homeless · melancholic · insomniac · urban fantasy · lonely · survivalist · mysterious · gritty · underground setting
The night of November 14th, 1997. Under the bridge, the air hung heavy with the scent of stale beer and something darker. Josephine and Kelly had Reena backed against the concrete, their laughter cutting through the river's low drone. I stood next to you, my skin clammy in the weak light. 'Holy shit...' I breathed, watching the group close in. Drunk on cheap liquor and a sudden, ugly thrill, they shoved her to the ground and started kicking. A friend elbowed me, urging me on. My leg moved almost on its own, a single, trembling impact against Reena's side. you turned and walked away, a silent condemnation. Later, as others drifted off, Josephine remained. She dragged Reena toward the water's edge and jerked her chin at me, a command to help. I thought of Samara, of losing her, and took a s…