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[GameGodOfAll]

You think about not going into work tonight. They'd probably give you the night off without a hassle under the circumstance. But then you think about finding out more information about the accident.

You sit down and turn on the TV, flipping through the channels looking for some news. You see that the noon time news will be on channel four in a minute, so you just wait.

After a few stories about unions and the government it comes on. You learn forward as your heart begins to beat faster.

Male Reporter: In a tragic story, thirty-seven year old, Sarita Reyes was killed last night when she was struck by a car at...

Jesus...she did die. You figured she was going to, but you thought there was some hope.

Male Reporter: ...in the driver of the vehicle was sixty year old Jack Heyman. Though witnesses say that Sarita Reyes was running frantically across the street. Even more tragic, you may recognize Sarita as the mother of six year old, Marie Reyes who has been missing for over two months now. The amber alert continues...

Shit.

The news goes to commercial and you get on the computer to research everything. You find out that the driver is being held and may be tried for vehicular manslaughter. You also watch videos of Sarita speaking Spanish, describing her daughter, holding up a picture of her. Apparently Marie went missing when she didn't come home on the school bus one day. Sarita was a single mother who lived with her older brother.

After over an hour on different sites, researching everything you stop. You get dressed for work and then head out. As you leave you get a call from Dennis.

Jack: Hello?

Dennis: How ya doing man?

Jack: I'm fine. Just heading to work now.

Dennis: Oh. Wasn't sure if you were gonna go in tonight. Well I'll see you there. I'm about to head out too.

Jack: Alright man.

Dennis: Hey I'm probably gonna get there early so why don't ya meet me before we head in? Okay?

Jack: Uhhhh sure.

Dennis: Alright Jack. See ya there.

You drive to work and see Dennis smoking a cig outside. You park your car and meet up with him.

Dennis: How are ya?

Jack: I'm alright.

Dennis: Good. That was pretty fucked up last night huh?

Jack: Yeah...yeah it was. You know that lady was the mom of that missing girl?

Dennis: Phew. No shit? Oh yeah that, uh, Spanish girl right?

Jack: Yeah, Marie Reyes. Six years old.

Dennis: Shit. Heavy.

Dennis takes a long drag off his cigarette as there is an awkward silence.

[GameGodOfAll]

You think about what you are going to suggest and make sure that it is what you really want before you put it out there.

Jack: Lets go check out where the accident was.

Dennis shrugs his shoulders.

Dennis: Okay.

The two of you walk around the hospital to the other side, approaching Washington Street. When you get to the sidewalk there is no real sign of the accident. The blood is gone and you'd never know that a woman died there just a few hours ago.

Dennis: Yeah after all the cops got done with it they put down this sand stuff that took the blood off a road. The street was blocked off for a pretty long time.

You just take it all in. The accident replays in your head. That woman, Sarita, getting hit by the car and just laying there in the rain.

You being the last face she saw.

Those broken English words, "car, a, seen".

You don't realize it, but you are almost in a trance as you stare down at the street as cars drive over where Sarita was. You finally snap out of it as Dennis nudges you in the arm. You jump a little as you turn your head and look at him.

Dennis: Hey. Let's go get something to eat. We still got plenty of time.

Jack: Yeah, sure.

You and Dennis turn around and head towards the parking garage. You look back one last time at the street. You look up from the road, past the cars and into the woods.

Who is that?

There is someone standing in the woods behind some trees. He's tall and dressed in black, but you can't see his face with the trees' branches blocking it.

He looks just like the man staring at you last night.

[GameGodOfAll]

Jack: Hey.

Dennis: Hm?

You turn around and tap Dennis' arm to get him to turn around.

Jack: Look.

You and Dennis turn around, but once you do, the man is gone. Your eyes quickly shift back and forth looking for him. He is nowhere to be found. Dennis looks at you and then looks back out in the direction of the woods.

Dennis: Look at what?

[GameGodOfAll]

You make sure the strange man isn't there for another second, before you decide to just play it off to Dennis.

Jack: Nothing.

Dennis: .....

You turn around and start walking and then Dennis begins to follow. He quickly catches up and swings his arm around your neck.

Dennis: Screw food, you need a drink.

You don't object. You go to the bar down the street and just have a little to drink. You are cautious not to get hammered before work.

After the bar, you head to work and the accident is what all the other guards are talking about. You do your shift and it is all uneventful.

At one in the morning, its time to go home. You go to your locker, get your stuff and head out.

[GameGodOfAll]

You remember that you haven't talked to Scott yet about getting the week of the 25th off. Sarah will be all over your ass on that one.

You go down to where Scott usually is and find him.

Jack: Hey Scott?

Scott: Oh, heyyy Jack. How are ya? You doing alright after last night?

Jack: What? Yeah I'm fine. I just wanted to remind you about my vacation. Three weeks from now.

As you are talking, Scott gets on his computer and starts looking stuff up.

Scott: Theeeee week...of the 25th... Ah. Yes, April 25th. I've got you down.

Jack: Alright, I just wanted to make sure.

Scott: It'd be a good time for a vacation for you. You planning on taking a trip or anything.

Jack: No, my ex is and my kid is gonna be staying with me.

Scott: Oh, alright.

Jack: Okay, just wanted to make sure.

Scott: Yup, you're all set.

Jack: Thanks. See you tomorrow.

You leave and then head home. For some reason, every time you have a conversational with Scott it's weird or awkward. He just seems odd.

No strange guys looking at you on your trip home. Maybe that was just in your head. You are probably just freaked from that weirdo last night. You drive by where he was standing and there is no sign of him. You park and head up to your place. You get ready for bed and think about having another drink, but you are tired. You decide to just go to bed.

The next morning you wake up and try to piece together a dream you had. You never could remember your dreams.

You keep thinking about the accident as you go through the morning motions. You replay it over and over in your head. You think about her missing daughter. Eventually, you start thinking about her last words, "car, a, seen. car, a, seen.". Probably just broken English, but maybe it was Spanish or something. You decide to go online and google it, but as soon as you get started your doorbell rings.

You look outside the window and try to see who it is. You spot Lilly's car and then go buzz her in. She walks up the stairs and smiles at you.

Lillian: Heeeyyy.

Jack: Hey Lilly. What are you doing here?

She walks up to you and gives you a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Lillian: I was around and figured I'd stop by. I didn't wake you did I?

Jack: No, no. I was up. Come in.

You and Lillian go inside and she has a seat on the couch. You go to the fridge and get a can of Pepsi. You hold one up.

Jack: You want one?

Lillian: Yeah.

You get her one, pop both and then go sit down with her.

Lillian: So what are you doing? What have you been up to?

You take a deep sigh.

Jack: Did you hear about Sarita Reyes?

Lillian: Uhhh...

Jack: She was the mom of the missing girl?

Lillian: Oh riiiight. Yeah didn't she die or something?

Jack: Yeah she did. I saw it happen.

Lillian: No way. You saw it?

Jack: I was working and I had to do something outside and then I saw her get hit by a car.

Lillian: Oh my God.

Jack: I rushed over to help her, but she was in shock. The paramedics came over and...

Lillian: Jack thats terrible.

[GameGodOfAll]

Jack: Yeah its sort of got me...

You struggle trying to express yourself.

Jack: I don't know. Weirded out. Like I keep playing it over and over in my head.

Lillian: That's alright Jack.

Lillian grabs hold of your hand and pats it gently. Feels nice.

Lillian: Anyone who saw something like that would have it stuck in their head. It will pass.

Jack: Yeah I know, but...I don't know, its just got to me. I keep hearing her final words. It was so weird, I never saw anyone die before and it just wasn't what I thought it would be. She was like in shock. She was staring out into space, rocking her head back and forth. She kept saying "a, seen, car".

Lillian: She saw the car?

Jack: I think thats what she was trying to say. Before that she was yelling in Spanish.

Lillian: Yelling?

Jack: Yeah, she-

You stop and sigh since this is the first time you talked about it with anyone like this. You've already left out so much.

Jack: Let me start from the beginning.

Lillian: Alright, take your time.

You explain the whole thing from start to finish. Sarita running out into the streets, screaming something in Spanish. You waiting to help her, or see what was wrong, the car running into her, you running out into the streets, trying to comfort her, calling for help, the cars stopping, the people gathering around, talking to the cops. Everything.

Lillian has listened to you now for a long time. Its probably been over a half hour, close to an hour, but it feels like you've been droning on forever.

Lillian: Thats enough to make anybody stress out. It sounds like you might be having post traumatic stress disorder.

Jack: What? You mean the thing guys in wars get?

Lillian: Its not just war, it comes from anything that brings on severe stress. It'll get better. Its still fresh in your head.

Jack: Yeah, thats what I figured. But with her daughter missing and her just running out into traffic like that.

Lillian: Maybe she was suicidal.

Jack: No, I saw her. She wasn't trying to get herself killed. She was trying to get across the street. Get to something.

Lillian: The hospital?

Jack: I don't know, maybe.

Lillian: Oh...

Lilly hugs you and cradles the back of your head running her fingers through your hair. Its soothing. You kiss her.

Jack: Thanks for listening.

Lillian: Anytime. You should have called me sooner.

Jack: Yeah...I know.

Lillian: Are you sure you want to work?

Jack: Well I never wanna work. Heh. But, I have to. I'm taking my vacation to watch Paul remember? Besides, I think its best for me. Keep me busy.

Lillian: Alright.

You share a moment of silence before changing the subject.

Jack: So, what were you doing around here anyway?

Lillian: I was out shopping and picking up a birthday cake for my niece.

Jack: Oh.

Lillian: Figured I'd stop by and say "Hi".

Jack: Do you have any other errands to run?

Lillian: No, I can stay.

Jack: Well you don't have to stick around. I'm fine. Besides, I got work tonight.

Lillian: Alright. Are you still getting out early tomorrow?

Jack: Oh yeah. Sure.

Lillian: Well pick me up after work. We'll have some fun and make ya feel better.

Jack: Looking forward to it.

You share smiles as Lillian stands and begins to head for the door.

Jack: Well thanks for stopping by.

Lillian: No problem Jacky. If you need to talk again, just let me know.

Jack: Will do. See you tomorrow night.

You and Lil kiss as she heads down the stairs.

You then go back to the computer and remember what you were doing. You think about it, but then change your mind. No more research for now. Its best to just forget about it. You stop searching and then go about your day until it is time for work.

You head to work, have a nice and normal day, and then go home. The talk with Lilly really lifted a weight off your shoulders. Then it starts to rain. Driving late at night along the wet streets reminds you of the accident again. You never forgot about it, you just managed to stop focusing on it so much. Now the rain brings back the memories.

You get home and get ready for bed. It is very quite around aside from the rain. Usually you can hear your neighbor's TV or something. Its an odd combination of uncomfortable silence, rain hitting the window and the sound of thunder off in the distance. The stormy weather makes you uneasy.

When did you become such a pussy?

You're not afraid of the rain, or dark or any of that stupid shit. This is fucking stupid. You are just scaring yourself. There is nothing to be scared of and you know it. The fact that you know it just turns your uneasiness into frustration and anger.

You decide to help yourself by going to the fridge and getting some vodka. Its the hardest thing you have left in the house. You drink it straight up as you sit in front of the TV, flipping through the channels looking for something to keep you busy. There is a loud crack of thunder, but you don't care. You sit there with the bottle of vodka and your glass as you take a few drinks. You slowly begin to fall asleep. You catch your head snapping forward as you keep waking yourself up right before slumber. You yawn and decide its time to call it a night. You don't want to look at the time. You turn off the television and sit there in the dark for a moment, listening to the downpour.

You stand with the glass in hand. You don't know where the bottle is. You turn around and decide to put the glass in the sink. You head towards the kitchen, out right before you get there, something catches your attention out of the corner of your eye. You turn your head to look.

You see someone's face in the window!

You jump back, grunting. You drop the empty glass on your foot. You bend down for a second in pain and then when your head rises back up the face is gone!

What the fuck was that? Your vision is blurry, the window is covered in rain and you couldn't make out any facial features. Maybe it was...you don't know, something else.

What was that?

[GameGodOfAll]

Your heart is racing. You attempt to gain control of yourself. You slowly build up the courage, step by step as you approach the window. You tilt back as you are almost there, fearing a prowler or anything at all. You get to the window and...

Nothing. You breath a sigh of relief as you look around outside at the rainy city. Nothing but a dark, dreary night.

You stagger to your bed and collapse face first, flopping onto your mattress as you quickly fall asleep.

The next morning the rain continues. Weather forecasts call for rain all week, up until next Monday. You wash yourself up, putting in an extra effort knowing that you'll be spending the night with Lillian.

Your head aches the entire morning, but one of the perks of being a heavy drinker is the ability to just deal with it.

As you move about the apartment cleaning stuff up a bit while brushing your teeth, as you move near the window from last night, you can't resist the urge to peek your head out and look for any peeping Toms.

Nothing.

How stupid. You must have been hammered last night to think someone was watching you from the window. After all, you live on the second floor.

The rest of the day you run errands, going to the store, getting some food and booze. You get a call from Paul around 3, just saying hi.

You go into work early and talk to Scott about getting off a little early. He seems hesitant, but gives it to ya. Once it's confirmed, you call Lilly up and agree to go to her house after work.

Once out, you go right over to Lillian's place. It isn't too far from the hospital.

Lillian lives in a pretty nice house. Two floors, a basement, backyard, front yard, stuff you used to have. Stuff Sarah and Richard have. She'd never be able to afford it, but it was left to her by her parents, who owned it. Lilly and her sister Beth grew up in this house, but Beth got married and is now living with her husband and little girl.

You walk up to the door and ring the bell.

Lillian: Who is it?

A certain tone to her voice lets you know she knows. She opens the door and is standing there in a hot little black dress with her hair done up.

Jack: Whoa.

Fuck yes "Whoa".

Lillian: So nice of you to make it.

Lillian gives you a kiss and greets you in. She has a very nice dinner ready for you which is probably the best thing she has ever cooked for you.

After dinner and some chit chat you are led upstairs and into the bedroom for a great night.

The next morning you wake up with Lil's arms around you. You try not to wake her, but she is a light sleeper.

Lillian: Morning "Loverboy".

Jack: Good morning you too.

You give Lilly a kiss and then go down stairs to get some breakfast. You make scrambled eggs, bacon and English muffins. Not five star dinning, but you know your way around the kitchen sometimes. Lillian joins you downstairs and you talk over breakfast. You and Lilly spend the day together as you help her run some errands. You don't bring up the accident or anything like that.

You spend the night together, but you make sure to wake up early to pick Paul up.

Another rainy day.

You drive over to Sarah's house and ring the bell. Rich answers the door.

Richard: Jack...how are you?

Jack: Alright. You?

Richard: Doing good. Paul is still getting ready, why don't you come in?

You go inside and walk into the living room.

Richard: Coffee?

Jack: No thanks.

Richard: Hey thanks for taking time off from work to watch Paul.

Jack: Yeah, no problem.

Richard: Sarah and I have been looking forward to our trip.

I bet you are, prick.

Sarah and Paul come down the stairs. Sarah looks like a mess with her hair all over her head. Must have been a rough morning.

Paul: Hi dad.

Jack: Hey kiddo.

Sarah: Alright, you be a good boy.

Paul: Alright mom.

Sarah kisses him and you leave. As you drive with Paul you talk about his week in school and stuff. Then think about what you should do today with him.

[GameGodOfAll]

Jack: So, what do you wanna do today?

Paul: I thought we were gonna see Rango.

Oh yeah.

Jack: Uh, sure. I'll look up times once we get home.

You forgot all about that. You might not have the cash on you, but you don't want to disappoint Paul. You can always take it out of the ATM.

You head home, look up movie times online and then go to a 1:30 screening.

You read a newspaper and begin to doze off during the movie, but Paul seems to be enjoying it. Suddenly your phone begins to vibrate. You look and see it's Dennis.

[GameGodOfAll]

You let it go to voice mail. Towards the end of the movie you begin to nod off. Your head slowly falls forward until you snap your head back and then wipe your eyes with your finger tips, fighting to stay awake. The credits finally role and you leave with Paul. When you get to the car you call Dennis back.

Dennis: Hey man, where were ya?

Jack: I just got out of a movie with Paul. What's up?

Dennis: What's up? Poker night, remember? Eddy's place?

Jack: Oh yeah. Well I got Paul tonight...

Dennis: Bring him. Eddy has two kids his age. They can play video games or something together. Come on, we need a fifth guy and it'll be good for you.

[SlenderSniper]

Assistance

[chasechan2050]

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