Durch Die Nacht Ch. 1

The rain. I am beginning to hate it more and more. It seems like it is always raining. Even as I sit here at the bar, I look outside and watch the sky, crying for no reason. I looked back at the table and sipped my Smirnoff. I was content here, inside, away from the cold and the wetness outside. 1

One of the reasons I most hated the rain, was because of the way it made me feel. I always seemed to be depressed when it rained. For the past week or so I felt like I was alone in the world. Granted my girlfriend left me, but still. I felt like there was no one who could understand me. 2

Not to mention, I had been having these horrible nightmares. Plus, I would go to bed at night, and wake up somewhere totally different. It made no sense, and it was driving me crazy. I sat my drink on the counter, and looked up to the TV monitor. The news was on.3

"In local news, another found dead in Ridgemont Park appears to be another strand in the sucession of murders that have been seen here in town. Police ruled out that the victim was mutilated, having what appeared to be her throat mangled by some kind of biting motion. Autumn Grove police are looking into the matter as a possible wild animal, running loose."4

I looked away. It was like that was all that was ever on the news anymore. People hurting people, people stealing...It made me sick. I sat back and thought about where I was. 'The Pinnacle'. It was a bar on 52nd street downtown. I came here, because the bartender and I were friends, going way back.5

"Buck up, dude. I know you're upset, but she's just takin' some time to think about everything. That's all."6

A tall, husky-looking guy stood next to me cleaning a glass with a cloth. He was wearing a shirt that clung tightly to his body, with tattoos running down his arms. He was a tall guy, with snakebites and gauges in both ears. He sat the glass down and put a hand on my shoulder.7

"Look man, you come down here, moping around, and it's makin me upset. You need to do somethin'. You need to get out there and get everything off your mind dude."8

I played with the rim of my glass, and then sat back to look up at him. He was staring me down, his black hair shining with the light of the overhead bar lamp.9

"Seriously, cheer up will ya? She loves you dude. Give it time."10

I took a minute to think, and then replied. "I know, Hart, I know." I lowered my head and looked back at the counter. I know he only means well, but I just don't even want to think about it.11

"Look man, get outta gere, go home, and get you some rest. I'll come over after work and we'll hang. I don't have to come in tomorrow, and it'll be some us time, some guy time, alright?"12

He placed a hand on my shoulder and I nodded to him. I sat my drink back on the counter and stood up, putting my jacket on. I hated thinking about what happened, but I couldn't help it. Kelly was my life and now, all of a sudden she was just...gone.13

I pulled my hood over my head, fixed my glasses, and put my hands in my pockets. I was headed for the door. It opened with a jingle of the bell overhead, and closed with a thud just as quickly. I was stuck out in the watery city, trapped and all alone.14

I wanted to get home quickly, so I decided to take a shortcut through the back alley to my house. I didn't live far from The Pinnacle, so I frequented it often. I turned right and headed around the corner, my footsteps sloshing in the downpour.15

I passed the old textile building, and turned another right by Old Man Hinkel's thrift shop. Beauty was not part of the downtown lifestyle, but hominess and warmth were. The grayness of the alley seemed to get darker, as the looming buildings covered the street.16

I watched my footsteps as I walked down the back alley, right out behind the Milshine Hotel. The hotel was run-down, shoddy, and poor, but the hospitality was at its best, covered in all of the filth.17

I couldn't stop myself from thinking about everything. I was wondering why Kelly left me, why I felt so down on myself, and why I ended up in this situation. I shook my head as the rain had practically engulfed me in it's endless abyss. I looked up, and something caught my attention.18

I heard a faint sound, directly to my right. It sounded as if someone, or something, had jumped from catwalk to catwalk on the Milshine. Again, the sound came, only a bit further back. I stood, soaked in the middle of the alley, listening carefully.19

I was freaking out. My mind had finally had it, and it was playing tricks on me. Maybe Hart was right? Maybe I did need to get out, get some rest, and let this all roll off my mind?20

There was a sudden thud behind me. It sounded as if someone had dropped to their feet, right behind me. My heart was pounding. I slowly turned to see what, if anything, was breathing down my neck. My feet pivoted, and as the background came into view, the image startled me.21

I felt as if my heart stopped. All of a sudden I felt this impact on the left side of my neck, and everything started to go black. As I hit the ground, splashing water all around me, I looked up. It took all I could to muster my thoughts.22

"Kell-...?"23