The Other Half Of My Heart

Stranger

"Jasmine, how do you need this much stuff for a two week visit?" I said as I carried yet another bag to her car.

"I'm not sure what the weather may be like and I haven't been home in over a year so i don't know what I may need." She put her heavy suitcase in the trunk.

Her poor little car was loaded down. She looked like she was moving out. "I think this is the last of it." I said as we stood in the living room. Her last couple of items on the coffee table.

"I am going to miss you." She said and gave me a hug. "Are you sure you will be ok here all by yourself?"

"Yes. I have Buster, the vicious guard dog." Hearing his name he came running in, dancing around our feet. I reached down to pet him and give him love. "See, I'll be fine. I'll miss you too."

I waved from the doorway as she drove away. "Ok, Buster. It's just you and me." I didn't have to work today so I decided to just watch movies all day. I hadn't done that in forever. There always seemed to be something to do.

This was my last spring break so I was going to take it easy. I gathered up some snacks and made myself comfortable on the couch. Buster curled up beside me. I was going to watch all the Fast and the Furious movies. I made it through five of them before I decided to go to bed.

It was quiet the next day. I made sure to do the laundry and clean up around the apartment. Buster and I went for a walk. It was beautiful out. I enjoyed the sunshine on my face and the breeze that blew. Buster liked sniffing everything. When we got back I gave him some fresh water. After that I put him in his kennel and he fell asleep. I could hear his little doggie snores.

I hated to leave him in the kennel but with nobody home it was safer. I got ready for work and headed that way. I had not seen those guys since I called the cops. Maybe they were afraid they will be identified. Whatever the reason, it made my job a lot less stressful.

I worked until close so it was my job to empty all the trash and take it to the big hopper out back. I had two bags and was making my way out the back door. They were fighting me every step of the way. Twice getting hung up so that I had to stop and reposition them to get them through the door.

I set them down outside the hopper. It is pretty dark but there is a light right outside the back door. I have to lift the lid on the hopper then throw the bags in. I heaved them both in and let the lid slam shut. I turned to walk back inside when I heard a noise. My first instinct was to run for the door. Stay calm. It's probably just a cat.

I took a couple more steps when I heard it again. That was no cat. It sounded like a moan. I stopped and turned. "Is someone there?"

I heard the moan again. I should just go in. It's none of my concern. I walked two more steps and heard "Help me." In barely above a whisper. Should I or shouldn't I? Maybe I could call the cops.

"Whoever you are, I'm calling the cops." I said.

"Please . . . . . . . don't." The voice sounded weak and pathetic. Pleading and pulling at my heart. I could at least check on them. I looked around for a weapon, you know, just in case. I found a pretty sturdy stick. I could poke them in the eye if they tried anything.

I walked slowly back toward the hopper. The voice had come from the far side that was in the shadows. I circled wide and held the stick out in front of me. I let my eyes adjust to the darkness before I went closer. Another moan broke the quiet of the night. "Are you hurt?" I asked. My voice shaking a little bit.

A moan the only reply. I stepped closer finally making out a form in the shadows. Closer still I could make out the pale skin and the dark clothes. Whoever it was, they were lying on the ground. I stepped closer and I could see the dark eyes shining out of the face. They were looking directly at me. I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Who are you?"