Red sat on the fire escape, watching the sun rise. Her arms hugged her knees tightly to her chest. A cold wind blew in off the bay, and goosebumps rose on her arms.
Behind her, the door creaked open. She quickly stood and whirled around.
"Whoa, whoa. Hold up a minute."
"Blink." She weakly crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't do that." She slowly turned and hugged her knees to her chest again.
Blink slowly walked over, but wisely stopped about four feet behind her. "This isn't your fault, ya know."
She turned her face to the side. "Yes, it is. They wanted me. The want to kill me. But first they'll play games with my head. And they took Tyke. Because they want me."
Blink just stood.
"Am I right? Am I not right?" She stood up in a fury and flung her arms out. "Well come and get me now! Come you cowards, and take your prize! Get what you came for!"
The shrill screech pierced the waking air. Birds flew up from neighboring rooftops. Red fell to her knees again and buried her face in her hands. Blink rushed over to her and lifted her chin with his fingers.
"Listen to me. We'll find him!"
"It's the third day," she replied despondently.
"And on the third day Jesus rose from the dead." He smiled encouragingly, then turned her around toward the sunrise and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Sing for me. Something hopeful. Something you like singing. Alright? Sing."
She took a deep breath, opened her mouth, and sang. One clear, sweet note, followed by trills and arpeggios and whole notes and staccato and crescendos. Blink had no idea what the song was about. But his heart lifted into his throat.
- - - - - - - -
"I miss Wed."
"She'll be coming soon."
"You pwomise?"
"I promise." The gun clicked.