Manhunt

Ghosts (part 1)

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The silver moon was all that illuminated the night. I was curiously peeking out of the back of the van. It was changed, this part of the city. Last time I came here it was all so different. I remember the lights of festivity that flowed through this area, not so long ago. Houses, all seemed to be abandoned now; used to be filled with characters.

‘Hey Max… Maxii! This is Uncle Daniel, our lead artist for the project we are working on! ’

‘Say hi!’

She tried to hold little Max as he skipped past the street to the neighbors where the gathering had already begun.

‘So doctor Sarah…! I guess we must also hurry, it’s almost 12; see haha Max has already joined the countdown!’

‘Haha… Yeah… it’s good to see smiles everywhere… See you in 5 then!’

She chuckled and went inside, so did I.

‘Hi Honey!’

My wife was standing in the stairs as she hugged and greeted me warmly.

‘Where’s my little princess…?’

I asked her while looking around in the hallway where my tiny little angel usually would be sitting, playing with her barbies.

‘She is sleeping… was up all day… you know kids… besides its late so I let her sleep.’

 Katherine replied to me while her eyes were fixed on the little girl’s room.

‘Hmm…  Ok then…let’s get ready my Queen!’

I pressed my lips against her soft cheeks, while holding her tightly close to me.

“Ohh come on now! What have you got there? Let me see.’

 Curiously she asked, seeing the shopping bags in my hands.

‘Ohh my God… No… No… Oh my god…Haha… Seriously’

She gently pulled the package out of the bag and the look on her face had said it all. She was amazed! It was the same dress she was mesmerized by, in the designer exhibition last week. She looked at me with a glare that was enough to die for with a smile.

Indecisive, she looked at me and the package, and again.

‘It is pretty expensive Daniel… I can’t take it… You must return it… NO! You must!’

She looked away from the dress as it was the last thing she wanted while resting her head on my shoulder.

‘Hey… Hey… My love listen to me… look at me!’

I cupped her insanely innocent face in my hands and tried to ease her conscience.

‘From now on… you don’t have to worry about money or my income… this New Year is also a new dawn for our lives… our miseries, our sorrows and our hardships… are all going to sink in with the night. It’ll emerge into something beautiful… like the day… and Yes! My Love, I have got that promotion… I’m officially a doctor now! So go and get ready my angel…!’

She went to the bedroom as I sneaked into the kitchen. Just couldn’t wait for the party at 12. I gargled and hand combed my hair while putting on the only coat I had. It looked like new. Kathy must have put in quite an effort! While I checked for any open windows upstairs, Katherine was ready.

‘Ok… let’s go.’ I murmured while carefully watching the steps.

Time seemed to have stopped! It was a moment worth living for eternity! There she stood. An angel. A pearl wrapped in a cloak. A vain attempt at hiding, what was a spiritual decent from heavens! She gently caressed her hair, tucking it behind the ear.