hands together, and bits of scales and leathery skin fly up and explode in the air and onto the dirt floor.

I’m not sorry about killing the four remaining snake-lizards. They heard what I said to the other one and knew Paul and I were traveling together. Paul drops his head to the floor. I raise one finger, Paul rises from the ground, and I place him beside Helen.

“Is the ghost gone?” Paul asks.

“No,” I say. “But I don’t think he’ll come out with both of you here. So, go upstairs and stay there.”

“How do you know?” Paul asks. 

“I got a message,” I say, pushing my hair back. “Besides, Paul, I don’t want you to get hurt. You and Helen couldn’t be together because of her hateful, controlling, abusive husband. Now, you can be. You’re only here because you think you should be. But those creatures could have taken your soul. And where would that leave Helen?” So there’s no doubt, I add, “I’ve got this.”

Helen and Paul glimpse down at me. Even though their ghosts, their eyes shine with some look of understanding. Nodding again, they turn and climb the stairs, and the door creaks closed.    

“Perfect,” a man with dark eyes says, holding a watch. “It’s Elizabeth?” he asks, snapping the timepiece closed and hooking it onto the vest of his suit.

“Yes—and you are?”

“Jeffrey Sackston the III’rd,” he says, bowing.

“You can probably drop the III’rd now.”

He spins his cane, grins, and says, “Yes, I suppose I can.”

“I thought it was you.”

“Most people did.”

“I thought you didn’t want anyone to live in your house.”

“Well, you were wrong,” he says.

“You scared the flesh.”

“Yes, unfortunate side-effect.”

“I’m to—”

“I know what you are to do, Elizabeth,” he says. His smile dips. Then he throws his cane up, catches it, and smiles brightly again. 

“You never wanted the house.”

“No.”

Looking up the stairs, I ask, “How long have Helen and Paul been here?”

Jeffrey’s eyes watch the stairs behind me. 

“You did it because of Paul and Helen?”

“Yes,” he says. “Paul’s insecurities about how he wished he had protected Helen better in life, plagued him in the afterlife, too. Certainly, their murders at the hands of Helen’s husband didn’t help,” he says, sighing. I had hoped it would be something Paul could overcome. I guess he did, somewhat. Still, Helen knows he’s not perfect, and she loves him just the same. Thanks to you, Paul knows that too, now.”

“You could have asked for help.”

“I did not have your number,” Jeffrey says, winking. “Besides, if anyone else knew, there was a risk it would be repeated to Paul, and my old friend would be embarrassed.” 

“You’re the bachelor who wanted ghosts to have love in the afterlife?”

“Don’t tell too many people. I wouldn’t want them to think Jeffrey Sackeston the third was a softy!” He smiles and leans into his cane. 

“How did you make yourself invisible to them?”

“I’m very good at hiding.”

I roll my eyes. “How did you get those creatures to cooperate without them taking your soul?”

“Ghost secrets,” Jeffrey says, arching an eyebrow. There’s something in his smile or his eyes, and it reminds me of a saying that I’d heard when I was young—

Ghosts who want something can ask the snake-lizards a favor. But they must trade their souls—and a willing soul is more delicious than one taken!

“No!”

There’s a snap—a snap from fangs that bite into skin and a mouth that can inhale wisps of air that are phantoms. 

It’s also the snap from my fingers. And the snake-lizard I allowed to leave is gone. Permanently. Well, except for the dust.

Meow?

I stare down at the yellow-eyed orange furball. “Jeffrey . . .” I say, “you almost died a second time.” I shake my head and gather him up in my arms. “You’ll live this life as a cat as this form protects you from those scavengers. And also, that way, no one can say I never did my job. It will be our secret,” I whisper, stroking his fur. “And maybe in your next life, you’ll come back and can find love, too.” I climb the stairs, cradling Jeffrey, and add, “Now, I need to get paid.”

End of the line

Grey-toned skin with shadows that hang around her colorless smoky eyes stare at me, dark dots like black pearls. Mouth slightly open, joy glistens from the curve in her cheek, the round of her mouth, the glow in her hair. Optimism seeps from the woman’s face.

Who is she?

A black beret sits tilted on top of her head. Was the beret a rebellious attempt on her part? And if it was, were there other photos where she held a Lucky Strike between two fingers while she reclined back in the booth at a speakeasy with her friends?

My wrist twists. I’m hunting the haunting as I search for a name, a date, or a place written on the back of the yellow-stained paper. Leaning in, I squint at the scribble, trying to make out the smudged words on the back. “Unreadable,” I say to no one. 

Rubbing a hand over the letters, I say to the woman, “Tell me who you are, and how your photo ended up here, under my foot at the dump?” Scanning the hill of garbage, I see a crushed gift card box nearby. I bend forward, pick it up, and slide the photo into it.

I walk away from the mountain of black bags with rotting food, worn-out clothes, twisted blinds, and other household cast-offs and settle on a spot with weeds nearby. Pulling my gloves on, I get down on my knees, dig my fingers into the dirt and lift it over, and over, and over again until I’ve dug a hole just big enough.

I place the gift card holder into the hole. Closing my eyes, I remember the woman’s face. “I’m sorry,” I say. “This is the best I can do—,” as I throw dirt on top of the cardboard coffin.

The Lights Out Theater

Sia’s heart fluttered, and her feet pounded the grey stone pavement as she slowed her pace. She craned her neck and searched through the twilight of parked cars, the newly built forty-foot condominium, and into post-World War II brown stacked office buildings.

The Lights Out Theater doors flew open, and Sia leaped back. Patrons poured out onto the streets. She sighed as men dressed in suits with vests and neckties and bow ties and women in sequined floor-length gowns and empire dresses smiled as they passed her.

Why Sia had run, she couldn’t say. There was, of course, the story in the L.O.T. Standard about a philanthropist found dead at an abandoned distillery with only two holes in his neck. Today, Sia saw a second story about an award-winning fifty-year-old female photojournalist who documented the refugee crisis at a camp near a border town and had washed ashore off Guinevere’s Lake. The article said that drowning was most likely the cause of the woman’s death—except puncture wounds were also found on the woman’s neck.

Sia, come with me . . .  

Sia blinked at the long-haired man. Her hand trembled as she fought to pull it away from the ice-cold fingers wrapped around her fingers. His dark hair shone as he took a step forward and the light from streetlights faded, and the voices from theater-goers dissipated. And then they were somewhere else—

She wanted to say something. But all she could do was gulp and open and close her mouth. Then, as the man ran a finger along her neck, she croaked, “Why me?”

“Why not you?” he said.  

Sia’s muscles in her throat loosened, and she whispered, “I’m no one.”

He smiled and pulled his hand away from her neck. “You are someone,” he said as he stepped away from her.

“Did you kill the man they found at the distillery and the photojournalist by the lake?” Sia asked as she trembled.    

“Why would you care? You did not know them.” His eyes fluttered like ravens in the night sky as he slid a claw-like nail along his red lips. “They were no ones,” he said.  

Sia’s cheeks flushed with rage. “She was an award-winning photojournalist who documented over-crowded living conditions at a refugee camp—and he gave scholarships to a handful of troubled kids every year that gave them a chance to go to college or university!”

The man with dark eyes, dark hair, and long fingernails lifted his chin. “And you?”

Sia shrank back. “I’m no one.” 

His manicured eyebrows lifted. “What about your volunteer work at the SPCA?” 

“I get to play with puppies and kittens. That’s hardly volunteer work.”

His smile widened, and white fangs flashed. He stared at Sia. “And what of your volunteer work at the Women’s Shelter?” 

Sia stood there, not knowing what to say. “How do you know about that?” 

There was a flash of something—an arm, a hand, or maybe eyes. They were her eyes. Closed and gone. Sia had a sense there was nothing in front of her, behind her, with her, around her—

Sia shoved him away. Or she tried to but couldn’t because her arms were weak as if she’d lifted a fridge and carried it up a hundred steps.

Then there was warmth and light. Sia lurched forward and threw the blanket off her that covered her arms. Awake, she tapped her neck as she stared at the red drapes with gold edging that hid whatever was on stage. 

Seated in a black leather chair, a woman with salt and pepper hair leaned into a younger man with brown hair and blue eyes. He tugged at his sleeves and glanced at Sia over his shoulder. They looked familiar.

Sia saw the man again with the long dark hair and cape. He stood close by with arms crossed behind his back. She straightened herself in her seat, stood up, and marched toward the man.   

With only a few steps between them, she said, “Did you kill them?”

“No, I did not.” His voice dripped with calm.“I wrote stories about them and gave them to you to read.”

“Why?” Sia said, confused. She hesitated and added, “How?”

“Because they felt like you do—that they were no one,” he said while he circled her.

“You’re lying.”

“Why would I kill them?” he asked as he lifted his chin and tilted his head.

“You’re . . . ,” Sia hesitated, “. . . a part of the dark world.”  

He raised his nose and laughed. “You’re right.” His canine pointed teeth gleamed from the crystal chandelier lights that hung from the ceiling. “Tell me, did you read about their murders anywhere else besides in the L.O.T. Standard?” He said this as he stretched out his hands and looked up to the balcony seats, the lights, and the shuttered red and gold curtain on stage . . .

Sia shifted. Stunned, she pulled out her phone from her back pocket and punched at the keys: Award-Winning Photo Journalist Murdered in Creeping Town. Only one article came up: The one that announced the woman’s award. Sia held her phone, and then she remembered the title of the other article she’d read: Creeping Town Philanthropist Found Dead at Distillery. But, again, she found nothing—except for articles about the philanthropist and the kids he’d helped. 

Sia frowned at the couple as they turned around. The woman smiled and said, “Yaroslav!” Even though Sia and the vampire had been there for at least ten minutes, it was the first time the woman greeted them—or had said anything to them.

“Hello! Did you enjoy tonight’s show?” Yaroslav asked.

“It was terrifying!” she said as she threw her head back and laughed. The man seated beside her smiled and fiddled with his tie.

“This is Sia,” Yaroslav said as he gently placed a hand on her back. “Would you mind explaining some things to her? I have more work to do tonight . . .”

“Sure thing, Yaroslav!” the photojournalist said.  

Yaroslav leaned next to Sia and whispered, “Do not believe all the fairy tales told to you as a child. They weren’t all true,” he said. Then, he turned away, strode to the exit sign, spun around, his cape swung around him with his turn, and he said, “Welcome to the Lights Out Theater! No membership fee. And it’s open to you for your lifetime!” His eyes widened, he twirled again, and then . . . he was gone.

The woman slapped her knee and laughed. “Does he ever like to play up the vampire thing!” Sia stood in front of the woman and chewed her thumbnail. The photojournalist’s smile disappeared, and with a shrug, she said, “He finds people who think they don’t matter. And he tells us we do. So the membership to Lights Out Theater is our reward—and reminder—that we’re important.”

The Pacifist

*Left punch.

Nose dripping, eyes watering, salty blood pours from my mouth, and a spine-tingling throbbing spreads to my head.

*And a right hook. 

*I stand there and continue to stand because it doesn’t matter how many times fist meets cheek, chin, right or left eye, stomach, back—I’m a pacifist who doesn’t know how to surrender, and there are only two ways I’ll get out of this: If I get knocked out and spend the rest of my time on the floor; or my opponent stops pounding me, but then I’ll be stuck here, with this guy circling me—this infinite space where no bell will signal the end of this fight as he struts around the ring in a dance with his mouth wide, eyes gleam, teeth shine and circles me waiting for the chance to strike me again as the crowd chants, “Knock her out!” while my hands rest limply at my sides.

*Straightening my back, I raise my chin and try to open my half-closed bloodied eye while I tighten my muscles and wait

—for the next blow to fall.

Unapologetic

Laura reclined back in her cushioned work chair. Her hand on her mouse, she scrolled through the columns of the spreadsheet with expenses for the Marriott hotel, receipts from restaurants, gas, rental car, and airfare charges. 

Heat pricked at her cheeks, and her eyes stung.

Knock, knock.

Frustrated, Laura sighed.

The headache had started a couple of hours ago, and now her skin tingled from the pain. The “knocking” on the frame of her workstation only made the pounding in her head worse.

“Hey Laura,” Jan said as she grabbed the spare chair from the corner of her cubicle and rolled it close to Laura’s desk.  

Laura’s jaw tightened.  Expenses for the Sales Team must be submitted to the Chief Financial Officer by the end of the day today. She hoped whatever Jan had come for wouldn’t take long.

Jan said some words about an incident from the weekend that made headlines because of what could have happened but didn’t.

 Laura touched her swollen, warm lips.     

 Jan was mad. Angry that on the first warm spring day where birch, balsam firs, and oak trees lined the paths, the parents with children, the teenagers, and seniors that were there, well, none of them had helped a boy who nearly drowned.    

Laura offered excuses: Perhaps, some had heart conditions? Or maybe they didn’t see him? Still, others may not have known how to swim.  Other people may have been in denial about what they witnessed and didn’t have time to react.

Jan left.

Before she left, though, she pushed her caramel-colored hair back, harrumphed, and returned the chair to the corner of the cubicle. Jan shook her head and said, “How can you defend them?”

Laura shrugged her shoulders as her chest throbbed.

Jan spun on her heels and trudged off down the hallway. The clip-clop sound faded. Laura sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose as she stared at the expense sheet for Joy Thatcher.   

 The lines on the spreadsheet, the cells Laura remembered they were called, blurred together.

Concentrate, Laura. Concentrate. It’s only noon. 

***

Other people were around.  But, she wanted to remember the boy.  

Slowly, she’d limped back to her car. Her coat sagged. So, Laura peeled her black jacket off and threw it in the trunk. God, her sweater clung to her like forgotten cilantro in the fridge still in its plastic bag. Then her car chirped, the doors unlocked, she opened the car door and almost got inside.

A woman’s soothing voice said something from behind her. Laura stopped and spoke with the white-haired woman in the black hat who told her she was a retired nurse. The woman said: You should get checked out.

But Laura wanted to go home. She squeezed the woman’s hand once and reassured her that she was okay. Then she watched as the grey-eyed woman walked away.

Once Laura was in her car, she rubbed her hand to her face. Then she watched as two paramedics lifted the boy strapped onto a gurney, and loaded him into the ambulance. Not long after, the transport vehicle’s lights whirled, and the siren screamed as it left the parking lot.

***

There was the hum of vibrating beeps. Over the noise, a clinical voice said, “The time of death for Laura is . . . ,”

There’s a wish that Laura had, something she’d never said, and it’s this: She hoped the boy would be okay.

Running on Empty

I chop strawberries and drop them into a bowl. 
I glance at your bed in the corner of the room. 
I throw yogurt and honey into the round dish,
when the memory of your labored breathing comes crashing down.  
I gobble up my breakfast as quick as I can. 
Start to work, uninterrupted, while night changes to day. 
As the numbers click by on the clock, I know I have time to run, to daydream, and to work some more—
if I want.
Our days of morning walks in the woods are done.
In the backyard, your squeaky ball sits against the fence. 
The pile of stuffed toys overflows from your box, 
and they stare at me with no owner left to carry them around.

You were always there through all of life's changes:
lost jobs, some illnesses, and too many deaths. 
You offered a lick and a hug, and with a tilt of your head: 
Reminded me we'd go for a walk and eventually would be okay again.
The last few years, I've watched as you went deaf, tumbled, and fell. 
But you always struggled, with unending glee. 
Sitting on the pavement, you smiled, to lure in a passerby who might pat you on the head,
and maybe offer you a treat.
They said you were doing well . . .
I knew they were just kind.
Because we all knew what was coming—me, running on memories—
and us, with no more time.