Song of the Firebird

Fifty Eight

The only soul that had no problem drifting back to routine jobs in their crew was Danny. He spent the rest of his day under the roof of his office, after changing to his formal attire.

Inside his workplace, Danny worked over his codes for the current project, went out dining with colleagues to his favourite restaurant, managed to grab a few tickets to the art exhibition that was scheduled that weekend and also submitted Jay's leave of absence for the rest of the week. He also did not budge when their manager had issued warnings with regards to Jay's constant absences.

Nodding at the warnings, Danny told him, 'It's only two more days. He cannot possibly come out straight out from his hospital bed. His car skidded on the ice, crashing into a pole. The injuries were only minor.' His office mates could not stop passing comments about their colleague's way with troubles. Since that was Christmas week, the workload was minimal.

After tapping his card out for that day, Danny walked into the street with no intention of going back to his place that evening. He was more swayed by the crowd around and away from him. He wondered if he ever found a place to crash for a drink. Even a seat would suffice, he thought. Disappointed, he ordered tea in a fast food joint and carried himself to the nearest public park.

Holding on to the hot beverage for just the warmth, he managed to take a few sips of hot water blended with tea. He emptied the cup before it went cold in seconds, thanks to the weather.

Throwing the paper cup from his seat to the closest bin, he let out a sigh while reliving the events of that day. It had never been more intense like the one in the morning. Ever since he pulled the trigger, he could not suppress his inner excitement for the hunt. He closed his eyes and settled against the wooden back. His mind wandered around Ryder and the news that came out that evening. Connecting the dots, he found that everyone in their team did not have to step into criminal life as the blatant confession was taken in by the cops.

Danny inwardly jumped after knowing that the men behind all his misfortunes, Sydney Alastair and Kirk Dogen, were no more. Danny did not think twice about sparing the life of his nemesis. He thought that it did more good when the bloke was pronounced dead rather than being alive.

Pulling the leather gloves out from his hands, he did a silent prayer for the fallen, including his own mother. He prayed for forgiveness since he was responsible for the violence that day. He knew well that a bunch of them did not deserve the hits and he prayed that his actions would not repeat as long as he appeared alive on that planet.

Danny began to get accustomed to the silence that followed after his incoherent murmurs. Had his old man come to know of what he had done that morning, Danny was sure that he would not be able to talk to him, let alone reason for the event.

Minutes later, he walked out of the park and to Kiara's place. He was worried when he did not receive any reply to the texts that he sent earlier. He began his next leg of journey to Kiara's dad's place. That day did take a toll on all of them and he was sure that Kiara would not be spared as well.

Danny stopped outside a convenience store and brought two tubs of her favourite, mango sorbet. While he stepped inside her place, he looked at her as she did not bother to turn to him. Her silk PJs began to show away fold marks indicating that she had been on her couch, silent and unmoving for a long time. Danny could not assure that his two tubs would mean anything to comfort her.

Kiara tensed as she felt Danny pat her back gently. He kneeled on the ground and stroked her brunette locks. While he brought them back to her ears, he noticed wet streaks on her exposed portion of cheeks. It was damp as if they hadn't left her soft skin for quite some time. Brushing his thumb above her closed eyes, he said, 'The bad times are over, sweetie. Don't cry.'