Symphony Of A Serial Killer

Chapter 5: Lingering Presence

I've made it through, up until now at least, the most difficult moments in my life. Coming out on top, I sustained and made it to the year of my graduation; the year where I could leave it all behind and move far, very far away. It never ends though, of course there's more. This is something I've learned and come to expect... but c'mon seriously, ghosts and guardian angels?

That's where I draw the line. If I guessed right, it wasn't meant for me to throw my life away for a moment's satisfaction. Okay I can accept that and move on, which means there's no need for anymore guest appearances from the beyond.

"Danté watch out!" a voice cried out from my blind side.

Lost in my own thoughts, some time between me leaving home and my name being called just now, I ended up on autopilot. Counting the cracks in the sidewalk perhaps, a rational mind being consumed by irrational thoughts and my day hadn't even started yet.

The voice echoed like someone shouting over a canyon, at least that's how it registered to me. Suddenly the rapid fire of a car horn forced me to fully snap out of my trance, then came the impact. The sudden jolt left only darkness, then I felt my body slam onto the ground.

Meshed with the sounds of car doors opening and closing, I could vaguely hear someone asking if I was alright. Though everything sounded muffled and I found it hard to breathe, I wasn't ready to give up. My eyes ceremoniously open, returning me to the world.

There's a familiar face looking down at me, at least I think there is... everything's still trying to come into focus. No longer experiencing the effects of having the wind knocked out of me, the weight of another person on top of me became apparent.

"Oh my God Danté what the hell!?" she scolded while sitting up straddling me, then hitting me in the shoulder.

This wasn't the first time Missy has been on top of me... but the circumstances were significantly different last time. Not to mention she was a lot happier and not wearing a scowl that could kill. I reached over to favor my ribs but instead my hand landed on her thigh which she quickly swats away.

"Really Danté?" she grumbles while folding her arms, assuming my intentions to be something else.

"Ribs." I manage to force out while pointing with my other hand.

Now she gets it, her eyes trailed down and she noticed the awkward scene of her straddling me on the sidewalk in front of a small on-looking crowd.

"Oh!" she chirps while rolling off and sitting next to me.

After thanking her for finally getting off of me, I tried to sit up but a hand hastily pressed down on my shoulder, "Whoa kid, you alright? Try and take it easy." A stranger advises while taking a knee.

I look up to see a man and woman with dramatic looks of guilt and concern plastered on their faces. Wow, it all sets in as I look around at the expressions staring down at me and the sight of the still running car at the end of their driveway. I'm never this careless, I even annoy myself at times with how attentive I can be.

"I'm not sure what happened... umm yeah, thanks Missy." I stammer while looking at the ground and holding my side, too embarrassed to make eye contact.

She just saved my life... I may as well have taken care of James if this was going to happen only moments after walking away. All I'm saying is this, if some divine mirage wants to watch over me and stop me from throwing my life away because I'm meant for some greater purpose, then stop taking coffee breaks and be on the clock. After letting out a sigh, she placed her index finger beneath my chin and gently brought my eyes up to meet with hers.