Page 2 of Silent Knight

“What, why?”

“You’re a foster kid, Ezra. Don’t make waves, just be good, quiet, and no drama. Take a different way home, try going around Bonnie’s Bakery. It’s a little longer but it’s on a main street.”

Like I said, Henry was older and I looked up to him.

“Okay, Henry, I won’t say anything.”

I didn’t say anything, and their deaths were ruled as a freak animal attack. The search for the coyotes lasted weeks but no one ever spotted even one.

That was the first time I was saved by my silent knight, only I didn’t realize it until years later.

EZRA: AGE TWENTY

My life wasweird after that. I was mugged once and, in the paper the next day, I saw the mugger, labelled a serial mugger, was stabbed behind a grocery store…two weeks later my wallet with all the contents was returned.

Three times I was almost assaulted on the subway and each time the power cut out and the would-be attackers disappeared.

That was my life. Odd happenstances, oh and did I mention the decade of constantly feeling like someone was watching me? Yeah, but strangely it wasn’t terrifying. It was comforting.

As much as Henry said I’d be good if I kept my mouth shut, I only lasted at the Kimber’s another four months. I was in a total of fifteen foster homes until I aged out.

My life wasn’t glamourous, and from an outsider’s perspective probably downright sad. I lived above a Mexican restaurant, so all my clothes smelled like spices no matter how many times I washed them. It was loud because the owners kept their doors open until two in the morning and then the kitchen staff had to arrive at five am for prep.

My work life consisted of being a janitor at Legend Hill Hospital five days a week and working at Crane Comics on theweekend. I loved Crane Comics and wished for more hours there so I could stop cleaning up after patients.

But I had work, paid my rent and bills, and even had some left over for food. Go me.

“Feliz Cumpleaños, Ezra.” Mrs. Lopez was sitting outside her restaurant when I exited. I was working the night shift at the hospital.

“Gracias, Mrs. Lopez.

“Please tell me you’re not working on your birthday?” She quirked a brow.

“A week before Christmas and being the only one who has no family to celebrate the holidays with, I got all the doubles.”

I wasn’t feeling sorry for myself. I’d make good money.

“You come to the restaurant tomorrow, birthday dinner on me.”

I leaned down and kissed her weathered cheek.

“You’re the best. Have a good night.”

As I walked to the bus stop, the familiar tingling on the back of my neck made me smile. I wanted to turn around and beg them to show themselves, but I was too afraid they’d run and I’d be all alone again.

“Happy Holidays,” the bus driver said as I got off at my stop right in front of the hospital.

“You too.” I waved and went inside to start my sixteen-hour shift.

“Ezra,I need some help on the ER floor.” Gia was an emergency room nurse who was always kind to me.

On my first day working at the hospital she saw me eating alone and sat beside me with a smile, a wink, and a barrage of questions, claiming she wanted to make a new friend.

“Coming,” I said into my cellphone and hit the elevator button down to the first floor.

Likely it was a bodily fluid spill. She said I was the only one who ever cleaned it properly and honestly, I liked helping her. She was my friend and she made me feel useful.

“I’m here to save the day.” I smiled as I approached her.

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