Crow and Dove
Chapter 7:
Eric's feet slapped noisily through the flooded narrow alley. Smoke rose from several vents that sprouted out of the sides of the alley, encompassing Eric in a shroud of mist.
The rain had stopped but everything still dripped with excess drops of water. The puddles Eric treaded through splashed up against his legs and swallowed his shoes until his feet were soaked with the cold water.
But he ran on, his face upturned to the sky; his eyes trained on a single black crow flying above him and leading the way. His surroundings passed by him unnoticed. His attention resided solely on that black bird.
He turned another corner and raced on, relishing the feeling of cold air sweeping into his lungs; the dampness that clung to his body; the wind that tore through his hair. He ran fast and strong and soon a smile had crept onto his lips.
He had forgotten what it was like to be alive.
The crow guided him through twisting alleys, across darkened streets, and past dimly lit taverns that reeked with alcohol. The acidic smell brunt Eric's nose but he inhaled anyway, taking in all the scents of the city.
Despite the six years he had been absent, the parts of the city that did register in his mind looked the same as before: dark and forlorn. T-Bird and his gang may have been gone but it seemed as if the city had done little to recover. No doubt, several new gangs had started to take over T-Bird's reign over the city.
And somewhere amongst the looming buildings and menacing streets was Sarah.
Eric knew that the crow was taking him to her. Why else had he come back? Sarah was his only reason to do so. He had made a promise to her. But why was he woken now and not earlier?
Was Sarah in trouble?
The thought encouraged Eric to run faster as his surroundings became a blur around him except for that black target flying low over him.
At last the crow landed on an everted piece of wood that had been poorly fastened across an old door. Eric slowed to a stop in front of the building; his eyes distracted from the crow as he tilted his head back to examine the building that he had been taken to.
Old and crumbling from lack of care, the building was infested with splinters and cracks and covered with moss. The paint had long since peeled away and the brick was slowly degrading into dust. The shingles of the roof were absent and the glass in the windows had all been cleared away.
At the very top of the building was a gaping mouth where a grand circular window had been. The glass had been shattered from the iron structure and the shards now cackled under Eric's shoes as he stepped back to get a better look at the building. A few stray boards had been fastened across the broken window but – like the rest of the structure – were rapidly disintegrating.
The crow squawked impatiently and Eric obediently stepped up the stone steps to the deteriorated door. The crow flapped its wings and disappeared into the darkness within.
Eric kicked against the boards of wood blocking his way and the wood gave way easily from the force; a thin tendril of dust scattering wildly around him.
Eric cautiously entered.
He moved forward in the dark, shooting furtive glances at the spare patches of light created by the lamp outside and the weak moonlight. The crow waited for him atop a banister connected to a twisting set of stairs that wound up into the interior of the building.
Catching Eric's attention, the crow cawed and tapped the metal railing with its beak. Looking pointedly at Eric for a brief moment, the crow flew up a flight to gaze down at Eric with one shining eye.
Eric approached the banister with a foreboding feeling swirling in his gut. He looked up at the crow skeptically. The bird cawed at him expectantly. Swallowing down his anxiety, Eric reached out a shaking hand and wrapped his fingers around the cold metal.
He pulled away seconds later; a fresh memory burned in his mind.
He had walked up these stairs before, hand in hand with his beloved Shelley.
Eric looked up into the looming darkness that clung to the ceiling of the building. Seven years ago, he had lived her with the woman he was going to make his wife.
Six years ago he had returned to relive the life he had lost. His home at the top of the apartment had become his secret base; his sanctuary.
Now he was back. Nothing had changed except for the age. It looked as if the people of the city still refused to enter the place and were too scared to tear it down. They were all afraid to disturb the wrath of the Crow.
The crow squawked at Eric and flew up another flight of stairs. Taking the hint, Eric slowly followed, taking a step at a time and wincing as the prickles of memory sparked in the back of his mind.
Each step brought a brief flash of the past: Shelley, Sarah, a smiling neighbor. Eric ascended faster; the scenes of his previous life flashing swiftly though his head. He started to run and the flickering images merged to create a complete scene.
Shelley squealed with delight as she raced up the stairs, shooting taunting glances down at Eric as he climbed the stairs two at a time to catch up with her. Sarah's laughter filtered up from behind him as the smaller girl attempted to keep up with him.
They passed several neighbors who quickly pressed against the side of the stairwell to avoid being caught into the chase; shaking their heads with amused smiles as they watch the three clamber up the steps.
Shelley made it to the top first and flitted towards their apartment door. She fumbled with the key and Eric took her delay to his advantage. By the time she had managed to open the door, Eric was upon her. He threw his arms around her; nuzzling his lips against her neck, and she released a surprised cry that mingled with jovial laughter.
His first prey captured, Eric turned a mischievous eye at Sarah in time to see the gasping girl approach the final step. He lunged at her and Shelley screamed at Sarah to run. A wide grin broke out on Sarah's face as the small girl turned on her heel and pelted down the stairs, Shelley's encouragement telling her to go faster through peals of laughter.
But Eric was too fast. Before Sarah could even make it to the next floor, Eric was upon her. He grabbed at the hood of her jacket and pulled the girl back into his arms. He hauled her over his shoulder as she shrieked with laughter and carried her back up to the top floor where Shelley waited; clapping her hands for the conclusion of the game.
Eric had won again.
Eric blinked.
He stood gasping on the top floor, sweat dripping from his brow. He could almost hear Shelley's echoing laughter and Sarah's warmth in his arms.
He blinked again and the illusion was gone. The vision had faded back into a memory and a sadness overtook him.
Shelley was gone.
But Sarah.
The crow reclaimed Eric's attention and he followed its coarse grunts to a door. The crow waited inside and as soon as Eric drew near the doorway, it fluttered up into the rafters and was lost amid the darkness.
Eric walked through the empty doorway cautiously; the door having fallen away long ago. The wood creaked under his weight and he could feel its spongy softness from the relentless rain that assaulted it.
Moonlight streamed brokenly in through the gaping window and a stiff breeze blew around Eric's feet, making his shiver.
He carefully dodged around various broken furniture and particles of shadowed objects. A few holes marred the floor with their jagged-toothed mouths, and at their bellies was more darkness.
Strangely, a lone box stood in the far corner of the room; furthest away from the window and the chilling breeze that filtered through it. The box was large but old and battered. A few clothes, empty food containers, and used items were scattered around it.
Curious – and with a strong sense that this was what the crow had wanted him to see – Eric crept closer. He approached the box on silent feet and peered down into its mouth to see a figure huddled inside.
The figure's back was facing Eric and a blanket was wrapped tightly around it but he could still see the river of hair cascading down onto the floor around the head. It looked so familiar.
"Shelley?" Eric asked incredulously; still unaccustomed to his new voice.
The figure shifted and rolled over.
It wasn't Shelley.
It was a different woman.
And her eyes were wide open.
_._._._._._
Sorry this one took a while to post. It's getting harder to find free time.
So, Sarah and Eric have finally met. But now they both look entirely different. Explanations should be fun.
I hope to hear more from my readers. Sarela, I'm always anxious to hear your insight.
Until next time,
Hobey-Ho