Chapter 3
Caroline dodged the couples that lay within her path. Some slept soundly, others, too engrossed in one another to notice anything else. The following minute passed by in a whirlwind of tears that hindered her from moving any faster. She was tired of concealing her feelings for Richard for the sake of security. She was tired of the way David's eyes sank with disappointment at the realization that he wasn't the love of her life.
A disillusioned David approached Caroline from behind. His arms circled her waist as he grabbed the contents in her hands. She turned around to face him, defiance etched in her eyes. She saw how he looked back at her. The soft, pleading inquisition of a child. She almost couldn't do it.
"I know." He murmured. "I know, and you don't need to explain. I've known from the first moment I met you. Caroline, it is so rare to feel what you feel. I could no longer live with myself if I continue to ruin your happiness. You are in love with someone else. I can see it in your eyes. It laces your words, shows in your smile. I tried to convince myself that you would be over him, but refused to acknowledge reality."
Her mouth dropped. "What?" She reached for him. "Please, David. I never meant to hurt you. I not only succeeded in masking the truth to you but to myself."
He pulled her to him. "Caroline, I have grown to love you. You have a strong, intelligent head on your shoulders. You will fix this, I am certain of it." Their conversation continued for the remainder of the hour. A breath of cool air kissed Caroline's neck, prompting her to leave.
"I should get going, David. It's really starting to get cold."
"Do you want me to walk you home?"
"Nah," Caroline dismissed him with a wave of her hand. "I live 5 minutes away. It'll be fine." Once again, they embraced, Caroline clinging to him longer than necessary.
"Goodbye, Caroline." He rotated his body 180 degrees and left her. He strolled slowly, as if deep in thought.
Caroline brought her arms around her trembling body, attempting to shield herself from the all to familiar emptiness that knawed at her stomach. The street that lead to her loft looked barren and uninviting in the late hour. Shadows threatened her every step. She walked slowly, cautiously, peering around every corner she passed.
Her gaze eventually fell onto a figure across the street. He was hunched over something, but what? Did she want to risk her safety for the sake of curiosity? A tabby cat flitted past her, sparking a shiver of fear in her stomach. Its fur appeared tattered, possibly weathered by flea infestation. The stripes that ran down its back moved with each step it took. Back and forth, back and forth.
Suddenly, a loud noise thundered in her ears. From all directions, she felt jabbing daggers of pain. It shot down her spine, penetrated the very core of her soul. She tumbled over, the explosions growing more fierce with the passing of time. It hurt so much. A shriek escaped her throat, and then all became dark.
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"Reechard, let's go home and have some real fun." Julia purred seductively into his ear
"Honey, I'm sorry, but tonight I must sleep. I've had a long day, and have an early day at work tomorrow."
"Are you so tired that you can't afford to spend 15 minutes with your only wife?" she countered.
"Uh, okay." His shame hindered him from making direct eye contact. Fortunately, Julia was too self-absorbed to notice.
"Ah, tomorrow I shall shop." Her thick accent resonated over the sleeping couples. " First Tiffany's, than Macy's, than…"
A sharp noise exploded in Richard's ears. Then, another. He grabbed Julia's arm and pulled her to the ground, shielding her with his body. His breathing became rapid and his heart raced with terror. Tranquil couples were jostled from their slumber and night joggers dropped to the ground. Yelps arose from the mouths of angry dogs, and children began to wail. Julia whimpered, her tears saturating Richard's t-shirt.
"Oh my God," were the only words he could manage. Thoughts jumbled within his mind. Images raced with persistent fervor. There were too many to make sense of. Okay, Richard, you're not dead. Breath. Slowly. He tried to comfort himself. Your wife is safe. He looked around him. No one seems hurt. It was probably some gang-related fight that took place 2 miles away or something. Julia is here. Calm down. These assurances offered no solace. Something was missing. His eyes widened at the realization. Caroline, where is Caroline? Did she leave with David? No, she went to the left, and he, to the right. Caroline!! The thought haunted him, screamed at him, immobilized him. He froze, desperately searching for any sign of her. He scoured the horizon, the carousel, and the nearest intersection for any sign.
Please, Caroline, show up. Please don't leave me. He rose to his feet in an instant, abandoning Julia to the security guards currently heading in their direction.
Caroline. That one word pierced his heart, mangled his insides and settled in his bones with persistent agony. Caroline. It pounded in his mind in a thousand different voices. In a swift motion, he sprinted in the direction of her loft, instinct telling him she was there.
He did not recognize her at first.
At first glance, she resembled more of a pile of garage than the woman he would
gladly give his life for. She lay motionless, a lifeless heap, victim to the
deranged mind of a killer. Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he rushed to
her side.
"Caroline," he cradled her head in his arms, gently encircling her with his arms.
"Reechard……." Julia had followed him and was cowering in the shadows. "Oh my God, Carolina…!!" she bellowed for the world to hear.
"Julia, call 911. Now!!!" Julia responded with a nod, sprinting to the nearest pay phone.
Caroline's blood mingled with the tears that cascaded down Richard's face. It saturated his shirt, stained his hands, but he didn't care. He didn't know what to do. A vision temporarily surfaced among his racing thoughts.
"Richard.." she moaned from the living room. "Richard, dial 911. I can't breath." His mother slumped onto the couch. He approached her with a mixture of terror and curiosity.
"Mommy? … Mommy…..!" his voice
rose. He was four years old and witnessed the repercussions of a heroine
overdose. He could remember the way his mom's voice wavered, the way her eyes
glazed over. Obediently, he had run to the phone, punching in the numbers, and
then hid in a dark corner. Foam slithered from her mouth. He brought his knees
to his chest, afraid to look at her. "Mommy," he repeated hysterically.
"Mommy…."
The shrill piercing of a siren interrupted his thoughts.
"Reechard, they're coming. Reechard…..what else should I do?"
"Julia, please go back to the park. I'll stay here with her. I don't want you to see this…" his voice tapered by the bile that rose in his throat. His stomach heaved, but his grip on Caroline did not loosen. Tenderly, he smoothed back her hair. There were two wounds, one, near her shoulder, and another, near her left ear. Please don't die. He begged, ambivalent to the crowd that suddenly appeared. He wanted to scream at them.
"Don't stare! Go away!!!!" he shielded her with his coat. Suddenly, a hand touched his shoulder. It was gentle, but firm, guiding him to his feet.
"Please step away, we'll take care of her now." A paramedic directed Richard to the side of the sidewalk.