Drop in a Puddle

Gentle rain falls like tears as my foot splashes into a puddle. Another quickly follows. I've found myself running with no motive, and neither do I have a reason to go back. My youth seams to conceal me within the night. It makes me look as if I belong here, but I at least know the darkness is not somewhere I do not belong. I'm passing trees and parked cars with speed, now.

Soon, I'm far away in a place I've never been. I stop to rest and realize that, now that I have run, I can never go back. Nor can I ever stop. But for now, I'm in a place where no one knows me. I think I may stay here for a while.

Here I have no past. I come from nowhere and I have no name. I am quiet like the wind that blows the drops of rain. This small town will not even notice my presence until I have left. I slowly walk the streets, creating a permanent map in my head. When I am done it is nearly dawn, so I rent a room and go to sleep. I awake at dusk. It is almost time for dinner.

I wander about the slums. This is the area in which I feel most comfortable. As I walk, I examine every detail of what I see. I can hear the televisions and the laughter of their confined audiences. From just over a block ahead, I hear the voices of anger from within the walls of their home. As I approach, a boy storms out the door. He is larger than his father, who follows, but not by much. I am straining to understand their words when I see the boy reach into his jacket's inner pocket. The father's eyes flash wild as his boy brings forth a gun. The father's eyes never show fear, for there is none. Anger, maybe hurt, but never fear even as the bang echoes through my ears. I watch the father fall to the ground, like a bird shot from the sky.

The boy looks toward me. He looks me in the eyes. Fear, anger, and adrenaline guide his every movement now. I see his hand begin to rise and I fall behind a nearby car. Another bang deafens be and soon I hear footsteps from the other side of the car. As the boy rounds my side of the car, I lunge towards him with all of my weight. He falls back and drops his gun. Before the boy has a chance to think I have the gun. He hits me in the jaw and I bring both hands to his chest. I pull the trigger. His body falls and blood is everywhere.

It begins to rain, washing the blood from my hands and face. I stand up and look around. I am running now. I see no one, and no one sees me, for the darkness conceals me as it does them. My feet splash the puddles that border this town as I run, silently, into the night. I shall never return to where I have come from. As soon as I pass it, it is behind me, and what is behind me does not exist. For, I cannot see it.