Page 27 of Run with Me

Her body waslimp and stone-cold, her skin barely holding any shade of life. It took me too long to find the pulse of her jugular, but when I did, I scooped her up into my arms. She barely weighed anything, and I took another look at her frail body. Long, thin arms, a protruding collarbone, and sunken eyes. This girl looked like she’d already been acquainted with death, and I wondered whether there was any hope for someone like her to have a happily ever after.

Always hope for tomorrow.I recalled my late father’s words.

Another clap of thunder rolled over the sky. On my way out of the alley, I stepped into a deeper puddle, soaking my brand new Ralph Lauren dress shoes. My suit and wool coat were beginning to feel heavy from the pouring rain. It was a cooler October than the weatherman had forecasted.

When I stepped out of the limo, I was intending to make a quick dash to underneath the awning of my apartment’s entrance, but a tiny sob from the side alley, like someone was taking their last breath, sidetrackedme.

“Good evening, Mr. Madden. How did the speechgo?”

“It was a successful night, George.”

“Who have you got there?” George hurried to press the elevator button forme.

“That’s a good question, George. I’ll let you know when I findout.”

He removed a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped it over the girl’s face. She had a few scrapes and scratches on her left cheek, but those were not as bad as the gashes on her legs. They were healing now, but would leave permanent scars.

What happened to you? I wondered.

“Playing the superhero again?”

“You know me – can’t rest until the bad guys are all lockedup.”

The elevator bell chimed and I stepped inside the empty box, dismissing the sad reflection in the mirror. I looked like the Grim Reaper carrying my next soul to the other side. With the top hat still on, I could have passed for Reverend Henry Kane from Poltergeist, a movie that still gave me the creeps every time I watchedit.

“Have yourself a good evening, Mr. Madden.”

“You too, George.”

The doorman, whom I’d known for the past ten years living here, waved a polite goodbye and the door closed. The girl twitched in my arms, frowning as if she were having a nightmare.

“Shh, it’s okay. You’re safenow.”

Her body trembled, and her forehead sweated with fury. I lowered my lips to the skin over her brow. The burn there sent a flash of cold down my spine.

“Well, aren’t you a bundle of good news today?”

The elevator opened to my penthouse hallway. My foot slipped inside my shoe as water squeaked with each step over the marble floor. I set the mystery woman on the couch and went to the kitchen. I reached for my phone on the wall, pulling the tangled chord, and turned the dial. It spun back, and I immediately felt relaxed. I’ve been meaning to change the darn old thing for a newer push-button phone, but the old machine brought me too much comfort when it ticked back to its start. There was something timely about it, like men wearing top hats or carrying a handkerchief. I glanced over the counter toward the familyroom.

Or saving damsels in distress.

Her lips were parted, and she appeared to be having a difficult time breathing. My friend finally picked up his phone on the otherend.

“Hello?”

“I need you to come over rightaway.”

“You feeling okay? Do you know what time itis?”

Was it supposed to matter when you called your partner in crime, the former doctor?

“It’s not me. It’s someone else. Bring your medicinebag.”

“Another stray off the streets?”

“What can I do if they keep popping up everywhere Igo?”

“I’ll be over inten.”

---