Facets I

A Summer Night

A long, sweltering summer day turned into overtime. Deadlines and a screaming supervisor forced me into myself. I worked like an automaton and spent the rest of the night without much incident.

Sweat soaked my shirt as I climbed the stairs. The particular car I rode on the subway had no air-conditioning. I was too tired to get up and move. When I got to my station, I stumbled towards the exit.

The streets were full of loud music from radios, open windows and passing cars. Children ran and laughed and played at open hydrants. Street hoods made eyes at everyone that they didn’t know and they knew no one. I longed for a cool shower and my soft bed.

At twenty paces from the front of my building, the shadows come to life. From its hiding place between parked cars one whipped around and rushed me, slamming its hands on my chest, throwing me off balance. Behind me, on all fours was the other shadow that I tripped over.

My back made contact with the concrete sidewalk. Air rushed out of my lungs. My arms were stretched above my head. The first shadow sat on my knees while he held a gun to my face. The other took my father’s watch, which I had had up to that point for eleven years. My wallet, with my identification and money was also taken.

From where I lived, people stood and watched. The shadows were gone. Slowly, I got up. The back of my head throbbed. As I passed my neighbors one said, “I thought he was dead for sure.”