What the f***!
What was that? Did you hear that? It was outside the tent. I’m not going out there. You’re the man. You go.
That was what I was thinking but I didn’t say it. I know I just heard a growl. It was really loud. It was too late. Something tore through the tent.
Part One
It was really cold out. Nicole was coming back from her mother’s house. She had to check on her mother. She was all the family she had left, after her father died. Being the only child was always fun for Nicole because she got all the attention.
Her mother told her to catch a Lyft butt Nicole insisted on walking. She was a beautiful woman with smarts to go with it. She was married to a good-looking man but she still loved to see Stony. In fact, it’s where she was headed. It was their night to meet at 1:30 a.m. They always met up around this time. The full moon was lighting her way and Nicole could not see that good.
I’m hungry. I can’t wait till I get there. I hope he cooked my food. It’s quiet out here just the way I like it. But man, it’s cold! I could swear someone’s following me. I can feel it may I should have took the Lyft.
Nicole turned around just in time to catch a glimpse of a man. The wind was blowing an awful smell.
Maybe he is hungry. It’s hard out here. But I don’t have anything to give him.
She figured he was homeless. But in a snap second, the man was on her. She didn’t even have time to scream. He grabbed her by the throat and ripped it out.
***
Jab is homeless. He has been homeless for years. He also uses drugs, and he’s sleeping on a bench. But this night is different.
There’s a weird smell, “It smells awful,” he thinks to himself. “What is that?” before seeing another homeless man approach. “Do you have a cigarette?” Jab asks the approaching man.
The man doesn’t speak.
“I said ‘Do you have a cigarette!’” Jab said.
But the thing just stares at him.
“I wish I didn’t say that,” he said.
The last word Jab ever says is the word “Mom.”
To be continued…
