The child was dying. Harry Dresden, wizard for hire, and Lieutenant Connie Murphy of the Chicago Police department had done all they could, but they had simply been too late. The kidnapper had shot the boy just before he fled. He had not escaped Murphy's aim.
Murphy had stepped out of the dank alley to call emergency services on her cell phone – which never seemed to work right around Harry. She returned to the alley to find Harry slumped forlornly against the dirty bricks of a wall.
She jumped when she saw the other man. His hair was stark white, and he was severely under dressed for the cold weather. Where had he come from? There was only one entrance to the alley and he certainly hadn't come past her. What was he doing?
"Hey, what are you..." Murphy was silenced as Dresden held her back, hugging her and shushing softly in her ear.
"Its all we can do for him now." He whispered brokenly.
Murphy stopped trying to struggle against Dresden and watched as the strange man knelt by the broken body of the child. The man murmured soothingly. He continued hypnotically, exchanging a solemn gaze with the mortally inured child, who's face slowly cleared of pain and fear. He smiled slightly as he closed his eyes and his body slumped.
The stranger stood up, holding his hands out like a minimalist mime pretending to gently raise someone to a standing position with him. The man spoke more loudly, his voice deep, English accent ringing off the walls of the alley.
"Do you see it now, Michael, can you feel it?"
He smiled.
"Its ok, child, go to them now, you will be fine."
He was looking up now, his hands raised, still gripping nothingness.
"Do not worry about your parents and your sister, Michael. They will grieve, yes, and miss you, but you will see them again before you know it."
Murphy felt Harry's forehead drop against her shoulder. She wretched herself away from him and knelt by the boy's body, glaring at Harry and the stranger. They ignored her. She searched desperately for signs of life in the boy. He was gone.
The stranger said "You're welcome, child." as he continued to stare up into the dark cloudy sky. His hands fell to his side and he turned to Harry. He looked oddly as if he were waiting for orders.
Harry nodded and Murphy nearly jumped out of her skin as the strange white haired man dissolved into smoke and sparks and swirled itself into a human skull Harry was holding.
Murphy stared at Harry wide eyed in shock.
He put an hand on her shoulder reassuringly.
"I'm sorry, Murphy, I'll explain it all later. It was the only thing we could do for the boy."
Murphy kept staring at him.
"His name is Bob, he's a ghost." Harry said softly.
She shook herself. Perhaps it would be better if Harry left. She sighed.
"Damn it, Dresden. Get out of here and take ... just go. None of this happened."
Dresden disappeared around the corner as Murphy heard the sirens in the distance and the snow began to fall thickly, covering the alley and the bodies. Masking the tears on her face.