Down the Alleyway

Chapter 3

Layelle

The trickle of the IV drip and the heartbeat monitor kept me from sleeping. My room is too quiet that my ears can't help but to pick up even the smallest sound.

I'm bored and all I could do is stare at the ceiling.

"That's good to know, Mr.Wae. It's been nice meeting you."

"Thank you, Miss Layelle. You're the very first person who actually greeted me. And that, really made me happy."

I raised my hand that I used to shake his. He's smiling but there's a hint of sadness in his eyes. And the fact that by simply being greeted by other people made him so happy made me sad. It's like meeting someone is a once in a lifetime for him.

The thought made me giggle.

Of course it's once in a life time. He lived in an alley for christ sake. It's understandably rare for him to stumble into someone.

Is he like me? No friends, and had the urge to offer something just to have one? I never had friends and I know it's weird befriending--even thinking of befriending a man older than me that I found in an alley but--there's a lot of red flags there, I know. But, what more could I lose?

My life?

A small laugh escaped my lips.

It's already on it's way on the fading line and there's no helping it.

But, I can't stop thinking about his offer, is there something more of it? He's like a small scale god. An alley god who could do anything inside his domain. It's a small kind of world but if he can bend it at will and if he can be someone I want then--

I saw a glimpse of my orange cardigan by my door.

And oh, how it invites me to come outside.

The putrid whiteness of the room was defeated by it's bright orange. It's call for the outdoors is louder than the whisper of my room to stay.

I made up my mind. I sat up too fast that I had whiplash. I quickly pulled out the IV out of my arm and the heart monitor off my chest. The steady beat of the monitor ceased and it flat lined, releasing a high pitched noise as I stepped out of my room.

I snuck out of the house, away from the staffs visions and dug out my rusty bike from the shed that I haven't used since I was 10.

'It's good to have you again old friend,' I thought as I beat the dust off the seat. It's hinges creaked a bit as I pedal but it still runs fine, I needed to pedal harder because of the rust but a little challege won't hurt, it's too small for me but that just goes to show how many years I haven't ran around freely. I kept pedaling and pedaling until the city lights became blur and the wind blew my cardigan away, showing off my hospital gown.

I didn't mind the other people and if they looked at me weird I won't see it 'cause I would be riding too fast to care. The cold night wind slapping my face made me feel alive again and the tiredness that's starting to creep into system felt good.

I'm not a zombie, I can still feel things not just stability.

----

I practically drifted my way into the alley, biking all the way through and as soon as I saw the ridiculous white couch I didn't even bother parking, just straight out letting my bike fall.

My rapid breathing echoed through the alley and he looked at me as he put his book down, gentle smile still on his face.

I smiled back.