I've never really noticed them before.
The stars. They're so simple and pretty, so luminous. I don't know why I've never really seen them before. Sure, I've seen stars, but haven't seen them. Appreciated them for their true beauty.
I guess fighting with Alison opened my eyes to things. I can't really say our marriage is over, but it's certainly at rock bottom. What am I supposed to do? I won't understand her. I don't understand anything.
I thought walking around the city would clear my mind of the nagging redhead back at home. I couldn't help but to notice it was quiet, a rare thing for New York City. No speeding cars, no honking horns, no bickering couples screaming on the sidewalk. Hardly any people walking by me, either.
One particular man caught my attention. He practically knocked me down, running with fear. I quickly turned on my heel to see his face, but he didn't even look back at me. I could tell why. His hands and shirt were spattered with wine colored blood, leaving a scattered trail behind. The man's face was hidden by darkness, but even if I did see his face, it wouldn't matter. The blood is what caught my eyes.
I hope he's okay.
I continued walking, the man leaving my mind within a few minutes. I needed to stop thinking and to clear my mind of my wife – You're cheating, Benjamin Coffin! I know you are! – and just think about what tomorrow might bring. The sun, a storm, a smile, a frown. I can't drown myself in now.
That's when I heard it.
Someone was moaning in what sounded like horrible pain. Or were they crying? I stopped my heavy footsteps to listen.
Sobbing, it sounded like. Definitely a female. The wind ceased it's howling and I could hear that whoever they were, they were definitely close to me.
I looked around for a moment; down the street, over my shoulder, under and on the benches. Nothing.
Trying to listen, I realized the voice was coming from the narrow alleyway to my right. Cautiously, I crept in.
A body was hidden among the rubble of bricks and metal garbage cans. I'm never good in this type of situation, but my curiosity got to me. From a distance, I didn't think she was alive. Now that I was close, I could tell they were clinging to the life they had left.
And that it was Maureen Johnson.